Thread: help with English sinonims, please...

Originally Posted by Oddo

To decline is to politely say no.
To refuse is to say no strongly.
To reject is to say no without much consideration.

yep, that's my understanding.

Help me to distinguish between

1) refuse, reject, decline

2) strengthen, intimidate

And as for “refute”. Can I use it in regular life:

i refused his gift. (would not accept)
i refuse to believe that i can't learn russian.
i rejected him because he's stupid (i didn't want him)
or, i rejected the idea that i will lose (would not accept)
i declined the offer for a new job (i said no)

strengthen means to make stronger or more powerful.- "lifting weights strengthens my muscles.
my husband's kisses strengthen my love for him.

intimidate means to scare someone or make them feel unsure.
a big angry dog is intimidating.
a powerful manager of a company can be intimidating to approach.
it can be intimidating to talk to a girl you really like when you are not sure if she likes you...

i was born in america and have spoken english as a first language all my life. i have never used the word "refute". i think it's a real word, but it's basically useless, unless you're writing a book or a resaerch paper.

Originally Posted by zhena

i was born in america and have spoken english as a first language all my life. i have never used the word "refute". i think it's a real word, but it's basically useless, unless you're writing a book or a resaerch paper.

It can be and is used in the media : politicians or businessmen refute allegations.
And as you rightly say, scientists would use it: he refuted the theory

Originally Posted by майк

Originally Posted by Oddo

What is tough/bough? Is there a typo?

I couldn't resist throwing this one in. How is anyone meant to know that:

Tough - strong, resilient / Bough - any main branch of a tree
But, 'tough' is pronounced "tuff" and 'bough' - "bow"!!!
quote]
Mike, were you aware that there are actually at least five separate pronunciations of 'ough'?

bough, slough (of despond)
tough, rough
trough, cough
through
thought, bought

Inglizh ist nicht so легкий