English I Lesson Seven

deluge (n) a flood; a great downpour; an overwhelming rush of anything Definition Example (n) a flood; a great downpour; an overwhelming rush of anything syn: downpour, inundation The new amusement park had a deluge of visitors on opening day.

demented (adj) mentally ill; insane syn: deranged, insane Definition Example (adj) mentally ill; insane syn: deranged, insane After observing his demented behavior for a few minutes, we decided to call the doctor.

demise (n) death; a ceasing to exist syn: termination, conclusion Definition Example (n) death; a ceasing to exist syn: termination, conclusion Upon her Uncle Ian’s demise, Mary was to receive his property.

denigrate (v) to ruin the reputation of; speak ill of Definition Example (v) to ruin the reputation of; speak ill of syn: to blacken, defame ant: praise, promote His opponent’s slanderous remarks could not denigrate the fine work done by Senator Owens.

denizen (n) an occupant; inhabitant syn: inhabitant, resident Definition Example (n) an occupant; inhabitant syn: inhabitant, resident Mac the Knife was a longtime denizen of the underworld.

deplete (v) to use up gradually syn: to empty; exhaust the supply Definition Example (v) to use up gradually syn: to empty; exhaust the supply ant: replenish After we had depleted our meager food supply, we decided it was time to come out of hiding.

desecrate (v) to damage a holy place; to treat with irreverence Definition Example (v) to damage a holy place; to treat with irreverence syn: profane ant: consecrate The small church had been desecrated by vandals.

desist (v) to stop; forbear syn: cease, abstain ant: begin, start Definition Example (v) to stop; forbear syn: cease, abstain ant: begin, start After many long hours, the rescue crew was told to desist in its futile efforts to recover the wreckage.

desolate (adj) lonely; forlorn; uninhabited; barren Definition Example (adj) lonely; forlorn; uninhabited; barren syn: dismal, wretched ant: populous, crowded The small raft washed ashore on a desolate island many miles from the mainland.

despot (n) a dictator with absolute power syn: autocrat, tyrant Definition Example (n) a dictator with absolute power syn: autocrat, tyrant Stalin was a cruel despot who was responsible for the deaths of a huge number of people.