starvation

/stɑːˈveɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /stɑːrˈveɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /stär-ˈvā-shən/ (ame, mw)

starvation — noun

1. the serious condition of going without food for a very long period, which can ca

1.名詞B2
釋義

the serious condition of going without food for a very long period, which can cause severe illness or death

例句

The long dry season pushed many farming families to the edge of starvation.

push + to the edge of [noun] for near-crisis

Quinn's study looked at how starvation in early childhood changes the way the brain grows.

同義詞
  • hunger

    much milder; refers to the normal physical need for food, not a dangerous condition

  • famine

    refers to a widespread food shortage affecting an entire region or population

  • malnutrition

    focuses on poor-quality or insufficient nutrients rather than total lack of food

反義詞
  • nourishment

    the food and nutrients needed for health and growth

  • satiation

    the state of having had enough food

文法句型

die of starvation

suffer from starvation

on the brink of starvation

用法筆記

Not interchangeable with 'hunger.' 'Hunger' refers to the everyday feeling of needing food, while 'starvation' describes a dangerous, prolonged lack of food that can be fatal. Often used in medical, humanitarian, and disaster contexts.

常見錯誤

❌I have starvation because I skipped breakfast.
✅I am hungry because I skipped breakfast.
💡'starvation' describes a life-threatening condition, not ordinary hunger.
❌The cat died of starving.
✅The cat died of starvation.
💡'starvation' is the noun form; 'starving' is the adjective or verb form.

2. the deliberate use of food deprivation to harm, control, or destroy a group of p

2.名詞C1
釋義

the deliberate use of food deprivation to harm, control, or destroy a group of people, often during a conflict or siege

例句

By cutting off food supplies to the city, the army used starvation as a weapon.

use + [noun] + as a weapon — instrumentalizing a condition

During the siege of Sarajevo, prosecutor Ayesha documented deliberate starvation of civilians.

同義詞
  • blockade

    a broader military tactic that cuts off all supplies, not only food

  • siege

    a military operation surrounding a place to force surrender, which may include starvation as a consequence

反義詞

文法句型

deliberate starvation of [group]

use [noun] as a weapon

starvation of [group] during [event]

用法筆記

Frequently appears in discussions of war crimes, international humanitarian law, and siege tactics. The object of the action is almost always a group (civilians, prisoners, a population) rather than an individual person.