Advanced English (2) • VERBS • 'U'

verb [T ] C1 • synonyms: release, set free, trigger, let loose • unleash anger/creativity/forces; be unleashed by something; unleash consequences/reactions • freq in AmE: 6/10

to suddenly release or let something powerful, intense, or uncontrolled come forth — often used for emotions, forces, actions, or consequences that were previously restrained

collocation with unleash verb [T ] C1 • unleash hell on someone/something; threaten to unleash hell; emotional/military/political use • freq in AmE: 5/10

to cause extreme chaos, violence, or destruction — often used figuratively to describe intense retaliation, emotional outburst, or overwhelming force; dramatic and emphatic in tone

collocation with unleash verb [T ] C1 • unleash chaos in/within/on something; political/emotional/technological use; sudden disruption or breakdown • freq in AmE: 5/10

to cause sudden, intense disorder or disruption — often used to describe the release of uncontrollable forces, emotions, or consequences that lead to confusion, conflict, or breakdown of order

collocation with undergo verb [T ] C1 • synonyms: receive, participate in, be treated with • undergo therapy/treatment/surgery; undergo physical/psychological therapy; undergo therapy for trauma/anxiety/injury • freq in AmE: 6/10

to receive or participate in a course of medical, psychological, or rehabilitative treatment, often over a period of time

collocation with undergo verb [T ] C1 • synonyms: have, receive, be operated on • undergo surgery/treatment/procedure; undergo major/emergency/elective surgery; undergo surgery for cancer/injury/heart disease • freq in AmE: 7/10

to have a surgical procedure performed on the body, typically to treat a medical condition, remove something, or repair damage

verb [T ] C1 • synonyms: experience, go through, be subjected to • undergo surgery/therapy/treatment/change/testing/reform; undergo something for medical/emotional/structural reasons • freq in AmE: 7/10

to experience or be subjected to something, especially something that involves change, suffering, or a formal process — often medical, psychological, or technical

collocation with unveil verb [T ] C1 formal • synonyms: present, announce, disclose • unveil a proposal/plan/strategy/initiative • officials/companies/leaders unveil a proposal to do something • freq in AmE: 7/10

to formally present or reveal a plan or suggestion, often in a public, strategic, or ceremonial context; implies preparation, anticipation, and intent to persuade or initiate change

collocation with unveil verb [T ] C1 formal • synonyms: present, launch, disclose • unveil a strategy/plan/vision/initiative • leaders/companies/governments unveil a strategy to do something • freq in AmE: 7/10

to formally present or reveal a plan of action designed to achieve specific goals, often in political, business, or military contexts; implies preparation, timing, and intent to influence or lead

verb [T ] C1 • synonyms: lead, escort, guide, initiate • usher into room/office/era/change; formally/quietly/ceremonially usher • freq in AmE: 6/10

to lead or guide someone somewhere, especially in a formal or ceremonial way; also used metaphorically to mark the beginning of a new period or change

verb [T ] C1 • synonyms: disturb, disorient, unnerve • unsettle someone/audience/balance; unsettling truths/images/silence; unsettle the soul/status quo; unsettle and provoke/confuse/haunt • freq in AmE: 6/10

to disturb or disorient someone emotionally, mentally, or socially; to cause anxiety, discomfort, or loss of stability

verb [I or T ] C2 • synonyms: unfold, reveal, spread out • unfurl a flag/sail/story; emotions/events unfurl; unfurl gradually/ceremoniously; unfurling identity/narrative • freq in AmE: 4/10

to open or spread out something that was rolled or folded — often used metaphorically to describe the gradual revelation or development of events, emotions, or ideas

verb [T ] • C2 • synonyms: downplay, minimize, gloss over • underplay impact/severity/role/risk; underplay achievements/symptoms/criticism; media/government underplay; underplay to avoid panic/conflict • freq in AmE: 4/10

to make something seem less important, serious, or significant than it really is; to downplay or minimize its impact