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TOEFL Word List # TOEFL/M16

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Explanation of castigate (verb)
to punish through public criticism; to scold; to reprimand

Sample of castigate
The mayor castigated the police chief for the rash of robberies.



   
Explanation of impugn (verb)
to attack with words; to question the truthfulness or integrity; to challenge

Sample of impugn
The defense lawyer impugned the witness's testimony, which set back the prosecution's case.
If I believe the man is a fraud I will impugn his comments.



   
Explanation of impeach (verb)
to accuse of wrongdoing; to cast discredit upon; to remove from office

Sample of impeach
He tried to impeach Mr Premadasa, accusing the president of corruption.
Within hours of the meeting, Mr Sharif addressed a special session of parliament which he had called in order to try to impeach the president.



   
Explanation of gesticulate (verb)
to indicate feelings by motions; move the hands in an animated manner

Sample of gesticulate
He broke off to gesticulate hopelessly with his hands, expressing final despair.



   
Explanation of belie (verb)
to give a false idea of; to camouflage; to hide

Sample of belie
The eight-story office is being sold to the Japanese group, Kumagai, for a price which appears to belie the downturn in London's commercial property market.



   
Explanation of instigate (verb)
to start; to provoke; to inflame; to incite

Sample of instigate
It was uncertain to the police as to which party instigated the riot.



   
Explanation of ingratiate (verb)
to bring into one's good graces; to attempt to gain favor; act in a pleasant and agreeable manner

Sample of ingratiate
The man was hoping to ingratiate himself with his wife by buying a bouquet of flowers and candy.



   
Explanation of denounce (verb)
to speak out against; to condemn; to accuse; to censure

Sample of denounce
A student rally was called to denounce the use of drugs on campus.



   
Explanation of blemish (verb)
to scar; to spoil; to stain; to flaw; to impair; to deface

Sample of blemish
But two German occupations last century didn't blemish Brussels, with its splendid medieval ramparts and its incomparable Art Nouveau treasures.



   
Explanation of abrogate (verb)
to cancel by authority; to terminate; to abolish

Sample of abrogate
The judge would not abrogate the law.



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