In order to address starvation in Africa, many companies came together to launch a campaign to raise money for people in need.
synonyms
startbegininitiate
word origin — Middle English (in the sense ‘hurl a missile, discharge with force’): from Anglo-Norman French launcher, variant of Old French lancier (see lance)
Upper-Intermediate — Set 74
Set 74 of Upper-Intermediate covers 5 words: launch, specify, clarify, object, ensure. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.
launch · verb/lɔn(t)ʃ/
to start an important thing
In order to address starvation in Africa, many companies came together to launch a campaign to raise money for people in need.
Synonyms: start, begin, initiate
Origin: Middle English (in the sense ‘hurl a missile, discharge with force’): from Anglo-Norman French launcher, variant of Old French lancier (see lance)
specify · verb/ˈspɛsəˌfaɪ/
to make something clearer by giving details
In order to have reliable data, the minister needs to specify the number of patients who have been treated.
Synonyms: indicate, determine, designate
Origin: Middle English: from Old French specifier or late Latin specificare (see specific)
clarify · verb/ˈklɛrəˌfaɪ/
to make a statement more understandable
The students asked the professor to clarify her points that she made regarding the consequences of 2008 economic recession on EU countries.
Synonyms: purify, explain
Origin: Middle English (in the senses ‘set forth clearly’ and ‘make pure and clean’): from Old French clarifier, from late Latin clarificare, from Latin clarus ‘clear’
object · verb/ˈɑbdʒək(t)/
to say that you do not agree with or accept something
If the majority of residents of the city object to the idea, the municipality could stop the new shopping mall construction.
Synonyms: oppose, disagree, argue against
Origin: late Middle English: from medieval Latin objectum ‘thing presented to the mind’, neuter past participle (used as a noun) of Latin obicere, from ob- ‘in the way of’ + jacere ‘to throw’; the verb may also partly represent the Latin frequentative objectare
ensure · verb/ɪnˈʃʊr/
to make a situation certain
The companies have to ensure the safety of its workers especially the ones who work in the production department and are under more risks.
Synonyms: guarantee, assure, secure
Origin: late Middle English (in the senses ‘convince’ and ‘make safe’): from Anglo-Norman French enseurer, alteration of Old French aseurer, earlier form of assurer (see assure). Compare with insure