imperfection
noun
a fault, blemish, or undesirable feature.
the imperfections and injustices in our political system
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crack
dextrous
ˈdɛkst(ə)rəs
adjective
showing or having skill, especially with the hands.
a dexterous keyboard player
deft,adept,adroit,agile,nimble,neat,nimble-fingered,handy,able,capable,talented,skilful,skilled,proficient,accomplished,expert,experienced,practised,polished,efficient,effortless,slick,professional,masterful,masterly,impressive,finely judged,delicate,nifty,nippy,mean,wicked,ace,wizard,crack,habile,shrewd,ingenious,inventive,clever,intelligent,bright,brilliant,smart,sharp,sharp-witted,razor-sharp,acute,quick,quick-witted,astute,canny,intuitive,discerning,perceptive,perspicacious,insightful,incisive,sagacious,wise,judicious,cunning,artful,crafty,wily,calculating,on the ball,quick off the mark,quick on the uptake,brainy,streetwise,savvy,suss,heads-up,long-headed,argute,sapient
dexterous
ˈdɛkst(ə)rəs
adjective
showing or having skill, especially with the hands.
a dexterous keyboard player
deft,adept,adroit,agile,nimble,neat,nimble-fingered,handy,able,capable,talented,skilful,skilled,proficient,accomplished,expert,experienced,practised,polished,efficient,effortless,slick,professional,masterful,masterly,impressive,finely judged,delicate,nifty,nippy,mean,wicked,ace,wizard,crack,habile,shrewd,ingenious,inventive,clever,intelligent,bright,brilliant,smart,sharp,sharp-witted,razor-sharp,acute,quick,quick-witted,astute,canny,intuitive,discerning,perceptive,perspicacious,insightful,incisive,sagacious,wise,judicious,cunning,artful,crafty,wily,calculating,on the ball,quick off the mark,quick on the uptake,brainy,streetwise,savvy,suss,heads-up,long-headed,argute,sapient
detonations
dɛtəˈneɪʃ(ə)n
noun
the action of causing a bomb or explosive device to explode.
she was in a control building at the time of detonation
explosion,discharge,blowing up,ignition,blast,burst,crack,bang,report
detonation
dɛtəˈneɪʃ(ə)n
noun
the action of causing a bomb or explosive device to explode.
she was in a control building at the time of detonation
explosion,discharge,blowing up,ignition,blast,burst,crack,bang,report
defects
noun
a shortcoming, imperfection, or lack.
genetic defects
fault,flaw,imperfection,deficiency,weakness,weak spot/point,inadequacy,shortcoming,limitation,failing,obstruction,snag,kink,deformity,blemish,taint,crack,break,tear,split,scratch,chip,fracture,spot,mistake,error,bug,virus,glitch,gremlin
defect
noun
a shortcoming, imperfection, or lack.
genetic defects
fault,flaw,imperfection,deficiency,weakness,weak spot/point,inadequacy,shortcoming,limitation,failing,obstruction,snag,kink,deformity,blemish,taint,crack,break,tear,split,scratch,chip,fracture,spot,mistake,error,bug,virus,glitch,gremlin
decoding
diːˈkəʊd
verb
convert (a coded message) into intelligible language.
he put down the phone and decoded the message
decipher,decrypt,unravel,untangle,work out,sort out,piece together,solve,interpret,translate,construe,explain,understand,comprehend,apprehend,grasp,make sense of,get to the bottom of,find the key to,find the answer to,throw light on,crack,figure out,twig,suss,suss out
decodes
diːˈkəʊd
verb
convert (a coded message) into intelligible language.
he put down the phone and decoded the message
decipher,decrypt,unravel,untangle,work out,sort out,piece together,solve,interpret,translate,construe,explain,understand,comprehend,apprehend,grasp,make sense of,get to the bottom of,find the key to,find the answer to,throw light on,crack,figure out,twig,suss,suss out
noun
a translation of a coded message.
