noun

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Other / Up+Down

Url

avalanche - A mass of snow, ice, and/or rocks that fall rapidly down a mountainside.

The sudden and unexpected avalanche meant that the hikers would have to find an alternate path to the top of the mountain.

noun

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Bad / Strange

Url

antics - Funny, silly, or strange behavior

When Fran was depressed, her husband Eddie would engage in unusual antics - such as telling corny jokes or dressing like a clown - to cheer her up.

noun

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Other / Surprise

Url

anticlimax - A situation where the outcome is much less dramatic than expected.

The final scene was such an anticlimax after all the suspense, that the audience was very disappointed.

adjective

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Bad / Old

Url

arcane - Relating to hidden knowledge, especially in subjects like magic or ancient traditions.

He mastered the arcane art of handcrafting rare musical instruments.

adjective

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Good / Smart-Adj

Url

astute - Ability to understand things quickly and clearly, and to use the knowledge well

From a very early age, Gail instinctively knew everything about business, and and after college she proved to be an astute business woman, and became a millionaire before the age of 30.

noun

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Other / Desire

Url

aspiration - A strong desire or ambition to achieve something.

She worked day and night to fulfill her aspiration of opening a bakery.

noun

See verb

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Bad / War

Url

ambush - A surprise attack by people lying in wait in a concealed position.

The cavalry rode on their horses in the dry mountain area, totally unaware of the ambush that awaited them.

noun

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Bad / War

Url

atrocity - An extremely wicked or cruel act, typically one involving physical violence or injury

In a terrible atrocity, after winning the battle the victorious army set fire to the enemy's village, killing most of its inhabitants.

adjective

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Bad / Confused

Url

arbitrary - Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system

She felt that when the judges chose her competitor as winner of the debate, that the decision was totally arbitrary, and didn't recognize how well she had really done.

adjective

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Bad / Stupid

Url

asinine - Very stupid or silly

The candidate lost the election because during press conferences he made one asinine statement after another.

verb

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Good / Friendly

Url

assuage - To make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense

When Sam saw that Frank looked sad because his dog Spot had died, Sam tried to assuage his feelings by saying that Spot had had a very good life while he was alive.

verb

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Bad / Attack

Url

assault - To attack someone violently

The judge gave Nick a sentence of 5 years in jail for assaulting a policeman with a metal stick.