Vocabulary and Synonyms

To broach means to introduce a subject, especially a delicate or difficult one for discussion. It means bringing up a topic for conversation or consideration. Option A is an opera or dramatic musical work. Option B is morphology, the study of word forms. Option D means capable of being moved.

Brocade is a rich, figured fabric with raised patterns woven into it. It's a heavy decorative cloth often used in formal clothing and upholstery. Option A is an authoritative order. Option B refers to eugenics or racial improvement theories. Option D means to mock or criticize humorously.

A brochure is a pamphlet or small booklet providing information or advertising. It's a printed promotional material, often folded, that presents product or service information. Option A means hardship or suffering. Option B is the act of commending or giving praise. Option D refers to current fashion trends.

To broil means to cook by direct heat, typically from above like in a broiler or oven. It's a cooking method that exposes food directly to high radiant heat. Option A is an official proclamation or order. Option B is a eulogy, praise given at someone's death. Option D means a restricted or small amount.

A bromide is a platitude - a trite, cliché, or boring remark. It refers to something said so often it becomes uninteresting or obvious. Option A is ordination, a religious ceremony. Option B is euphemism, substituting mild words for harsh ones. Option D means stylish or trendy.

To brood means to sit on eggs to hatch them, as birds do. It can also mean to dwell moodily on something, but the primary biological meaning is the incubation behavior. Option A means to orient or locate oneself. Option B appears truncated but would mean exaggerated or unfounded feelings. Option D is a person with power or influence.

To brook means to tolerate or endure, usually used in negative constructions like would not brook or brook no interference. It means to allow or bear with something, often implying reluctance. Option A is socialization or entering society. Option B is euthanasia. Option D is a molecule, the smallest unit of a substance.

To browbeat means to intimidate or pressure someone by using stern words or domineering behavior. The correct answer is 'bully' (option C) because browbeating involves forcing someone to do something through threats or aggressive behavior. Options A, B, and D are unrelated to the meaning of browbeat.

To browse means to look through casually, but it also has an original meaning related to animals eating - to graze or feed on leaves and shoots. Option C 'graze' is correct because browse can refer to animals eating vegetation. Option A refers to something ornate, B means insincere, and D means to treat with excessive kindness.

To bruise means to injure without breaking the skin, typically causing discoloration from blood trapped under the skin. Option C is correct. Option A refers to an ornithologist (bird scientist), B means unbiased, and D refers to molting (shedding hair/feathers).

Brusque means blunt, abrupt, or rude in manner of speech. Option C 'blunt' is correct. Brusque communication is curt and dismissive. Option A refers to proper spelling, B means to demonstrate clearly, and D means of great importance.

A buccaneer refers to a pirate, especially in the West Indies in the 17th century. Option C 'pirate' is correct. Buccaneers were originally hunters in the Caribbean before becoming pirates. Option A refers to oscillating movement, B means evocative, and D is a physics term.

Bucolic means rustic, pastoral, or relating to the countryside. Option C 'rustic' is correct. Bucolic poetry and imagery depict rural life and landscapes. Option A refers to osseous material, B means to elicit, and D describes autocracy.

A buffoon is a stupid or ridiculous person, especially one who behaves comically. Option C 'stupid person' is correct. Buffoons engage in foolish behavior for amusement. Option A means visible, B means to exacerbate, and D refers to financial matters.

Buffoonery means clowning or foolish, ridiculous behavior. Option C 'clowning' is correct. It refers to the actions or behavior characteristic of a buffoon. Option A refers to ostentatious display, B means to extort, and D refers to mixed-breed animals.