pernicious -
Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.
People used to think that smoking was good for you because it seemed calming, but now we realize that its pernicious effects are deadly over time.
noun
1286 of 1530
Bad /
Weak
Url
audio
shortcoming -
A fault or weakness that makes someone or something less successful or effective than they should be.
Andrew Carnegie didn't look at his poverty growing up as a shortcoming, and it didn't stop him from becoming the richest man in the world.
noun
See verb
1287 of 1530
Bad /
Unfriendly
audio
quip -
A witty remark
Gabriel's stand-up comedy career took off when audiences saw how talented he was about making mildly insulting but funny quips about people.
verb
1288 of 1530
Bad /
Disorganized
audio
garble -
To distort a message so that it is unclear or confusing
When the astronauts landed on Mars, static garbled their voices so none of the billions of people on earth watching on TV could understand what they were saying.
adjective
1289 of 1530
Bad /
Weak
Url
audio
unsteady -
Not firm, stable, or balanced; likely to wobble or fall.
The table is unsteady because one of the legs wasn't fixed correctly.
noun
See verb
1290 of 1530
Bad /
Hurt
audio
crush -
A crowd of people pressed closely together, especially in an enclosed space
The bridge was nearly invisible because of the massive crush of people standing on it.
noun
See verb
1291 of 1530
Bad /
Unfriendly
Url
audio
gossip -
Informal conversation or stories, often of a trivial or sensational nature, about others.
Though it only involves words, gossip about other people can cause deep wounds, and injure them socially and psychologically for life.
verb
1292 of 1530
Bad /
Attack
Url
audio
humiliate -
To make someone feel ashamed or foolish by injuring their dignity or self-respect.
His boss humiliated him by criticizing his work in front of the entire office.
adjective
1293 of 1530
Bad /
Disorganized
Url
audio
ponderous -
Slow and heavy in movement or thought; lacking lightness or grace; dull or overly serious.
The ponderous lecture on quantum physics had everyone in the room struggling to stay awake.
verb
1294 of 1530
Bad /
Aggressive
Url
audio
evict -
To expel someone from a place or situation, especially for not following rules or social convention.
The landlord had to evict the tenants for not paying rent for three months.
noun
1295 of 1530
Bad /
Dangerous
Url
audio
liability -
Being legally responsible for something
After the car accident, the judge had to decide who had the greater liability for what happened.
noun
1296 of 1530
Bad /
Nervous
audio
frenzy -
Wild, extreme, and uncontrolled behavior or mental agitation
Saigon was in a frenzy of chaotic activity at the end of April 1975 as the Viet Cong entered the city and the last Americans left by helicopter.
