verb

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Bad / Delay

Url

balk - To hesitate or be unwilling to continue with an idea or action.

Max had made all the plans to move from his apartment to the senior citizens home, but at the last minute, he balked and just couldn’t go through with it.

adjective

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Good / Good

Url

benign - Kind, gentle, and harmless in nature or effect, or not harmful to health

Despite his large size, the dog was completely benign and friendly.

verb

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Bad / Angry

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.

verb

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Bad / Unfriendly

bicker - To argue about things that are petty and unimportant.

Kelly and Joe recognized that the first rule of marriage is to save your arguments for the important issues, and not to bicker over unimportant things.

noun

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Bad / Hostile

barb - A remark that is funny but unkind.

Burt realized that Sam was not really his friend when Sam made several barbed comments directed at Burt at the dinner party.

adjective

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Bad / Disorganized

Url

awash - Having an amount of something that is larger than necessary or wanted

Many students graduate college awash in debt, so that a significant portion of their income has to go to slowly paying it off.

verb

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Other / Sound

bellow - For a person or animal to emit a deep loud shout or roar, usually in pain or anger.

When Joan entered the office an hour late the third time this week, her manager Mr. Fass bellowed that if she wanted to keep her job, she should consider coming on time from now on.

noun

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Bad / Dangerous

Url

beast - Something or somebody very difficult or unpleasant to deal with.

He acted like a beast when he lost his temper, and shouted at the top of his lungs and threw dishes.

verb

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Bad / Hostile

berate - To criticize someone in an angry manner

When the private acted in an inappropriate way, his officer berated him to give him the message clearly not to act that way again.

adjective

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Bad / Confused

befuddled - Being confused and unable to think clearly.

After the insurance salesman presented all the possible plans available, Mike was totally befuddled about which policy to choose.

adjective

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Good / Energy

Url

avid - Showing a keen desire or craving for something.

He showed avid interest in learning how to play the guitar, and practiced several hours a day.

noun

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Bad / War

Url

battleground - A location or situation wher people are fighting against each other.

Gettysburg was a famous battleground where 50,000 people were either killed, wounded, or missing.