Run off is a phrasal verb with three jobs: to leave quickly, to drain away, and to print copies fast. Its meaning depends on whether off is a particle or a preposition, so separability changes… Read More »Run Off in a Sentence: Meaning, Uses & Examples
Lean toward means to favour one option slightly while staying open to others, and the fixed phrase behaves like a single verb. In a sentence it takes a noun or an -ing form: “I lean… Read More »Lean Toward in a Sentence: Meaning & Examples
Antagonism is a noun for open hostility between people or groups, whether it shows as rivalry, defiance or quiet resentment. In a sentence, antagonism usually follows a preposition or a possessive: “deep antagonism between the… Read More »Antagonism in a Sentence: Meaning & Examples
Ease up means to become less intense or to reduce the pressure you put on someone. To use ease up in a sentence, leave it without an object or add on: “The rain eased up… Read More »Ease Up in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Practice
Flounder means to struggle clumsily or to be in serious difficulty. To use flounder in a sentence, keep it intransitive: “The young team floundered in the final quarter.” The verb names unsuccessful effort, whether the… Read More »Flounder in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Practice
Derogate is a formal verb meaning to take away from the value, importance or authority of something, and it usually appears as derogate from. To use derogate in a sentence, name the weakened thing after… Read More »Derogate in a Sentence: Meaning & Examples
Consanguinity is a formal noun meaning a blood relationship between people who share a common ancestor. To use consanguinity in a sentence, treat it as the state of being related by descent: “The court examined… Read More »Consanguinity in a Sentence: Meaning & Examples
Gun for is an informal phrasal verb meaning to pursue someone or something with determination, often in a hostile way. It usually appears in the progressive, as in “The critics are gunning for the new… Read More »Gun For in a Sentence: Meanings, Examples & Practice
Dispassionate is an adjective meaning not influenced by emotion, especially when judging or deciding. It describes a person, tone or analysis that stays calm and fair, as in “a dispassionate review of the evidence.” The… Read More »Dispassionate in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Practice
Yike vs yikes comes down to one fact: yikes is the established interjection for surprise, alarm or dismay, while yike is a rare singular form that most editors avoid. Use yikes in speech and writing… Read More »Yike vs Yikes: Which Word Should You Use?
Close down means to stop operating, whether a business ends trading or a machine is switched off for the night. To use close down in a sentence, name what stops and let the verb follow:… Read More »Close Down in a Sentence: Meaning & Grammar
The zoo vs menagerie choice comes down to institution against collection. Use zoo for a public place that keeps wild animals in enclosures for visitors, education and conservation, and menagerie for a private or historic… Read More »Zoo vs Menagerie: How to Choose the Right Word
Distend is a verb meaning to swell outward because of pressure from inside, and it is used most often of a stomach, a vein or a balloon. To use distend in a sentence, name what… Read More »Distend in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Grammar
Spectrum is a noun for a range that stretches between two opposite extremes, and it also names the band of colours that white light separates into. To use spectrum in a sentence, attach it to… Read More »Spectrum in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Grammar
Yearn vs pine comes down to intensity and tone: yearn is a steady, broad longing, while pine adds visible sadness and is often tied to missing someone or somewhere. Use yearn for an ongoing want… Read More »Yearn vs Pine: Meaning, Difference & Examples
Chew on has two senses: to bite at food again and again, and, far more often, to think something over slowly. To use chew on in a sentence, give it an object: “Let me chew… Read More »Chew On in a Sentence: Meaning, Grammar & Examples