smokescreen -
A distraction or false front used to mislead or deceive others.
The flashy website and ad campaign turned out to be a smokescreen so people would be distracted from paying attention to the company's declining sales.
verb
1335 of 1546
Bad /
Hostile
audio
sully -
To damage the purity or integrity of something; to defile.
Martha spread rumors about Anne, and even though it came out later that the rumors were false, the damage had been done and Anne's reputation was sullied.
adjective
1336 of 1546
Bad /
Unfriendly
audio
brusque -
Abrupt or offhand in speech or manner
Dave was terrified of his boss, who would always speak to him in a brusque manner that made him feel small.
adjective
1337 of 1546
Bad /
Confused
Url
audio
ambiguous -
Something whose meaning is unclear, because it can be understood in several ways
Bill's parents often asked when he was moving out of the house and getting a job, but his answer was always ambiguous.
adjective
1338 of 1546
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.
noun
1339 of 1546
Bad /
War
audio
insurrection -
A violent revolt against a government
In October 1917, Lenin led a Bolshevik insurrection that overthrew the Russian government.
verb
See noun
1340 of 1546
Bad /
Weak
Url
audio
rupture -
The act of something breaking, splitting, or bursting open, often in a violent, sudden, or forceful manner.
When he fell, the impact of the fall caused his spleen to rupture, requiring immediate surgery.
noun
1341 of 1546
Bad /
Strange
audio
nerd -
A person who lacks social skills but often makes up for it with technical ability
Kevin was such a nerd that he couldn't even consider asking any girl out for a date.
verb
1342 of 1546
Bad /
Attack
audio
inundate -
To overwhelm (someone) with things or people to be dealt with
Reggie tried to sneak out for his lunch break before his boss could inundate him with more work.
noun
1343 of 1546
Bad /
Aggressive
Url
audio
stranglehold -
A strong and oppressive control or influence over something or someone.
The corporation had a stranglehold on the market, leaving no room for small businesses.
verb
1344 of 1546
Bad /
Unfriendly
Url
audio
relegate -
To move someone or something to a less important role or status.
He felt unfairly relegated to simple accounting tasks, despite his superior and varied qualifications and experience.
