Verb

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Bad / Weak

verb

sputter - Make a series of soft explosive sounds, typically when being heated or as a symptom of a fault

The SUV's engine sputtered as it struggled to haul the trailer behind it.

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Other / Slow

verb

slink - Move smoothly and quietly with gliding steps, in a stealthy or sensuous manner

The lizard slinked forward, hoping to not scare the fly away before it would be eaten.

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Other / Move

verb

skim - Remove (a substance) from the surface of a liquid

The farmer skimmed the cream from the milk in order to reduce the fat content.

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Good / Big

verb

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Augment - To improve or enhance the value, quality, or amount of something.

The teacher used real-world examples and many charts and pictures to augment the lesson to help the class understand the subject.

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Bad / Mistake

verb

flub - To fail or make a mistake

The outfielder flubbed the catch when the baseball flew past him.

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Other / Entice

verb

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Dissuade - To advise against a specific decision or behavior, and discourage someone from taking a particular action.

She couldn't take the stress of her work, but her friends tried to dissuade her from quitting her job without a backup plan.

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Other / Move

verb

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bandy - To mention something a lot, usually without taking care or thinking too much about what is being said

Since Charlene started posting regularly on Facebook and Twitter, she found that people she didn't know would bandy her name all over the Internet without any relation to what she actually said in her posts.

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Bad / Aggressive

verb

wrangle - Have a long and complicated dispute

Even after a year, the senators wrangled over the health-care legislation.

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Bad / Angry

verb

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Critical - Expressing disapproval or judgment about something.

The father was always critical of his son's behavior, never saying anything positive, and that did not have a good effect on their relationship.

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Good / Happy

verb

cavort - Jump or dance around excitedly

The kangaroos cavorted in the field without a care in the world.

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Other / Move

verb

swerve - Change or cause to change direction abruptly

The van swerved to avoid the car suddenly stopping in front of it.

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Good / Love

verb

nuzzle - Rub or push against gently with the nose and mouth

Lions tend to nuzzle against each other to show affection.