Читать книгу Collins English Thesaurus Essential - Collins Dictionaries, Collins Dictionaries - Страница 128

bribe NOUN He was being investigated for receiving bribes. = inducement, incentive, pay-off (informal), graft (informal), sweetener (slang), kickback, sop, backhander (slang), enticement, hush money (slang), payola (informal), allurement, corrupting gift, reward for treachery ▸ VERB The company bribed the workers to be quiet. = buy off, reward, pay off (informal), lure, corrupt, get at, square, suborn, grease the palm or hand of (slang), influence by gifts, oil the palm of (informal)bribery NOUN = corruption, graft (informal), inducement, buying off, payola (informal), crookedness (informal), palm-greasing (slang), subornationbric-a-brac NOUN = knick-knacks, ornaments, trinkets, baubles, curios, objets d'art (French), gewgaws, bibelots, kickshaws, objects of virtubridal ADJECTIVE = matrimonial, marriage, wedding, marital, bride's, nuptial, conjugal, spousal, connubial (formal), hymenealbride NOUN = wife, newly-wed, marriage partner, spousebridegroom NOUN = husband, groom, newly-wed, marriage partner, spousebridge NOUN 1 He walked over the railway bridge. = arch, span, viaduct, flyover, overpass, fixed link (Canad.) 2 They saw themselves as a bridge to peace. = link, tie, bond, connection ▸ VERB 1 a tree used to bridge the river = span, cross, go over, cross over, traverse, reach across, extend across, arch over 2 She bridged the gap between pop music and opera. = reconcile, unite, resolvebridle NOUN She dismounted and took her horse's bridle. = rein, curb, control, check, restraint, trammels ▸ VERB 1 He bridled at the shortness of her tone. = get angry, draw (yourself) up, bristle, seethe, see red, be infuriated, rear up, be indignant, be maddened, raise your hackles, get your dander up (slang), get your back up 2 I must learn to bridle my tongue. = curb, control, master, govern, moderate, restrain, rein, subdue, repress, constrain, keep in check, check, keep a tight rein on, keep on a stringbrief ADJECTIVE 1 This time their visit is brief. = short, fast, quick, temporary, fleeting, swift, short-lived, little, hasty, momentary, ephemeral, quickie (informal), transitory ◼ OPPOSITE: long 2 Write a very brief description of a typical problem. = concise, short, limited, to the point, crisp, compressed, terse, curt, laconic, succinct, clipped, pithy, thumbnail, monosyllabic ◼ OPPOSITE: long 3 He was brief, rapid, decisive. = curt, short, sharp, blunt, abrupt, brusque ▸ VERB A spokesperson briefed reporters. = inform, prime, prepare, advise, fill in (informal), instruct, clue in (informal), gen up (Brit. informal), put in the picture (informal), give a rundown, keep (someone) posted, give the gen (Brit. informal) ▸ NOUN 1 He gives me my first brief of the situation. = summary, résumé, outline, sketch, abstract, summing-up, digest, epitome, rundown, synopsis, précis, recapitulation, abridgment 2 a lawyer's brief = case, defence, argument, data, contentionbriefing NOUN 1 They're holding a press briefing tomorrow. = conference, meeting, priming 2 The Chancellor gives a twenty-minute briefing to his backbenchers. = instructions, information, priming, directions, instruction, preparation, guidance, preamble, rundownbriefly ADVERB 1 He smiled briefly. = quickly, shortly, precisely, casually, temporarily, abruptly, hastily, briskly, momentarily, hurriedly, curtly, summarily, fleetingly, cursorily 2 There are four alternatives; they are described briefly below. = in outline, in brief, in passing, in a nutshell, concisely, in a few wordsbrigade NOUN 1 the men of the Seventh Armoured Brigade = corps, company, force, unit, division, troop, squad, crew, team, outfit (informal), regiment, contingent, squadron, detachment 2 the healthy-eating brigade = group, party, body, band, camp, squad, organization, crew (informal), bunch (informal)bright ADJECTIVE 1 a bright red dress = vivid, rich, brilliant, intense, glowing, colourful, highly-coloured 2 Newborns hate bright lights and loud noises. = shining, flashing, beaming, glowing, blazing, sparkling, glittering, dazzling, illuminated, gleaming, shimmering, twinkling, radiant, luminous, glistening, resplendent, scintillating, lustrous, lambent, effulgent 3 I was convinced that he was brighter than average. = intelligent, smart, clever, knowing, thinking, quick, aware, sharp, keen, acute, alert, rational, penetrating, enlightened, apt, astute, brainy (informal), wide-awake, clear-headed, perspicacious (formal), quick-witted 4 There are lots of books crammed with bright ideas. = clever, brilliant, smart, sensible, cunning, ingenious, inventive, canny 5 The boy was so bright and animated. = cheerful, happy, glad (archaic), lively, jolly, merry, upbeat (informal), joyous, joyful, genial, chirpy (informal), sparky, vivacious, full of beans (informal), gay (old-fashioned), light-hearted 6 Both had successful careers and the future looked bright. = promising, good, encouraging, excellent, golden, optimistic, hopeful, favourable, prosperous, rosy, auspicious, propitious, palmy 7 the bright winter sky = sunny, clear, fair, pleasant, clement, lucid, cloudless, unclouded, sunlit ◼ OPPOSITE: cloudybrighten VERB 1 Seeing him, she seemed to brighten a little. = cheer up, rally, take heart, perk up, buck up (informal), become cheerful ◼ OPPOSITE: become gloomy 2 Her tearful eyes brightened with interest. = light up, shine, glow, gleam, clear up, lighten, enliven ◼ OPPOSITE: dim 3 Planted tubs brightened the area outside the door. = enliven, animate, make brighter, vitalize 4 The sky above the ridge of the mountains brightened. = become brighter, light up, glow, gleam, clear upbrightness NOUN 1 You'll be impressed with the brightness of the colours. = vividness, intensity, brilliance, splendour, resplendence 2 Her brightness seemed quite intimidating to me. = intelligence, intellect, brains (informal), awareness, sharpness, alertness, cleverness, quickness, acuity, brain power, smarts (slang, chiefly U.S.), smartnessbrilliance or brilliancy NOUN 1 His brilliance and genius will always remain. = cleverness, talent, wisdom, distinction, genius, excellence, greatness, aptitude, inventiveness, acuity, giftedness, braininess ◼ OPPOSITE: stupidity 2 the brilliance of the sun on the water = brightness, blaze, intensity, sparkle, glitter, dazzle, gleam, sheen, lustre, radiance, luminosity, vividness, resplendence, effulgence, refulgence ◼ OPPOSITE: darkness 3 The opera house was perfection, all brilliance and glamour. = splendour, glamour, grandeur, magnificence, éclat, gorgeousness, illustriousness, pizzazz or pizazz (informal), giltbrilliant ADJECTIVE 1 She had a brilliant mind. = intelligent, sharp, intellectual, alert, clever, quick, acute, profound, rational, penetrating, discerning, inventive, astute, brainy (informal), perspicacious (formal), quick-witted 2 a brilliant pianist = expert, masterly, talented, gifted, accomplished ◼ OPPOSITE: untalented 3 a brilliant success = splendid, grand, famous, celebrated, rare, supreme, outstanding, remarkable, superb, magnificent, sterling, glorious, exceptional, notable, renowned, heroic, admirable, eminent, sublime, illustrious 4 The event was held in brilliant sunshine. = bright, shining, intense, sparkling, glittering, dazzling, vivid, radiant, luminous, ablaze, resplendent, scintillating, lustrous, coruscating, refulgent (literary), lambent ◼ OPPOSITE: darkbrim NOUN She filled her glass right up to the brim. = rim, edge, border, lip, margin, verge (Brit.), brink, flange ▸ VERB 1 They are brimming with confidence. = be full, spill, well over, run over, overflow, spill over, brim over 2 Michael looked at him imploringly, his eyes brimming with tears. = fill, well over, fill up, overflowbrine NOUN = salt water, saline solution, pickling solutionbring VERB 1 My father brought home a book for me. = fetch, take, carry, bear, transfer, deliver, transport, import, convey 2 I brought him inside and dried him off. = take, guide, conduct, accompany, escort, usher 3 The revolution brought more trouble than it was worth. = cause, produce, create, effect, occasion (formal), result in, contribute to, inflict, wreak, engender 4 I could not even bring myself to enter the house. = make, force, influence, convince, persuade, prompt, compel, induce, move, dispose, sway, prevail on or upon ● bring someone up He brought up four children. = rear, raise, support, train, develop, teach, nurse, breed, foster, educate, care for, nurture ● bring something about The two sides are attempting to bring about fundamental changes. = cause, produce, create, effect, manage, achieve, occasion (formal), realize, generate, accomplish, give rise to, make happen, effectuate, bring to pass ● bring something down 1 They were threatening to bring down the government. = overturn, reduce, undermine, overthrow, abase 2 The air fares war will bring down prices. = reduce, cut, drop, lower, slash, decrease 3 The lumberjacks brought the tree down. = cut down, level, fell, hew, lop, raze 4 Such forces would normally bring the building down. = demolish, level, destroy, dismantle, flatten, knock down, pull down, tear down, bulldoze, raze, kennet (Austral. slang), jeff (Austral. slang) ● bring something in 1 They brought in a controversial law. = introduce, start, found, launch, establish, set up, institute, organize, pioneer, initiate, usher in, inaugurate 2 The business brings in about £60,000 a year. = produce, return, net, realize, generate, be worth, yield, gross, fetch, accrue ● bring something off They were about to bring off an even bigger coup. = accomplish, achieve, perform, carry out, succeed, execute, discharge, pull off, carry off, bring to pass ● bring something up Why are you bringing that up now? = mention, raise, introduce, point out, refer to, allude to, broach, call attention to, speak about or ofbrink NOUN = edge, point, limit, border, lip, margin, boundary, skirt, frontier, fringe, verge (Brit.), threshold, rim, brimbrio NOUN = energy, spirit, enthusiasm, dash, pep, zip (informal), animation, vigour, verve, zest, panache, gusto, get-up-and-go (informal), élan, vivacity, livelinessbrisk ADJECTIVE 1 The horse broke into a brisk trot. = quick, lively, energetic, active, vigorous, animated, bustling, speedy, nimble, agile, sprightly, vivacious, spry ◼ OPPOSITE: slow 2 She attempted to reason with him in a rather brisk fashion. = short, sharp, brief, blunt, rude, tart, abrupt, no-nonsense, terse, gruff, pithy, brusque, offhand, monosyllabic, ungracious, uncivil, snappish 3 The breeze was cool, brisk and invigorating. = invigorating, fresh, biting, sharp, keen, stimulating, crisp, bracing, refreshing, exhilarating, nippy ◼ OPPOSITE: tiringbriskly ADVERB 1 Eve walked briskly down the corridor. = quickly, smartly, promptly, rapidly, readily, actively, efficiently, vigorously, energetically, pronto (informal), nimbly, posthaste 2 A trader said gold was selling briskly on the local market. = rapidly, quickly, apace (literary), pdq (slang) 3 'Anyhow,' she added briskly, 'it's none of my business.' = brusquely, firmly, decisively, incisivelybristle NOUN two days' growth of bristles = hair, spine, thorn, whisker, barb, stubble, prickle ▸ VERB 1 It makes the hair on the nape of my neck bristle. = stand up, rise, prickle, stand on end, horripilate 2 He bristled with indignation. = be angry, rage, seethe, flare up, bridle, see red, be infuriated, spit (informal), go ballistic (slang), be maddened, wig out (slang), get your dander up (slang) 3 The country bristles with armed groups. = abound, crawl, be alive, hum, swarm, teem, be thickBriton NOUN = Brit (informal), limey (U.S. & Canad. slang), Britisher, pommy or pom (Austral. & N.Z. slang), Anglo-Saxonbrittle ADJECTIVE 1 Pine is brittle and breaks easily. = fragile, delicate, crisp, crumbling, frail, crumbly, breakable, shivery, friable, frangible, shatterable ◼ OPPOSITE: tough 2 a brittle man = tense, nervous, edgy, stiff, wired (slang), irritable, curtbroach VERB 1 Eventually I broached the subject of her early life. = bring up, approach, introduce, mention, speak of, talk of, open up, hint at, touch on, raise the subject of 2 Our host will now show you how to broach a barrel of maple syrup. = open, crack, pierce, puncture, uncorkbroad ADJECTIVE 1 His shoulders were broad and his waist narrow. = wide, large, ample, generous, expansive 2 a broad expanse of lawn = large, huge, comfortable, vast, extensive, ample, spacious, expansive, roomy, voluminous, capacious, uncrowded, commodious, beamy (of a ship), sizable or sizeable ◼ OPPOSITE: narrow 3 A broad range of issues was