< V > TOEFL Vocabulary (44)

Mishandle, verb (mishandles, mishandling, mishandled) 

abuse, misapply, disapprove, misuse, pervert, prostitute 

For example, if you say that someone has mishandled something, you are critical of them 

because you think the have dealt with it badly.  

She completely mishandled an important project purely through lack of attention.

Critical, adjective (criticism, criticize, critique)   

acute, climacteric, crucial, desperate, dire

For example, a critical time, factor, or situation is extremely important.  

The incident happened at a critical point in the campaign.  

For example, a critical situation is very serious and dangerous.  

The German authorities are considering an airlift if the situation becomes critical. 
He is in  critical condition after the auto accident.   

For example, to be critical of someone or something means to criticize them.  
His report is highly critical of the trial judge.

Campaign, noun (campaign, campaigning, campaigned)  

For example, a campaign is a planned set of activities that people carry out over a period of

time in order to achieve something such as social or political change.  

During his election campaign he promised to put the economy back on its feet. 

(verb) If someone campaigns for something, they carry out a planned set of activities over a

period of time in order to achieve their aim.  

We are campaigning to improve the legal status of woman.

Carry out administer, administrate, execute, govern, render 

For example, if you carry out a threat, task, or instruction, you do it or act according to it.  

Police say that they believe the attacks were carried out by nationalists.  Commitments

have been made with little intention of carrying them out.

Election, noun (elections, elect, electioneer, elective) 

choice, alternative, option, preference, selection

For example, an election is a process in which people vote to choose a person or group of 

people to hold an official position.  

The final election results will be announced on Friday.

Legal, adjective (legalize, legality, legally) 

lawful, innocent, legitimate, licit

For example, legal is used to describe things that relate to the law.  

He vowed to take legal action.  I sought legal advice on this.

Threat, noun (threaten, threatened, threatening) 

danger, menace, liability

For example, a threat to a person or things is a danger that something unpleasant might                          

happen to them. A threat is also the cause of this danger.  

Some couples see single women as a threat to their relationships.

Secure, verb (secures, securing, secured) 

cover, fend, guard, protect, safeguard, screen, shield

For example, if you secure something that you want or need, you obtain it, often after a lot

of effort.  Secure is used in a formal context.  

Federal leaders continued their efforts to secure a ceasefire.

Obtain, verb (obtains, obtaining, obtained) 

acquire, annex, chalk up, gain, have, pick up, procure, secure, win

For example, to obtain something means to get it or achieve it.      

The perfect body has always been difficult to obtain.

Cease-fire, noun (cease-fires) 

truce, armistice

For example, a cease-fire is an agreement in which countries or groups of people that are

fighting each other agree to stop fighting. 

They have agreed to a cease-fire after three years of conflict.