Collins Primary Thesaurus. Collins Dictionaries

progress was slowed down by a crawling tractor in front.

      deliberate ADJECTIVE

      If you do something that is deliberate, you do it on purpose.

      calculated

      The head teacher took a calculated risk and told staff to put the stalls outdoors.

      conscious

      “I want you to make a conscious effort to get to school on time,” Mrs Lenster said.

      intentional

      The referee decided that the dangerous tackle was intentional, and sent the player off.

      ANTONYM: unintentional

      delicious ADJECTIVE

      Delicious food or drink tastes very nice.

      appetizing

      The waiter brought round all sorts of appetizing titbits.

      delectable

      “Thank you, that was a delectable meal, Mrs Kean,” Marie said politely.

      scrumptious INFORMAL

      I think meringues are scrumptious. My sister hates them.

      tasty

      Some cheese is tasty. Some tastes like rubber.

      ANTONYM: horrible

      depend (1) VERB

      If you depend on someone or something, you trust them and rely on them.

      bank on

      Mr Marshall said he was banking on me to score a few goals.

      count on

      I was counting on Dennis to give me some good passes.

      rely on

      Lyra knew she could rely on the huge bear to come to her aid.

      trust

      The owners trusted you to put the correct money in the box.

      depend (2) VERB

      If one thing depends on another, it is influenced by it.

      be based on

      “Our firm’s success is based on the hard work of the staff,” the boss stated.

      hinge on

      The battle hinged on whether the cavalry could break through the enemy line.

      describe VERB

      If you describe someone or something, you say what they are like.

      define

      The supply teacher asked me to define what a hexagon is.

      explain

      Beatrice explained what she had done and her reasons for doing it.

      relate

      My pal Vadim was bursting to relate what had happened on the way to school.

      report

      On Monday, I was expected to report on our weekend camping trip.

      description NOUN

      A description is an account or picture of something in words.

      account

      The witness gave his account of the incident.

      profile

      Police assembled a profile of the burglar, making him easy to identify.

      report

      Class 6 gave a report on all the activities they had taken part in.

      deserve VERB

      If you deserve something, you earn it or have a right to it.

      be worthy of

      The girl’s bravery was worthy of the highest possible honour.

      earn

      The president’s forgiveness of his kidnappers earned him the respect of the world.

      justify

      The boy’s terrific courage justified his award.

      merit

      “Tidings of our great victory merit a celebration,” said the duke.

      despair NOUN

      Despair is a total loss of hope.

      desperation

      In desperation, the pilot ejected.

      gloom

      The team had been relegated and gloom filled the dressing room.

      hopelessness

      The hopelessness of the starving people made the reporter weep.

      desperate ADJECTIVE

      A desperate situation is extremely dangerous or serious.

      critical

      The sick woman’s condition was critical.

      drastic

      Sealing the city was a drastic action, but it stopped the spread of the plague.

      grave

      “We are in a grave predicament,” said the king. “We must fight for our lives.”

      hopeless

      The situation of the soldiers seemed hopeless.

      despite PREPOSITION

      If you do something despite some difficulty, you manage to do it anyway.

      in spite of

      In spite of her age, Granny is very fit.

      regardless of

      Regardless of the danger, the medic carried the injured man to safety.

destroy VERB

      If you destroy something, you damage it so much that it is completely ruined.

      annihilate

      Scientists think that changes in the climate may have annihilated the dinosaurs.

      demolish

      Workmen demolished the disused factory.

      devastate

      In 1945, two Japanese cities were utterly devastated by atom bombs.

      ruin

      “They’ve ruined that park by chopping those trees down,” Grandad grumbled.

      wreck

      A lifetime playing loud music wrecked the guitarist’s hearing.

      determination NOUN

      Determination is a great strength and will to do something.

      dedication

      The nurse’s dedication earned her the thanks of all the soldiers.

      drive

      To get to the top, businesspeople need drive and imagination.

      perseverance

      The tortoise’s perseverance helped him beat the foolish hare in the race.

      will

      Matthew’s will to win saw him achieve Olympic gold.

      determined ADJECTIVE

      If you are determined to do something, you will not let anything stop you from doing it.

      intent

      She was so intent on doing well, she made herself ill with worry.

      persistent

      The salesman was so persistent that Mum shut the door on him.

      single-minded

      Sometimes