Cede is a verb meaning to give up power, territory or control to somebody else, usually under pressure or by agreement. To use cede in a sentence, name the thing surrendered and the receiver: “The… Read More »Cede in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Practice

Avuncular describes a man who is kind, warm and gently helpful toward younger people, the way a favourite uncle behaves. To use avuncular in a sentence, place it before the noun or after a linking… Read More »Avuncular in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Practice

A gavel is a small wooden mallet that a judge, auctioneer or chair strikes to call for order or mark a decision. In a sentence gavel is a countable noun, as in the judge raised… Read More »Gavel in a Sentence: Meaning, Forms & Examples

A firebrand is a person who passionately stirs up conflict or reform, often leading others with fiery speeches. In a sentence firebrand names the person, so it behaves like a label: she was a firebrand… Read More »Firebrand in a Sentence: Meaning & Examples

Someone vs somebody is a choice of style rather than meaning, because someone and somebody are interchangeable in every sentence. Use someone when the writing is formal or the rhythm wants two syllables; use somebody… Read More »Someone vs Somebody: Which to Use and When

To reach out to someone is to contact them, usually to offer help, ask for something, or begin a relationship. In a sentence reach out to takes a person as its object, as in reach… Read More »Reach Out To in a Sentence: Meaning & Examples

Entrails is a plural noun meaning the internal organs of an animal or person, especially the intestines. To use entrails in a sentence, name the body or object being opened and keep the word plural:… Read More »Entrails in a Sentence: Meaning & Examples

Roll off describes something that comes away from a surface, or something said with easy, flowing delivery. To use roll off in a sentence, choose the sense you need: “the rain rolled off the roof”… Read More »Roll Off in a Sentence: Meaning, Uses & Examples

Line up is a phrasal verb meaning to form a row, to arrange things in order, or to secure something in advance. To use line up in a sentence, decide whether a row is forming… Read More »Line Up in a Sentence: Meaning & Examples

Yore vs olden days is a choice between a fixed literary noun and a warm nostalgic phrase: use of yore in deliberate, formal or playful writing, and the olden days in ordinary reminiscing. Yore cannot… Read More »Yore vs Olden Days: Which to Use and When

Misconstrue means to interpret something wrongly, usually by reading a word, an action or a silence as something it was never meant to be. To use misconstrue in a sentence, name the message and the… Read More »Misconstrue in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Practice

A dullard is a person who is slow to learn or understand, and the word carries an old-fashioned, mildly contemptuous tone. To use dullard in a sentence, place it where a noun for a person… Read More »Dullard in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Practice

Vacant vs vacate separates a state from an action: vacant is the adjective for a place or post that is empty, and vacate is the verb for leaving it. Use vacant to describe the room… Read More »Vacant vs Vacate: Meaning, Difference and Examples

Go forward is a phrase meaning to move ahead or to proceed with something. To use go forward in a sentence, add with before a plan or to before the next stage: “The board agreed… Read More »Go Forward in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Practice

Flaccid means soft and not firm, or lacking force and energy. To use flaccid in a sentence, decide whether you are describing a body or an effort: “The plant collapsed into a flaccid stem.” The… Read More »Flaccid in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples and Practice

Stand down means to withdraw from a role, a contest or a state of alert, usually so that someone else can take over. To use stand down in a sentence, treat it as one verb… Read More »Stand Down in a Sentence: Meaning and Examples