Verb

verb

661 of 726

Good / Flexible

Url audio

optimize - To make the best and most effective use of a situation, opportunity, or resource.

Since it hadn't rained for 6 months, and the reservoir levels were low, the mayor made a plan to optimize the people's use of water.

verb

662 of 726

Bad / Attack

audio

terrify - To cause somone to feel extreme fear

All kinds of dogs, even small ones, would terrify Scott, and he did everything he could to avoid them.

verb

663 of 726

Good / Friendly

Url audio

broach - To introduce or begin a new subject or issue.

He didn’t know how to broach the topic of moving away from his parents.

verb

664 of 726

Bad / Confused

Url audio

digress - To temporarily leave the main subject of a conversation or discussion

Please don’t digress—we need to focus on the main issue during these important negotiations.

verb

665 of 726

Other / Up+Down

Url audio

descend - To move from a higher to a lower place or position; to go down.

We watched the sun slowly descend behind the hills.

verb

666 of 726

Good / Smart

Url audio

decipher - To figure out the meaning of something difficult to understand.

The archaeologists worked hard to decipher the ancient symbols on the wall.

verb

667 of 726

Bad / Attack

Url audio

aggravate - To intensify the seriousness or severity of something.

Scratching the rash will only aggravate it.

verb

668 of 726

Other / Wet

audio

gurgle - To make a bubbling sound like that made by water running out of a bottle

When Sam had a big decision to make, he walked into the woods and sat by a gurgling brook to contemplate and be alone with his thoughts.

verb

669 of 726

Good / Love

audio

nuzzle - To rub or push against gently with the nose and mouth

Lions tend to nuzzle against each other to show affection.

verb

670 of 726

Bad / Hurt

audio

pummel - To continuously hit something or someone with the fist(s).

After a very stressful day at work, Adam decided to pummel the punching bag at the gym, to vent his frustration.

verb

671 of 726

Bad / Aggressive

audio

wrangle - To have a long and complicated dispute

Even after a year, the senators wrangled over the health-care legislation.

verb

672 of 726

Other / Shape

Url audio

skew - To cause something to be not straight or exact; to twist or distort.

The fact that so many of guys on the track team were sick negatively skewed their performance results.