verb

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Other / Up+Down

plunk - To hand something over or place it down with determination

Milton really didn't have the $400 to pay for the flight to the trade show, but he plunked down the money anyway, because he had to show his product to see if there would be any interest.

verb

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Other / Up+Down

plop - To drop gently and without making a loud noise.

After drinking all evening, John plopped an Alka-Seltzer into a glass of water, hoping that drinking it would relieve his headache.

verb

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Other / Up+Down

plunge - To quickly fall a long way down

When the summer heat hits, Billy loved to plunge into the swimming pool .

adjective

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Good / Important

phenomenal - Very remarkable; extraordinary

Mark Zuckerberg started Facebook in his Harvard dorm room, and turned it into one of the largest companies in the world, and everyone would agree that that Facebook has been a phenomenal success.

verb

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Other / Move

Url

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.

verb

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Other / Move

pierce - To go through something completely, from one end to another

In 1307 during the Swiss revolution, William Tell had to prove his accuracy with bow and arrow by shooting an arrow that pierced the apple sitting on his son's head.

adjective

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Good / Calm

poise - Graceful and elegant bearing in a person

The princess had developed such great poise over her lifetime as a member of the royal family.

adjective

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Bad / Confused

perplexing - Confusing and difficult to understand

Scientists find it perplexing how life's incredible complexity came out Earth's hot water all by itself.

adjective

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Bad / Small

piddling - Pathetically trivial; trifling

In a piddling attempt at perfection, Alec would cut the blades of grass individually.

adjective

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Good / Strong

Url

persistent - Continuing firmly or stubbornly despite challenges or opposition.

The child was persistent in asking for a puppy until his parents gave in.

adjective

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Bad / Unfriendly

pesky - Causing trouble; annoying

Amanda couldn't concentrate on anything while that pesky fly was flying around and bothering her.

noun

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Bad / Dangerous

plight - A dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation

The plight of the jobless is slightly improved when they receive temporary unemployment benefits.