A-Z-11

60 words & definitions

delve
To research or make painstaking inquiries into something
deft
Neatly skillful and quick in one's movements
defunct
No longer existing or functioning
decrepit
(of a person) elderly and infirm
delectable
(of food or drink) delicious
despicable
Deserving hatred and contempt
demolish
To pull or knock down something, such as a building.
deplore
To feel or express strong disapproval of (something)
defiant
refusing to obey authority, sometimes even to the point of refusing to accept criticism.
decimate
To kill, destroy, or remove a large percentage or part of something.
deranged
Behaving in an uncontrolled or dangerous way because of mental illness
demystify
To make something easier to understand
delusional
Seeing or believing things that are not real
deflect
To direct attention away from a topic
delude
To mislead someone into believing something that is not true
despair
Having no hope that things will get better.
depleted
When resources and energy are used up and emptied.
deteriorate
To gradually get worse
desolate
A place that is empty and without people
deplete
To reduce something by a large amount so that there is not enough left, such as resources or money
desperation
A strong feeling of fear and loss of hope.
despondent
Unhappy and feeling no hope or enthusiasm
deceitful
Intentionally misleading or dishonest.
deceive
To mislead or trick someone, especially for personal gain.
deceptive
Causing someone to believe something untrue.
decipher
To figure out the meaning of something difficult to understand.
decoy
An object made to resemble something else, to lure someone into a trap.
defective
Having a fault or flaw, not working properly, not meeting the required standard or quality.
defuse
To reduce the tension or danger in a difficult situation.
delirious
In a disturbed state of mind, often due to illness or fever, leading to confusion and hallucinations.
deluge
A severe flood or overwhelming rush of water.
denounce
To publicly declare something or someone as wrong or evil.
denigrate
To damage the good name or character of a person.
dent
A slight hollow or depression in a surface, typically caused by impact or pressure.
dent
To make a slight hollow or depression in a surface by impact or pressure.
depart
To leave a place, especially to start a journey.
derail
To obstruct or divert from an expected or intended course.
descend
To move from a higher to a lower place or position; to go down.
desecrate
To damage or show contempt toward something that is revered.
desperate
Feeling or showing a hopeless sense that a situation is so bad it’s impossible to deal with.
despise
To feel intense dislike or contempt for someone or something.
destiny
The events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future.
deter
To prevent (or aim to prevent) the occurrence of something through fear of consequences.
detonate
To cause something to explode suddenly and violently.
decay
The result of being destroyed by natural causes or by not being cared for.
decay
To gradually deteriorate or break down, becoming weaker and more damaged.
defray
To pay for something in a way that reduces or delays costs, expenses, or financial obligation.
decisive
Being able to make decisions quickly and confidently.
dependent
Needing the support of something or someone in order to survive or succeed.
décor
The color, style, and arrangement of the things that decorate a place or room.
defensive
To put oneself in a position that is intended to protect oneself.
destablizing
To cause a government or person to be unable to continue in the usual or desired way
detour
A longer route that is taken to avoid something or to see something along the way.
defenseless
Weak and being unable to protect yourself from attack or harm.
degenerate
To decline or deteriorate physically, mentally, or morally
deception
The act of hiding the truth, especially to get an advantage
destitute
poor; not having money, food, home, or possessions.
derogatory
Showing strong disapproval and not showing respect
determination
The ability to continue trying to do something, although it is very difficult
depraved
Morally bad or evil