discussed. = full, general, comprehensive, complete, wide, global, catholic, sweeping, extensive, wide-ranging, umbrella, thorough, unlimited, inclusive, far-reaching, exhaustive, all-inclusive, all-embracing, overarching, encyclopedic 4 a film with broad appeal = universal, general, common, wide, sweeping, worldwide, widespread, wide-ranging, far-reaching 5 a broad outline of the Society's development = general, loose, vague, approximate, indefinite, ill-defined, inexact, nonspecific, unspecific, undetailed 6 I was robbed in broad daylight. = clear, open, full, plain 7 Use wit rather than broad humour. = vulgar, blue, dirty, gross, crude, rude, naughty, coarse, indecent, improper, suggestive, risqué, boorish, uncouth, unrefined, ribald, indelicate, near the knuckle (informal), indecorous, unmannerlybroadcast NOUN a broadcast on the national radio = transmission, show, programme, telecast, podcast, webcast, vodcast, mobcast ▸ VERB 1 CNN also broadcasts programmes in Europe. = transmit, show, send, air, radio, cable, beam, send out, relay, televise, disseminate, put on the air, stream (videos), podcast, open-line (Canad.) 2 Don't broadcast your business outside the family. = make public, report, announce, publish, spread, advertise, proclaim, circulate, disseminate, promulgate, shout from the rooftops (informal)broaden VERB = expand, increase, develop, spread, extend, stretch, open up, swell, supplement, widen, enlarge, augment ◼ OPPOSITE: restrictbroadly ADVERB 1 He broadly got what he wanted out of his meeting. = in general, largely, generally, mainly, widely, mostly, on the whole, predominantly, in the main, for the most part 2 Charles grinned broadly. = widely, greatly, hugely, vastly, extensively, expansively 3 This gives children a more broadly based education. = generally, commonly, widely, universally, popularly ◼ OPPOSITE: narrowlybroadside NOUN = attack, criticism, censure, swipe, denunciation, diatribe, philippicbrochure NOUN = booklet, advertisement, leaflet, hand-out, circular, pamphlet, folder, mailshot, handbillbroekies PLURAL NOUN = underpants, pants (Brit.), briefs, drawers, knickers, panties, boxer shorts, Y-fronts (trademark), underdaks (Austral. slang)broke ADJECTIVE = penniless, short, ruined, bust (informal), bankrupt, impoverished, in the red, cleaned out (slang), insolvent, down and out, skint (Brit. slang), strapped for cash (informal), dirt-poor (informal), flat broke (informal), penurious, on your uppers, stony-broke (Brit. slang), in queer street (informal), without two pennies to rub together (informal), without a penny to your name ◼ OPPOSITE: richbroken ADJECTIVE 1 nights of broken sleep = interrupted, disturbed, incomplete, erratic, disconnected, intermittent, fragmentary, spasmodic, discontinuous 2 Eric could only respond in broken English. = imperfect, halting, hesitating, stammering, disjointed 3 Damp air came through the broken window. = smashed, destroyed, burst, shattered, fragmented, fractured, demolished, severed, ruptured, rent, separated, shivered 4 a broken guitar and a rusty snare drum = defective, not working, ruined, imperfect, out of order, not functioning, on the blink (slang), on its last legs, kaput (informal) 5 History is made up of broken promises. = violated, forgotten, ignored, disregarded, not kept, infringed, retracted, disobeyed, dishonoured, transgressed, traduced 6 He looked a broken man. = defeated, beaten, crushed, humbled, tamed, subdued, oppressed, overpowered, vanquished, demoralized, browbeatenbroken-down ADJECTIVE = not in working order, old, worn out, out of order, dilapidated, not functioning, out of commission, on the blink (slang), inoperative, kaput (informal), in disrepair, on the fritz (U.S. slang)brokenhearted ADJECTIVE = heartbroken, devastated, disappointed, despairing, miserable, choked, desolate, mournful, prostrated, grief-stricken, sorrowful, wretched, disconsolate, inconsolable, crestfallen, down in the dumps (informal), heart-sickbroker NOUN = dealer, marketer, agent, trader, supplier, merchant, entrepreneur, negotiator, chandler, mediator, intermediary, wholesaler, middleman, factor (Scot.), purveyor, tradesperson, go-between, merchandiserbronze ADJECTIVE = yellowish-brown, reddish-brown, copper, tan, rust, chestnut, brownish, copper-coloured, reddish-tan, metallic brownbrood NOUN 1 The last brood of the pair was hatched. = offspring, young, issue, breed, infants, clutch, hatch, litter, chicks, progeny 2 Her parents took their rambunctious brood to the country most weekends. = children, family, offspring, progeny, nearest and dearest, flesh and blood, ainga (N.Z.) ▸ VERB He constantly broods about his family. = think, obsess, muse, ponder, fret, meditate, agonize, mull over, mope, ruminate, eat your heart out, dwell upon, repinebrook1 NOUN He threw the hatchet in the brook. = stream, burn (Scot. & Northern English), rivulet, gill (dialect), beck, watercourse, rill, streamlet, runnel (literary)brook2 VERB The army will brook no weakening of its power. = tolerate, stand, allow, suffer, accept, bear, stomach, endure, swallow, hack (slang), abide, put up with (informal), withstand, countenance, support, thole (dialect)brother NOUN 1 Have you got any brothers and sisters? = male sibling 2 their freedom-loving brothers = comrade, partner, colleague, associate, mate (informal), pal (informal), companion, cock (Brit. informal), chum (informal), fellow member, confrère, compeer 3 priests and religious brothers = monk, cleric, friar, monastic, religious, regular ◼ RELATED WORD: adjective fraternalbrotherhood NOUN 1 He believed in the brotherhood of all peoples. = fellowship, kinship, companionship, comradeship, friendliness, camaraderie, brotherliness 2 a secret international brotherhood = association, order, union, community, society, league, alliance, clan, guild, fraternity (U.S. & Canad.), clique, coteriebrotherly ADJECTIVE = fraternal, friendly, neighbourly, sympathetic, affectionate, benevolent, kind, amicable, altruistic, philanthropicbrow NOUN 1 She wrinkled her brow inquisitively. = forehead, temple 2 He climbed to the brow of the hill. = top, summit, peak, edge, tip, crown, verge, brink, rim, crest, brimbrown ADJECTIVE 1 her deep brown eyes = brunette, dark, bay, coffee, chocolate, brick, toasted, ginger, rust, chestnut, hazel, dun, auburn, tawny, umber, donkey brown, fuscous 2 rows of bodies