Collins Primary Thesaurus. Collins Dictionaries

Dad grumbled.

      yawning

      The earth shook violently, and a yawning hole opened up in the street.

      ANTONYM: shallow

      deep (2) ADJECTIVE

      Deep can mean great or intense.

      intense

      Van Gogh painted vibrant pictures with intense colour.

      profound

      The discovery of penicillin had a profound effect on medicine.

      strong

      A strong wind blew the sailing boat safely back on course.

      deep (3) ADJECTIVE

      A deep sound is a low one.

      bass

      The bass sound of the foghorn echoed through the mist.

      low

      Mrs Quail’s voice is so low that she is sometimes mistaken for a man on the telephone.

      ANTONYM: high

      defeat (1) VERB

      If you defeat someone or something, you win a victory over them, or cause them to fail.

      beat

      “I hope my team beats yours,” Pete said cheekily to Smithy.

      conquer

      To conquer Wales was King Edward’s lifelong wish.

      overcome

      The girl overcame her disability to become a great champion.

      overpower

      Legions of screeching auks overpowered the tiny band of travellers.

      rout

      The forces of evil in Narnia were routed in the last battle.

      defeat (2) NOUN

      A defeat is the state of being beaten or of failing.

      beating

      Class 3a crowed that the team from 3b had taken a beating.

      conquest

      The conquest of England by the Normans in 1066 was a turning point in history.

      downfall

      The dictator’s downfall was sudden and spectacular.

      pasting INFORMAL

      Mighty Hawk took a severe pasting from the new wrestler.

      trouncing INFORMAL

      “What a trouncing,” Mitch moaned.

      ANTONYM: victory

      defence NOUN

      Defence is the action that is taken to protect someone or something against attack.

      immunity

      The nurse assured me that the vaccination would give immunity from measles.

      protection

      “Our paint offers ten-year protection from the rain,” the advert boasted.

      resistance

      “Resistance is useless. Come out with your hands up!” bawled the loudspeaker.

      safeguard

      Taking out insurance acts as a safeguard against misfortune.

       A country’s defences are its armed forces and its weapons.

      defend (1) VERB

      If you defend someone or something, you protect them from harm or danger.

      fortify

      The manor house was fortified by the addition of a large wall around it.

      guard

      Brushing your teeth helps guard against decay and keeps your breath fresh.

      protect

      King Edward protected the castle with no fewer than six main gates!

      safeguard

      The sentries safeguarded the palace.

      ➔ See shelter (1)

      defend (2) VERB

      If you defend a person or their ideas, you argue in support of them.

      justify

      Anita justified hitting the boy by claiming that he had hit her first.

      speak up for

      Amal spoke up for his friend, despite the bully’s threats.

      stick up for INFORMAL

      “Thank you for sticking up for me,” said Lisa gratefully.

      support

      Dad supported me when our neighbour complained about the noise.

      definite ADJECTIVE

      Something that is definite is clear and unlikely to be changed.

      certain

      “It is certain that I will be having a birthday party,” Molly told us.

      guaranteed

      My uncle secured us guaranteed seats for the big game.

      positive

      The contestant gave a very positive answer. Sadly, it was the wrong one.

      sure

      Being sulky is a sure way to lose friends.

      ANTONYM: uncertain

      definitely ADVERB OR INTERJECTION

      Definitely can mean certainly and without doubt.

      absolutely

      “Are you able to play?” I asked. “Absolutely!” came Deepak’s reply.

      beyond any doubt

      Beyond any doubt, the German was the best racing driver in the world.

      certainly

      The coach admitted, “We’ve certainly got a good team this year.”

      plainly

      The witness was plainly going to say nothing.

      unquestionably

      The banquet was unquestionably the largest meal he had ever eaten.

      delay (1) NOUN

      If there is a delay, something does not happen until later than planned or expected.

      hold-up

      At the last minute, there was a hold-up in the live TV broadcast.

      pause

      After a pause, the mayor continued his speech.

      postponement

      Owing to the storms, there was a 24-hour postponement in the rocket launch.

      setback

      There were a few minor setbacks before the house was built.

      wait

      We had a slight wait before being ushered in to meet the prince.

      delay (2) VERB

      If something delays you, it makes you late or slows you down.

      hinder

      My baby brother did his best to hinder Mum’s vacuum cleaning.

      hold up

      Traffic was held up by a burst water main.

      slow down