verb

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Bad / Aggressive

pester - To trouble or annoy someone with frequent or persistent requests or interruptions

Pete just wanted to stare at the sunset, but Lily kept pestering him and breaking his concentration.

noun

2 of 60

Bad / Dangerous

plight - A dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation

The plight of the jobless is slightly improved when they receive temporary unemployment benefits.

verb

3 of 60

Other / Up+Down

plunk - To hand something over or place it down with determination

Milton really didn't have the $400 to pay for the flight to the trade show, but he plunked down the money anyway, because he had to show his product to see if there would be any interest.

verb

4 of 60

Other / Up+Down

plunge - To quickly fall a long way down

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

noun

5 of 60

Good / Exciting

pizzazz - An attractive combination of vitality and glamour

As the most acclaimed actress alive, Meryl Streep's pizzazz is key to her enduring popularity.

verb

6 of 60

Other / Up+Down

plummet - To fall or drop straight down at high speed

The CEO had to be replaced after sales had plummeted in the previous quarter.

noun

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Bad / Small

pipsqueak - A person considered to be insignificant, especially because they are small or young

Linda wanted to ride on Charlie's bicycle, but he told her it was too big for a little pipsqueak like her.

noun

8 of 60

Other / Entice

ploy - A cunning plan or action designed to turn a situation to one's own advantage

Baby Steve would never eat his food, so his mother came up with a ploy to treat his spoon as an airplane.

adjective

9 of 60

Bad / Unfriendly

pesky - Causing trouble; annoying

Amanda couldn't concentrate on anything while that pesky fly was flying around and bothering her.

verb

10 of 60

Other / Up+Down

plop - To drop gently and without making a loud noise.

After drinking all evening, John plopped an Alka-Seltzer into a glass of water, hoping that drinking it would relieve his headache.

verb

See noun

11 of 60

Bad / War

plunder - Steal goods from (a place or person), typically using force and in a time of war or civil disorder

Seeing his chance, the pirate plundered as many gold coins as he could find on the wrecked ship.

adjective

12 of 60

Good / Flexible

Url

pliable - When a person is easily influenced, controlled, or persuaded by others

The boss wanted to hire employees who were pliable, so they wouldn't give his resitance when he told them what to do.