slowly going brown in the sun = tanned, browned, bronze, bronzed, tan, dusky, sunburnt ▸ VERB He browned the chicken in a frying pan. = fry, cook, grill, sear, sautébrowse VERB 1 There are plenty of biographies for him to browse. = skim, scan, glance at, survey, look through, look round, dip into, leaf through, peruse, flip through, examine cursorily 2 three red deer stags browsing 50 yards from my lodge = graze, eat, feed, crop, pasture, nibblebruise NOUN How did you get that bruise on your cheek? = discoloration, mark, injury, trauma (Pathology), blemish, black mark, contusion (formal), black-and-blue mark ▸ VERB 1 I had only bruised my knee. = hurt, injure, mark, blacken 2 Be sure to store them carefully or they'll get bruised. = damage, mark, mar, blemish, discolour 3 My ego is easily bruised. = injure, hurt, pain, wound, slight, insult, sting, offend, grieve, displease, rile, piquebruiser NOUN = tough, heavy (slang), rough (informal), bully, thug, gorilla (informal), hard man, rowdy, tough guy, hoodlum (informal), bully boy, ruffian, roughneck (slang)brunt NOUN = full force, force, pressure, violence, shock, stress, impact, strain, burden, thrustbrush1 NOUN 1 Scrub lightly with a brush, then rinse. = broom, sweeper, besom 2 It is his third brush with the law in less than a year. = conflict, fight, clash, set-to (informal), scrap (informal), confrontation, skirmish, tussle, fracas, spot of bother (informal), slight engagement 3 A brush with illness encouraged her to live a healthier lifestyle. = encounter, meeting, confrontation, rendezvous ▸ VERB 1 Have you brushed your teeth? = clean, wash, polish, buff 2 I felt her hair brushing the back of my shoulder. = touch, come into contact with, sweep, kiss, stroke, glance, flick, scrape, graze, caress ● brush someone off She just brushed me off. = ignore, cut (informal), reject, dismiss, slight, blank (slang), put down, snub, disregard, scorn, disdain, spurn, rebuff, repudiate, disown, cold-shoulder, kiss off (slang, chiefly U.S. & Canad.), send to Coventry ● brush something aside He brushed aside my views on politics. = dismiss, ignore, discount, override, disregard, sweep aside, have no time for, kiss off (slang, chiefly U.S. & Canad.) ● brush something up or brush up on something I had hoped to brush up my Spanish. = revise, study, go over, cram, polish up, read up on, relearn, bone up on (informal), refresh your memorybrush2 NOUN a meadow of low brush and grass = shrubs, bushes, scrub, underwood, undergrowth, thicket, copse, brushwoodbrusque ADJECTIVE = curt, short, sharp, blunt, tart, abrupt, hasty, terse, surly, gruff, impolite, monosyllabic, discourteous, unmannerly ◼ OPPOSITE: politebrutal ADJECTIVE 1 He was the victim of a very brutal attack. = cruel, harsh, savage, grim, vicious, ruthless, ferocious, callous, sadistic, heartless, atrocious, inhuman, merciless, cold-blooded, inhumane, brutish, bloodthirsty, remorseless, barbarous, pitiless, uncivilized, hard-hearted ◼ OPPOSITE: kind 2 She spoke with a brutal honesty. = harsh, tough, severe, rough, rude, indifferent, insensitive, callous, merciless, unconcerned, uncaring, gruff, bearish, tactless, unfeeling, impolite, uncivil, unmannerly ◼ OPPOSITE: sensitivebrutality NOUN = cruelty, atrocity, ferocity, savagery, ruthlessness, barbarism, inhumanity, barbarity, viciousness, brutishness, bloodthirstiness, savagenessbrutally ADVERB = cruelly, fiercely, savagely, ruthlessly, viciously, mercilessly, ferociously, remorselessly, in cold blood, callously, murderously, pitilessly, heartlessly, inhumanly, barbarously, brutishly, barbarically, hardheartedlybrute NOUN 1 an unpleasant brute = savage, devil, monster, beast, barbarian, fiend, swine, ogre, ghoul, sadist 2 a big brute of a dog = beast, animal, creature, wild animal ▸ ADJECTIVE He used brute force to take control. = physical, bodily, mindless, instinctive, senseless, unthinkingbrutish ADJECTIVE = coarse, stupid, gross, cruel, savage, crude, vulgar, barbarian, crass, boorish, uncouth, loutish, subhuman, swinishbubble NOUN a bubble of gas trapped under the surface = air ball, drop, bead, blister, blob, droplet, globule, vesicle ▸ VERB 1 Heat the seasoned stock until it is bubbling. = boil, seethe 2 The fermenting tea bubbled over the top. = foam, fizz, froth, churn, agitate, percolate, effervesce 3 He looked at the stream bubbling through the trees nearby. = gurgle, splash, murmur, trickle, ripple, babble, trill, burble, lap, purl, plashbubbly ADJECTIVE 1 someone bubbly who likes to laugh = lively, happy, excited, animated, merry, bouncy, elated, sparky, alive and kicking, full of beans (informal) 2 a nice hot bubbly bath = frothy, sparkling, fizzy, effervescent, carbonated, foamy, sudsy, latherybuccaneer NOUN = pirate, privateer, corsair, freebooter, sea-roverbuckle NOUN He wore a belt with a large brass buckle. = fastener, catch, clip, clasp, hasp ▸ VERB 1 A man came out buckling his belt. = fasten, close, secure, hook, clasp 2 A freak wave had buckled the deck. = distort, bend, warp, crumple, contort 3 My right leg buckled under me. = collapse, bend, twist, fold, give way, subside, cave in, crumple ● buckle down I just buckled down and got on with playing. = apply yourself, set to, fall to, pitch in, get busy, get cracking (informal), exert yourself, put your shoulder to the wheelbud NOUN The first buds appeared on the trees. = shoot, branch, sprout, twig, sprig, offshoot, scion ▸ VERB The leaves were budding on the trees now. = develop, grow, shoot, sprout, burgeon, burst forth, pullulatebudding ADJECTIVE = developing, beginning, growing, promising, potential, burgeoning, fledgling, embryonicbuddy NOUN = friend, mate (informal), pal, companion, comrade, chum (informal), crony, blood or blud (Brit. slang), main man (slang, chiefly U.S.), homeboy (slang, chiefly U.S.), cobber (Austral. & N.Z. old-fashioned, informal), E hoa (N.Z.)budge VERB 1 Both sides say they will not budge. = yield, change, bend, concede, surrender, comply, give way, capitulate 2 The Prime Minister was not to be budged by the verbal assault. = persuade, influence, convince, sway 3 The snake still refused to budge. = move, roll, slide, stir, give way, change position 4 I pulled and pulled but I couldn't budge it. = dislodge, move, push, roll, remove, transfer, shift, slide, stir, propelbudget NOUN A designer