verb

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Good / Calm

audio

tinker - Attempt to repair or improve something in a casual or desultory way, often to no useful effect

Mitch tried to tinker with his computer before realizing that it was more broken that he had thought, and that he had to bring it to the computer store to have a professional repair it.

adjective

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Other / Sound

audio

shrill - (of a voice or sound) high-pitched and piercing

June had to plug her ears to avoid hearing the shrill voices of her screaming children.

verb

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Bad / Mistake

Url audio

humbling - Causing someone to feel less important or proud, often by emphasizing their limitations.

Receiving so much help from strangers during hard times was a humbling experience.

adjective

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Good / Smart

Url audio

techie - A person who is very interested and skilled in technology, especially computers and electronics.

My brother is a real techie—he built his own computer from scratch.

noun

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Bad / Dishonest

audio

hypocrite - Someone who acts in a way that contradicts what they say they believe in

Barry claimed that he believed in honesty, but the way he usually lied when it was convenient showed that he was just a hypocrite

verb

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Other / Inward

audio

strut - Walk with a stiff, erect, and apparently arrogant or conceited gait

The wealthy businessman would strut through the town as if he literally owned it.

verb

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Other / Slow

audio

deadlock - A situation where opposing sides can't make progress to resolve their differences

Congress couldn't pass any new bills because the Republicans and Democrats were politically and emotionally deadlocked on almost every issue.

adjective

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Bad / Unhappy

Url audio

apologetic - Feeling or showing that you are sorry for doing something wrong or for causing a problem

When Bill realized that his mistake caused the company to lose millions of dollars, he wrote his manager an apologetic email.

adjective

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Good / Pleasure

Url audio

spicy - Having a strong, hot flavor from spices like chili or pepper.

The curry was so spicy that I had to keep myself from spitting it out.

verb

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Bad / Aggressive

Url audio

badger - To repeatedly and annoyingly ask someone to do something.

Every time that Arnold asked Samantha to go out on a date, she would tell him firmly ‘No’. But each time he saw her, he would badger her again and again about wanting to go out, and again she said 'No!'

noun

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Bad / Dishonest

audio

rascal - A mischievous or cheeky person, especially a child or man (typically used in an affectionate way)

Dennis the Menace was a famous rascal, using his childlike innocence to distract from his mischief.

verb

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Other / Move

Url audio

pivot - To strategically change direction or focus, often in response to new circumstances or needs.

In the middle of the game, the coach decided to pivot the team's approach, switching from defense to a more aggressive offensive strategy.