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deflect - To direct attention away from a topic

At the press conference the Mayor didn't want to talk about the issue being asked, so he deflected the question and talked about a different subject.

noun

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backlog - A quantity of work that should have been done already, but has not yet been done

When Bill got back from his vacation, there was such a backlog of work to catch up with, that he had to work until 10pm every night for a week.

verb

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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."

noun

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logjam - A situation where progress is halted due to a buildup of problems, delays, or obstacles.

The political negotiations reached a logjam when neither side was willing to compromise.

adjective

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stagnant - Showing no activity; dull and sluggish

In the last few decades, the income of the richest 10% has increased while that of the bottom 90% has remained stagnant.

noun

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sloth - Reluctance to work or make an effort; laziness

Reed spent the whole day living in sloth, never even leaving the couch.

noun

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impediment - Something that makes progress or movement difficult or impossible

Helen Keller lost her sight and hearing when she was only19 months old, but she overcame these impediments and went to college at Radcliffe and became a great author and speaker.

verb

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balk - To hesitate or be unwilling to continue with an idea or action.

Max had made all the plans to move from his apartment to the senior citizens home, but at the last minute, he balked and just couldn’t go through with it.

verb

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hinder - To create difficulties for someone or something that results in a delay.

He's smart, but his chances of success was hindered by his laziness.

adjective

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reluctant - Not willing to do something and therefore slow to do it

They were reluctant to invest in the startup without more solid information.

verb

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defuse - To reduce the tension or danger in a difficult situation.

The mediator worked hard to defuse the conflict and tension between the two sides that were trying to negotiate an agreement.

noun

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restraint - The action of preventing or controlling someone or something or oneself from moving, acting, or progressing

There were many things that bothered her, but she decided to exercize restraint, and not spill out all her emotions at once.