extortion -
The practice of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats.
The mafia would go to a store, and say "We will make sure your store doesn't burn down if you give us money every month", in an obvious act of extortion.
noun
170 of 3202
Bad /
Dangerous
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doomsday -
The end of the world, or a time when something very bad will happen, such as great destruction.
Those who are most concerned about global warming describe a doomsday future where coastal ciites will be under water.
noun
See verb
171 of 3202
Bad /
Small
audio
glimpse -
A momentary or partial view
With his binoculars, Hiram caught just a glimpse of a wallet falling out of a woman's handbag across the street, and he wondered if he had time to race downstairs to return it. .
adjective
172 of 3202
Other /
Stop
audio
stuck -
Unable to move.
Marvin felt stuck in his low paying job, but he had a bit of hope that someday things would open up and change for the better.
verb
173 of 3202
Bad /
Confused
audio
boggle -
For a person to be astonished or overwhelmed when trying to imagine something
Looking up at the stars and imagining the size of the universe can boggle a person's mind.
adjective
174 of 3202
Good /
Beautiful
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resplendent -
Shining brilliantly, having a very bright and beautiful appearance
At the kings coronation, the king's clothes and crown were resplendent.
noun
175 of 3202
Good /
New
audio
novice -
Someone who is beginning to learn a skill or subject
Because Mary was a novice programmer, she often asked her co-workers for help and advice.
verb
176 of 3202
Other /
Move
audio
ruffle -
to move or lift something so that it is no longer smooth; to disorder something, typically by running one's hands through it
The other players ruffled their new teammate's hair as part of his initiation.
noun
177 of 3202
Bad /
Dangerous
audio
brinkmanship -
The art or practice of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limits of safety before stopping, typically in politics
At the height of the Cold War, both sides engaged in a risky brinkmanship that nearly cost millions of lives.
noun
178 of 3202
Good /
Beautiful
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grandeur -
Being very beautiful and impressive, especially in appearance or style
The Buckingham Palace changing of the guards is an echo of the grandeur that British royalty used to enjoy.
adjective
179 of 3202
Bad /
Disorganized
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garbled -
Confusing, distorted, unclear, and difficult to understand.
The phone connection was not good, and all she heard was garbled speech coming from her son who was travelling in Europe.
adjective
180 of 3202
Good /
Strong
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impervious -
Not allowing something to pass through; impenetrable; not affected or influenced by something.
In spite of the pressure of round-the-clock studying, he seemed impervious to the constant stress, and did remarkably well.
