Some decisions are easy to change; others create costs, obligations or consequences that make reversal difficult. These 100 SEC English vocabulary entries give students a dedicated language bank for revising, withdrawing, committing, restoring and preserving future options without recycling the earlier Risk, Sequence or Evaluation lists.
1. Reversible
2. Irreversible
3. Revise
4. Amend
5. Undo
6. Recover
7. Restore
8. Commit
9. Lock-in
10. Revisable
11. Irretrievable
12. Revocable
13. Irrevocable
14. Retractable
15. Rescind
16. Repeal
17. Annul
18. Nullify
19. Withdraw
20. Reverse
21. Overturn
22. Reconsider
23. Reopen
24. Renegotiate
25. Renounce
26. Waive
27. Forfeit
28. Surrender
29. Relinquish
30. Abandon
31. Cancel
32. Abort
33. Terminate
34. Suspend
35. Pause
36. Resume
37. Restart
38. Reset
39. Rollback
40. Backtrack
41. U-turn
42. Course correction
43. Pivot
44. Adapt
45. Modify
46. Alter
47. Reconfigure
48. Reallocate
49. Redeploy
50. Repurpose
51. Substitute
52. Replace
53. Reinstate
54. Reintroduce
55. Revert
56. Reversion
57. Restoration
58. Rectify
59. Repair
60. Remediate
61. Salvage
62. Recoup
63. Reclaim
64. Redeem
65. Rehabilitate
66. Reconstruct
67. Rebuild
68. Reconstitute
69. Harmonise
70. Settle
71. Finalise
72. Ratify
73. Endorse
74. Approve
75. Empower
76. Confirm
77. Bind
78. Binding
79. Non-binding
80. Settled
81. Closed
82. Determinate
83. Entrenched
84. Path-dependent
85. Sunk cost
86. Exit cost
87. Switching cost
88. Commitment cost
89. Option value
90. Flexibility value
91. Point of no return
92. Decision gate
93. Cooling-off period
94. Trial period
95. Pilot
96. Sunset clause
97. Renewal clause
98. Termination clause
99. Escape clause
100. Reversibility
Top 100 Reversible and Irreversible Decisions Vocabulary | Meaning and Singapore Context
| Word | Meaning | Example (Singapore Context) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Reversible | capable of being undone or returned to an earlier state. | In a Singapore school context, Reversible can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 2. Irreversible | not capable of being fully undone. | In a Singapore school context, Irreversible can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 3. Revise | change something after reconsideration or new information. | In a Singapore school context, Revise can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 4. Amend | make a change intended to correct or improve something. | In a Singapore school context, Amend can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 5. Undo | reverse the effect of an action where possible. | In a Singapore school context, Undo can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 6. Recover | regain something lost or return towards an earlier condition. | In a Singapore school context, Recover can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 7. Restore | return something to an earlier condition or function. | In a Singapore school context, Restore can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 8. Commit | make a decision that creates an obligation or reduces easy reversal. | In a Singapore school context, Commit can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 9. Lock-in | a situation in which an earlier choice makes later alternatives difficult or costly. | In a Singapore school context, Lock-in can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 10. Revisable | capable of being changed after further information or review. | In a Singapore school context, Revisable can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 11. Irretrievable | unable to be recovered or regained. | In a Singapore school context, Irretrievable can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 12. Revocable | capable of being officially withdrawn or cancelled. | In a Singapore school context, Revocable can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 13. Irrevocable | not capable of being withdrawn or reversed. | In a Singapore school context, Irrevocable can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 14. Retractable | capable of being withdrawn after being stated or issued. | In a Singapore school context, Retractable can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 15. Rescind | officially cancel a decision, agreement or rule. | In a Singapore school context, Rescind can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 16. Repeal | officially remove a law, rule or formal measure. | In a Singapore school context, Repeal can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 17. Annul | declare a decision or arrangement invalid. | In a Singapore school context, Annul can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 18. Nullify | make something legally or practically ineffective. | In a Singapore school context, Nullify can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 19. Withdraw | remove a proposal, statement or decision from consideration or effect. | In a Singapore school context, Withdraw can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 20. Reverse | change a decision, direction or result to its opposite or earlier state. | In a Singapore school context, Reverse can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 21. Overturn | cancel or reverse an earlier decision, especially through authority or review. | In a Singapore school context, Overturn can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 22. Reconsider | think about a decision again in light of reasons or new information. | In a Singapore school context, Reconsider can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 23. Reopen | allow a settled or closed question to be considered again. | In a Singapore school context, Reopen can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 24. Renegotiate | discuss an agreement again in order to change its terms. | In a Singapore school context, Renegotiate can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 25. Renounce | formally give up a claim, right or position. | In a Singapore school context, Renounce can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 26. Waive | voluntarily give up a right, requirement or claim. | In a Singapore school context, Waive can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 27. Forfeit | lose a right, opportunity or possession because of an action or condition. | In a Singapore school context, Forfeit can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 28. Surrender | give up control, possession or a claim. | In a Singapore school context, Surrender can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 29. Relinquish | voluntarily give up a responsibility, right or possession. | In a Singapore school context, Relinquish can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 30. Abandon | stop pursuing or supporting a plan, position or activity. | In a Singapore school context, Abandon can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 31. Cancel | decide that a planned event or arrangement will not happen. | In a Singapore school context, Cancel