Verb

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Bad / Aggressive

verb

squelch - To inhibit or suppress

The press secretary firmly denied and squelched the false rumors about the president's policy.

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Other / Move

verb

sift - Put (a fine, loose, or powdery substance) through a sieve so as to remove lumps or large particles

Before cooking, Mac would sift the flour through the sieve to remove any large clumps.

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Bad / Disorganized

verb

rummage - Search unsystematically and untidily through a mass or receptacle

The dog rummaged through the trash to look for food.

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Bad / Pain

verb

flinch - Make a quick, nervous movement of the face or body as an instinctive reaction to surprise, fear or pain

Debbie was very brave and didn’t flinch when the nurse put the needle in her arm to give her the flu shot.

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Other / Squeeze

verb

churn - To agitate, squeeze, rotate, or turn a liquid in a container

Before the appearance of technology, butter was produced by churning milk by hand.

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Bad / Mistake

verb

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backfire - When a plan fails, and it has the opposite result of what was intended.

The politician tried to hide his assets, in order to appear like a common man. But his plan backfired when they were revealed, and people saw that he was a liar.

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Bad / Unfriendly

verb

shun - Persistently avoid, ignore, or reject (someone or something) through antipathy or caution

When David tried to join in the conversation at the club, they ignored him, and he suspected that he was being shunned because he had a different religion than they did.

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Bad / Aggressive

verb

prowl - An animal or person moving around restlessly and stealthily, especially in search of prey

The jaguar spent its days and nights prowling through the bushes and trees quietly in order to track down its prey.

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Bad / Afraid

verb

cower - Crouch down in fear

The dog cowered in fear as the sound of thunder filled the sky.

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Good / Busy

verb

scamper - (especially of a small animal or child) run with quick light steps, especially through fear or excitement

The dogs scampered through the open field, happy to be out of the house for once.

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Good / Flexible

verb

veer - Change direction suddenly

Randy slammed on the brakes when the car in the next lane suddenly veered in front of him.

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Bad / Attack

verb

usurp - Take (a position of power or importance) illegally or by force

The scheming prince knew that he would soon usurp the throne from his father before his father was ready to give it up.