Middle East Conflict: A Global Economic Threat
Vocabulary from this Editorial
A positive declaration intended to give confidence; a promise.
Synonyms: Guarantees, pledges, vows
"The government offered financial assurances to investors affected by the crisis."
Showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks; impudent.
Synonyms: Daring, bold, brave
"His audacious plan to cross the desert alone shocked everyone."
Turn away (one's eyes or thoughts); prevent or ward off (an undesirable occurrence).
Synonyms: Prevent, ward off, avoid
"Timely negotiations helped avert a major industrial strike."
A series of military operations intended to achieve a particular objective, or a planned series of activities to achieve a social or political goal.
Synonyms: Operation, mission, drive
"The environmental group launched a new campaign to reduce plastic waste."
Involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering; disastrous.
Synonyms: Disastrous, devastating, ruinous
"The earthquake caused catastrophic damage to the coastal city."
Intended or likely to placate or pacify; appeasing.
Synonyms: Appeasing, pacifying, placatory
"After the argument, she made a conciliatory gesture by offering to help."
A serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one; a prolonged armed struggle.
Synonyms: Dispute, quarrel, contention
"The territorial conflict between the two nations has lasted for decades."
Feelings of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected.
Synonyms: Dismay, perturbation, distress
"To her consternation, she realized she had forgotten her passport at home."
Settling an issue conclusively; having a clear and definite result.
Synonyms: Conclusive, definitive, crucial
"His decisive action saved the company from bankruptcy."
Great destruction or damage.
Synonyms: Ruin, desolation, havoc
"The hurricane left a trail of widespread devastation across the islands."
The expression or holding of opinions at variance with those previously, commonly, or officially held.
Synonyms: Disagreement, opposition, protest
"There was growing dissent among the party members regarding the new policy."
Difficult to find, catch, or achieve.
Synonyms: Evasive, slippery, intangible
"The concept of true happiness can often feel elusive."
Cause or give rise to (a feeling, situation, or condition).
Synonyms: Produced, begotten, generated
"The new policy engendered a lot of debate among the public."
An increase in the intensity or seriousness of something; an intensification.
Synonyms: Intensification, increase, rise
"The sudden escalation of violence in the region worried international observers."
The origin or mode of formation of something.
Synonyms: Origin, source, beginning
"The genesis of the idea can be traced back to a casual conversation."
Not sensible or wise; unwise.
Synonyms: Unwise, foolish, imprudent
"His ill-advised investment choices led to significant financial losses."
(Of a road or path) impossible to travel along or over.
Synonyms: Blocked, closed, obstructed
"Heavy snowfall made the mountain roads impassable for vehicles."
Begging someone earnestly or desperately to do something.
Synonyms: Pleading, entreating, beseeching
"She was imploring him to give her another chance."
The establishment or starting point of an institution or activity.
Synonyms: Beginning, commencement, origin
"Since its inception, the company has grown steadily."
Not staying the same throughout; erratic or contradictory.
Synonyms: Erratic, contradictory, fluctuating
"His statements have been inconsistent, making it difficult to trust him."
A person who attempts to make people involved in a conflict come to an agreement; a go-between.
Synonyms: Arbitrator, conciliator, negotiator
"A neutral mediator was called in to resolve the labor dispute."
A disastrous collapse or breakdown (especially of financial markets or an economy).
Synonyms: Collapse, crash, failure
"Experts feared a global economic meltdown if the crisis continued."
Full of danger or risk.
Synonyms: Dangerous, hazardous, risky
"The climbers embarked on a perilous journey up the icy peak."
Lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual; prolonged.
Synonyms: Prolonged, extended, lengthy
"The protracted negotiations finally yielded a peace agreement."
Stimulated or incited (someone or something) to do or feel something, especially anger or a reaction.
Synonyms: Incited, stimulated, triggered
"His sarcastic comments provoked an angry response from the audience."
A soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot; an awkward, complex, or hazardous situation.
Synonyms: Predicament, dilemma, mire
"The project quickly descended into a bureaucratic quagmire."
The replacement of one government or political system by another, especially by military force.
Synonyms: Coup, overthrow, political transition
"The international community debated whether to push for regime change in the troubled country."
A firm decision to do or not to do something; the action of solving a problem, dispute, or contentious matter.
Synonyms: Solution, settlement, outcome
"Both parties sought a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict."
Characterized by continuous and accelerated increase or decrease.
Synonyms: Escalating, increasing, rising
"The spiraling inflation made everyday goods unaffordable for many."
A situation in which further action or progress by opposing or competing parties seems impossible.
Synonyms: Deadlock, impasse, standoff
"Negotiations reached a stalemate, with neither side willing to compromise."
A state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty.
Synonyms: Disorder, chaos, upheaval
"The country was in political turmoil after the unexpected election results."
Emphasize the importance of (something).
Synonyms: Emphasizes, highlights, stresses
"The report underscores the need for immediate action on climate change."
A risky or daring journey or undertaking.
Synonyms: Enterprise, undertaking, project
"Starting a new business is always a financial venture."
Phrasal Verbs
Dealing with a difficult problem or situation.
"Global markets are currently grappling with significant instability."
Suddenly experienced or caused to experience (a difficult or chaotic situation).
"The decision has plunged the region into a perilous conflict."
Causing something to increase, often rapidly.
"The conflict is notably driving up energy prices."
Being in charge of (a meeting, ceremony, or organization); supervising.
"He now finds himself presiding over a protracted engagement."
To pursue something further, or to take additional action regarding it.
"The administration authorized negotiations only to follow up with a decisive strike."
Combined with; accompanied by (something else).
"Mounting casualties, coupled with persistent attacks, generated dissent."
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