Tag: 2023

(v) to delay someone for a short period of time e.g. "I'm sorry for being late as I was unavoidably detained," he apologised to his boss. synonyms: delay, hold up, (v) to keep someone in official custody e.g. The suspect was detained by the police and held for questioning. other word forms: detention (n)

(v) to make someone believe something that is not true e.g. He's deluding himself if he thinks he is going to be prompted this year. synonyms: mislead, deceive, trick, dupe other word forms: delusion (n)

(adj) having the skill of tricking others to achieve something e.g. A cunning look flashed in her eyes when she realised that the old lady was gullible. synonyms: sly, devious, scheming (n) the skill of tricking others to achieve something e.g. We need to show some cunning if we want to defeat the enemy. other … Continue reading cunning

(adj) in large amounts e.g. The host served copious amounts of wine during the dinner party. synonyms: considerable, substantial other word forms: copiously (adv)

(adj) very noticeable or attracting attention which is often unwanted e.g. Because he was so tall, he was very conspicuous when he stood up suddenly while the Guest-of-Honour was giving her speech. synonyms: obvious, noticeable, outstanding other word forms: conspicuously (adv), conspicuousness (n)

(v) to tell something secret or personal to someone who you trust not to tell anyone else e.g. I confided in my friend about the huge fear I had about failing the end-of-year examination. synonyms: disclose, reveal, confess other word forms: confidant (n)

(adj) bad-tempered, uncooperative, and argumentative e.g. There is only one person living on the whole floor who has the patience to deal with the cantankerous old man. synonyms: irritable, grouchy, ill-tempered other word forms: nil

(v) to attack a place or person continuously with bombs or missiles (literal) e.g. Last night, the city was bombarded by enemy troops, and hundreds died as a result. synonyms: attack, bomb, shell, (v) to attack a person or a group continuously (figurative) e.g. When the President's scandal broke, the head office was bombarded with … Continue reading bombard

(v) to wave something in the air, especially a weapon, in a threatening or excited way e.g. She brandished a saucepan at the robber who had broken into her house. synonyms: wield, raise, swing other word forms: nil

(v) try to deceive someone as to one's abilities or intentions e.g. He seems to know a lot about music, but sometimes I think he's only bluffing. synonyms: pretend, putting on an act, mislead (n) an attempt to deceive/bluff e.g. "It was all a bluff! The diamond in his hand is fake!" Horrified at being … Continue reading bluff