Bad / Powerless

adjective

1 of 44

Bad / Powerless

Url audio

destitute - poor; not having money, food, home, or possessions.

The drug addict was destitute, and often resorted to stealing food in order to survive.

verb

2 of 44

Bad / Powerless

audio

plead - To make an emotional appeal

The starving orphan pleaded with the cook to give him more porridge.

verb

3 of 44

Bad / Powerless

Url audio

kowtow - To act in an excessively submissive or obedient manner, often to gain favor; to bow or kneel as a sign of deep respect or submission.

In ancient China, people would kowtow before the emperor as a sign of respect.

adjective

4 of 44

Bad / Powerless

audio

haggard - Looking exhausted and unwell, especially from fatigue, worry, or suffering

Once a cute child actor, Macaulay Culkin has looked surprisingly haggard in recent years.

adjective

5 of 44

Bad / Powerless

audio

downtrodden - Oppressed or treated badly by people in power

The downtrodden homeless man tried to survive on the harsh streets of the city.

adjective

6 of 44

Bad / Powerless

audio

craven - Contemptibly lacking in courage; cowardly

At the town hall meeting, constituents yelled at their craven representatives who refused to work together.

noun

See verb

7 of 44

Bad / Powerless

Url audio

scapegoat - A person or group who is unfairly blamed for the problems, mistakes, or wrongdoings of others.

The employee was made the scapegoat for the project's failure, even though the entire team had contributed to the problems.

adjective

8 of 44

Bad / Powerless

audio

weary - Feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion or lack of sleep

Tessa was weary after working 80 hours in one week.

adjective

9 of 44

Bad / Powerless

Url audio

defenseless - Weak and being unable to protect yourself from attack or harm.

When the lion pounced on the sheep, there was no way that the defenseless sheep would be able to survive.

verb

10 of 44

Bad / Powerless

audio

scrounge - Seek to obtain (something, typically food or money) at the expense or through the generosity of others or by stealth

As a homeless person, Colin had to scrounge enough money from strangers in order to afford a decent meal.

adjective

11 of 44

Bad / Powerless

audio

hapless - (especially of a person) unfortunate

Since he was not particularly attractive or interesting, Vinny was a hapless loner at the school dance.

adjective

12 of 44

Bad / Powerless

audio

meek - Quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on; submissive

The meek dog was afraid to do anything without its' owner's permission.