Verb

verb

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Other / Body

audio

clench - To contract the muscles of the hand, usually applicable to a firmly closed fist.

After his injections, the tiny baby began to cry and clench his fists in pain and fear.

verb

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Bad / Unfriendly

audio

goad - To provoke or annoy someone so as to stimulate some action or reaction

Max was the biggest 8th grader in the school yard, and he would often be aggressive with the other kids, trying to goad them into a fight that he knew he would win.

verb

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Bad / Unfriendly

Url audio

irritate - To make someone angry, or annoyed; or to make apart of your body sore or painful.

After the mother spent hours peparing the Friday night meal, she was irritated when the whole family ate quickly and left without thanking her or even saying anything in appreciation.

verb

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Bad / Steal

audio

filch - To pilfer or steal (something, especially a thing of small value) in a casual way

In some states, filching something as small as a pack of gum can lead to being arrested.

verb

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Other / Shape

Url audio

slant - To slope or lean in a particular direction.

The workers on the slanty room had to be very careful, and they were well aware that a slip would mean danger.

verb

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Good / Strong

Url audio

tenacious - Not easily letting go or giving up.

Chuchill was tenacious in his resolve to defeat the Germans.

verb

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Good / Smart

audio

demystify - To make something easier to understand

Louis Pasteur demystified why people would get sick, by describing little beings called bacteria that were the cause.

verb

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Bad / Hurt

audio

scald - To injure with very hot liquid or steam

A common danger in households is the possibility that children can be scalded with unattended hot water.

verb

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Bad / Hostile

audio

scoff - To speak to someone or about something in a scornfully derisive or mocking way

The mayor scoffed at the ridiculous question from the reporter.

verb

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Bad / Mistake

audio

flunk - To 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.

verb

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Bad / Attack

audio

usurp - To 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.

verb

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Bad / Aggressive

Url audio

eradicate - To completely destroy or eliminate something harmful or unwanted.

The new policy and laws aim to eradicate corruption from the political system.