Basic Details
Word: Vitiate
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of something.
Synonyms: Impair, damage, weaken, corrupt
Antonyms: Improve, enhance, strengthen
Idioms and Phrases
- Vitiate the atmosphere: To spoil the mood or feeling of a situation. Example: "His rude comments really vitiated the atmosphere at the party."
- Vitiate one's judgement: To weaken or impair someone's ability to make a clear decision. Example: "Too much stress can vitiate one's judgement when it comes to making important choices."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The heavy rain vitiated the quality of the outdoor concert, causing it to be cancelled.
Example 2: Lies can vitiate the trust built between friends and lead to misunderstandings.
Example 3: If the rules are not followed, it will vitiate the results of the experiment.
Fun Fact
The word "vitiate" comes from the Latin word "vitire," which means "to make faulty or defective." It has been used in English since the 16th century.
Famous Quote
"The truth is a thing that you can vitiate any way you like, but in the end, it will remain the truth." - John W. Gardner
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "vitiate" mean?
a) To improve something
b) To spoil or impair something
c) To create something
d) To clarify something
Answer: b) To spoil or impair something
2. Which of these is a synonym of "vitiate"?
a) Enhance
b) Impair
c) Strengthen
d) Restore
Answer: b) Impair
3. What is an antonym of "vitiate"?
a) Damage
b) Weaken
c) Improve
d) Spoil
Answer: c) Improve
4. Which sentence uses "vitiate" correctly?
a) The sun vitiates the ice cream, making it melt quickly.
b) Her kindness can vitiate the anger in the room.
c) The artist vitiated the painting with more vibrant colours.
d) The storm vitiates their day at the beach.
Answer: b) Her kindness can vitiate the anger in the room.
5. Which idiom relates to "vitiate"?
a) Vitiate the atmosphere
b) Make a mountain out of a molehill
c) Burn the midnight oil
d) Hit the nail on the head
Answer: a) Vitiate the atmosphere
