Verb

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Bad / Mistake

verb

bungle - Carry out a task clumsily or incompetently, leading to failure or an unsatisfactory outcome

The painter bungled his job when he misspelled the word on the road sign.

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Other / Inward

verb

Picture

Twiddle - To turn or twist something with the fingers, usually in a casual or nervous way.

He twiddled the pen between his fingers while waiting for the meeting to start.

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Bad / Attack

verb

sabotage - Deliberately destroy, damage, or obstruct (something), especially for political or military advantage.

People who aren't willing to better themselves often resort to sabotaging themselves instead of working through the problem.

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Other / Sound

verb

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.

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Other / Body

verb

grasp - Seize and hold firmly

The baby grasped his father's hand in a gesture of affection.

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Bad / Afraid

verb

quaver - (of a person's voice) shake or tremble in speaking, typically through nervousness or emotion

Todd's voice quavered as he suddenly realized he was speaking to a thousand people in the audience.

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Good / Smart

verb

delve - Research or make painstaking inquiries into something

In his research for his book about George Washington, the author delved into the details of his life and presidency.

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Bad / Pain

verb

writhe - Make continual twisting, squirming movements or contortions of the body

The soccer player writhed in pain on the ground after spraining his ankle.

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Other / Entice

verb

implore - To beg someone earnestly or desperately for something.

Alan implored the judge to have mercy on his situation, and not give him more than a short sentence.

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Bad / Dirty

verb

tarnish - To cause a metal to lose its shine, especially as a result of exposure to air or moisture

The spoons were in varying conditions, some of them tarnished until they turned black.

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Bad / Attack

verb

cruel - Causing physical or mental pain

It's against the law in every U.S. state to be cruel to animals.

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Other / Sound

verb

mutter - Say something in a low or barely audible voice, especially in dissatisfaction or irritation

After being yelled at by his boss, Ken muttered under his breath about how he hated his job.