polarize -
To divide into two completely opposing groups
It's frightening to see how many issues have caused the US to polarize into Right and Left groups that hate each other.
verb
506 of 708
Other /
Move
audio
ruffle -
to move or lift something so that it is no longer smooth; to disorder something, typically by running one's hands through it
The other players ruffled their new teammate's hair as part of his initiation.
verb
507 of 708
Other /
Move
Url
audio
sidestep -
To deliberately avoid or divert attention from a certain subject, often to avoid dealing with it.
During the press conference, he sidestepped questions that he didn't want to focus on or deal with.
verb
508 of 708
Bad /
Aggressive
audio
quell -
To put an end to a rebellion or other disorder, typically by the use of force
The peasants' rebellion against the king was quelled as soon as his army massacred hundreds of them.
verb
509 of 708
Good /
New
Url
audio
emerge -
To come out or appear from somewhere, especially after being hidden.
The sun emerged from behind the clouds after the storm passed.
verb
510 of 708
Bad /
Attack
audio
ransack -
To go quickly through a place stealing things and causing damage.
Within only a few minutes, the burglars ransacked the house in order to find the owners' jewelry and cash.
verb
511 of 708
Good /
Calm
audio
dwell -
To live in or at a specified place
If he ever won the lottery, Duane wanted to dwell in one of Frank Lloyd Wright's legendary houses.
verb
512 of 708
Good /
Friendly
audio
laud -
To praise a person or their achievements highly, especially in a public context
After Cindy exceeded her sales quota for the month, Renita lauded her in front of the other employees.
verb
513 of 708
Bad /
Disorganized
audio
garble -
To distort a message so that it is unclear or confusing
When the astronauts landed on Mars, static garbled their voices so none of the billions of people on earth watching on TV could understand what they were saying.
verb
514 of 708
Other /
Up-Down
audio
rouse -
To wake someone up or make someone more active or excited
When the alarm rang, Dan couldn't rouse himself up from sleep because he had been out drinking the night before.
verb
515 of 708
Good /
Big
Url
audio
billow -
To cause the sky or an object to be filled with smoke, air, or steam.
During the early 20th century, the skies above many cities were filled with billowing clouds of smoke coming from factory chimneys.
verb
516 of 708
Other /
Sound
audio
rustle -
To make a soft, muffled crackling sound like that caused by the movement of dry leaves or paper
The autumn leaves rustled when the dog jumped on the pile.
