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V2 Vocabulary Building Dictionary


rife

adjective

Definition: 1. plentiful or full of; 2. common or frequent

Synonyms: overflowing, abounding, plentiful, abundant, copious, profuse, rampant, common, frequent, general, prevalent, widespread, prevailing

Antonyms: limited, confined, contained

Tips: Rife is generally used when describing things that are negative and abundant. For example, "rumors are rife," and "corruption is rife." Rife is commonly used in the phrase "rife with" to describe something that is full of something else. Rife is similar to the word fraught (marked by, full of). Both words are usually used to describe something negative. Rife is used to describe something that is flowing and abundant, and usually in the present tense, while fraught is used to describe something that is full of or marked by problems, dangers, or difficulties, and is usually in the past tense. For example: "The project was fraught with (full of and marked by) missed deadlines and team arguments. The office is rife (full of, over flowing) with rumors." Also, a person can be rife (overflowing) with anger, but not fraught.

Usage Examples:

The election was criticized for being rife with corruption. (overflowing, abundant)

Rumors about the company's impending bankruptcy were rife at the office. (rampant, widespread)

Crime is rife in that neighborhood. (rampant, widespread)

Jenny was rife with anger when she found out that she had been betrayed. (overflowing, abounding)


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