Niche verbs

Question 1

What does ‘s’épanouir’ mean?

Answer 1

to blossom / flourish (emotionally or personally)

This term reflects personal or emotional growth.

Question 2

Define ‘dénigrer’.

Answer 2

to belittle, disparage

It implies speaking negatively about someone or something.

Question 3

What is the meaning of ‘saccager’?

Answer 3

to ransack / wreck

Often used in the context of causing destruction.

Question 4

What does ‘écorcher’ mean?

Answer 4

to skin / scrape / mispronounce

Can refer to both physical actions and language errors.

Question 5

Fill in the blank: ‘enchaîner’ means to _______.

Answer 5

chain up / follow up with

Question 6

What does ‘égratigner’ translate to?

Answer 6

to scratch (lightly)

Indicates a minor physical action.

Question 7

What is the figurative meaning of ‘fléchir’?

Answer 7

to bend / weaken (figuratively: morale, will)

Often used to describe emotional or psychological states.

Question 8

What does ‘frôler’ mean?

Answer 8

to graze / brush against

Indicates a light touch or approach.

Question 9

True or False: ‘gémir’ means to laugh.

Answer 9

False

It means to moan / groan.

Question 10

What does ‘gaspiller’ mean?

Answer 10

to waste (resources, time)

It refers to the inefficient use of resources.

Question 11

Fill in the blank: ‘se méfier de’ means to _______.

Answer 11

distrust / be wary of

Question 12

What is the stronger term for ‘to hate’ in French?

Answer 12

haïr

It is considered more intense than ‘détester’.

Question 13

Define ‘se figer’.

Answer 13

to freeze (in place, emotionally)

Can refer to both physical and emotional states.

Question 14

What does ‘réprimander’ mean?

Answer 14

to scold / reprimand

Indicates a form of criticism or correction.

Question 15

What is the meaning of ‘abattre’?

Answer 15

to knock down / slaughter

Often used in contexts involving force or violence.

Question 16

Fill in the blank: ‘se débattre’ means to _______.

Answer 16

struggle (physically or figuratively)

Question 17

What does ‘déceler’ mean?

Answer 17

to detect / reveal

It often refers to uncovering hidden truths.

Question 18

Define ‘dédaigner’.

Answer 18

to scorn / disdain

It implies a strong sense of contempt.

Question 19

What does ‘inonder’ translate to?

Answer 19

to flood / overwhelm

Can refer to both literal and figurative flooding.

Question 20

Fill in the blank: ‘égarer’ means to _______.

Answer 20

misplace / lose (mentally or literally)

Question 21

What does ‘rabâcher’ mean?

Answer 21

to repeat endlessly / go on about

Often used in the context of tiresome repetition.

Question 22

What is the meaning of ‘sévir’?

Answer 22

to clamp down / crack down

Typically refers to enforcing rules or laws.

Question 23

Fill in the blank: ‘se faufiler’ means to _______.

Answer 23

slip through / sneak in

Question 24

What does ‘remuer’ mean?

Answer 24

to stir / move emotionally

Reflects a change in emotional state.

Question 25

What is the meaning of 's’emparer de'?

Answer 25

to seize / take over ## Footnote Often used in contexts of control or possession.

Question 26

What does 'rassasier' mean?

Answer 26

to satisfy hunger / be full ## Footnote Refers to the act of fulfilling one's appetite.

Question 27

Fill in the blank: 'déclencher' means to _______.

Answer 27

trigger / set off

Question 28

What does 'étreindre' mean?

Answer 28

to hug / embrace (poetic register) ## Footnote Often used in a more emotional or affectionate context.

Question 29

What does 'se languir de' translate to?

Answer 29

to long for / pine for ## Footnote Indicates a deep emotional desire.

Question 30

Fill in the blank: 'bouder' means to _______.

Answer 30

sulk / pout

Question 31

What does 'cracher' mean?

Answer 31

to spit ## Footnote A physical action often associated with disdain.

Question 32

What is the meaning of 'rétrécir'?

Answer 32

to shrink ## Footnote Refers to a reduction in size.

Question 33

Define 'accabler'.

Answer 33

to overwhelm / burden ## Footnote Implies a heavy weight or pressure.

Question 34

What does 'bafouer' mean?

Answer 34

to flout / scorn (e.g., rights, rules) ## Footnote Indicates a disregard for accepted norms.

Question 35

Fill in the blank: 's’empresser de' means to _______.

Answer 35

hasten to / rush to

Question 36

What is the meaning of 'se raviser'?

Answer 36

to reconsider / change one’s mind ## Footnote Often implies a change in decision.

Question 37

What does 'arpenter' mean?

Answer 37

to pace / stride through ## Footnote Indicates a methodical movement through a space.

Question 38

Fill in the blank: 'engloutir' means to _______.

Answer 38

swallow up / gobble

Question 39

What does 'renifler' mean?

Answer 39

to sniff ## Footnote Often associated with detecting scents.

Question 40

What is the meaning of 'épater'?

Answer 40

to impress / astonish (slightly slangy) ## Footnote Indicates a surprising or notable effect.

Question 41

Fill in the blank: 'tressaillir' means to _______.

Answer 41

shudder / flinch

Question 42

What does 'renouer (avec)' mean?

Answer 42

to renew ties / reconnect ## Footnote Often used in the context of relationships.

Question 43

What does 'grincer' translate to?

Answer 43

to creak / grind ## Footnote Can refer to both sounds and actions.

Question 44

Fill in the blank: 'bégayer' means to _______.

Answer 44

stutter

Question 45

What does 'tituber' mean?

Answer 45

to stagger / stumble ## Footnote Often used to describe unsteady movement.

Question 46

What is the meaning of 'rouspéter'?

Answer 46

to grumble / complain (colloquial) ## Footnote Implies a low-level dissatisfaction.

Question 47

Fill in the blank: 'cuver' means to _______.

Answer 47

sleep off (alcohol)

Question 48

What does 'trébucher' mean?

Answer 48

to trip ## Footnote Refers to losing one's balance.

Question 49

What does 'redouter' mean?

Answer 49

to dread ## Footnote Indicates a strong fear or apprehension.

Question 50

Define 's’embourber'.

Answer 50

to get bogged down ## Footnote Often used metaphorically to describe being stuck in a situation.