Verb

audio

289 of 656
Other / Body

verb

shrug - Raise (one's shoulders) slightly and momentarily to express doubt, ignorance, or indifference

When Bruce's self-published book only sold 10 copies, he shrugged his shoulders and said, 'Mayber I'll do better with my next book.'

audio

290 of 656
Other / Move

verb

Picture

Fluctuate - To change or vary irregularly, especially in amount or level.

Gas prices tend to fluctuate depending on supply and demand.

audio

291 of 656
Bad / Unfriendly

verb

scoff - Speak to someone or about something in a scornfully derisive or mocking way

The mayor scoffed at the ridiculous question from the reporter.

audio

292 of 656
Bad / Pain

verb

writhe - Make continual twisting, squirming movements or contortions of the body

The soccer player writhed in pain on the ground after spraining his ankle.

audio

293 of 656
Bad / Angry

verb

gnash - To grind one's teeth together, typically as a sign of anger

Ted gnashed his teeth in anger when he found out that his flight was canceled.

audio

294 of 656
Bad / Dishonest

verb

hoodwink - Deceive or trick (someone)

The con man surveyed the crowd in order to find someone to hoodwink.

audio

295 of 656
Bad / Disorganized

verb

muss - Make (someone's hair or clothes) untidy or messy

Jeremiah would playfully muss his daughter's hair when he wanted to get her attention.

audio

296 of 656
Bad / Weak

verb

deplete - To reduce something by a large amount so that there is not enough left, such as resources or money

By the end of the marathon run, Bill felt that his energy was totally depleted, and he had to push himself to complete the race.

audio

297 of 656
Good / Friendly

verb

Picture

assuage - To make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense

When Sam saw that Frank looked sad because his dog Spot had died, Sam tried to assuage his feelings by saying that Spot had had a very good life while he was alive.

audio

298 of 656
Good / Friendly

verb

Picture

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.

audio

299 of 656
Bad / Weak

verb

Picture

Kowtow - To act in an excessively submissive or obedient manner, often to gain favor; to bow or kneel as a sign of deep respect or submission.

In ancient China, people would kowtow before the emperor as a sign of respect.

audio

300 of 656
Other / Entice

verb

Picture

Induce - To persuade or influence someone to do something.

The advertisement was designed to induce people to buy the product.