Verb

audio

253 of 584
Other / Surprise

verb

startle - Cause (a person or animal) to feel sudden shock or alarm

The speeding car startled Victor, and he had just enough time to jump out of the way.

audio

254 of 584
Other / Move

verb

scurry - (of a person or small animal) move hurriedly with short quick steps

Squirrels always scurry up and down trees in order to find food or escape from predators.

audio

255 of 584
Good / Smart

verb

Picture

Discern - To understand or identify something, especially after careful thought

I was able to discern a house in the distance by the light of the moon after our long walk when our car broke down.

audio

256 of 584
Other / Inward

verb

validate - To prove that something is true

Henry David Thoreau felt self-confident about his ideas, and he didn't need anyone else to praise him, because he validated his own ideas.

audio

257 of 584
Bad / Dishonest

verb

connive - Secretly allow (something considered immoral, illegal, wrong, or harmful) to occur

Stewie would connive ways in which to gain power, though he usually failed.

audio

258 of 584
Bad / Delay

verb

dillydally - Waste time through aimless wandering or indecision

Beth and Kat dillydallied outside the store instead of going inside and buying something.

audio

259 of 584
Bad / Aggressive

verb

coerce - To force an unwilling person to do something by using force or threats.

Betty was coerced into going medical school by her parents, and she eventually dropped out.

audio

260 of 584
Bad / Unfriendly

verb

scold - Remonstrate with or rebuke (someone) angrily

When her dog tracked mud onto the carpet, Yvonne scolded him angrily.

audio

261 of 584
Other / Surprise

verb

Picture

astonish - Surprise or impress (someone) greatly

The audience was astonished by the amazing fireworks display at the end of the concert.

audio

262 of 584
Bad / Dangerous

verb

taint - Contaminate or pollute (something)

In many third-world countries, tainted water is the only available drinking source despite its unhealthy effects.

audio

263 of 584
Other / Body

verb

guzzle - Eat or drink (something) greedily

Diana guzzled the bottle of wine because she was having a bad day.

audio

264 of 584
Bad / Unfriendly

verb

Picture

Malign - To speak harmful untruths about someone – to slander or defame, showing illwill.

She warned her friend not to malign others just to gain popularity.