Verb

verb

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sidestep - To deliberately avoid or divert attention from a certain subject, often to avoid dealing with it.

During the press conference, he sidestepped questions that he didn't want to focus on or deal with.

verb

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Other / Move

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careen - To move swiftly and in an uncontrolled way

As the old bus speedily careened around the narrow and steep mountain Tibetan roads, Fred wondered if he would make it safely to interview the guru monk for his magazine article.

verb

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Other / Inward

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contemplate - To spend time considering a possible future action, or to consider one particular thing for a long time in a serious and quiet way.

Now that Angela had graduated from college, she had to contemplate whether to get a job or get a more advanced degree.

verb

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Bad / Aggressive

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impose - To force something to be accepted or endured, often against someone's will.

He didn’t want to impose his opinions on others, so he listened when other people talked.

verb

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Good / Calm

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browse - To look at various items or information, often to find something of interest.

I like to browse online shops even when I’m not planning to buy anything.

verb

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Bad / Unfriendly

audio

irk - To irritate and annoy someone

"What irks me", Lenny said to himself after trying to call Betty for the 50th time, "is that after our fight Betty never answers my phone calls."

verb

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Bad / Attack

audio

usurp - To take a position of power or importance illegally or by force

The scheming prince knew that he would soon usurp the throne from his father before his father was ready to give it up.

verb

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Bad / Attack

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annihilate - To totally destroy

The atom bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima annihilated the city.

verb

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Bad / Disorganized

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scatter - To disperse or spread things in different directions, often in an uncontrolled or random way.

She scattered the papers on her desk, and searched through them for the address she had written down and misplaced.

verb

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Good / Calm

Url audio

simmer - To heat a liquid, usually a stew or soup, just below the boiling point, allowing it to cook slowly; or to stay in a slow, controlled state of progress or tension, often before a larger event or change occurs.

He was simmering with anger, but he kept it inside and didn't say out loud what he was thinking and feeling.

verb

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Other / Move

audio

flit - To move swiftly and lightly

The hummingbird's wings flitted so quickly that they became a blur.

verb

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Other / Entice

audio

cajole - To persuade someone to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery

Diana told her dad that he looked handsome today, hoping she could cajole him into handing over her allowance sooner.