Descriptionary

ratify vb. (RAT uh fye) to pass or officially approve. The bill was ratified by an overwhelming vote.

rationalize vb. (RASH uh nuh lize) to convince oneself through self-serving arguments that one's actions are defensible or positive when they are not; to justify one's actions. The looter rationalized stealing the television because, after all, the shop door was unlocked and everybody but him already owned a TV.

rebuke vb. (ri BYOOK) to reprimand and criticize. The children were rebuked sharply for riding their bicycles in busy traffic.

rebuttal n. (re BUT ul) a counterargument; a refuta­tion or retort. The defense made some strong points but we had a powerful rebuttal prepared.

recant vb. (re KANT) to retract or take back some­thing previously stated. I'd like to recant my criticism against all cats; actually, what I meant was, I don't like some cats.

reconcile vb. (REK un sile) to resolve differences or make up. After their fight, the boys were asked to offer apologies and reconcile.

red herring n. any issue or object employed to dis­tract from a larger, more important one. The presi­dent's vociferous focus on the booming economy was obviously a red herring to distract reporters from his past unethical behavior.

redress n. (REE dress) compensation for or correc­tion of a wrong. The company's lawsuit seeks redress for the reporter's slanderous report.

redundant adj. (ri DUN dunt) repetitive, wordy; more than what is called for. When making a speech, you may make a point in various ways, but try to avoid being redundant.

refute vb. (ri FYOOT) to argue or prove that some­thing is wrong. We plan to refute the newspaper's poorly researched report with facts and figures of our own.

regale vb. (ri GAYL) to entertain. The comedian regaled us with one hilarious story after another.

regress vb. (ree GRESS) to retreat to an earlier stage; to progress backwards. Don't let a teenager regress to her childhood by crying for a snack; that's embarrassing.

reiterate vb. (ree IT uh RAYT) to repeat or go over what has already been said. I will reiterate these direc­tions only once, so I strongly urge you to take notes.

relegate vb. (REL uh GAYT) to assign or consign. As the youngest of ten children, I was always relegated to carry out the most meaningless chores in the house.

relentless adj. (ri LENT less) unremitting, incessant. The relentless rain caused the river to flow over its banks and inundate the town square.

relinquish vb. (ree LIN kwish) to give up or renounce. Even after losing to the challenger, the vanquished fighter refused to relinquish his champi­onship belt.