brandish -
To wave or flourish (something, especially a weapon) as a threat or in anger or excitement
Once he saw the burglar, Terry brandished his gun in order to scare him off.
noun
See verb
518 of 1517
Bad /
Unfriendly
audio
quip -
A witty remark
Gabriel's stand-up comedy career took off when audiences saw how talented he was about making mildly insulting but funny quips about people.
verb
519 of 1517
Bad /
Aggressive
Url
audio
usurp -
To take a position of power or importance illegally or by force; to seize or assume something without the right to do so.
Throughout history, many rulers have usurped thrones through deceit and betrayal
noun
520 of 1517
Bad /
Dishonest
audio
extortion -
The practice of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats.
The mafia would go to a store, and say "We will make sure your store doesn't burn down if you give us money every month", in an obvious act of extortion.
noun
521 of 1517
Bad /
Unhappy
audio
pall -
A feeling of gloom
A pall of dread and silence fell over the crowd as the names of those who had not survived the fire were announced.
noun
522 of 1517
Bad /
Bad
audio
woe -
Great sorrow or distress
Young Billy always felt woe at school whenever the bullies would pick on him.
adjective
523 of 1517
Bad /
Dishonest
Url
audio
duplicitous -
Deliberately misleading or two-faced in behavior or speech.
The spy led a duplicitous life, pretending to serve one country while working for another.
noun
See verb
524 of 1517
Bad /
Unhappy
audio
moan -
A long, low sound made by a person expressing physical or mental suffering or pleasure
As Earl lay in his hospital bed, his moans of pain were the only sounds in the room.
verb
See noun
525 of 1517
Bad /
Unhappy
audio
gripe -
To complain about something that is bothering you
Tom griped about his power bill to the utility company because it was three dollars higher than usual.
adjective
526 of 1517
Bad /
Dirty
audio
bawdy -
Lewd, coarse, and obscene, but in a humorous way.
Even Shakespeare’s bawdy scenes, that are often breaks from drama, use a artistry of language that is writing at its best.
verb
See noun
527 of 1517
Bad /
Dishonest
audio
plunder -
Steal goods from (a place or person), typically using force and in a time of war or civil disorder
Seeing his chance, the pirate plundered as many gold coins as he could find on the wrecked ship.
adjective
528 of 1517
Bad /
Small
audio
petty -
Of little importance; trivial
The voters were angry over politicians fighting over petty matters instead of the big issues facing the country.
