Vocabulary Builder — 5 Words You’ll Actually Use

 

Vocabulary Builder — 5 Words You’ll Actually Use

comprehend · nullify · ingredient · competition · violate

Level: B2–C1 Focus: Meaning · Collocations · Examples · Quiz

Tip: Learn collocations (words that commonly go together). They make your English sound natural.

comprehend · nullify · ingredient · competition · violate · Quiz

① comprehend (verb) /ˌkɒm.prɪˈhend/

Meaning: to understand something fully; to grasp mentally.

Collocations:

comprehend fully fail to comprehend comprehend the magnitude/impact

Word family: comprehension (n), comprehensible (adj), comprehensive (adj, “complete”)

Examples

• It took time to comprehend the scale of the problem.
• Some risks are hard to comprehend until you face them.
• The guide made the theory comprehensible to beginners.

② nullify (verb) /ˈnʌl.ɪ.faɪ/

Meaning: to make legally invalid; to cancel; to make something ineffective.

Collocations:

nullify a contract nullify an agreement nullify the effect/advantage

Word family: nullification (n)

Examples

• The court moved to nullify the disputed clause.
• Poor execution can nullify a brilliant strategy.
• One error nullified months of careful work.

③ ingredient (noun) /ɪnˈɡriː.di.ənt/

Meaning: a component used to make something, esp. in cooking; a factor that contributes to a result.

Collocations:

key/essential ingredient active ingredient ingredients list/label

Figurative: “Trust is a key ingredient of teamwork.”

Examples

• Check the label for active ingredients.
• Discipline is an essential ingredient of mastery.
• We substituted one ingredient without changing the taste.

④ competition (noun) /ˌkɒm.pəˈtɪʃ.ən/

Meaning: the activity of trying to win or be more successful than others; a contest or rivalry.

Collocations:

face fierce/stiff competition enter a competition in competition with

Word family: compete (v), competitor (n), competitive (adj), competitiveness (n)

Examples

• Startups often face fierce competition for talent.
• Our product is directly in competition with global brands.
• She entered a writing competition and won first prize.

⑤ violate (verb) /ˈvaɪ.ə.leɪt/

Meaning: to break or fail to comply with a rule or agreement; to disrespect or desecrate.

Collocations:

violate a law/rule violate the terms violate privacy/rights

Word family: violation (n), violator (n), inviolable (adj: “must not be violated”)

Examples

• Sharing customer data without consent violates privacy laws.
• The team violated the terms of the agreement.
• Freedom of conscience should be inviolable.

Recap Table — Meanings & Synonyms

Word	Core Meaning	Common Synonyms*	Antonyms*
comprehend	understand fully	grasp, apprehend, fathom	misunderstand, misconceive
nullify	make invalid/ineffective	invalidate, void, cancel	validate, enforce
ingredient	component; contributing factor	component, element, constituent	whole, product (context)
competition	rivalry; contest	rivalry, contest, race	cooperation, monopoly (context)
violate	break (a law/rule); disrespect	breach, infringe, transgress	obey, comply (with)

*Choose synonyms/antonyms by context; shades of meaning may differ.

Practice Quiz

A) Fill in the blanks

1. It’s hard to ________ the long-term effects without data.
2. The judge decided to ________ the previous ruling.
3. Curiosity is a key ________ of lifelong learning.
4. We’re facing stiff ________ from local firms.
5. The company was fined for ________ safety regulations.

B) Choose the best collocation

1. to (comprehend / violate) the magnitude of the risk
2. (Nullify / Ingredient) a contract due to fraud
3. the active (ingredient / competition) in the medicine
4. enter a (competition / violation)
5. (Violate / Comprehend) the terms of service

Show Answers

A) 1. comprehend 2. nullify 3. ingredient 4. competition 5. violating

B) 1. comprehend 2. nullify 3. ingredient 4. competition 5. violate

Study tip: Review tomorrow with fresh examples from your field. Repetition + context = retention.