Verb

verb

661 of 705

Bad / Small

Url audio

winnow - To remove or eliminate less important or undesirable parts.

The committee had to winnow down the list of candidates to just two finalists.

verb

662 of 705

Good / Flexible

Url audio

conceal - To keep something secret, and prevent it from being known or noticed.

The detective concealed his gun in his briefcase when he walked into the building.

verb

663 of 705

Good / Smart

Url audio

inspire - To fill someone with the desire, confidence, or enthusiasm to do something.

The coach’s speech inspired the team to give their best effort in the championship game.

verb

664 of 705

Bad / Weak

audio

languish - (of a person or other living thing) To lose or lack vitality; grow weak or feeble

The crops languished in the field after the severe drought.

verb

665 of 705

Bad / Mistake

Url audio

overreach - To go beyond what is proper, reasonable, or safe—especially in power or ambition; to stretch too far and fail as a result.

The company overreached by expanding too quickly and ended up in debt.

verb

666 of 705

Bad / Unfriendly

audio

tattle - To report and tell about another's wrongdoing

Jack tried to sneak out of the house, but Howie tattled on him to their parents.

verb

667 of 705

Good / Friendly

Url audio

soothe - To bring peace or relief, emotionally or physically.

He explained his concerns to his friend, who responded with time and words that soothed his mood.

verb

668 of 705

Bad / Hostile

Url audio

renounce - To formally declare one is giving up and abandoning a claim, a right, or possession

To start her diet she made a resolution to herself that she would renounce cake for a month.

verb

669 of 705

Good / Exciting

audio

boogie - The act of dancing to fast pop or rock music.

Early rock music was how many teenagers learned how to boogie on the dance floor.

verb

670 of 705

Bad / Pain

audio

flinch - To make a quick, nervous movement of the face or body as an instinctive reaction to surprise, fear or pain

Debbie was very brave and didn’t flinch when the nurse put the needle in her arm to give her the flu shot.

verb

671 of 705

Other / Wet

audio

wade - To walk through water or another liquid or soft substance

After the devastating monsoon, the villagers were forced to wade through waist-high water.

verb

672 of 705

Bad / Angry

audio

besmirch - To cause harm or damage to the reputation of someone or something

The police apologized after arresting Sally by mistake for shoplifting, but she felt that the rumors it caused left her reputation besmirched.