Verb

verb

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Other / Up+Down

Url audio

escalate - To increase in intensity, seriousness, or severity.

The argument quickly escalated into a bitter fued that took a long time to recover from.

verb

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Other / Move

Url audio

disperse - To scatter or spread over a wide area.

The wind began to disperse the smoke from the fire.

verb

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Other / Stop

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derail - To obstruct or divert from an expected or intended course.

The train was derailed by a fallen tree during the storm.

verb

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Bad / Dislike

Url audio

abhor - To hate something

Gail and Samantha were sisters who loved to do things together, except that Gail loved the opera, and Samantha abhorred going to the opera.

verb

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Other / Shape

Url audio

merge - To combine or unite into a single entity, to blend or mix smoothly — so that individual elements are no longer distinct.

The two companies decided to merge to increase their market share.

verb

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Good / Strong

Url audio

tenacious - Not easily letting go or giving up.

Chuchill was tenacious in his resolve to defeat the Germans.

verb

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Bad / Dangerous

audio

taint - To contaminate or pollute something.

In many third-world countries, tainted water is the only available drinking source despite its unhealthy effects.

verb

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Good / Friendly

Url audio

broach - To introduce or begin a new subject or issue.

He didn’t know how to broach the topic of moving away from his parents.

verb

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Other / Wet

audio

gush - For a liquid to flow out in a rapid and plentiful stream, often suddenly

On a hot summer day, water gushed out of the fire hydrant to cool everyone down.

verb

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Bad / Dishonest

audio

exploit - To take unfair advantage of

At the start of the industrial revolution, factory owners would exploit the workers by giving them low wages and making them work long hours.

verb

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Other / Entice

audio

beckon - To literally or figuratively gesture with the hand or head to encourage someone to come nearer or to follow

Desire can take many forms – such as for food or physical entanglement – but when attractions beckon, it is important to move carefully and cautiously, using your head.

verb

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Good / Smart

audio

ferret - To search out, discover, and bring to light through persistent and determined investigation

"Through logic and perseverance I will ferret out the criminal who committed this crime", Sherlock Holmes said to Watson.