would be beyond their budget. = allowance, means, funds, income, finances, resources, allocation ▸ VERB I'm learning how to budget my finances. = plan, estimate, allocate, cost, ration, apportion, cost outbuff1 ADJECTIVE a buff envelope = fawn, cream, tan, beige, yellowish, ecru, straw-coloured, sand-coloured, yellowish-brown, biscuit-coloured, camel-coloured, oatmeal-coloured ▸ VERB He was already buffing the car's hubs. = polish, clean, smooth, brush, shine, rub, wax, brighten, burnish ● in the buff My character had to appear in the buff for some scenes. = naked, bare, nude, in the raw (informal), unclothed, in the altogether (informal), buck naked (slang), unclad, in your birthday suit (informal), scuddy (slang), without a stitch on (informal), with bare skin, in the bare scud (Scot. slang)buff2 NOUN She is a real film buff. = expert, fan, addict, enthusiast, freak (informal), admirer, whizz (informal), devotee, connoisseur, fiend (informal), grandmaster, hotshot (informal), aficionado, wonk (informal), maven (U.S.), fundi (S. African)buffer NOUN = safeguard, screen, shield, cushion, intermediary, bulwarkbuffet1 NOUN 1 A cold buffet had been laid out in the dining room. = smorgasbord, counter, cold table 2 We sat in the station buffet sipping tea. = snack bar, café, cafeteria, brasserie, salad bar, refreshment counterbuffet2 VERB Their plane had been severely buffeted by storms. = knock, push, bang, rap, slap, bump, smack, shove, thump, cuff, jolt, wallop (informal), boxbuffoon NOUN = clown, fool, comic, comedian, wag, joker, jester, dag (N.Z. informal), harlequin, droll, silly billy (informal), joculator or (fem.) joculatrixbug NOUN 1 I think I've got a bit of a stomach bug. = illness, disease, complaint, virus, infection, disorder, sickness, ailment, malaise, affliction, malady, lurgy (informal) 2 There is a bug in the software. = fault, failing, virus, error, defect, flaw, blemish, imperfection, glitch, gremlin, malware 3 I've definitely been bitten by the gardening bug. = mania, passion, rage, obsession, craze, fad, thing (informal) ▸ VERB 1 He heard they were planning to bug his office. = tap, eavesdrop, listen in on, wiretap 2 I only did it to bug my parents. = annoy, bother, disturb, needle (informal), plague, irritate, harass, hassle (informal), aggravate (informal), badger, gall, nettle, pester, vex, irk, get under your skin (informal), get on your nerves (informal), nark (Brit. & Austral. & N.Z. slang), get up your nose (informal), be on your back (slang), get in your hair (informal), get on your wick (Brit. slang), hack you off (informal)build VERB 1 Developers are now proposing to build a hotel on the site. = construct, make, raise, put up, assemble, erect, fabricate, form ◼ OPPOSITE: demolish 2 I wanted to build a relationship with my team. = establish, start, begin, found, base, set up, institute, constitute, initiate, originate, formulate, inaugurate ◼ OPPOSITE: finish 3 Diplomats hope the meetings will build mutual trust. = develop, increase, improve, extend, strengthen, intensify, enlarge, amplify, augment ◼ OPPOSITE: decrease ▸ NOUN the smallness of his build = physique, form, body, figure, shape, structure, frame ● build something up We can build up speed gradually and safely. = increase, develop, improve, extend, expand, add to, strengthen, enhance, reinforce, intensify, heighten, fortify, amplify, augmentbuilding NOUN = structure, house, construction, dwelling (formal, literary), erection, edifice, domicile, pilebuild-up NOUN 1 a build-up of troops = increase, development, growth, expansion, accumulation, enlargement, escalation, upsurge, intensification, augmentation 2 a build-up of gases in the city's sewers = accumulation, accretion 3 the build-up for the film = hype, promotion, publicity, plug (informal), puff, razzmatazz (slang), brouhaha, ballyhoo (informal)built-in ADJECTIVE = essential, integral, included, incorporated, inherent, implicit, in-built, intrinsic, inseparable, immanentbulbous ADJECTIVE = bulging, rounded, swelling, swollen, bloated, convexbulge VERB 1 He bulges out of his black T-shirt. = swell out, project, expand, swell, stand out, stick out, protrude, puff out, distend, bag 2 Her eyes seemed to bulge like those of a toad. = stick out, stand out, protrude ▸ NOUN 1 Why won't those bulges on your hips and thighs go? = lump, swelling, bump, projection, hump, protuberance, protrusion ◼ OPPOSITE: hollow 2 a bulge in aircraft sales = increase, rise, boost, surge, intensificationbulk NOUN 1 the shadowy bulk of an ancient barn = size, volume, dimensions, magnitude, substance, vastness, amplitude, immensity, bigness, largeness, massiveness 2 Despite his bulk he moved lightly on his feet. = weight, size, mass, heaviness, poundage, portliness 3 The vast bulk of imports and exports is carried by sea. = majority, mass, most, body, quantity, best part, major part, lion's share, better part, generality, preponderance, main part, plurality, nearly all, greater number ● bulk large Propaganda bulks large in their plans. = be important, dominate, loom, stand out, loom large, carry weight, preponderate, threaten

bulky ADJECTIVE = large, big, huge, heavy, massive, enormous, substantial, immense, mega (slang), very large, mammoth, colossal, cumbersome, weighty, hulking, unwieldy, ponderous, voluminous, unmanageable, elephantine, massy, ginormous (informal), humongous or humungous (informal) ◼ OPPOSITE: smallbulldoze VERB 1 She defeated developers who wanted to bulldoze her home. = demolish, level, destroy, flatten, knock down, tear down, raze, kennet (Austral. slang), jeff (Austral. slang) 2 He bulldozed through the Tigers' defence. = push, force, drive, thrust, shove, propel 3 My business partner tried to bulldoze into leaving the company. = force, bully, intimidate, railroad (informal), cow, hector, coerce, dragoon, browbeat, put the screws onbullet NOUN = projectile, ball, shot, missile, slug, pelletbulletin NOUN = report, account, statement, message, communication, announcement, dispatch, communiqué, notification, news flashbully NOUN I fell victim to the office bully. = persecutor, tough, oppressor, tormentor, bully boy, browbeater, coercer, ruffian, intimidator ▸ VERB 1 I wasn't going to let him bully me. = persecute, intimidate, torment, hound, oppress, pick on, victimize, terrorize, push around (slang), ill-treat, ride roughshod over, maltreat, tyrannize, overbear 2 She used to bully me into doing my schoolwork. = force, coerce, railroad (informal), bulldoze (informal), dragoon, pressurize, browbeat, cow, hector, press-gang, domineer, bullyragbulwark NOUN 1 a bulwark against the English = fortification, defence, bastion, buttress, rampart, redoubt, outwork 2 a bulwark of democracy = defence, support, safeguard, security, guard, buffer, mainstaybumbling ADJECTIVE = clumsy, awkward, blundering, bungling, incompetent, inefficient, lumbering, inept, maladroit, unco (Austral. slang) ◼ OPPOSITE: efficientbump VERB 1 He bumped his head on the low beam. = knock, hit, strike, crash, smash, slam, bang 2 We left the road again and bumped over the mountainside. = jerk, shake, bounce, rattle, jar, jog, lurch, jolt, jostle, jounce ▸ NOUN 1 Small children often cry after a minor bump. = knock, hit, blow, shock, impact, rap, collision, thump 2 I felt a little bump and knew instinctively what had happened. = thud, crash, knock, smash, bang, smack, thump, clump, wallop (informal), clunk, clonk 3 She got a large bump on her forehead. = lump, swelling, bulge, hump, node, nodule, protuberance, contusion (formal) ● bump into someone I happened to bump into Federico in the hallway. = meet, encounter, come across, run into, run across, meet up with, chance upon, happen upon, light upon ● bump someone off They will probably bump you off anyway. = murder, kill, assassinate, remove, do in (slang), eliminate, take out (slang), wipe out (informal), dispatch, finish off, do away with, blow away (slang, chiefly U.S.), knock off (slang), liquidate, rub out (U.S. slang)bumper ADJECTIVE = exceptional, excellent, exo (Austral. slang), massive, unusual, mega (slang), jumbo (informal), abundant, whacking (informal, chiefly Brit.), spanking (informal), whopping (informal), bountifulbumpy ADJECTIVE 1 bumpy cobbled streets = uneven, rough, pitted, irregular, rutted, lumpy, potholed, knobby 2 a hot and bumpy journey across the desert = jolting, jarring, bouncy, choppy, jerky, bone-breaking, joltybunch NOUN 1 (informal) The players were a great bunch. = group, band, crowd, party, team, troop, gathering, crew (informal), gang, knot, mob, flock, swarm, multitude, posse (informal), bevy 2 He had left a huge bunch of flowers in her hotel room. = bouquet, spray, sheaf 3 She had fallen asleep clutching a fat bunch of grapes. = cluster, clump ● bunch together or up People bunched up at all the exits. = group, crowd, mass, collect, assemble, cluster, flock, herd, huddle, congregatebundle NOUN He gathered the bundles of clothing into his arms. = bunch, group, collection, mass, pile, quantity, stack, heap, rick, batch, accumulation, assortment ▸ VERB They bundled him into a taxi. = push, thrust, shove, throw, rush, hurry, hasten, jostle, hustle ● bundle someone up Harry greeted them bundled up in a long coat and a fur hat. = wrap up, swathe, muffle up, clothe warmly ● bundle something up possessions bundled up and carried in weary arms = package, tie, pack, bind, wrap, tie up, bale, fasten, truss, tie together, palletizebungle VERB = mess up, blow (slang), ruin, spoil, blunder, fudge, screw up (informal), botch, cock up (Brit. slang), miscalculate, make a mess of, mismanage, muff, foul up, make a nonsense of (informal), bodge (informal), make a pig's ear of (informal), flub (U.S. slang), crool or cruel (Austral. slang), louse up (slang) ◼ OPPOSITE: accomplishbungling ADJECTIVE = incompetent, blundering, awkward, clumsy, inept, botching, cack-handed (informal), maladroit, ham-handed (informal), unskilful, ham-fisted (informal), unco (Austral. slang)bunk1 or bunkum1 NOUN Henry Ford's opinion was that 'history is bunk'. = nonsense, rubbish, rot, crap (slang), garbage (informal), trash, hot air (informal), tosh (slang, chiefly Brit.), bilge (informal), twaddle, tripe (informal), guff (slang), havers (Scot.), moonshine, malarkey, baloney (informal), hogwash, bizzo (Austral. slang), bull's wool (Austral. & N.Z. slang), hokum (slang, chiefly U.S. & Canad.), piffle (informal), tomfoolery, poppycock (informal), balderdash, bosh (informal), eyewash (informal), kak (S. African vulgar, slang), stuff and nonsense, hooey (slang), tommyrot, horsefeathers (U.S. slang), tarradiddlebunk2 NOUN ● do a bunk The castle gatekeeper had done a bunk, but the caretaker let us in. = run away, flee, bolt, clear out (informal), beat it (slang), abscond, decamp, do a runner (slang), run for it (informal), cut and run (informal), scram (informal), fly the coop (U.S. & Canad. informal), skedaddle (informal), take a powder (U.S. & Canad. slang), take it on the lam (U.S. & Canad. slang), do a Skase (Austral. informal)buoy NOUN We released the buoy and drifted back on the tide. = float, guide, signal, marker, beacon ● buoy someone up They are buoyed up by a sense of hope. = encourage, support, boost, cheer, sustain, hearten, cheer up, keep afloat, gee upbuoyancy NOUN 1 Air can be pumped into the diving suit to increase buoyancy. = floatability, lightness, weightlessness 2 a mood of buoyancy and optimism = cheerfulness, bounce (informal), pep, animation, good humour, high spirits, zing (informal), liveliness, spiritedness, cheeriness, sunninessbuoyant ADJECTIVE 1 She was in a buoyant mood. = cheerful, happy, bright, lively, sunny, animated, upbeat (informal), joyful, carefree, bouncy, breezy, genial, jaunty, chirpy (informal), sparky, vivacious, debonair, blithe, full of beans (informal), peppy (informal), light-hearted ◼ OPPOSITE: gloomy 2 a small and buoyant boat = floating, light, floatableburden NOUN 1 Having more responsibility at work felt like a burden to him. = trouble, care, worry, trial, weight, responsibility, stress, strain, anxiety, sorrow, grievance, affliction, onus, albatross, millstone, encumbrance 2 She heaved her burden into the back. = load, weight, cargo, freight, bale, consignment, encumbrance ▸ VERB We decided not to burden him with the news. = weigh down, worry, load, tax, strain, bother, overwhelm, handicap, oppress, inconvenience, overload, saddle with, encumber, trammel, incommode ◼ RELATED WORD: adjective onerousburdensome ADJECTIVE = troublesome, trying, taxing, difficult, heavy, crushing, exacting, oppressive, weighty, onerous, irksomebureau NOUN 1 the foreign employment bureau = agency 2 the