can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 32. Abort | stop a process before it is completed. | In a Singapore school context, Abort can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 33. Terminate | bring an activity, agreement or process to an end. | In a Singapore school context, Terminate can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 34. Suspend | stop something temporarily without necessarily ending it. | In a Singapore school context, Suspend can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 35. Pause | stop temporarily with the possibility of continuing. | In a Singapore school context, Pause can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 36. Resume | begin again after an interruption. | In a Singapore school context, Resume can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 37. Restart | begin a process again from the start or a defined point. | In a Singapore school context, Restart can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 38. Reset | return a system or process to a starting or default state. | In a Singapore school context, Reset can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 39. Rollback | return a system, policy or change to an earlier version. | In a Singapore school context, Rollback can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 40. Backtrack | reverse an earlier position or course of action. | In a Singapore school context, Backtrack can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 41. U-turn | a complete reversal of a previous decision or policy. | In a Singapore school context, U-turn can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 42. Course correction | an adjustment made to bring a plan back towards its intended direction. | In a Singapore school context, Course correction can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 43. Pivot | make a substantial change in approach while retaining a broader aim. | In a Singapore school context, Pivot can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 44. Adapt | change an approach in response to new circumstances. | In a Singapore school context, Adapt can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 45. Modify | make a limited change without replacing the whole thing. | In a Singapore school context, Modify can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 46. Alter | make something different in some respect. | In a Singapore school context, Alter can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 47. Reconfigure | arrange components differently to change how something operates. | In a Singapore school context, Reconfigure can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 48. Reallocate | assign resources differently after an earlier allocation. | In a Singapore school context, Reallocate can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 49. Redeploy | move people or resources to a different use or location. | In a Singapore school context, Redeploy can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 50. Repurpose | use something for a different purpose from the original one. | In a Singapore school context, Repurpose can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 51. Substitute | replace one option, item or method with another. | In a Singapore school context, Substitute can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 52. Replace | put a new thing or choice in place of an earlier one. | In a Singapore school context, Replace can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 53. Reinstate | restore a previous rule, position or arrangement. | In a Singapore school context, Reinstate can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 54. Reintroduce | bring back something that had been removed or stopped. | In a Singapore school context, Reintroduce can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 55. Revert | return to an earlier state, practice or choice. | In a Singapore school context, Revert can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 56. Reversion | the act or process of returning to an earlier state. | In a Singapore school context, Reversion can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 57. Restoration | the act of returning something to an earlier condition. | In a Singapore school context, Restoration can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 58. Rectify | correct something that is wrong. | In a Singapore school context, Rectify can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 59. Repair | fix damage or a fault so that something can function again. | In a Singapore school context, Repair can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 60. Remediate | take action to correct or reduce an identified problem. | In a Singapore school context, Remediate can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 61. Salvage | save something useful from a failing or damaged situation. | In a Singapore school context, Salvage can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 62. Recoup | recover money, resources or value that had been lost or spent. | In a Singapore school context, Recoup can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 63. Reclaim | recover possession, use or value. | In a Singapore school context, Reclaim can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 64. Redeem | recover value, reputation or a right after loss or failure. | In a Singapore school context, Redeem can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 65. Rehabilitate | restore capability, condition or reputation through a process of improvement. | In a Singapore school context, Rehabilitate can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 66. Reconstruct | build or form something again after damage or major change. | In a Singapore school context, Reconstruct can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 67. Rebuild | construct or develop something again. | In a Singapore school context, Rebuild can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 68. Reconstitute | form something again, often with altered components. | In a Singapore school context, Reconstitute can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 69. Harmonise | adjust conflicting arrangements so they can operate together. | In a Singapore school context, Harmonise can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 70. Settle | bring a dispute or unresolved matter to an agreed end. | In a Singapore school context, Settle can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 71. Finalise | complete a decision or arrangement so that it is ready to take effect. | In a Singapore school context, Finalise can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 72. Ratify | formally approve an agreement or decision. | In a Singapore school context, Ratify can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 73. Endorse | express formal or public support for a decision or proposal. | In a Singapore school context, Endorse can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 74. Approve | officially