Lesson 3B · New English File Advanced Vocabulary List

to forcefully remove a person of authority or power from their position

"The rebels tried to overthrow the government."

"The military leaders successfully plotted to overthrow the corrupt government and establish a new regime with democratic elections for all citizens."

a group of humans

"The people in the crowd cheered when the band came on."

"Many people gathered in the town square to celebrate the annual summer festival."

an officer in charge of a military operation or a group of soldiers

"The commander led the troops."

"The fleet commander issued the final orders for the naval operation, directing all units involved."

a person who is forced to leave their own country because of war, natural disaster, etc.

"The refugee fled from war."

"A refugee is a person forced to flee their country due to persecution"

an individual who shoots at their targets from a concealed and, usually, far place

"A sniper waits unseen."

"The sniper shoots from a hidden position and kills three enemy soldiers before retreating."

someone or something that stays alive or continues to exist, particularly after nearly dying or an unpleasant event

"The sole survivor of the crash is rescued."

"The sole survivor of the crash is rescued by a helicopter and taken to a nearby hospital."

a temporary peace during a battle or war when discussions regarding permanent peace is taking place

"The two sides agreed to a ceasefire after months of bloody fighting."

"Humanitarian aid finally reached the city after both armies respected the ceasefire agreement."

an organized action, usually violent, against an authority, attempting to bring about a change

"Armed rebellion lasted."

"The armed rebellion against the king lasted for several years in the past."

the act of surrounding the enemy, a town, etc. and cutting off their supplies so that they would surrender

"The castle was under siege for six months."

"The city was under siege for six months before the defenders finally ran out of food and were forced to surrender to the attacking army."

to officially tell people something

"The president declared a state of emergency."

"The president declared a state of emergency after the earthquake caused widespread destruction across several states."

using a word, phrase, etc. not for its ordinary meaning, but for the idea or symbol that it represents or suggests

"Her language is metaphorical."

"The metaphorical language in the poem compared love to a rose and time to a river."

a war that is between people who are in the same country

"A civil war is very sad."

"The civil war caused widespread destruction across the entire region."

an official agreement between two or more governments or states

"The two countries signed a treaty."

"The peace treaty ended decades of conflict and brought hope for a more stable future."

an unexpected, illegal, and often violent attempt to change a government

"The military took power in a sudden coup last year."

"The general led a military coup that overthrew the democratically elected president and established a new dictatorship."

anything that takes place, particularly something important

"The event was fun."

"The annual music festival is a major cultural event attracting thousands of attendees."

a country that aids another country, particularly if a war breaks out

"France was an ally of America."

"The two countries became close allies and signed a mutual defense treaty to protect each other."

relating to a person who is not a member of the military or police force and does not hold an official position in the government

"She has a civilian job."

"The civilian population was warned to evacuate before the bombing began and most people fled to safer areas in the countryside."

a group of trained and organized people such as the police, soldiers, etc.

"The police force arrived quickly."

"The elite special forces unit was deployed to neutralize the ongoing threat."

someone who has been hurt or injured, either physically or emotionally

"The wounded are cared for."

"The wounded soldier is carried off the battlefield and the medics work to stop the bleeding."

to free oneself from a place that one is being held against their will, such as a prison

"Prisoners plan to break out tonight."

"The prisoners plan to break out of jail by digging a tunnel under the prison wall."

to win against someone in a war, game, contest, etc.

"Our team will defeat the opponents."

"The army was able to defeat the enemy forces after a long and bloody battle that lasted three days."

to let someone leave a place in which they have been confined or stuck

"Please release him."

"After questioning, the authorities decided to release the suspect due to insufficient evidence."

(of military) to move away in order to escape the danger because one has been defeated or is weak

"The army will retreat from battle."

"The army was forced to retreat from the battlefield after suffering heavy casualties and running low on ammunition."

a component of ammunition that is loaded into a firearm, including a casing or a hull, gunpowder, a primer, and a projectile

"The shell held gunpowder and bullet."

"The spent shell casing ejected from the rifle after the shot was fired successfully."

to give up resistance or stop fighting against an enemy or opponent

"The army surrendered to the enemy."

"The enemy general finally agreed to surrender his troops after a long siege left his army with no food or ammunition remaining."

a disagreement or argument over something important

"The conflict grew."

"The ongoing conflict between the neighbors escalated over property boundaries."

involvement in war, particularly using certain methods or weapons

"Modern warfare depends heavily on advanced technology"

"Modern warfare increasingly relies on drones and cyber attacks rather than ground troops."

to kill someone, especially as a legal penalty

"Execute the prisoner."

"The soldiers were ordered to execute the traitor immediately after the court martial found him guilty of betraying his country during the war."

to cause something to explode

"Terrorists blow up the train station bridge."

"The terrorist tried to blow up the bridge with a bomb but the police discovered it before it could explode."

the fundamental change of power, government, etc. in a country by people, particularly involving violence

"The revolution changed history."

"The revolution overthrew the old system and created a new political order."

armed forces or soldiers, especially by large numbers

"A troop marched past."

"Reinforcing troops arrived overnight, bolstering the defenses of the besieged city."

to catch an animal or a person and keep them as a prisoner

"They capture the bird."

"The security forces managed to capture the fugitive after a lengthy pursuit."

money, goods, or valuables that have been taken by force or through illegal means

"They found the loot."

"The loot from the robbery is hidden in a warehouse and the police search for it for weeks."

someone who is killed or wounded during a war or an accident

"Many casualty reported."

"Many casualty occurred during the terrible natural disaster last month in the region."