January 9, 2019

Word of the Day #8

Hey, folks! Today, let's look at the word flak.

Flak (also flack)

Noun

Pronunciation
/flæk/ (FLACK)

Definition
1. Anti-aircraft guns.
2. Strong criticism.
Eg. The press has come in for a lot of flak for their insensitive portrayal of the story.

Synonyms
censure, criticism, hostility

Origin
The word is an abbreviation of the German word Fliegerabwehrkanone, literally "aviator-defense gun".

Usage cues for similar words
Flak can be used in a wide variety of contexts, both formal and informal.
Censure
This word is usually used in a formal context and refers to mainly written or verbal criticism.
Eg. He was censured for his lack of commitment towards the company.
Criticism
Versatile. Use it anywhere.
Eg. How well do you handle criticism?
Hostility
Usually refers to opposition which is not expressed verbally, but through actions.
Eg. They did not conceal their hostility towards the newcomers.

That's it for today then. All the best, and stay tuned!

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