Childrens Illustrated Thesaurus

30

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

bounce^2

verb to move up and down

» Sue bounced across the field.

bob, bound, jump

box

noun a container with a firm

base and sides

» Sara’s things were packed

in boxes, ready to move.

carton, case, chest,

container, trunk

boy

noun a male child » I knew

Adam when he was a boy.

fellow, lad, schoolboy,

youngster, youth

boycott

verb to refuse to have anything

to do with » Some parties

are boycotting the elections.

blacklist, embargo,

exclude, reject, spurn,

proscribe, refrain from

brag

verb to boast about something

» People who brag about

their achievements are

really annoying.

boast, crow, skite (Australia

and New Zealand; informal)

braggart

noun a person who boasts

» David was a braggart,

telling everyone about his

new sports car.

bigmouth (slang), boaster,

bragger, show-off, skite or

skiter (Australia and New

Zealand; informal)

brave^1

adjective willing to do

dangerous things » Rescuing

the girl from the water was

a brave act.

bold, courageous, fearless,

heroic, plucky, valiant,

daring, intrepid, valorous

antonym: cowardly

brave^2

verb to face something without

fear » Fans braved the rain

to hear the star sing.

face, stand up to

bravery

noun the quality of being

courageous » The knight

was rewarded for his bravery.

boldness, courage,

fortitude, heroism, pluck,

valour, fearlessness,

gallantry, mettle

antonym: cowardice

breach^1

noun a breaking of a law or

agreement » Coming into work

late is a breach of contract.

infringement, offence,

trespass, violation,

contravention,

transgression

breach^2

noun a gap in something

» The dog stuck his head

through a breach in the fence.

crack, gap, hole, opening,

rift, split, chasm, fissure,

rupture

break^1

verb to separate into pieces

▶▶ SEE RIGHT

break^2

verb to fail to keep a rule or

promise » Sal broke his

promise to attend the party.

breach, contravene,

infringe, violate

break^3

noun a short period of rest or

change » I took a five-minute

break from writing.

interlude, interval, pause,

recess, respite, rest

breed^1

noun a type of animal

» The farm specialized

in rare breeds of cattle.

kind, species, stock, strain,

type, variety

breed^2

verb to produce and look after

» Daniel breeds dogs for

the police.

cultivate, develop, keep,

nurture, raise, rear

breed^3

verb to produce offspring

» Chickens can breed

throughout the year.

multiply, produce,

propagate, reproduce,

engender, procreate

brief^1

adjective lasting for a short

time » Ethan made a brief

appearance on television.

fleeting, momentary, quick,

short, swift, ephemeral,

temporary, transitory

antonym: long

brief^2

verb to give necessary

information » The teacher

briefed the class on the project.

advise, fill in (informal),

inform, instruct,

prepare, prime

bright^1

adjective strong and startling

» Lighthouses emit a

bright light that is visible

from a distance.

brilliant, dazzling, glowing,

luminous, radiant, vivid,

blazing, illuminated,

resplendent

antonym: dull

bright^2

adjective clever and alert

» You are a bright student,

you always get good grades.

brainy (informal), brilliant,

clever, ingenious,

intelligent, smart,

acute, astute, sharp

antonym: dim

bright^3

adjective cheerful and lively

» Lily always has a bright

smile on her face.

cheerful, happy, jolly,

light-hearted, lively, merry

brilliant^1

adjective very bright

» The diamond reflected

a brilliant light.

bright, dazzling, gleaming,

glowing, luminous, radiant,

sparkling, vivid

antonym: dull

Sue bounced across the field.

The dog stuck his head through

a breach in the fence.

Chickens can breed throughout

the year.

Lighthouses emit a bright light

that is visible from a distance.

bounce

021-033_B.indd 30 13/01/17 10:51 am