decline
/dɪˈklaɪn/The opposite of increase — to become smaller or lower over time.
Example: Sales began to decline sharply after the holiday season.
B220 words · Upper-intermediate
Word Choice & Register vocabulary — B2
Precise, formal vocabulary for academic and professional writing — decline, contradict, terminate and retain — the exact verbs a formal report or a workplace email calls for.
20 questions
Words in this set
20vague
/veɪɡ/The opposite of clear — not exact or definite, hard to pin down.
Example:
His explanation was too vague to be useful.
exclude
/ɪksˈklud/The opposite of include — to leave something out or keep it separate.
Example:
The report seemed to exclude key financial details.
contradict
/ˌkɑntrəˈdɪkt/The opposite of confirm — when new evidence disagrees with a claim.
Example:
New evidence appeared to contradict the witness's statement.
subsequent
/ˈsʌbsəkwənt/The opposite of previous — coming after something else, later in time or order.
Example:
The subsequent meeting covered the budget in more detail.
coherent
/koʊˈhɪrənt/The opposite of confusing — organised in a way that's easy to follow, especially an argument.
Example:
Her essay was well-structured and coherent.
consistent
/kənˈsɪstənt/The opposite of contradictory — staying the same in behaviour or ideas over time.
Example:
Her performance has been consistent throughout the season.
valid
/ˈvælɪd/The opposite of flawed — logically sound and officially acceptable.
Example:
Your argument is valid, but we need more evidence.
arbitrary
/ˈɑrbəˌtrɛri/The opposite of justified — based on random choice rather than clear reasons.
Example:
The decision seemed completely arbitrary to the staff.
implicit
/ˌɪmˈplɪsət/The opposite of explicit — suggested or understood, without being clearly stated.
Example:
There was an implicit agreement that we'd split the bill.
assist
/əˈsɪst/The formal word for help, used in official or careful writing.
Example:
Volunteers assist elderly residents with their grocery shopping.
terminate
/ˈtɜrməˌneɪt/The formal word for end, used about contracts or agreements.
Example:
The company decided to terminate his contract early.
consume
/kənˈsum/The formal word for eat or use, used in writing about food, energy or resources.
Example:
The factory can consume huge amounts of electricity.
reside
/rɪˈzaɪd/The formal word for live, used in writing about where someone's home is.
Example:
The family currently resides in Manchester.
comprehend
/ˌkɑmpriˈhɛnd/The formal word for understanding something difficult, used in writing about complex ideas or instructions.
Example:
It took a while to comprehend the new tax rules.
assemble
/əˈsɛmbəl/The formal word for gather, used in writing about people meeting together in one place.
Example:
Staff should assemble in the main hall at 9am.
notify
/ˈnoʊtəˌfaɪ/The formal word for tell, used in writing when giving someone official information.
Example:
We will notify you as soon as the results arrive.
confiscate
/ˈkɑnfəˌskeɪt/The formal word for take away, used when an official removes something as a punishment.
Example:
The teacher had to confiscate the phone during the exam.
resign
/rɪˈzaɪn/The formal word for quit, used when someone officially leaves their job.
Example:
She decided to resign from her position last week.
retain
/rɪˈteɪn/The formal word for keep, used in writing about holding on to something.
Example:
The company managed to retain most of its customers.
