400 Must Have Words for the TOEFL LESSON 28 - Investigating Crimes Vocabulary Test
Word List
analyze [ˈænlˌaɪz] v.
To examine something by looking at its parts
→ Chemists analyzed the white powder and found it to be only a mixture of sugar and salt.
Parts of speech analysis n., analyst n.
assail [əˈseɪl] v.
To attack or criticize forcefully
→ With DNA evidence from the crime scene, the defense lawyer assailed the police for falsely arresting his client.
Parts of speech assault n., assailant n.
contrary [ˈkɒntrərɪ] adj.
Opposite
→ Contrary to most studies, Dr.Ito’s work shows the world’s climate is not getting warmer.
Usage tips Common phrases are contrary to and on the contrary.
hypothesize [haɪˈpɒθɪsaɪz] v.
To make a guess, the correctness of which will eventually be investigated systematically.
→ Scientists hypothesize that planets capable of supporting life exist beyond our solar system, but they have not yet seen any.
Usage tips Hypothesize is often followed by a that clause.
Parts of speech hypothesis n., hypothetical adj.
impair [ɪmˈpɛəʳ] v.
To make something less effective than usual
→ The snow impaired John’s ability to hear anyone’s footsteps.
Usage tips The object of impair is often [someone’s] ability to.
Parts of speech impairment n.
inference [ˈɪnfərəns] n.
A conclusion drawn from evidence
→ Inspector Dowd’s inference that Ms.Miller was South African was based on her accent.
Parts of speech infer v.
objectively [əbˈdʒektɪvlɪ] adv.
Based on unbiased standards, not on personal opinion
→ I don’t like Mr.Rowan, but looking objectively at his sales numbers, I saw that he was a very valuable employee.
Parts of speech objective adj.
suspicious [səsˈpɪʃəs] adj.
Believing that something is wrong; acting in a way that makes people believe you have done something wrong
→ The neighbors became suspicious of Jim when he bought a big new car and some fancy clothes.
Parts of speech suspicion n., suspiciously adv.
tolerate [ˈtɒləreɪt] v.
To avoid getting upset about something
→ My math teacher tolerates a lot of talking in her class, but my history teacher tells us to be quiet.
Parts of speech toleration n., tolerance n., tolerant adj.
versus [ˈvɜːsəs] prep.
Against
→ In the debate, it was pro-war senators versus antiwar senators.
Usage tips Versus is often abbreviated as vs. in sports contexts, or simply v. in legal contexts.
