A New, Perilous Chapter in Middle East Conflict
Vocabulary from this Editorial
Regard as probable; expect or predict.
Synonyms: expecting, foreseeing, predicting
"The market is anxiously anticipating the central bank's next policy announcement."
A useful or valuable thing, person, or quality; property owned by a person or company, regarded as having value and available to meet debts, commitments, or legacies.
Synonyms: resources, holdings, possessions
"The company's liquid assets allow it to respond quickly to market changes."
A way of approaching a problem or making progress toward something.
Synonyms: paths, routes, channels
"The government is exploring all diplomatic avenues to resolve the crisis peacefully."
A point of congestion or obstruction, especially in a geographical area of military or commercial importance.
Synonyms: bottleneck, narrowing, constriction
"The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait is a crucial chokepoint for global oil shipments."
Notably large in size, amount, or extent.
Synonyms: significant, substantial, appreciable
"The project required considerable effort and resources."
Severely restricted in scope, extent, or action.
Synonyms: restricted, limited, curtailed
"Due to budget cuts, research activities have become severely constrained."
Assert something as a position in an argument.
Synonyms: argue, assert, claim
"Historians often contend that economic factors were the primary cause of the revolution."
Tending to deal with situations in an aggressive, hostile, or argumentative way.
Synonyms: antagonistic, aggressive, belligerent
"The confrontational approach only exacerbated tensions between the two parties."
Causing a severe and insuperable problem; severely damaging.
Synonyms: devastating, ruinous, paralyzing
"The drought had a crippling effect on the region's agriculture."
Providing a final answer or solution; authoritative and exhaustive.
Synonyms: conclusive, final, absolute
"The committee presented a definitive report on the causes of the accident."
Tending to cause harm.
Synonyms: harmful, damaging, injurious
"Lack of sleep can be highly detrimental to one's health and performance."
Of or concerning the profession, activity, or skill of managing international relations; adept at dealing with people in a sensitive and effective way.
Synonyms: tactful, politic, sensitive
"The diplomatic envoy worked tirelessly to foster peace between the warring nations."
Disturbance or problems that interrupt an event, activity, or process.
Synonyms: disturbance, interruption, breakdown
"The unexpected strike caused widespread disruption to public transport services."
Most important, powerful, or influential.
Synonyms: preeminent, supreme, controlling
"The company has maintained a dominant position in the technology market for years."
Increasing rapidly.
Synonyms: intensifying, growing, mounting
"The escalating costs of raw materials are putting pressure on manufacturers."
Set up (an organization, system, or set of rules) on a firm or permanent basis.
Synonyms: found, institute, create
"The new government aims to establish a more transparent administrative system."
Apply or bring to bear (a force, influence, or quality).
Synonyms: apply, wield, bring to bear
"The small nation tries to exert its influence on regional policies."
The action of becoming larger or more extensive.
Synonyms: growth, increase, enlargement
"The company announced a major expansion into new international markets."
Pointlessness or uselessness.
Synonyms: uselessness, pointlessness, hopelessness
"The soldiers realized the futility of further resistance against the overwhelming enemy forces."
Relating to politics, especially international relations, as influenced by geographical factors.
Synonyms: political-geographical, international relations, global power
"The region's geopolitical landscape is complex due to its strategic location and diverse populations."
Unrelenting; rigid; without hope or promise; dismal.
Synonyms: bleak, dismal, somber
"The economic forecast for the coming year appears grim, with predictions of stagnation."
Acts of warfare; a state of open conflict.
Synonyms: warfare, conflict, fighting
"Despite the ceasefire, there were minor outbreaks of hostilities along the border."
The conclusion that can be drawn from something although it is not explicitly stated; a likely consequence of something.
Synonyms: consequences, ramifications, repercussions
"The new policy has far-reaching implications for the entire industry."
The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g., buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.
Synonyms: foundation, framework, structure
"The government announced a massive investment in upgrading the country's aging infrastructure."
The state of being unpredictable and liable to change; lack of stability.
Synonyms: volatility, unpredictability, fickleness
"Political instability in the region has deterred foreign investment."
A written message in business or diplomacy.
Synonyms: memo, note, report
"The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on trade."
Plan or direct the route or course of a ship, aircraft, or other form of transport; travel over or through (an area of water or air) in a ship or aircraft.
Synonyms: steer, pilot, guide
"The captain skillfully navigated the ship through the treacherous waters."
Make (something) necessary as a result or consequence.
Synonyms: requires, demands, compels
"The new regulations necessitate a complete overhaul of the existing system."
A military attack.
Synonyms: attack, assault, onslaught
"The army launched a major offensive against enemy positions at dawn."
Full of danger or risk.
Synonyms: dangerous, hazardous, risky
"The climbers embarked on a perilous journey up the icy mountain peak."
Phrasal Verbs
Struggling or coping with (a difficulty or problem).
"The company is grappling with declining sales and increasing competition."
Causes something to happen.
"Technological advancements often bring about significant societal changes."
To temporarily withdraw from a situation to consider it more objectively.
"Sometimes, it's important to step back from a problem to gain a fresh perspective."
Become involved in a situation, often against one's will or without intending to.
"He tried to avoid the argument, but he was eventually drawn in by their shouting."
Demanding or requiring (something).
"The protestors were calling for immediate action on climate change."
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