Here are the definitions and an example sentence for today’s 10 essential words.

1. Elaborate (verb): To add details, explanations, or complexity to something in order to make it more thorough or complete.

The chef took great care to elaborate on the dish’s ingredients and preparation process during the cooking show.

2. Precipitate (verb): To cause something to happen suddenly or unexpectedly, often in a negative or undesirable way.

The careless actions of the driver precipitated the accident on the highway.

3. Ubiquitous (adjective): Present, appearing, or found everywhere.

Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern society.

4. Discernible (adjective): Able to be seen, heard, or otherwise detected; distinguishable or perceptible.

The difference in quality between the two products was discernible to the expert eye.

5. Mitigate (verb): To make something less severe, harmful, or painful.

The new policy aims to mitigate the negative effects of pollution on the environment.

6. Tenacious (adjective): Tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely; persistent in maintaining or pursuing something.

Despite the setbacks, the athlete’s tenacious spirit kept her going until the end.

7. Prolific (adjective): Producing many works, results, or offspring; highly productive.

The author was a prolific writer, producing over forty novels in her lifetime.

8. Incendiary (adjective): Causing or capable of causing fire; tending to stir up conflict or rebellion.

The politician’s incendiary remarks ignited a heated debate in the parliament.

9. Exacerbate (verb): To make something worse or more severe; to intensify the negative aspects of something.

The lack of rain has exacerbated the drought in the region.

10. Incongruous (adjective): Not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something; out of place.

The loud pop music was incongruous with the elegant ambiance of the restaurant.

Now see if you can use one of the ten words in each of the sentences below. Scroll down to check your answers.

1. Her supervisor’s harsh criticism only served to ……………… her anxiety about the project.
2. The comedian’s joke was met with silence, as it was ……………… with the solemnity of the occasion.
3. She took aspirin to ……………… the pain in her ankle before the big game.
4. The sudden change in weather conditions could ……………… a delay in the flight’s departure.
5. You need to ……………… on what I need to do as I’m not familiar with the process.
6. Attending the training course has had a ……………… impact on her ability to carry out her role.
7. The artist’s ……………… output of paintings and sculptures made him famous in the art world.
8. The impact of climate change is ………………, affecting people and ecosystems all over the world.
9. The ……………… rhetoric from the politician only added to the conflict.
10. The detective was ……………… in his pursuit of the suspect, not giving up until he found the evidence he needed.

Answers

1. Her supervisor’s harsh criticism only served to exacerbate her anxiety about the project.
2. The comedian’s joke was met with silence, as it was incongruous with the solemnity of the occasion.
3. She took aspirin to mitigate the pain in her ankle before the big game.
4. The sudden change in weather conditions could precipitate a delay in the flight’s departure.
5. You need to elaborate on what I need to do as I’m not familiar with the process.
6. Attending the training course has had a discernible impact on her ability to carry out her role.
7. The artist’s prolific output of paintings and sculptures made him famous in the art world.
8. The impact of climate change is ubiquitous, affecting people and ecosystems all over the world.
9. The incendiary rhetoric from the politician only added to the conflict.
10. The detective was tenacious in his pursuit of the suspect, not giving up until he found the evidence he needed.