paper's Washington bureau = office, department, section, branch, station, unit, division, subdivision 3 A simple writing bureau sat in front of the window. = desk, writing deskbureaucracy NOUN 1 State bureaucracies tend to stifle enterprise and initiative. = government, officials, authorities, administration, ministry, the system, civil service, directorate, officialdom, corridors of power 2 People complain about having to deal with too much bureaucracy. = red tape, regulations, officialdom, officialese, bumbledombureaucrat NOUN = official, minister, officer, administrator, civil servant, public servant, functionary, apparatchik, office-holder, mandarinburglar NOUN = housebreaker, thief, robber, pilferer, filcher, cat burglar, sneak thief, picklockburglary NOUN = breaking and entering, housebreaking, break-in, home invasion (Austral. & N.Z.)burial NOUN = funeral, interment, burying, obsequies, entombment, inhumation, exequies, sepultureburial ground NOUN = graveyard, cemetery, churchyard, necropolis, God's acreburlesque NOUN The book read like a black comic burlesque. = parody, mockery, satire, caricature, send-up (Brit. informal), spoof (informal), travesty, takeoff (informal) ▸ ADJECTIVE a trio of burlesque stereotypes = satirical, comic, mocking, mock, farcical, travestying, ironical, parodic, mock-heroic, caricatural, hudibrasticburly ADJECTIVE = brawny, strong, powerful, big, strapping, hefty, muscular, swole (slang), hench (informal), sturdy, stout, bulky, stocky, hulking, beefy (informal), well-built, thickset ◼ OPPOSITE: scrawnyburn VERB 1 I suddenly realized the blanket was burning. = be on fire, blaze, be ablaze, smoke, flame, glow, flare, flicker, go up in flames 2 He found out he'd won the Lottery, but he'd burnt the ticket. = set on fire, light, ignite, kindle, incinerate, reduce to ashes 3 I burnt the toast. = scorch, toast, sear, char, singe, brand 4 smoke that burns and stings your eyes = sting, hurt, smart, tingle, bite, pain 5 She was burning with a fierce ambition. = be passionate, blaze, be excited, be aroused, be inflamed 6 He was burning with rage. = seethe, fume, be angry, simmer, smoulderburning ADJECTIVE 1 I had a burning ambition to become a journalist. = intense, passionate, earnest, eager, frantic, frenzied, ardent, fervent, impassioned, zealous, vehement, all-consuming, fervid ◼ OPPOSITE: mild 2 a burning question = crucial (informal), important, pressing, significant, essential, vital, critical, acute, compelling, urgentburnish VERB = polish, shine, buff, brighten, rub up, furbish (formal) ◼ OPPOSITE: scuffburrow NOUN a rabbit's burrow = hole, shelter, tunnel, den, lair, retreat ▸ VERB 1 The larvae burrow into cracks in the floor. = dig, tunnel, excavate 2 He burrowed into the pile of charts. = delve, search, dig, probe, ferret, rummage, forage, fossick (Austral. & N.Z.)burst VERB 1 The driver lost control when a tyre burst. = explode, blow up, break, split, crack, shatter, fragment, shiver (archaic, literary), disintegrate, puncture, rupture, rend asunder 2 Water burst through the dam and flooded their villages. = rush, run, break, break out, erupt, spout, gush forth 3 Burglars burst into his home while he was eating breakfast. = barge, charge, rush, shove ▸ NOUN 1 short bursts of activity = rush, surge, fit, outbreak, outburst, spate, gush, torrent, eruption, spurt, outpouring 2 a burst of fireworks = explosion, crack, blast, blasting, bang, dischargebury VERB 1 soldiers who helped to bury the dead = inter, lay to rest, entomb, sepulchre, consign to the grave, inearth, inhume, inurn ◼ OPPOSITE: dig up 2 She buried it under some leaves. = hide, cover, conceal, stash (informal), secrete, cache, stow away ◼ OPPOSITE: uncover 3 She buried her face in the pillows. = sink, embed, immerse, enfold 4 It is time to bury our past misunderstandings. = forget, draw a veil over, think no more of, put in the past, not give another thought to 5 His reaction was to withdraw, to bury himself in work. = engross, involve, occupy, interest, busy, engage, absorb, preoccupy, immersebush NOUN Trees and bushes grow down to the water's edge. = shrub, plant, hedge, thicket, shrubbery ● the bush He caught sunstroke while travelling in the bush. = the wilds, brush, scrub, woodland, backwoods, back country (U.S.), scrubland, backlands (U.S.)bushy ADJECTIVE = thick, bristling, spreading, rough, stiff, fuzzy, fluffy, unruly, shaggy, wiry, luxuriant, bristlybusily ADVERB = actively, briskly, intently, earnestly, strenuously, speedily, purposefully, diligently, energetically, assiduously, industriouslybusiness NOUN 1 young people seeking a career in business = trade, selling, trading, industry, manufacturing, commerce, dealings, merchandising 2 The company was a family business. = establishment, company, firm, concern, organization, corporation, venture, enterprise 3 May I ask what business you are in? = profession, work, calling, job, line, trade, career, function, employment, craft, occupation, pursuit, vocation, métier 4 Parenting can be a stressful business. = matter, issue, subject, point, problem, question, responsibility, task, duty, function, topic, assignment 5 How much I earn is my own business. = concern, affairbusinesslike ADJECTIVE = efficient, professional, practical, regular, correct, organized, routine, thorough, systematic, orderly, matter-of-fact, methodical, well-ordered, workaday ◼ OPPOSITE: inefficientbusinessman or businesswoman or businessperson NOUN = executive, director, manager, merchant, capitalist, administrator, entrepreneur, tycoon, industrialist, financier, tradesperson, homme or femme d'affaires (French)bust1 NOUN Her bust measurement is 38. = bosom, breasts, chest, frontbust2 (informal) VERB 1 They will have to bust the door to get him out. = break, smash, split, burst, shatter, fracture, rupture, break into fragments 2 They were busted for possession of cannabis. = arrest, catch, lift (slang), raid, cop (slang), nail (informal), collar (informal), nab (informal), feel your collar (slang) ▸ NOUN He was imprisoned after a drug bust. = arrest, capture, raid, cop (slang) ● go bust Hundreds of restaurants went bust last year. = go bankrupt, fail, break, be ruined, become insolventbustle VERB My parents bustled around the kitchen. = hurry, tear, rush, dash, scramble, fuss, flutter, beetle, hasten, scuttle, scurry, scamper ◼ OPPOSITE: idle ▸ NOUN the hustle and bustle of modern life = activity, to-do, stir, excitement, hurry, fuss, flurry, haste, agitation, commotion, ado, tumult, hurly-burly, pother (literary) ◼ OPPOSITE: inactivitybustling ADJECTIVE = busy, full, crowded, rushing, active, stirring, lively, buzzing, energetic, humming, swarming, thronged, hustling, teeming, astirbusy ADJECTIVE 1 He's a very busy man. = active, brisk, diligent, industrious, assiduous, rushed off your feet ◼ OPPOSITE: idle 2 Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans. = occupied with, working, engaged in, on duty, employed in, hard at work, engrossed in, in harness, on active service ◼ OPPOSITE: unoccupied 3 I'd had a busy day and was rather tired. = hectic, full, active, tiring, exacting, energetic, strenuous, on the go (informal) ● busy yourself He busied himself with the camera. = occupy yourself, be engrossed, immerse yourself, involve yourself, amuse yourself, absorb yourself, employ yourself, engage yourself, keep busy or occupiedbut CONJUNCTION 'But,' he added, 'the vast majority must accept a common future.' = however, still, yet, nevertheless ▸ PREPOSITION He was forced to wind up everything but the hotel business. = except (for), save, bar, barring, excepting, excluding, with the exception of ▸ ADVERB St Anton is but a snowball's throw away from Lech. = only, just, simply, merelybutcher NOUN This bunch are mere brutes and butchers. = murderer, killer, slaughterer, slayer, destroyer, liquidator, executioner, cut-throat, exterminator ▸ VERB 1 Flint was used for butchering meat in the Stone Age. = slaughter, prepare, carve, cut up, dress, cut, clean, joint 2 Our people are being butchered in their own homes. = kill, slaughter, massacre, destroy, cut down, assassinate, slay (archaic, literary), liquidate, exterminate, put to the sword 3 I am not in Cannes because they butchered my film. = mess up, destroy, ruin, wreck, spoil, mutilate, botch, bodge (informal)butchery NOUN = slaughter, killing, murder, massacre, bloodshed, carnage, mass murder, blood-letting, blood bathbutt1 NOUN 1 Troops used tear gas and rifle butts to break up the protests. = end, handle, shaft, stock, shank, hilt, haft 2 He paused to stub out the butt of his cigar. = stub, end, base, foot, tip, tail, leftover, fag end (informal)butt2 NOUN He is still the butt of cruel jokes about his humble origins. = target, victim, object, point, mark, subject, dupe, laughing stock, Aunt Sallybutt3 VERB The male butted me. = knock, push, bump, punch, buck, thrust, ram, shove, poke, buffet, prod, jab, bunt ● butt in 1 Nobody asked you to butt in. = interfere, meddle, intrude, heckle, barge in (informal), stick your nose in, put your oar in 2 Could I just butt in here and say something? = interrupt, cut in, break in, chip in (informal), put your two cents in (U.S. slang)butt4 NOUN The hose is great for watering your garden from your water butt. = cask, drum, barrel, cylinderbutter VERB ● butter someone up = flatter, coax, cajole, pander to, blarney, wheedle, suck up to (informal), soft-soap, fawn on or uponbutterfly NOUN ◼ RELATED WORDS: name of young caterpillar, chrysalis or chrysalid; enthusiast lepidopteristbuttocks NOUN = bottom (informal), behind (informal), bum (Brit. slang), backside (informal), seat, rear (informal), tail (informal), butt (informal), buns (slang), rump, posterior, haunches, hindquarters, derrière (euphemistic), tush (U.S. slang), fundament (euphemistic), gluteus maximus (Anatomy), jacksy (Brit. slang)buttonhole VERB = detain, catch, grab, intercept, accost, waylay, take asidebuttress NOUN a buttress of rock = support, shore, prop, brace, pier, reinforcement, strut, mainstay, stanchion, stay, abutment ▸ VERB His tough line is buttressed by a democratic mandate. = support, sustain, strengthen, shore, prop, reinforce, back up, brace, uphold, bolster, prop up, shore up, augmentbuxom ADJECTIVE = plump, ample, voluptuous, busty, well-rounded, curvaceous (informal), comely (old-fashioned), bosomy, full-bosomed ◼ OPPOSITE: slenderbuy VERB He could not afford to buy a house. = purchase, get, score (slang), secure, pay for, obtain, acquire, invest in, shop for, procure ◼ OPPOSITE: sell ▸ NOUN a good buy = purchase, deal (informal), bargain, acquisition, steal (informal), snip (informal), giveaway ● buy someone off The ruling party tried to buy off voters. = bribe, square, fix (informal), pay off (informal), lure, corrupt, get at, suborn, grease someone's palm (slang), influence by gifts, oil the palm of (informal)buzz VERB Attack helicopters buzzed across the city. = hum, whizz, drone, whir ▸ NOUN 1 the irritating buzz of an insect = hum, buzzing, murmur, drone, whir, bombilation or bombination (literary) 2 The buzz is that she knows something. = gossip, news, report, latest (informal), word, scandal, rumour, whisper (informal), dirt (slang), gen (Brit. informal), hearsay, scuttlebutt (U.S. slang), goss (informal)by PREPOSITION 1 The feast was served by smart waiters in black shirts. = through, under the aegis of, through the agency of 2 The train passes by Oxford. = via, over, by way of 3 She was sitting in a rocking chair by the window. = near, past, along, close to, closest to, neighbouring, next to, beside, nearest to, adjoining, adjacent to ▸ ADVERB Large numbers of security police stood by. = nearby, close, handy, at hand, within reach ● by and by By and by the light gradually grew fainter. = presently, shortly, soon, eventually, one day, before long, in a while, anon (archaic, literary), in the course of time, erelong (archaic, poetic)bygone ADJECTIVE = past, former, previous, lost, forgotten, ancient, of old, one-time, departed, extinct, gone by, erstwhile, antiquated, of yore, olden, past recall, sunk in oblivion ◼ OPPOSITE: futurebypass VERB 1 Regulators worry that controls could easily be bypassed. = get round, avoid, evade, circumvent (formal), outmanoeuvre, body-swerve 2 Money for new roads to bypass cities. = go round, skirt, circumvent, depart from, deviate from, pass round, detour round ◼ OPPOSITE: crossbystander NOUN = onlooker, passer-by, spectator, witness, observer, viewer, looker-on, watcher, eyewitness ◼ OPPOSITE: participantbyword NOUN = saying, slogan, motto, maxim, gnome, adage, proverb, epithet, dictum, precept, aphorism, saw (old-fashioned), apophthegm