Bad / Powerless

noun

1 of 36

Bad / Powerless

Url audio

pushover - Someone who lacks the ability or inclination to resist, stand firm, or assert themselves.

He thought she would be a pushover in negotiations, but she surprised him with her firm stance and clear boundaries.

adjective

2 of 36

Bad / Powerless

Url audio

desperate - Feeling or showing a hopeless sense that a situation is so bad it’s impossible to deal with.

He made a desperate plea for help, calling every possible number he could find, after the flood severly damaged his home.

verb

3 of 36

Bad / Powerless

audio

scrounge - Seek to obtain (something, typically food or money) at the expense or through the generosity of others or by stealth

As a homeless person, Colin had to scrounge enough money from strangers in order to afford a decent meal.

verb

4 of 36

Bad / Powerless

audio

plead - To make an emotional appeal

The starving orphan pleaded with the cook to give him more porridge.

adjective

5 of 36

Bad / Powerless

audio

hapless - (especially of a person) unfortunate

Since he was not particularly attractive or interesting, Vinny was a hapless loner at the school dance.

verb

6 of 36

Bad / Powerless

Url audio

kowtow - To act in an excessively submissive or obedient manner, often to gain favor; to bow or kneel as a sign of deep respect or submission.

In ancient China, people would kowtow before the emperor as a sign of respect.

adjective

7 of 36

Bad / Powerless

audio

downtrodden - Oppressed or treated badly by people in power

The downtrodden homeless man tried to survive on the harsh streets of the city.

adjective

8 of 36

Bad / Powerless

audio

feeble - Lacking physical strength, especially as a result of age or illness

Warren wanted to lift weights to be healthy, but he was too feeble at his age.

verb

9 of 36

Bad / Powerless

Url audio

beg - To plead or request strongly due to need or emotion.

When he lost his job, he was so hungry that he had to beg strangers for something to eat.

adjective

10 of 36

Bad / Powerless

Url audio

fawning - Acting overly eager to please someone, especially someone in power.

The assistant was always fawning over the boss, immediately doing his every wish, hoping to get a promotion.

adjective

11 of 36

Bad / Powerless

audio

weary - Feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion or lack of sleep

Tessa was weary after working 80 hours in one week.

noun

12 of 36

Bad / Powerless

Url audio

victim - A person who is negatively affected by a situation or condition

She was a victim of a phone scam that cost her thousands of dollars.