to question whether something is right, true, or acceptable
example
Environmentalists often challenge decisions which allow mining in areas that are not suitable for it, and that could lead to disasters such as landslides.
synonyms
questiondisputeconfront
word origin — Middle English (in the senses ‘accusation’ and ‘accuse’): from Old French chalenge (noun), chalenger (verb), from Latin calumnia ‘calumny’, calumniari ‘calumniate’
challenge, attach, float, block, promise: meanings and examples
Learn these 5 words from Intermediate set 85. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.
challenge · verb/ˈtʃæləndʒ/
to question whether something is right, true, or acceptable
Environmentalists often challenge decisions which allow mining in areas that are not suitable for it, and that could lead to disasters such as landslides.
Synonyms: question, dispute, confront
Origin: Middle English (in the senses ‘accusation’ and ‘accuse’): from Old French chalenge (noun), chalenger (verb), from Latin calumnia ‘calumny’, calumniari ‘calumniate’
attach · verb/əˈtætʃ/
to connect one thing to another
When you apply for a visa, you need to attach a recent photo to the file that contains your documents.
Synonyms: add, connect
Origin: Middle English (in the sense ‘seize by legal authority’): from medieval Latin attachiare ‘seize, fasten’ and Old French atachier or estachier ‘fasten, fix’, of uncertain origin; perhaps based on an element of Germanic origin related to stake; compare with attack
float · verb/floʊt/
to stay on the surface without sinking or to stay in the air without falling
During fall, a lot of leaves float on lakes and ponds and they are amazing to photograph.
Synonyms: hang, drift, bob
Origin: Old English flotian (verb), of Germanic origin and related to fleet, reinforced in Middle English by Old French floter, also from Germanic
block · verb/blɑk/
to stop something moving or happening
The traffic problems after hurricane Katrina were mainly due to the fallen trees that blocked many of the roads.
Synonyms: prevent, stop, hinder
Origin: Middle English (denoting a log or tree stump): from Old French bloc (noun), bloquer (verb), from Middle Dutch blok, of unknown ultimate origin
promise · verb/ˈprɑməs/
to say firmly that you will do something
When managers promise a rise in salaries but never follow through, they lose their workers' trust.
Synonyms: assure, pledge, give your word
Origin: late Middle English: from Latin promissum ‘something promised’, neuter past participle of promittere ‘put forth, promise’, from pro- ‘forward’ + mittere ‘send’