Word | Synonyms | Antonyms | Meaning | Example |
Development | Progress, Advancement | Regression, Stagnation | The process of growing or improving; a new and advanced product or idea | Two thousand five witnessed several important developments, including increased development aid and debt cancellation decisions at the G-Eight meeting. |
Decision | Resolution, Determination | Hesitation, Indecision | A conclusion or resolution reached after careful consideration | Leaders at the G-Eight meeting made decisions to increase development aid and cancel debts owed by the world’s poorest nations. |
Forgiveness | Pardon, Absolution | Retribution, Vengeance | The action or process of forgiving or being forgiven | The G-Eight leaders agreed to forgive debts owed to international lenders by some of the world’s poorest nations. |
Unforgiving | Ruthless, Merciless | Compassionate, Forgiving | Not willing to forgive or show mercy | The world dealt with the effects of nature at its most unforgiving, such as the earthquake in Pakistan and the Indian Ocean tsunami. |
Anniversary | Commemoration, Celebration | Forgetfulness, Neglect | The yearly recurrence of the date of a past event | December marked the one-year anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami, which killed over two hundred thousand people. |
Reform | Improvement, Amendment | Deterioration, Regression | The action or process of making changes to improve a system, organization, or law | Secretary General Kofi Annan presented a major reform plan for the United Nations in March, including changes in the Security Council and human rights commission. |
Proposal | Suggestion, Recommendation | Rejection, Disapproval | A plan or suggestion put forward for consideration or discussion | Kofi Annan proposed a reform plan for the United Nations, which included changes in the Security Council and human rights commission. |
Terrorism | Extremism, Violence | Peace, Harmony | The unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims | Kofi Annan’s reform plan included ideas for dealing with terrorism and establishing new rules on when to use military force. |
Anniversary | Commemoration, Celebration | Forgetfulness, Neglect | The yearly recurrence of the date of a past event | The United Nations celebrated its sixtieth anniversary in two thousand five. |
Compromise | Agreement, Settlement | Disagreement, Intransigence | An agreement or settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions | In December, the World Trade Organization reached a compromise agreement in Hong Kong, addressing issues related to farm protections. |
Protester | Demonstrator, Activist | Supporter, Advocate | A person who publicly demonstrates strong objection to something | Outside the World Trade Organization meeting in Hong Kong, protesters fought with police over farm protections and trade issues. |
Critic | Opponent, Adversary | Supporter, Advocate | A person who expresses disapproval or judgment | Critics argued that the results of the World Trade Organization meeting in Hong Kong left much to be desired, lacking significant progress. |
Negotiation | Discussion, Bargaining | Refusal, Rejection | The action or process of talking about or discussing terms of an agreement, settlement, or resolution | World leaders discussed Kofi Annan’s reform proposals when they met in New York in September. |
Assistance | Help, Support | Hindrance, Obstruction | The action of helping or supporting someone or something | Wealthy countries agreed on 2013 as the end date for export assistance to their farmers, aiming to increase trade with the world’s poorest nations. |
Export | Shipment, Selling | Import, Buying | Send (goods or services) to another country for sale | Wealthy countries agreed on a timeline for the end of export assistance to their farmers during the World Trade Organization meeting in Hong Kong. |
Protest | Demonstration, Revolt | Agreement, Acquiescence | A statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something | Outside the World Trade Organization meeting in Hong Kong, protesters voiced their objections and clashed with police. |
Regulation | Oversight, Control | Anarchy, Disorder | A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority | Some lawmakers and industry experts suggest changes to streamline market policing and enhance regulatory efficiency. |
Oversight | Supervision, Inspection | Neglect, Inattention | The action of overseeing something or someone; the fact of being responsible for an activity or process | The National Association of Securities Dealers supervises investment traders and trading companies, ensuring compliance with rules. |
Simplify | Streamline, Clarify | Complicate, Confuse | Make (something) simpler or easier to do | Lawmakers and the Securities Industry Association suggest changes to simplify market policing and improve regulatory efficiency. |
Economic reforms | Restructuring, Renovation | Stagnation, Regression | Changes introduced to improve the economic health and performance of a country or region | The World Bank has been pushing for free trade as a way to lift millions of people out of poverty, but a new study raises questions about the effectiveness of trade reforms. |
Free trade | Open trade, Unrestricted trade | Protectionism, Trade barriers | International trade left to its natural course without tariffs, quotas, or other restrictions | The World Bank advocates for free trade as a means to alleviate poverty and promote economic development in various countries. |
Poverty | Destitution, Indigence | Wealth, Affluence | The state of being extremely poor | The World Bank believes that trade reforms can help lift millions of people out of poverty, although the effectiveness may vary among different countries. |
Reforms | Changes, Transformations | Stagnation, Status quo | The action or process of making changes in something in order to improve it | A study by economists at the World Bank questions the speed at which trade reforms would help different countries, suggesting variations in their effectiveness. |