frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

shocking. 4 slip, blunder, mistake, error, gaffe, gaucherie,
faux pas: She admitted to many improprieties during her term of
office.
improve v. 1 better, ameliorate, upgrade, uplift, amend, enhance, fix
up, reform, redeem, rehabilitate, redress, repair, correct,
rectify, put or set right, emend; modernize, update, refurbish,
recondition, renovate, repair, overhaul, remodel: We must
improve procedures for dealing with small claims. The landlord
refuses to spend any money to improve the property. 2 develop,
increase, advance, promote, further, benefit; look up, recover,
pick up, Colloq give a new lease of or US on life, take a turn
for the better, US take a new lease on life: How can I improve
my chances of winning at snooker? Business has improved
considerably. 3 convalesce, recuperate, recover, get better,
mend, rally, (make) progress, gain (strength or ground), revive:
Mrs Costello is out of intensive care and improving daily.
improvement
n. 1 betterment, amelioration; reform, rehabilitation,
upgrading, enhancement, repair: The committee is working for
the improvement of the neighbourhood. 2 recovery, rise,
increase, gain, advance, upswing, progress; recuperation,
convalescence: There was an improvement in share prices after
release of the trade figures. The patient shows considerable
improvement. 3 advance, change for the better: This year's crop
is an improvement over last year's.
improvident
adj. 1 short-sighted, imprudent, wasteful, profligate,
prodigal, spendthrift, extravagant, lavish, profuse,
happy-go-lucky, penny wise and pound foolish, uneconomic(al),
thriftless: He who is improvident in his youth plans for a
short life. 2 incautious, unwary, rash, reckless, impulsive,
impetuous, headlong, heedless, careless, unthinking,
unthoughtful, unmindful: The club's present financial straits
are the result of having an improvident treasurer.
improvise n. 1 ad lib, extemporize, Colloq play (it) by ear, fake it,
wing it: I like a comedian who improvises as he goes along. 2
invent, concoct, devise, contrive, jury-rig; make do: We had to
improvise a mast from parts of the boom. When you have nothing
to work with, you have to improvise.