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defuse - To reduce the tension or danger in a difficult situation.

The mediator worked hard to defuse the conflict and tension between the two sides that were trying to negotiate an agreement.

verb

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dally - To do something slowly or too slowly; to waste time

Ike had dozens of reports to read through, but he decided to dally in the office for most of the day instead of doing his work.

adjective

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stagnant - Showing no activity; dull and sluggish

In the last few decades, the income of the richest 10% has increased while that of the bottom 90% has remained stagnant.

verb

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linger - To stay in a place longer than necessary, typically because of a reluctance to leave

The waiter and waitress staff needed to head home, but they first had to wait for the lingering customers to leave.

verb

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dillydally - To waste time through aimless wandering or indecision

Beth and Kat dillydallied outside the store instead of going inside and buying something.

noun

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obstacle - Something that blocks your way so that movement or progress is prevented or made more difficult.

Bill wanted to become a doctor, but a major obstacle that made that goal difficult was that he hated studying.

noun

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backlog - A quantity of work that should have been done already, but has not yet been done

When Bill got back from his vacation, there was such a backlog of work to catch up with, that he had to work until 10pm every night for a week.

adjective

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obstinate - Stubbornly refusing to change one's behavior or ideas

When his therapist suggested that Eddie give up gamblilng, he was obstinate and refused to consider the idea.

noun

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laggard - A person who makes slow progress and falls behind others

Once the runners ahead of him were specks in the distance, Terry knew he was the laggard of the race.

verb

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evade - To avoid or escape from someone or something.

For years after stealing the jewels from the Jewelry store, Marcel managed to evade being caught.

verb

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shirk - To avoid or neglect a duty or responsibility.

Employees who shirk their duties result in unhappy customers and lower profits.

adjective

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stranded - Unable to leave somewhere because of a problem such as not having any transportation or money

After the shipwreck, Arthur was stranded on the island for 2 years until the was discovered and brought back to civilisation.