accept or permit a proposal or action. | In a Singapore school context, Approve can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 75. Empower | give the authority needed to make or carry out a decision. | In a Singapore school context, Empower can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 76. Confirm | establish or state that an arrangement or decision is definite. | In a Singapore school context, Confirm can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 77. Bind | place someone under an obligation or make an agreement enforceable. | In a Singapore school context, Bind can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 78. Binding | creating an obligation that must be followed. | In a Singapore school context, Binding can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 79. Non-binding | not creating a compulsory obligation. | In a Singapore school context, Non-binding can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 80. Settled | treated as decided unless a recognised review process reopens it. | In a Singapore school context, Settled can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 81. Closed | no longer open for ordinary reconsideration in the stated process. | In a Singapore school context, Closed can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 82. Determinate | fixed or settled rather than left open. | In a Singapore school context, Determinate can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 83. Entrenched | so firmly established that change becomes difficult. | In a Singapore school context, Entrenched can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 84. Path-dependent | shaped by earlier choices that constrain later alternatives. | In a Singapore school context, Path-dependent can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 85. Sunk cost | a cost already incurred that cannot be recovered by changing the current decision. | In a Singapore school context, Sunk cost can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 86. Exit cost | a cost incurred when leaving an arrangement or reversing a choice. | In a Singapore school context, Exit cost can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 87. Switching cost | the cost or difficulty of moving from one option to another. | In a Singapore school context, Switching cost can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 88. Commitment cost | the resources or obligations created by committing to a choice. | In a Singapore school context, Commitment cost can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 89. Option value | the value of preserving the ability to choose later. | In a Singapore school context, Option value can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 90. Flexibility value | the benefit gained from keeping future choices open. | In a Singapore school context, Flexibility value can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 91. Point of no return | a stage after which reversal is no longer realistically possible. | In a Singapore school context, Point of no return can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 92. Decision gate | a planned point at which continuation, revision or stopping is decided. | In a Singapore school context, Decision gate can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 93. Cooling-off period | a period allowing reconsideration before a decision becomes fully binding. | In a Singapore school context, Cooling-off period can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 94. Trial period | a limited period used to test an arrangement before longer commitment. | In a Singapore school context, Trial period can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 95. Pilot | a small-scale test conducted before wider implementation. | In a Singapore school context, Pilot can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 96. Sunset clause | a provision causing a rule or measure to end unless renewed. | In a Singapore school context, Sunset clause can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 97. Renewal clause | a provision setting conditions for continuing an arrangement. | In a Singapore school context, Renewal clause can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 98. Termination clause | a provision explaining how an agreement may be ended. | In a Singapore school context, Termination clause can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 99. Escape clause | a provision allowing withdrawal under specified conditions. | In a Singapore school context, Escape clause can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
| 100. Reversibility | the degree to which a decision or action can be undone. | In a Singapore school context, Reversibility can help students explain whether a decision can be changed, withdrawn, tested or made harder to reverse. |
Why this distinction matters
Good evaluation depends on time, uncertainty, fairness and reversibility. A possible harm is not a certain outcome; equal treatment is not always identical treatment; an immediate effect is not automatically lasting; and some decisions are much easier to undo than others.
SEC English transfer
Use these distinctions across writing, comprehension, summary, listening and oral communication. Follow the official SEAB syllabus pages for the student’s subject level and examination year. This is an eduKate teaching resource, not an official prescribed vocabulary list.
Error repair
Collapsed distinction: “Choosing a poster colour and sharing a student’s private data are both mistakes that can simply be fixed later.”
Repaired: “A poster colour is readily reversible; disclosing private data may create consequences that cannot be fully undone, so the two decisions require different levels of caution.”
The repair makes the criterion visible instead of hiding it inside a broad positive or negative judgement.
Writing practice
Evaluate one decision using two time horizons or two fairness/risk criteria. State what can be known now and what would require later evidence. Avoid calling an option simply good or bad when the trade-off can be named more precisely.
Comprehension practice
Find one claim about risk, fairness, future effects or a decision. Identify the condition or criterion on which the claim depends. Then explain one stronger conclusion the passage does not justify.
Oral practice
Give a recommendation and name one risk, one benefit and whether the decision is easy to reverse. Then answer a follow-up that changes the time horizon or affected group.
Mastery loop
- Choose five words.
- Explain the criterion each one names.
- Use it in context.
- Create one overstatement.
- Repair it.
- Retrieve the distinction later.
Where this fits in eduKate
Use the Master SEC English Vocabulary Guide for the complete system and the SEC English Vocabulary Hub for the word-list estate. Continue to the related eduKate guide for deeper instruction.
The standard
Distinction vocabulary should make a decision easier to reason about, not merely make the judgement sound more sophisticated.