Verb

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Good / Strong

verb

bolster - Support or strengthen; prop up

Drinking Gatorade while exercising is a good way to bolster performance.

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Bad / Disorganized

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strewn - Scattered or spread untidily over a surface or area.

The part of the park next to the woods was strewn with all kinds of junk.

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Bad / Unfriendly

verb

begrudge - To envy someone else's good fortune

Anne didn't begrudge her younger sister's happiness when attending Sarah's graduation from Medical School.

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Other / Slow

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stray - Move away aimlessly from a group or from the right course or place

Vincent's cat had strayed far from home and ended up in the middle of the road.

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Bad / Aggressive

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confiscate - To take something away from someon, or seize property, as a penalty or punishment.

The authorities confiscated the illegal goods at the border

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Good / Calm

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simmer - To heat a liquid, usually a stew or soup, just below the boiling point, allowing it to cook slowly; or to stay in a slow, controlled state of progress or tension, often before a larger event or change occurs.

He was simmering with anger, but he kept it inside and didn't say out loud what he was thinking and feeling.

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Other / Wet

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spew - Expel large quantities of (something) rapidly and forcibly

Tourists and hikers love to go to Yellowstone National Park to see the Old Faithful geyser spew forth water about every hour.

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Bad / Uncomfortable

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chafe - To be annoyed or lose patience because of rules or limits

Though Ted loved his father (and boss), he chafed under his father's strict supervision, and he was looking forward to the day when his father would retire so he could run the company himself.

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Bad / Attack

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maul - (of an animal) wound (a person or animal) by scratching and tearing

Animals in the jungle can be mauled by lions if they're too slow.

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Good / Friendly

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Placate - To pacify or appease someone who is upset or agitated.

He tried to placate his upset friend by apologizing and buying a book that he gave as a present.

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Bad / Aggressive

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stifle - Restrain (a reaction) or stop oneself acting on (an emotion)

Amy stifled a cough so she wouldn't bother her coworkers or make them sick.

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Good / Pleasure

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gratify - To provide pleasure or satisfaction

Though Betty was on a diet, sometimes she gave in and ate a small piece of chocolate to gratify her desire for sweets.