adjective

685 of 3207

Bad / Boring

audio

hackneyed - (of a phrase or idea) lacking significance through having been overused; unoriginal and trite

Ricky was ready to tell his boss he was completely prepared for the job, but he wanted to avoid being told a hackneyed expression like "make sure you have his ducks in a row."

adjective

686 of 3207

Bad / Disgusting

audio

dingy - Gloomy and drab

The paint-chipped and depressing room was too dingy to live in.

adjective

687 of 3207

Good / Calm

audio

gingerly - To act in a way that is careful and cautious:

Bob's unit was called in to defuse the live bomb, and he disentangled the wires very gingerly.

adjective

688 of 3207

Other / Inward

audio

smug - Having or showing an excessive pride in oneself or one's achievements

Silvio was very smug after winning the election his opponents claimed he would lose.

adjective

689 of 3207

Bad / Unhappy

Url audio

sullen - Gloomy or depressing in mood or appearance.

His sullen expression made it clear he wasn't happy with the decision.

verb

690 of 3207

Other / Move

audio

pluck - To take hold of something and quickly remove it from its place

In Ralph Waldo Emerson's beautiful poem Forbearance, he suggests that it is good to appreciate a beautiful flower without plucking it from the ground.

noun

691 of 3207

Bad / War

audio

skirmish - A brief and usually unplanned fight during a war

When a skirmish developed with the British army, the Revolutionaries had to make do with what weapons they had with them at the time.

verb

692 of 3207

Other / Stop

Url audio

pardon - To forgive someone for a crime or wrongdoing, and end imprisonment or bad feelings.

The president decided to pardon the prisoner after reviewing the case.

adjective

693 of 3207

Good / Smart-Adj

audio

shrewd - Having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astute

Steve Jobs was a shrewd businessman who saw the digital revolution coming before most people did.

noun

694 of 3207

Bad / Dishonest

Url audio

cover-up - The act of concealing the truth or facts, especially by a person in authority.

The media discovered a major cover-up involving illegal funds.

noun

695 of 3207

Other / Move

Url audio

gust - A strong, brief burst of wind.

A strong gust of wind almost blew the umbrella out of her hands.

verb

696 of 3207

Good / Smart

Url audio

discern - To understand or identify something, especially after careful thought

I was able to discern a house in the distance by the light of the moon after our long walk when our car broke down.