noun

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Good / Smart

audio

wonk - A person who takes an excessive interest in minor details of political policy

Rachel Maddow is a policy wonk on TV who walks her audience through the minor details of legislation and current events.

verb

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Other / Squeeze

audio

scour - Clean or brighten the surface of (something) by rubbing it hard, typically with an abrasive or detergent

Victor would have to use a cleaning solution to scour the rust stains off of his bathtub.

verb

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Good / New

Url audio

refurbish - To clean, repair, or renovate something, especially furniture or buildings, in order to make it look new or improve its functionality.

The hotel decided to refurbish its rooms, replacing old furniture and updating the décor to attract more guests.

verb

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Bad / Dishonest

Url audio

finagle - To use tricks and dishonest methods to get what you want.

Somehow he was able to finagle a way to get tickets to the rock concert for our whole group.

verb

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Bad / Nervous

Url audio

falter - To lose strength or momentum; to weaken or stumble; to hesitate in action, purpose, or speech.

Her voice began to falter as she delivered the emotional speech.

adjective

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Bad / Aggressive

audio

defiant - refusing to obey authority, sometimes even to the point of refusing to accept criticism.

Lars was a defiant child who always refused to obey his parents.

noun

See verb

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Other / Sound

audio

sizzle - A hissing sound, as of food frying or cooking

The sizzle of hot dogs on the grill is a familiar sound on Memorial Day weekend.

verb

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Bad / Attack

audio

ransack - Go hurriedly through (a place) stealing things and causing damage

Within only a few minutes, the burglars ransacked the house in order to find the owners' jewelry and cash.

noun

See verb

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Other / Sound

audio

whine - A long, high-pitched complaining cry

Kay's dog let out a high-pitched whine when he wanted her to pay attention to him.

verb

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Bad / Small

Url audio

downsize - To reduce the size, amount, or extent of something.

Bill saved money by moving into a smaller apartment, and tried to downsize his lifestyle and live more simply.

verb

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Bad / Aggressive

audio

nab - To catch someone doing something wrong or illegal

The police nabbed the person who tried to blow up the World Trade Center 1993, when he went to the car rental to get back his deposit for the van he had blown up.

noun

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Bad / Old

audio

clunker - An old, run-down vehicle or machine

The old clunker of a car hadn't worked in years and was too worthless to even move off the street.