studying reports, poring over decodes
decoded
diːˈkəʊd
verb
convert (a coded message) into intelligible language.
he put down the phone and decoded the message
decipher,decrypt,unravel,untangle,work out,sort out,piece together,solve,interpret,translate,construe,explain,understand,comprehend,apprehend,grasp,make sense of,get to the bottom of,find the key to,find the answer to,throw light on,crack,figure out,twig,suss,suss out
decode
diːˈkəʊd
verb
convert (a coded message) into intelligible language.
he put down the phone and decoded the message
decipher,decrypt,unravel,untangle,work out,sort out,piece together,solve,interpret,translate,construe,explain,understand,comprehend,apprehend,grasp,make sense of,get to the bottom of,find the key to,find the answer to,throw light on,crack,figure out,twig,suss,suss out
noun
a translation of a coded message.
studying reports, poring over decodes
deciphers
dɪˈsʌɪfə
verb
convert (a text written in code, or a coded signal) into normal language.
authorized government agencies can decipher encrypted telecommunications
decode,decrypt,break,work out,solve,interpret,translate,construe,explain,make sense of,make head or tail of,get to the bottom of,unravel,find the key to,find the answer to,throw light on,crack,figure out,twig,suss,suss out
deciphering
dɪˈsʌɪfə
verb
convert (a text written in code, or a coded signal) into normal language.
authorized government agencies can decipher encrypted telecommunications
decode,decrypt,break,work out,solve,interpret,translate,construe,explain,make sense of,make head or tail of,get to the bottom of,unravel,find the key to,find the answer to,throw light on,crack,figure out,twig,suss,suss out
deciphered
dɪˈsʌɪfə
verb
convert (a text written in code, or a coded signal) into normal language.
authorized government agencies can decipher encrypted telecommunications
decode,decrypt,break,work out,solve,interpret,translate,construe,explain,make sense of,make head or tail of,get to the bottom of,unravel,find the key to,find the answer to,throw light on,crack,figure out,twig,suss,suss out
decipher
dɪˈsʌɪfə
verb
convert (a text written in code, or a coded signal) into normal language.
authorized government agencies can decipher encrypted telecommunications
decode,decrypt,break,work out,solve,interpret,translate,construe,explain,make sense of,make head or tail of,get to the bottom of,unravel,find the key to,find the answer to,throw light on,crack,figure out,twig,suss,suss out
crevices
ˈkrɛvɪs
noun
a narrow opening or fissure, especially in a rock or wall.
many creatures hide in crevices in the rock
crack,fissure,cleft,chink,interstice,cranny,nook,vent,slot,slit,split,rift,gash,rent,fracture,rupture,breach,perforation,opening,gap,hole,aperture,orifice,pore,space,groove,hiatus,foramen,scission
crevice
ˈkrɛvɪs
noun
a narrow opening or fissure, especially in a rock or wall.
many creatures hide in crevices in the rock
crack,fissure,cleft,chink,interstice,cranny,nook,vent,slot,slit,split,rift,gash,rent,fracture,rupture,breach,perforation,opening,gap,hole,aperture,orifice,pore,space,groove,hiatus,foramen,scission
crevasses
krɪˈvas
noun
a deep open crack, especially one in a glacier.
chasm,abyss,fissure,cleft,crack,split,breach,rift,gap,hole,opening,pit,cavity,crater
crevasse
krɪˈvas
noun
a deep open crack, especially one in a glacier.
chasm,abyss,fissure,cleft,crack,split,breach,rift,gap,hole,opening,pit,cavity,crater
cranny
ˈkrani
noun
a small, narrow space or opening.
bugs and spiders conceal themselves in crannies of the bark
chink,crack,crevice,slit,split,fissure,rift,cleft,opening,gap,aperture,cavity,hole,hollow,niche,corner,recess,bay,booth,alcove,nook,interstice
crannies
ˈkrani
noun
a small, narrow space or opening.
