Verb

verb

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Other / Stop

Url audio

sidestep - To deliberately avoid or divert attention from a certain subject, often to avoid dealing with it.

During the press conference, he sidestepped questions that he didn't want to focus on or deal with.

verb

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Bad / Hostile

audio

spurn - To reject and push away with disdain, scorn, and contempt

The boss spurned his employee when the employee asked to see the confidential memo.

verb

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Other / Body

audio

gargle - To move a liquid around in your throat without swallowing, especially to clean it or stop it feeling painful

Arthur gargled with mouth wash every morning to make his breath fresh

verb

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Good / Flexible

Url audio

optimize - To make the best and most effective use of a situation, opportunity, or resource.

Since it hadn't rained for 6 months, and the reservoir levels were low, the mayor made a plan to optimize the people's use of water.

verb

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Other / Squeeze

audio

crumple - To crush (something, typically paper or cloth) so that it becomes creased and wrinkled

Greg crumpled up so much paper that the wastebasket began overflowing.

verb

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Good / Friendly

Url audio

soothe - To bring peace or relief, emotionally or physically.

He explained his concerns to his friend, who responded with time and words that soothed his mood.

verb

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Bad / Unfriendly

audio

irk - To irritate and annoy someone

"What irks me", Lenny said to himself after trying to call Betty for the 50th time, "is that after our fight Betty never answers my phone calls."

verb

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Other / Body

audio

clutch - To grasp or seize (something) tightly or eagerly

Babies will often clutch their parents' fingers as part of a bonding ritual.

verb

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Bad / Dishonest

Url audio

downplay - To make something seem less important than it really is.

The government downplayed the water crisis, but when the water levels fell too much, they told people to try to use less water.

verb

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Good / Happy

audio

frolic - To play and move about in a cheerful, lively, and light-spirited manner.

On the first warm spring day after the long harsh winter, the lambs were let out in the field and they frolicked playfully in the fresh grass.

verb

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Other / Squeeze

audio

crinkle - To form small creases or wrinkles in the surface of something, especially the skin of the face as the result of a facial expression

As an older man, Robert's skin crinkled around his eyes when he smiled.

verb

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Bad / Hostile

audio

scoff - To speak to someone or about something in a scornfully derisive or mocking way

The mayor scoffed at the ridiculous question from the reporter.