noun

1 of 60

Bad / Mistake

boondoggle - Work or activity that is wasteful or pointless but gives the appearance of having value

When the funds dried up before the bridge could be finished, it turned into an expensive boondoggle that couldn't transport anybody.

verb

2 of 60

Other / Up+Down

plop - To drop gently and without making a loud noise.

After drinking all evening, John plopped an Alka-Seltzer into a glass of water, hoping that drinking it would relieve his headache.

verb

See noun

3 of 60

Bad / Unhappy

frown - To lower the edges of one's mouth as an expression of displeasure or unhappiness

Roberta frowned when she found out she wasn't getting a raise.

noun

4 of 60

Good / Big

bevy - A large group of people of a particular kind, usually women

Charlotte liked going to Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockettes, a bevy of beautiful women dancing with precision.

verb

5 of 60

Bad / Aggressive

frisk - The way a police officer or other official passes their hands over someone in search of hidden weapons, drugs, etc.

For many people, the most uncomfortable part of air travel is when the TSA agents frisk their bodies for dangerous materials.

verb

6 of 60

Good / Friendly

Url

assuage - To make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense

When Sam saw that Frank looked sad because his dog Spot had died, Sam tried to assuage his feelings by saying that Spot had had a very good life while he was alive.

noun

7 of 60

Bad / Dishonest

collusion - Secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, especially in order to cheat or deceive others

The secretive group gathered in an act of collusion to influence the presidential election.

verb

8 of 60

Good / Busy

hustle - To force (someone) to move hurriedly or unceremoniously in a specified direction

When Ronald Reagan was shot at, Secret Service agents had to hustle him to safety.

noun

9 of 60

Bad / Small

Url

tinge - A trace of some color

The yellow tinge of the setting sun contrasted with the purple sky.

adjective

10 of 60

Bad / Strange

quirky - Characterized by peculiar or unusual traits

With his quirky outfits and personality, Prince was one of the most unconventional musicians of all time.

adjective

11 of 60

Bad / Strange

preppy - Of or typical of a student or graduate of an expensive prep school, especially with reference to their style of dress

The rich young men were dressed in preppy attire in order to play in their croquet match.

noun

12 of 60

Bad / Stupid

flunky - A person who performs relatively menial tasks for someone else, especially obsequiously

The billionaire's flunky got on his knees and begged him to give him another day of vacation..

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