adjective

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Good / Flexible

Url

compliant - Being willing to do what one is asked to do, following set of rules, regulations, and standards.

Though most people don't enjoy paying taxes, they are compliant either because they feel it is right, or because they fear getting caught if they cheat.

noun

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Other / Inward

Url

retrospect - The act of reflecting on or considering past actions, experiences, or situations.

In retrospect, I realize that taking that job was one of the best decisions I ever made, even though it seemed risky at the time.

adjective

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Bad / Attack

Url

heretical - Being opposite to and against the official or popular opinion.

When Martin Luther became active and vocal, his ideas and actions were considered heretical.

adjective

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Bad / Afraid

harrowing - Intensely distressing

Although they were happy to be alive, the plane's passengers were still trying to overcome the harrowing crash landing in the river.

adjective

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Bad / Dirty

bedraggled - Giving an appearance of being messy, untidy, and neglected.

When I went to work I locked Fido out of the house by mistake, and he was soaked by the thunderstorm. When I got home, I felt guilty when I saw how bedraggled he looked.

adjective

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Good / Energy

Url

ambitious - Having a strong desire to succeed or achieve something, and showing determination and eagerness to reach goals.

The team set an ambitious target to double sales within a year.

noun

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Good / Energy

vigor - Physical strength and good health

A bicycle-oriented workout will result in increased vigor over time.

verb

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Good / Friendly

coax - To gently pursuade someone to do something

Angie was anorexic, and her mother gently tried to coax her to eat some food.

verb

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Good / Smart

Url

verify - To check or prove something through evidence or investigation

The scientist ran multiple tests to verify the results of the experiment.

noun

See verb

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Bad / Dishonest

scheme - A large-scale systematic plan or arrangement for attaining some particular object or putting a particular idea into effect, often through deceptive means

It's better to be honest and work hard, and not spend too much time devising or falling for schemes that are tempting shortcuts to making money.

verb

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Bad / Disorganized

Url

scatter - To disperse or spread things in different directions, often in an uncontrolled or random way.

She scattered the papers on her desk, and searched through them for the address she had written down and misplaced.

verb

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Other / Surprise

Url

astound - To cause others to be very surprised or shocked

The American public was astounded by the revelations about Watergate that were revealed by Woodward and Bernstein in the Washington Post.