Upper-Intermediate — Set 4

Set 4 of Upper-Intermediate covers 5 words: offend, convict, attempt, embezzle, bribe. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. offend · verb/əˈfɛnd/

   to commit a crime

   There are some programmes that aim to prevent criminals from offending again.

   Synonyms: break the law, violate

   Origin: late Middle English: from Old French offendre, from Latin offendere ‘strike against’

2. convict · verb/kənˈvɪkt/

   to find guilty

   An American fashion designer and businessman was convicted of fraud, which led to his resignation as CEO of his own company.

   Synonyms: sentence, declare guilty

   Origin: Middle English: from Latin convict- ‘demonstrated, refuted, convicted’, from the verb convincere (see convince). The noun is from obsolete convict ‘convicted’

3. attempt · verb/əˈtɛm(p)t/

   to make an effort

   The suspect was arrested for attempting to commit a robbery at a local bank.

   Synonyms: try, seek

   Origin: late Middle English: from Old French attempter, from Latin attemptare, from ad- ‘to’ + temptare ‘to tempt’

4. embezzle · verb/əmˈbɛz(ə)l/

   to steal money that people trust you to look after as part of your work

   Bob seemed like an honest employee but it turned out that he embezzled money from the company and later got fired.

   Synonyms: steal, appropriate

   Origin: late Middle English (in the sense ‘steal’): from Anglo-Norman French embesiler, from besiler in the same sense (compare with Old French besillier ‘maltreat, ravage’), of unknown ultimate origin. The current sense dates from the late 16th century

5. bribe · verb/braɪb/

   to give someone money or make other payments to get favors or influence them

   Have you ever tried to bribe a police officer to avoid a speeding ticket?

   Synonyms: buy off, entice

   Origin: late Middle English: from Old French briber, brimber ‘beg’, of unknown origin. The original sense was ‘rob, extort’, hence (as a noun) ‘theft, stolen goods’, also ‘money extorted or demanded for favors’, later ‘offer money as an inducement’ (early 16th century)