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Nosedive - A sudden, steep drop, a sharp decline in condition, success, or stability.

After the scandal, the company’s stock took a nosedive.

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noxious - Poisonous or very harmful.

The subculture that Eddie was a member of was a noxious blend of drugs, music, and anarchy.

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reckless - Acting without thinking about the consequences, often in a dangerous or irresponsible manner.

The reckless behavior of the lead hikers, going much too close to the edge of the cliffs, put everyone in danger during the climb.

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tailspin - A rapid loss of control, a state of confusion, panic, or chaos, a sudden and dramatic decline or failure.

Because of engine trouble, the plane suddenly went into a tailspin, and the pilot struggled to regain control.

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tinderbox - A volatile or tense environment, emotionally or politically charged, likely to erupt in violence or conflict.

During the blackout, the police were concerned about looting, and the downtown felt like a tinderbox ready to explode.

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Plague - A persistent trouble or source of distress, often something that causes great suffering or difficulty.

The plague of locusts devastated the crops, leaving the farmers in desperate need of assistance.

nounverb verb

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pernicious - Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.

People used to think that smoking was good for you because it seemed calming, but now we realize that its pernicious effects are deadly over time.

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Disastrous - Leading to a complete failure or disaster, causing great damage or suffering

The hurricane had a disastrous effect on the small town.

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volatile - An unstable situation that is likely to get worse quickly

Victor realized that he had created a volatile chemical that could easily explode if he wasn't very careful

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Flammable - Easily set on fire; capable of catching fire quickly.

Keep flammable materials away from open flames or heat sources.

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Abyss - A deep or seemingly bottomless hole or chasm.

He stood at the cliff's edge, staring into the black abyss, and he felt a mixture of awe, fear, and amazement.

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taint - Contaminate or pollute (something)

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