verb

See noun

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Bad / War

Url audio

ransom - To release someone or something in exchange for a payment or other form of compensation.

The ancient artifacts were ransomed back to the museum after being stolen and held by black-market dealers.

noun

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Bad / Stupid

audio

folly - An action that lacks good sense, and is foolish

Karl sat on the tree branch and began cutting it, not realizing his enormous folly that he was sitting on the wrong end of the branch.

adjective

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Bad / War

audio

barbaric - Extremely cruel

Sometimes the heat of war brings out man's barbaric behavior, that would not happen in more peaceful times

verb

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Bad / Disorganized

Url audio

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 / Up+Down

audio

plunge - To quickly fall a long way down

When the summer heat hits, Billy loved to plunge into the swimming pool .

verb

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Bad / Hurt

Url audio

downgrade - To reduce to a lower level of usefulness, status, or importance.

When the policeman broke his arm, his activity was downgraded to a desk job.

adjective

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Bad / Powerless

Url audio

shorthanded - Not having the usual or necessary number of workers or helpers to get something done.

When the flood swept through the community, though the relief workers were very shorthanded, they did an amazing job rescuing the people by boat.

noun

See verb

2180 of 3207

Other / Sound

Url audio

blast - A sudden, loud explosion or burst of air, sound, or energy.

The factory explosion caused a powerful blast that could be heard for miles.

verb

2181 of 3207

Bad / Delay

audio

dawdle - To delay by taking more time than necessary

"Johnny!" his mother shouted, "we have to catch the train in 30 minutes, so would you please finish getting dressed and stop dawdling."

adjective

2182 of 3207

Good / Good

audio

impeccable - Perfect in every way

In her graduating class, Joan was voted the most likely to succeed, because she had impeccable character and habits.

verb

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Bad / Hostile

Url audio

chastise - To scold or criticize someone severely for doing something wrong.

He was chastised by his coach for not following the game plan.

adjective

2184 of 3207

Bad / Small

audio

dinky - Small; insignificant

Between his thumbs, the tiny piece of dirt seemed dinky in comparison to the large field it came from.