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verb

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squander - To waste something, such as money or time, in a reckless and foolish manner

Many lottery winners end up squandering their fortune and returning to their life of poverty.

verb

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flunk - To fail to reach the required standard in an examination, test, or course of study

Ron hid his school test from his mother because he didn't want her to know he had flunked it.

noun

See verb

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unforgivable - So bad as to be unable to be forgiven or excused

He was fired because the company felt that stealing money was an unforgivable act.

noun

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misconception - A wrong and often widespread assumption based on faulty thinking or lack of information.

There’s a common misconception that bats are blind.

noun

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repercussions - The effects or results of an action, event, or decision, especially those that are unintended or negative.

His decision to suddently quit the company without notice had serious repercussions, hurting his reputation and making it hard to find another job.

adjective

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spurious - False and incorrect

The teacher showed Max that his scientific conclusions were wrong because they were based on spurious facts and logic.

noun

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snafu - A confused or chaotic state; a mess

A lack of funding led to the snafu of an incomplete bridge being built across the river.

verb

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blurt - To say (something) suddenly and without careful consideration

Xavier felt embarrassed when he blurted out the answer before hearing the whole question.

noun

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gaffe - An unintentional act or remark causing embarrassment to its originator; a blunder

When the politician made a huge gaffe at the debate, he realized he was going to lose the election.

adjective

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culpable - Deserving to be blamed or considered responsible and guilty for something bad that happened.

The mother felt that her oldest son was more culpable for the messy bedroom than his younger brother, because he should have known better.

verb

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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

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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.