broach -
To introduce or begin a new subject or issue.
He didn’t know how to broach the topic of moving away from his parents.
verb
638 of 706
Good /
Exciting
audio
regale -
To entertain or amuse people with talk
Every day, the children of the village would sit quietly as one of the elders would regale them with fascinating stories.
verb
639 of 706
Bad /
Unfriendly
audio
goad -
To provoke or annoy someone so as to stimulate some action or reaction
Max was the biggest 8th grader in the school yard, and he would often be aggressive with the other kids, trying to goad them into a fight that he knew he would win.
verb
640 of 706
Other /
Move
audio
ruffle -
to move or lift something so that it is no longer smooth; to disorder something, typically by running one's hands through it
The other players ruffled their new teammate's hair as part of his initiation.
verb
641 of 706
Bad /
Uncomfortable
audio
schlep -
To haul or carry something heavy, often in an way that is awkward and takes a lot of energy.
For his new job as a mover, Joey had to schlep heavy boxes into and out of homes all day long.
verb
642 of 706
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
643 of 706
Bad /
Unfriendly
Url
audio
disrupt -
To interrupt the normal flow or process of something.
The sound of people screaming at each other outside the school disrupted the teacher’s lecture.
verb
644 of 706
Bad /
Aggressive
Url
audio
confiscate -
To take something away from someon, or seize property, as a penalty or punishment.
The authorities confiscated the illegal goods at the border
verb
645 of 706
Good /
Friendly
Url
audio
entrust -
To give someone the responsibility for doing something or taking care of something important or valuable.
She entrusted her best friend with the keys to her house while she was away.
verb
646 of 706
Other /
Stop
Url
audio
subside -
To become less intense, violent, or severe; to gradually decrease and go down to a lower level.
After the winds and rain of the hurricane finally subsided, people could see the damage that was left behind.
verb
647 of 706
Good /
Flexible
Url
audio
improvise -
To make or adapt something using available resources due to a lack of proper materials.
The comedian had to improvise when the microphone stopped working during his performance.
verb
648 of 706
Bad /
Mistake
audio
botch -
To carry out a task badly or carelessly
Eric botched the assignment that he was asked to do, so his supervisor had to reprimand him.