bugs and spiders conceal themselves in crannies of the bark
chink,crack,crevice,slit,split,fissure,rift,cleft,opening,gap,aperture,cavity,hole,hollow,niche,corner,recess,bay,booth,alcove,nook,interstice
crackles
ˈkrak(ə)l
verb
make a rapid succession of short sharp noises.
the fire suddenly crackled and spat sparks
sizzle,frizzle,fizz,hiss,crack,snap,sputter,decrepitate,crepitate
noun
a sound made up of a rapid succession of short sharp noises.
there was a crackle and a whine from the microphone
crackled
ˈkrak(ə)l
verb
make a rapid succession of short sharp noises.
the fire suddenly crackled and spat sparks
sizzle,frizzle,fizz,hiss,crack,snap,sputter,decrepitate,crepitate
crackle
ˈkrak(ə)l
verb
make a rapid succession of short sharp noises.
the fire suddenly crackled and spat sparks
sizzle,frizzle,fizz,hiss,crack,snap,sputter,decrepitate,crepitate
noun
a sound made up of a rapid succession of short sharp noises.
there was a crackle and a whine from the microphone
conversations
kɒnvəˈseɪʃ(ə)n
noun
a talk, especially an informal one, between two or more people, in which news and ideas are exchanged.
she picked up the phone and held a conversation in French
discussion,talk,chat,gossip,tête-à-tête,heart-to-heart,head-to-head,exchange,dialogue,parley,consultation,conference,adda,korero,confab,jaw,chit-chat,rap,gas,powwow,chinwag,natter,rabbit,crack,bull session,skull session,gabfest,schmooze,convo,yarn,confabulation,palaver,colloquy,converse
conversation
kɒnvəˈseɪʃ(ə)n
noun
a talk, especially an informal one, between two or more people, in which news and ideas are exchanged.
she picked up the phone and held a conversation in French
discussion,talk,chat,gossip,tête-à-tête,heart-to-heart,head-to-head,exchange,dialogue,parley,consultation,conference,adda,korero,confab,jaw,chit-chat,rap,gas,powwow,chinwag,natter,rabbit,crack,bull session,skull session,gabfest,schmooze,convo,yarn,confabulation,palaver,colloquy,converse
comprehends
kɒmprɪˈhɛnd
verb
grasp mentally; understand.
he couldn’t comprehend her reasons for marrying Lovat
understand,grasp,take in,see,apprehend,follow,make sense of,fathom,make out,puzzle out,get to the bottom of,penetrate,realize,perceive,discern,divine,unravel,decipher,interpret,piece together,work out,figure out,make head or tail of,get one’s head around,wrap one’s mind round,take on board,get a fix on,get the hang of,get the drift of,catch on to,latch on to,tumble to,crack,dig,get,see the light,get the picture,twig,suss out,suss,savvy
comprehending
kɒmprɪˈhɛnd
verb
grasp mentally; understand.
he couldn’t comprehend her reasons for marrying Lovat
understand,grasp,take in,see,apprehend,follow,make sense of,fathom,make out,puzzle out,get to the bottom of,penetrate,realize,perceive,discern,divine,unravel,decipher,interpret,piece together,work out,figure out,make head or tail of,get one’s head around,wrap one’s mind round,take on board,get a fix on,get the hang of,get the drift of,catch on to,latch on to,tumble to,crack,dig,get,see the light,get the picture,twig,suss out,suss,savvy
comprehended
kɒmprɪˈhɛnd
verb
grasp mentally; understand.
he couldn’t comprehend her reasons for marrying Lovat
understand,grasp,take in,see,apprehend,follow,make sense of,fathom,make out,puzzle out,get to the bottom of,penetrate,realize,perceive,discern,divine,unravel,decipher,interpret,piece together,work out,figure out,make head or tail of,get one’s head around,wrap one’s mind round,take on board,get a fix on,get the hang of,get the drift of,catch on to,latch on to,tumble to,crack,dig,get,see the light,get the picture,twig,suss out,suss,savvy
comprehend
kɒmprɪˈhɛnd
verb
grasp mentally; understand.
