Verb

verb

157 of 726

Other / Shape

Url audio

slant - To slope or lean in a particular direction.

The workers on the slanty room had to be very careful, and they were well aware that a slip would mean danger.

verb

158 of 726

Bad / Angry

audio

glower - To have an angry or sullen look on one's face; scowl

Ron glowered at Ben when Ben criticized the mayor of Ron's home town.

verb

159 of 726

Other / Body

audio

grasp - To seize and hold firmly

The baby grasped his father's hand in a gesture of affection.

verb

160 of 726

Other / Shape

Url audio

skew - To cause something to be not straight or exact; to twist or distort.

The fact that so many of guys on the track team were sick negatively skewed their performance results.

verb

161 of 726

Bad / Dislike

Url audio

abhor - To hate something

Gail and Samantha were sisters who loved to do things together, except that Gail loved the opera, and Samantha abhorred going to the opera.

verb

162 of 726

Other / Squeeze

audio

scrunch - To make something small to fit into a small space

Barry was alone in the house when he heard the robber enter, and Barry quickly scrunched under the desk in the office and remained as quiet as he could so that the robber wouldn't notice him.

verb

163 of 726

Other / Stop

Url audio

kibosh - When an idea or plan is spoiled or stopped, often due to unforseen circumstances.

Keith was going to go to the museum, but his sudden illness put the kibosh on his plans.

verb

164 of 726

Other / Up+Down

Url audio

escalate - To increase in intensity, seriousness, or severity.

The argument quickly escalated into a bitter fued that took a long time to recover from.

verb

165 of 726

Other / Up+Down

Url audio

bounce - To spring back after hitting a surface.

The basketball bounced three times before going into the hoop.

verb

166 of 726

Bad / Mistake

Url audio

backfire - To have the opposite effect of what was intended, usually producing a negative result.

At the company meeting, his attempt to lie backfired, and when the truth came out, he was very embarrassed.

verb

167 of 726

Bad / Uncomfortable

audio

chafe - To be annoyed or lose patience because of rules or limits

Though Ted loved his father (and boss), he chafed under his father's strict supervision, and he was looking forward to the day when his father would retire so he could run the company himself.

verb

168 of 726

Good / Brave

Url audio

embolden - To give someone the courage or confidence to do something.

Her teacher's praise emboldened her to speak up in class.