hostage -
A person who is captured and held prisoner and is threatened with injury if a demand is not met
The revolutionaries said that the hostages would be released only after $20 million was deposited in their anonymous Bitcoin account.
noun
350 of 899
Bad /
Dishonest
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quackery -
Deceptive or dishonest practices, particularly in fields such as health, medicine, or business, that are designed to exploit others.
The doctor was exposed for his quackery, selling false cures that he claimed could heal any disease.
noun
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Bad /
Unhappy
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despair -
Having no hope that things will get better.
Alan sank into a despair that he could not overcome by himself, so he went to a therapist.
noun
352 of 899
Good /
Pleasure
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punchline -
The final part of a joke or funny story that gives it its humorous or dramatic point.
When the commedian told the punchline after the long 5 minute joke, the audience burst into laughter.
noun
353 of 899
Bad /
Crazy
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megalomaniac -
Someone who has an unnaturally strong wish for power and control.
The dictator showed signs of being a megalomaniac even as a child, the way he bossed everyone around in the schoolyard.
noun
354 of 899
Bad /
War
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conquest -
The subjugation and assumption of control of a place or people by use of military force.
This map shows the size of the conquest of Alexander the Great.
noun
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Good /
Happy
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mirth -
Amusement, especially as expressed in laughter
The night was full of mirth as the friends laughed at each other's jokes.
noun
356 of 899
Good /
Friendly
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buddy -
A close friend
George did everything with his best friend Bill, and it was wonderful to have such a close buddy, someone he knew he could always count on.
noun
357 of 899
Bad /
Strange
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misfit -
Someone whose behavior or attitude sets them apart, often making them feel isolated or out of place.
The new employee seemed like a misfit among the fast-paced corporate crowd.
noun
358 of 899
Good /
Successful
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celebrity -
A famous person, especially in entertainment or sport
Alex didn't mind being a movie celebrity, with people always asking to take selfies with him.
noun
359 of 899
Bad /
War
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bulwark -
A defensive wall
The soldiers had planned to attack, but the bulwark fortification that the enemy had built around themselves was too high to climb, and there didn't seem to be any way over, around, or through.
noun
360 of 899
Good /
Energy
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marathon -
Any long and challenging activity, especially one that tests endurance.
We had a movie marathon and watched all eight Harry Potter films in one weekend — our brains turned to butter around film six.