he couldn’t comprehend her reasons for marrying Lovat
understand,grasp,take in,see,apprehend,follow,make sense of,fathom,make out,puzzle out,get to the bottom of,penetrate,realize,perceive,discern,divine,unravel,decipher,interpret,piece together,work out,figure out,make head or tail of,get one’s head around,wrap one’s mind round,take on board,get a fix on,get the hang of,get the drift of,catch on to,latch on to,tumble to,crack,dig,get,see the light,get the picture,twig,suss out,suss,savvy
clefts
klɛft
noun
a fissure or split, especially in rock or the ground.
the third peak is divided from the eastern one by a deep cleft
split,slit,crack,fissure,crevice,chasm,opening,rift,break,fracture,rent,breach,gash,cranny,interstice,furrow,indentation,gap,hole,pit,void,crater
chinks
tʃɪŋk
noun
a narrow opening, typically one that admits light.
a chink in the curtains
chink
tʃɪŋk
noun
a narrow opening, typically one that admits light.
a chink in the curtains
chapping
tʃap
verb
(of the skin) become cracked, rough, or sore, especially through exposure to wind or cold weather.
his skin is very dry and chaps easily
become raw,become sore,redden,become inflamed,chafe,crack,roughen
chap
tʃap
verb
(of the skin) become cracked, rough, or sore, especially through exposure to wind or cold weather.
his skin is very dry and chaps easily
become raw,become sore,redden,become inflamed,chafe,crack,roughen
noun
a cracked or sore patch on the skin.
busting
bʌst
verb
break, split, or burst.
they bust the tunnel wide open
break,crack,snap,fracture,shatter,smash,smash to smithereens,fragment,splinter,disintegrate,fall to bits,fall to pieces,split,burst,rupture,tear,rend,sever,separate,divide,shiver
busted
bʌst
verb
break, split, or burst.
they bust the tunnel wide open
break,crack,snap,fracture,shatter,smash,smash to smithereens,fragment,splinter,disintegrate,fall to bits,fall to pieces,split,burst,rupture,tear,rend,sever,separate,divide,shiver
bursts
bəːst
verb
break open or apart suddenly and violently, especially as a result of an impact or internal pressure.
one of the balloons burst
split open,burst open,break open,tear open,rupture,crack,fracture,fragment,shatter,shiver,fly open,tear asunder,rend asunder,explode,blow up,detonate,go off,be set off,land,go bang
noun
an instance of breaking or splitting as a result of internal pressure or puncturing; an explosion.
the mortar bursts were further away than before
rupture,breach,split,blowout,explosion,detonation,blast,discharge,eruption,bang,volley,salvo,fusillade,barrage,shower,spray,hail,rain
bursting
bəːst
verb
break open or apart suddenly and violently, especially as a result of an impact or internal pressure.
one of the balloons burst
split open,burst open,break open,tear open,rupture,crack,fracture,fragment,shatter,shiver,fly open,tear asunder,rend asunder,explode,blow up,detonate,go off,be set off,land,go bang
burst
bəːst
verb
break open or apart suddenly and violently, especially as a result of an impact or internal pressure.
one of the balloons burst
split open,burst open,break open,tear open,rupture,crack,fracture,fragment,shatter,shiver,fly open,tear asunder,rend asunder,explode,blow up,detonate,go off,be set off,land,go bang
noun
an instance of breaking or splitting as a result of internal pressure or puncturing; an explosion.
the mortar bursts were further away than before
rupture,breach,split,blowout,explosion,detonation,blast,discharge,eruption,bang,volley,salvo,fusillade,barrage,shower,spray,hail,rain
bumps
bʌmp
noun
a light blow or a jolting collision.
a nasty bump on the head
jolt,collision,crash,smash,smack,crack,thwack,bang,thud,thump,buffet,knock,rap,tap,impact,whack,bash,wallop
verb
knock or run into someone or something with a jolt.
