baffle = v. to confuse to a point at which no
progress can be made
syn. perplex, puzzle, frustrate, confound
n. bafflement
adj. baffling
The teaching assistant was completely baffled
by the
student's question, and even the professor wasn't sure of the answer.
The murder was baffling to the police at first, but they
slowly gathered clues, and finally had enough evidence to arrest several
suspects.
bear = v. to produce, to carry; to show; to
endure
syn. yield, stand
adv. bearably
adj. bearable
The genetically manipulated tree bore a lot of apples, but
they had an absolutely neutral taste.
The emotional strain of the divorce made him extremely depressed, but with the help of a
psychologist it gradually became more bearable.
block = v. to prevent movement, progress or
success
syn. obstruct
n. blockage
n. blockade
adj. blocked
adj. blocking
American efforts to block international trade with Cuba have
had a marginal impact on the island nation's economy, and virtually none on the
efforts to influence its government's political course.
Some Republican Congressmen used blocking tactics against the
Democratic-proposed legislation, but it easily passed on the first vote anyway.
blur = v. to make or become difficult to see
syn. to cloud, to obscure
adj. blurred
n. blur
The country's economic difficulties are blurring
the
seriousness of its massive social problems.
Though the Air Force has maintained that the blur
in the sky
was a natural phenomenon, many people still believe it was a UFO.
bond = v. join or hold together, to fasten, to
feel mutual affection; to furnish a financial guarantee
syn. to connect, to like or love each other
n. bond (also, a financial instrument used by companies or governments to raise
capital)
Though the two old people had never laid eyes on each other before, they knew they were bonding after only a few minutes of conversation.
The county decided to issue a bond to finance the
improvements to its aging sewer system.
caution = n. careful forethought, a warning
syn. prudence, care
n. cautiousness
v. caution
adj. cautious
adj. cautionary
adv. cautiously
Genetic research should proceed with caution
because of its
uncertain ethical ramifications.
The consultant cautioned the firm against expanding too
rapidly.
challenge = n. a physical or mental activity
that is or appears difficult
syn. problem (colloq.), difficulty
v. challenge
adj. challenging
Ascertaining the effects of zero gravity on the human body is one of the greatest challenges of the space program.
Finding substitute sources of income for tobacco farmers is a challenging
issue for anti-smoking campaigners
convince
= v. to cause someone to
do or believe something by introducing facts and/or logic
syn. satisfy, persuade
adj. convincing
adv. convincingly
The manager was finally convinced that it was time to change
the marketing strategy when she saw the disappointing sales figures.
The research report proved convincingly that eating
contaminated meat is the cause of B.S.E.
delicate
= adj. easily damaged or
broken; requiring sensitivity; pleasing to the senses
syn. sensitive, fragile
n. delicacy
adj. delicately
The professor asked the students to handle the piece of amber he had brought to class
carefully because it was quite delicate and extremely
valuable.
Foods considered a delicacy in one culture might actually be
seen as quite disgusting in another.
enhance = v. to make greater in value, beauty,
strength
syn. improve, increase, strengthen
n. enhancement
adj. enhanced
Superior computer skills frequently enhance
a candidate's
chances of being hired.
Software companies are constantly making enhancements to
their programs in an attempt to win a greater market share.
intrigue = v. to stimulate great interest; to
engage in a plot
syn. fascinate; to scheme
adj. intriguing
adv. intriguingly
n. intrigue
The story of his grandfather's mysterious death intrigued
him
to the point that he decided to research exactly what had happened.
Berlin has long been a center for espionage and international intrigue.
persuade = v. to cause someone to do or
believe something by rhetoric, persistent requesting, begging
syn. induce, prevail upon, convince
n. persuasion
adj. persuasive
adv. persuasively
Neither the consultants nor the Board of Directors were able to convince the CEO to alter
her plan, but somehow her sister, a major shareholder in the company, was finally able to persuade her to do so.
In some countries, bribery is the most successful form of persuasion
when dealing with high government officials.
replace = v. to fill or take the place of
…, (less common: to put something back in its original place)
syn. supplant, substitute, take over from; restore, return
n. replacement
adj. replaceable
They found the RAM chip was defective, so they had to
replace it
A good friend is irreplaceable.
select = v. to pick out one or more things from
several
syn. choose
n. selection
n. selectivity
adj. select
adj. selective
The President of the University selected a member of the
history faculty to be the new dean.
Although Darwin's theory of natural selection, also known as
evolution, is widely accepted by the scientific and academic communities, many
fundamentalist religious groups view it as virtual heresy.
unique = adj. the only one of its type
syn. one-of-a-kind, sole, single
n. uniqueness
adv. uniquely
Australia has varieties of both flora and fauna that are unique
in the world.
This candidate's qualifications make her uniquely
qualified
for the position.