Y09W05VC Word Roots — neo- (new)

Relating to the first four weeks of a newborn baby's life; concerning newborn infants and their care.

Word Breakdown: -nat- (root meaning 'born' or 'birth')

Example: The hospital's neonatal unit specialised in caring for premature infants requiring intensive medical support.

Synonyms: newborn, infant, postnatal

Collocations: neonatal care, neonatal unit, neonatal development

Relating to a modern political and economic approach that emphasises free markets, privatisation and reduced government intervention.

Word Breakdown: neo- (prefix meaning 'new' or 'revived') + -liberal (relating to liberal political and economic ideas)

Example: Critics of neoliberal economic policy argue that it has widened the gap between wealthy and disadvantaged communities.

Synonyms: free-market, market-driven, deregulatory

Collocations: neoliberal policy, neoliberal ideology, neoliberal agenda

Relating to the revival or reinterpretation of classical styles, ideas or methods in art, architecture, literature or economics.

Word Breakdown: neo- (prefix meaning 'new' or 'revived') + -classical (relating to classical styles or forms)

Example: The neoclassical architecture of the town hall reflected a nineteenth-century reverence for ancient Greek and Roman design.

Synonyms: classically inspired, revivalist, traditional

Collocations: neoclassical style, neoclassical economics, neoclassical architecture

To publicly support or recommend a particular cause, policy or idea.

Word family: advocacy (n.), advocate (n.)

Example: The organisation advocates for stronger environmental protections in regions affected by mining.

Synonyms: support, champion, argue for

Collocations: advocate for change, advocate a position, advocate reform

Open to more than one interpretation; not clear or definite in meaning.

Word Breakdown: ambi- (prefix meaning 'both' or 'two')

Word family: ambiguity (n.), ambiguously (adv.)

Example: The final paragraph of the speech was deliberately ambiguous, allowing different audiences to interpret it favourably.

Synonyms: unclear, vague, open to interpretation

Collocations: ambiguous meaning, deliberately ambiguous, ambiguous language

To say or show that something is the opposite of, or inconsistent with, what has already been stated.

Word Breakdown: contra- (prefix meaning 'against' or 'opposing')

Word family: contradiction (n.), contradictory (adj.)

Example: The witness's account directly contradicted the version of events presented by the defence.

Synonyms: dispute, refute, challenge

Collocations: contradict an argument, contradict the evidence, contradict each other

Describing two or more things that are similar or comparable to each other and exist at the same time or in the same way.

Example: The author draws a parallel between the protagonist's journey and the broader social changes of the era.

Synonyms: comparable, corresponding, equivalent

Collocations: parallel argument, draw a parallel, parallel structure

The possibility or likelihood of a future event; something expected or hoped for in the future.

Word Breakdown: -spect- (root meaning 'to look or see')

Word family: prospective (adj.), prospects (n. pl.)

Example: The prospect of further climate change has prompted many governments to accelerate their transition to renewable energy.

Synonyms: possibility, likelihood, outlook

Collocations: the prospect of, future prospects, bleak prospect

Used in academic writing to introduce a consequence or outcome that follows directly from what was previously stated.

Example: The region experienced record drought conditions; as a result, crop yields fell by nearly 40 per cent.

Synonyms: therefore, consequently, as a consequence

Collocations: as a result of, as a direct result, as a result, the...