I almost bumped into him
hit,ram,bang (into),collide with,be in collision with,strike,knock (into),knock against,crash into/against,smash into,slam into,crack into/against,dash against,run into,plough into,impact
bump
bʌmp
noun
a light blow or a jolting collision.
a nasty bump on the head
jolt,collision,crash,smash,smack,crack,thwack,bang,thud,thump,buffet,knock,rap,tap,impact,whack,bash,wallop
verb
knock or run into someone or something with a jolt.
I almost bumped into him
hit,ram,bang (into),collide with,be in collision with,strike,knock (into),knock against,crash into/against,smash into,slam into,crack into/against,dash against,run into,plough into,impact
breaks
breɪk
verb
separate or cause to separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain.
the branch broke with a loud snap
shatter,smash,smash to smithereens,crack,snap,fracture,fragment,splinter,disintegrate,fall to bits,fall to pieces,split,burst,blow out,tear,rend,sever,rupture,separate,divide,bust,shiver
noun
an interruption of continuity or uniformity.
the magazine has been published without a break since 1950
interruption,interval,gap,hiatus,lapse of time,lacuna,discontinuation,discontinuance,discontinuity,suspension,disruption,cut-off,stop,stoppage,cessation,caesura,surcease
breaking
breɪk
verb
separate or cause to separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain.
the branch broke with a loud snap
shatter,smash,smash to smithereens,crack,snap,fracture,fragment,splinter,disintegrate,fall to bits,fall to pieces,split,burst,blow out,tear,rend,sever,rupture,separate,divide,bust,shiver
break
breɪk
verb
separate or cause to separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain.
the branch broke with a loud snap
shatter,smash,smash to smithereens,crack,snap,fracture,fragment,splinter,disintegrate,fall to bits,fall to pieces,split,burst,blow out,tear,rend,sever,rupture,separate,divide,bust,shiver
noun
an interruption of continuity or uniformity.
the magazine has been published without a break since 1950
interruption,interval,gap,hiatus,lapse of time,lacuna,discontinuation,discontinuance,discontinuity,suspension,disruption,cut-off,stop,stoppage,cessation,caesura,surcease
bravura
brəˈv(j)ʊərə
noun
great technical skill and brilliance shown in a performance or activity.
the recital ended with a blazing display of bravura
virtuoso,magnificent,outstanding,exceptional,exceptionally good,excellent,superb,brilliant,dazzling,first-class,masterly,expert,out of this world,mean,ace,stellar,crack,A1,shit-hot
boomed
buːm
verb
make a loud, deep, resonant sound.
thunder boomed in the sky
reverberate,resound,resonate,rumble,thunder,ring out,sound loudly,blare,echo,fill the air,crack,crash,roll,clap,explode,bang,blast
blasts
blɑːst
noun
a destructive wave of highly compressed air spreading outwards from an explosion.
they were thrown backwards by the blast
shock wave,pressure wave,bang,crash,crack
verb
blow up or break apart (something solid) with explosives.
the school was blasted by an explosion
blow up,bomb,blow (to pieces),dynamite,explode,break up,demolish,raze to the ground,destroy,ruin,shatter
blast
blɑːst
noun
a destructive wave of highly compressed air spreading outwards from an explosion.
they were thrown backwards by the blast
shock wave,pressure wave,bang,crash,crack
verb
blow up or break apart (something solid) with explosives.
the school was blasted by an explosion
blow up,bomb,blow (to pieces),dynamite,explode,break up,demolish,raze to the ground,destroy,ruin,shatter
exclamation
expressing annoyance.
