It is a good idea to make your own additions when a moment of headline inspiration finds a new way round a familiar tortuous abstraction. Words in italic should only be used in difficulties and then only if the style of the newspaper permits.
A
abandon (vb)
drop
give up
quit
skip
yield
abatement (n)
cut
decline
drop
easement
ebb
fall
slump
abbreviate (vb)
chop
cut
lop
shorten
slash
squash
abduction (n)
capture
kidnap
seizure
abolish (vb)
ban
bar
block
close
cut
drop
end
foil
kill
squash
abolition (n)
ban
bar
end
abscond (vb)
flee
leave
run
accelerate (vb)
bustle
dash
drive
hasten
hustle
press
push
race
rush
scramble
speed
acceleration (n)
drive
flurry
hurry
push
race
scramble
accident
(nouns)
blast
collision
crash
horror
pile-up
terror
(verbs)
blast
collide
crash
gut (fire)
ram
raze
smash
strike
accommodate (vb)
fit in
hold
house
put up
take in
accumulate (vb)
acquire
add (up)
amass
build up
gather
grow
accurate (adj)
exact
right
true
accusation (n)
allegation (n)
blame
charge
citation
accuse (vb)
allege
blame
charge
cite
indict
achieve (vb)
gain
get
grab
achievement (n)
gain
triumph
victory
win
acknowledge (vb)
admit
agree
OK/okay
recognise
acquire (vb)
buy
choose
gain
get
grab
inherit
pick
reap
take
acquisition (n)
benefit
bequest
find
gain
legacy
win
acquittal (n)
clearance
freedom
release
reprieve
adamant (adj)
enemy
firm
hard
rigid
tough
adjustment (n)
change
revision
shift
switch
administer (vb)
control
direct
manage
run
advantage (n)
benefit
gain
help
plus
aggravate (vb)
annoy
excite
inflame
kindle
provoke
spark
vex
worsen
agreement (n)
accord
bargain
bond
deal
pact
treaty
agriculture
(nouns)
crops (or be specific)
farm
farmers
food
land
(verbs)
farm
harvest
plant
reap
sow
till
allegation see accusation
alleviate (vb)
ease
lessen
let up
reduce
alleviation (n)
aid
help
let-up
lighten
relief
remission
rescue
succour
allocation (n)
cut
dole
quota
ration
share
amalgamate (vb)
bond
combine
fuse
join
link
merge
mix
team up
tie
unify
unite
weld
amalgamation (n)
link
merger
team
tie-up
ambassador (n)
envoy
minister
amendment (n)
change
revision
rewording
shift
switch
announce (vb)
notify
proclaim
report
reveal
tell
announcement (n)
disclosure
news
record
report
apartment (n)
flat
home
apathetic (adj)
aloof
cool
calm
appeal (vb)
ask
call
plea
appoint (vb)
choose
invest
name
pick
apologise (vb)
climb down
regret
repent
rue
say sorry
apology (n)
regret
remorse
appointment (n)
duty
job
mission
place
post
apportion (vb)
allot
divide
give out
share
apportionment (n)
deal
lot
part
quota
ration
share
appreciate (vb)
grow
increase
rise
value
appropriate (vb)
grab
loot
seize
snatch
take over
arbitrator (n)
judge
referee
umpire
argument (n)
dispute
fight
quarrel
row
arraignment (n)
case
charge
indictment
suit
trial
ascertain (vb)
find out
/> learn
seek
assistance (n)
aid
back-up
help
relief
rescue
attain (vb)
get
reach
secure
authorise (vb)
adopt
agree
allow
approve
back
favour
let
pass
permit
ratify
sanction
say yes to
sign
vote
B
bankruptcy (n)
collapse
crash
failure
fall
barrister (n)
counsel
lawyer
QC (not always)
beginning (n)
birth
dawn
début
onset
opening
start
bequeath (vb)
give
leave
will
bewilderment (n)
awe
puzzle
shock
surprise
business (n)
company
firm
trader
business premises (n)
company/plant
firm
shop/store/office
C
calculate (vb)
assess
estimate
rate
value
catalogue (n)
details
list
name
record
ceremony (n)
display
fête
pageant
parade
party
review
spectacle
cessation (n)
end
gap
lull
pause
rest
stop
challenge (vb)
contest
dare
defy
dispute
doubt
flout
championship (n)
award
crown
title
circumvent (vb)
balk
beat
cheat
defeat
dish
foil
outwit
stop
clemency (n)
mercy
clergyman (n)
minister
priest
rector
vicar
close (vb)
call off
conclude
end
finish
shut
coalition (n)
alliance
band
group
league
syndicate
comfortable (adj)
cosy
fine
good
snug
commendation (n)
acclaim
applause
backing
eulogy
good record
homage
praise
committee (n)
body
group
party
commodious (adj)
fit
roomy
spacious
communicate (vb)
pass on
reveal
tell
competition (n)
fight
race
rivalry
complain (vb)
accuse
growl
Essential English Page 28
