Basic Details
Word: Vitiate
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To damage, spoil, or impair the quality or efficiency of something.
Synonyms: Impair, corrupt, invalidate
Antonyms: Enhance, improve, strengthen
Idioms and Phrases
- Vitiate one's efforts: To undermine or weaken someone's hard work. Example: "His careless mistakes vitiated all her efforts to complete the project on time."
- Vitiated argument: An argument that has been weakened or made ineffective. Example: "The lack of evidence vitiated his argument during the debate."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The excessive heat vitiated the quality of the chocolate, causing it to become grainy.
Example 2: The introduction of false information vitiated the research findings, leading to inaccurate conclusions.
Example 3: If the rules are not followed, it could vitiate the entire contract and make it void.
Fun Fact
The word "vitiate" comes from the Latin word "vitiatus," which means "to make faulty." It has been used in English since the 15th century.
Famous Quote
"The law is a vitiated reflection of the laws of nature." - Thomas Paine
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "vitiate" mean?
a) To improve
b) To damage or spoil
c) To create
d) To organise
Answer: b) To damage or spoil
2. Which of these is a synonym of "vitiate"?
a) Enhance
b) Impair
c) Strengthen
d) Reinforce
Answer: b) Impair
3. Which word is the opposite of "vitiate"?
a) Spoil
b) Improve
c) Damage
d) Diminish
Answer: b) Improve
4. Which sentence correctly uses the word "vitiate"?
a) The team worked hard to vitiate their project.
b) The strong wind helped to vitiate the day.
c) The scandal could vitiate the politician's career.
d) He plans to vitiate more flowers in the garden.
Answer: c) The scandal could vitiate the politician's career.
5. What does it mean to have a "vitiated argument"?
a) A strong argument
b) An ineffective argument
c) A well-balanced discussion
d) A humorous conversation
Answer: b) An ineffective argument