‘Blast! The car won’t start!’
beats
/biːt/
verb
Strike (a person or an animal) repeatedly and violently so as to hurt or injure them, typically with an implement such as a club or whip.
if we were caught we were beaten
hit,strike,batter,thump,hammer,punch,knock,thrash,pound,pummel,slap,smack,crack,thwack,cuff,buffet,maul,pelt,drub,rain blows on
noun
A main accent or rhythmic unit in music or poetry.
the glissando begins on the second beat
stress,emphasis,accentuation,force,prominence
adjective
Completely exhausted.
exhausted,tired out,worn out,weary,dog-tired,bone-tired,bone-weary,ready to drop,on one’s last legs,asleep on one’s feet,drained,fatigued,enervated,debilitated,spent
beat
/bit/
transitive verb
Strike (a person or an animal) repeatedly and violently so as to hurt or injure them, typically with an implement such as a club or whip.
if we were caught we were beaten
hit,strike,batter,thump,hammer,punch,knock,thrash,pound,pummel,slap,smack,crack,thwack,cuff,buffet,maul,pelt,drub,rain blows on
noun
A main accent or rhythmic unit in music or poetry.
the glissando begins on the second beat
stress,emphasis,accentuation,force,prominence
adjective
Completely exhausted.
exhausted,tired out,worn out,weary,dog-tired,bone-tired,bone-weary,ready to drop,on one’s last legs,asleep on one’s feet,drained,fatigued,enervated,debilitated,spent
bangs
/baŋ/
noun
A sudden loud, sharp noise.
the door slammed with a bang
sharp noise,crack,boom,clang,peal,clap,pop,snap,knock,tap,slam,bump,thud,thump,clunk,clonk,clash,crash,smash,smack
verb
Strike or put down (something) forcefully and noisily.
he began to bang the table with his fist
hit,strike,beat,thump,hammer,knock,rap,pound,thud,punch,bump,thwack,smack,crack,slap,slam,welt,cuff,pummel,buffet
adverb
Exactly.
precisely,exactly,right,directly,immediately,squarely,just,dead
exclamation
Used to convey the sound of a sudden loud noise.
party poppers went bang
banged
/baŋ/
noun
A sudden loud, sharp noise.
the door slammed with a bang
sharp noise,crack,boom,clang,peal,clap,pop,snap,knock,tap,slam,bump,thud,thump,clunk,clonk,clash,crash,smash,smack
verb
Strike or put down (something) forcefully and noisily.
he began to bang the table with his fist
hit,strike,beat,thump,hammer,knock,rap,pound,thud,punch,bump,thwack,smack,crack,slap,slam,welt,cuff,pummel,buffet
adverb
Exactly.
precisely,exactly,right,directly,immediately,squarely,just,dead
exclamation
Used to convey the sound of a sudden loud noise.
party poppers went bang
bang
/bæŋ/
noun
A sudden loud noise.
the door slammed with a bang
sharp noise,crack,boom,clang,peal,clap,pop,snap,knock,tap,slam,bump,thud,thump,clunk,clonk,clash,crash,smash,smack
transitive verb
Strike or put down (something) forcefully and noisily.
he began to bang the table with his fist
hit,strike,beat,thump,hammer,knock,rap,pound,thud,punch,bump,thwack,smack,crack,slap,slam,welt,cuff,pummel,buffet
adverb
Exactly.
precisely,exactly,right,directly,immediately,squarely,just,dead
exclamation
Used to express or imitate the sound of a sudden loud noise.
firecrackers went bang
apertures
/ˈapətʃə/
noun
An opening, hole, or gap.
the bell ropes passed through apertures in the ceiling
opening,hole,gap,space,slit,slot,vent,passage,crevice,chink,crack,fissure,perforation,breach,eye,interstice
aperture
/ˈæpərˌtʃər/
/ˈæpərˌtʃʊr/
noun
An opening, hole, or gap.
the bell ropes passed through apertures in the ceiling
opening,hole,gap,space,slit,slot,vent,passage,crevice,chink,crack,fissure,perforation,breach,eye,interstice
