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Other / Slow

verb

deflect - To direct attention away from a topic

At the press conference the Mayor didn't want to talk about the issue being asked, so he deflected the question and talked about a different subject.

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Bad / Dishonest

verb

smuggle - Move (goods) illegally into or out of a country

The border guards were always on the lookout for people trying to smuggle guns into the country.

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Other / Move

nounverb verb

smear - Coat or mark (something) messily or carelessly with a greasy or sticky substance

Caleb smeared cream cheese on his bagel to make it taste better.

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Bad / Mistake

verb

flunk - Fail to reach the required standard in an examination, test, or course of study

Ron hid his school test from his mother because he didn't want her to know he had flunked it.

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Good / Brave

adjective

gutsy - Showing courage, determination, and spirit

Malala Yousafzai's gutsy attempt to pursue an education despite being attacked by the Taliban is a profile in courage.

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Other / Slow

adjective

elusive - Difficult to find, catch, or achieve

For decades until he was finally captured, James "Whitey" Bulger was one of the most elusive criminals alive.

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Bad / Confused

noun

Picture

Conundrum - A confusing and difficult problem, situation, or question, where there is no clear or easy solution.

Figuring out how to balance work and personal life is a common conundrum.

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Other / Light

noun

glimmer - A weak, faint, or unsteady light

Six hours after the house collapsed on Peter, his first glimmer of hope occurred when he heard the rescue workers calling his name.

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Good / Busy

nounverb verb

surge - (of a crowd or a natural force) move suddenly and powerfully forward or upward

The surging ocean waves meant the surfers had to run away from the beach to avoid danger.

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Bad / Unfriendly

verb

shoo - Make (a person or animal) go away by waving one's arms at them, saying “shoo,” or otherwise acting in a discouraging manner

Ashok shooed away the media who kept taking pictures of him.

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Bad / Nervous

noun

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.

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Bad / Disorganized

noun

mishmash - A confused mixture

The meal containing gummy bears and onion rings was an unappetizing mishmash that nobody would eat.