Childrens Illustrated Thesaurus

217

a b c d e g h i j k l m p q r s t u v w x y z

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study

strengthen^1

verb to give something more

power » The lateness

of the trains strengthens

the case for an improved

railway system.

encourage, fortify, harden,

toughen, hearten,

invigorate

antonym: weaken

strengthen^2

verb to support the structure

of something » Dad

strengthened the treehouse

with some timber beams.

bolster, brace, fortify,

reinforce, support

antonym: weaken

stress^1

noun worry and nervous

tension » Louis didn’t like the

stress that came with taking

tests every term.

anxiety, hassle (informal),

pressure, strain, tension,

worry

stress^2

verb to emphasize something

» The teacher stressed the

importance of doing your best.

accentuate, emphasize,

repeat, underline, belabour,

dwell on, point up,

underscore

stretch^1

verb to extend over an area or

time » The boy stretched the

elastic to shoot the catapult.

continue, cover, extend,

go on, hang, last, reach,

spread

stretch^2

verb to reach out with part of

your body » Megan stretched

out her hand.

extend, reach, straighten

antonym: bend

stretch^3

noun an area of land or water

» We travelled along a smooth

stretch of road.

area, expanse, extent,

sweep, tract

stretch^4

noun a period of time

» My father often worked

for eight-hour stretches.

period, run, space, spell,

stint, term, time

strict^1

adjective very firm in

demanding obedience

» The teacher was strict and

we didn’t dare talk in class.

authoritarian, firm, rigid,

rigorous, stern, stringent

strict^2

adjective precise and accurate

» The referee had a strict

interpretation of the rules.

accurate, exact,

meticulous, particular,

precise, true

strive

verb to make a great effort

to achieve something

» Mason strives to keep

himself fit by running every day.

attempt, do your best,

do your utmost,

endeavour (formal),

make an effort, seek, try

strong^1

adjective having powerful

muscles » Gorillas are

terrifically strong.

athletic, brawny, burly,

muscular, powerful,

strapping, well-built

antonym: weak

strong^2

adjective able to withstand

rough treatment

» Strong armour kept the

knight safe during battle.

durable, hard-wearing,

heavy-duty, reinforced,

sturdy, substantial, tough,

well-built

antonym: fragile

strong^3

adjective great in degree or

intensity » Caroline had a

strong following of supporters.

acute, ardent, deep,

fervent, fierce, intense,

keen, passionate, profound,

vehement, violent, zealous

antonym: faint

structure^1

noun the way something is

made or organized

» The science class learned

all about the structure of

a plant.

arrangement, construction,

design, make-up,

organization, configuration,

conformation

structure^2

noun something that has been

built » The museum building

is an imposing structure.

building, construction,

edifice

struggle^1

verb to try hard to do

something » We struggled

up to the top of the mountain.

strain, strive, toil, work

struggle^2

noun something that is hard to

achieve » The marathon was a

struggle, but Josh felt proud

when he crossed the finish line.

effort, labour, toil, work

stubborn

adjective determined not

to change or give in

» Helen’s stubborn refusal

to give up is an inspiration.

dogged, inflexible,

obstinate, tenacious, wilful,

intractable, obdurate,

recalcitrant, refractory

stuck-up

adjective (informal) arrogant

and conceited » She was

famous but not stuck-up.

arrogant, conceited,

disdainful, haughty,

proud, snobbish

study^1

verb to spend time learning

about something » Billy

enjoyed studying history.

learn, read up,

swot (Britain, Australia, and

New Zealand; informal)

We travelled along a smooth

stretch of road.

The boy stretched the elastic

to shoot the catapult.

Strong armour kept the knight safe

during battle.

The museum building is

an imposing structure.

194-223_S.indd 217 22/03/17 11:36 am