B2 Unit 131: Society & law 9
20 B2 words: overthrow, unrest, accusation, wartime, needy, de facto… Learn them in 4 steps, then review them every day.
Word list
| Word | Meaning | Example | |
|---|---|---|---|
| overthrow/ˈoʊvɚˌθroʊ/ v | to overthrowto remove a leader or government by force | The army tried to overthrow the government of the small country.The army tried to overthrow the government of the small country. | |
| unrest/ənˈrɛst/ n | unresta situation where people are angry and protest | There was social unrest in the city after prices rose.There was social unrest in the city after prices rose. | |
| accusation/ˌækjəˈzeɪʃən/ n | accusationa statement that someone did something wrong | The accusation against the shop owner was false.The accusation against the shop owner was false. | |
| wartime/ˈwɔrˌtaɪm/ n | wartimea period when a country is at war | In wartime, many families have to leave their homes.In wartime, many families have to leave their homes. | |
| needy/ˈnidi/ adj | needyhaving very little money or food | The charity helps needy families in the city.The charity helps needy families in the city. | |
| de facto/di ˈfæktoʊ/ adj | de factoexisting in fact, though not officially | He is the de facto leader of the group, though he has no official title.He is the de facto leader of the group, though he has no official title. | |
| sanitation/ˌsænəˈteɪʃən/ n | sanitationsystems for clean water and waste removal | Clean water and sanitation are important for good health.Clean water and sanitation are important for good health. | |
| unauthorized/əˈnɔθɚˌaɪzd/ adj | unauthorizedwithout official permission | Unauthorized visitors cannot enter the laboratory.Unauthorized visitors cannot enter the laboratory. | |
| bureaucracy/bjʊˈrɑkrəsi/ n | bureaucracycomplicated official rules and paperwork | Too much bureaucracy made it slow to get the new passport.Too much bureaucracy made it slow to get the new passport. | |
| gangster/ˈɡæŋstɚ/ n | gangstera member of a criminal group | The old film is about a gangster in 1930s Chicago.The old film is about a gangster in 1930s Chicago. | |
| prominence/ˈprɑmənəns/ n | prominencethe state of being important or well known | The mayor has risen to prominence in recent years.The mayor has risen to prominence in recent years. | |
| prosecute/ˈprɑsəˌkjut/ v | to prosecuteto take someone to court for a crime | The police will prosecute anyone who breaks the law.The police will prosecute anyone who breaks the law. | |
| evacuate/ɪˈvækjəˌeɪt/ v | to evacuateto leave a dangerous place quickly | Staff had to evacuate the office when the alarm rang.Staff had to evacuate the office when the alarm rang. | |
| piracy/ˈpaɪrəsi/ n | piracyillegal copying and selling of music or films | Online piracy of films is against the law.Online piracy of films is against the law. | |
| sexism/ˈsɛksɪzəm/ n | sexismunfair treatment of people because of their sex | Sexism at work is unfair and must stop.Sexism at work is unfair and must stop. | |
| starvation/stɑrˈveɪʃən/ n | starvationsuffering or death from lack of food | Starvation is still a problem in some parts of the world.Starvation is still a problem in some parts of the world. | |
| tyranny/ˈtɪrəni/ n | tyrannycruel and unfair rule by one person | The people lived under tyranny until the revolution.The people lived under tyranny until the revolution. | |
| discriminate/dɪˈskrɪməˌneɪt/ v | to discriminateto treat a person worse than others unfairly | It is illegal to discriminate against people because of their age.It is illegal to discriminate against people because of their age. | |
| prohibit/proʊˈhɪbət/ v | to prohibitto officially forbid something | The sign says that smoking is prohibited in this building.The sign says that smoking is prohibited in this building. | |
| repression/riˈprɛʃən/ n | repressioncontrol by force or strict rules | People protested against the repression of free speech.People protested against the repression of free speech. |