Verb

verb

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Bad / Unfriendly

audio

sully - To damage the purity or integrity of something; to defile.

Martha spread rumors about Anne, and even though it came out later that the rumors were false, the damage had been done and Anne's reputation was sullied.

verb

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Good / Smart

audio

ponder - To look inward and think carefully about something

Before Arnold made a decision, he would try to ponder and imagine the different possible results of the decision.

verb

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Bad / Mistake

audio

scuttle - To be forced to cancel one's plans

Because he couldn't give up his smoking habit, Barry had to scuttle his plans to be a great runner.

verb

256 of 708

Good / Flexible

Url audio

juggle - To keep several objects in motion in the air at the same time; or to try to deal with two or more important jobs or activities at the same time

It wasn't easy for Beth to juggle working at her job from home and taking care of her kids when they came home from school.

verb

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Bad / Unfriendly

audio

leer - To look or gaze in an unpleasant, malicious, or lascivious way

Francesca felt very uncomfortable as the strange man leered at her for what seemed like an eternity.

verb

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Good / Strong

Url audio

empower - To make someone feel stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life.

The new policy will empower local communities to manage their own resources.

verb

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Bad / Confused

Url audio

baffle - To totally bewilder, confuse, and mystify.

Martha was baffled about several things in her life, especially why she seemed to spend more money than she had, and why she couldn’t lose weight even though she carefully watched her diet.

verb

260 of 708

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 / Confused

audio

boggle - For a person to be astonished or overwhelmed when trying to imagine something

Looking up at the stars and imagining the size of the universe can boggle a person's mind.

verb

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Bad / Attack

audio

bombard - To attack (a place or person) continuously with bombs, shells, or other missiles

The navy bombarded the enemy with cannon fire in order to overwhelm them quickly.

verb

263 of 708

Good / Flexible

audio

wend - To move slowly using an indirect route.

The hikers would wend their way across the rough terrain over the course of a day.

verb

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Bad / Aggressive

Url audio

pushy - Acting in a way that is overly eager to advance one’s own interests or opinions, often disregarding others' comfort or boundaries.

The saleswoman was so pushy that I had to walk out of the store because she wouldn’t stop trying to sell me things I didn’t need.