Mistreating, Harming, or Dying: English Vocabulary List

to deal with something or someone in a tough manner

"The sergeant bawls out the recruit."

"The sergeant bawled out the new recruits for failing to make their beds properly according to the strict military standards."

to put someone in a difficult position

"The tricky question catches him out."

"The detective tried to catch out the suspect by asking him about his alibi."

to strongly criticize someone in an angry manner

"The teacher chewed out him."

"The manager had to chew out the employee for his repeated tardiness and lack of professionalism."

to prevent someone from having or receiving something that is rightfully theirs

"They do him out of his share."

"The dishonest mechanic tried to do the elderly woman out of her savings by charging her for repairs that her car did not need."

to physically or verbally attack someone or something forcefully

"He hits out at critics harshly."

"The politician hit out at his critics during the press conference calling their accusations completely false and unfair."

to communicate one's emotions, often negative, by misbehaving

"The child acts out for attention."

"The frustrated child began to act out in class by throwing books and yelling at the teacher."

to destroy completely, especially by fire

"The house will burn out."

"After the prolonged fire, the entire structure had completely burn out, leaving only ashes."

to completely disappear or cease to exist

"Many animal species die out each year."

"The tradition of handmade pottery is slowly dying out because younger people are not learning the skill from their elders."

to make someone or something unconscious

"The boxer knocked out his opponent."

"The champion boxer managed to knock out his opponent with a powerful left hook in the third round of the match."

to express strong criticism or disapproval in a harsh and uncontrolled way

"She lashes out in anger."

"The frustrated child lashed out at his little brother because he was angry about something else that had happened at school."

to lose consciousness

"She passes out from the intense heat."

"It was so hot in the room that one of the guests nearly passed out from heat exhaustion and dehydration."

to betray one's principles or values for personal gain or convenience

"He will sell out friends."

"The politician was accused of selling out his campaign promises for personal political gain."

to cause something to lose its functionality or good condition over time or through extensive use

"These shoes wear out quickly."

"The old carpet has worn out after many years of heavy use and needs to be replaced soon."

to cause the death of a significant portion of a population

"The disease did wipe out many."

"The devastating plague threatened to wipe out the entire population of the medieval city."