verb

1 of 60

Bad / Unfriendly

tattle - To report and tell about another's wrongdoing

Jack tried to sneak out of the house, but Howie tattled on him to their parents.

verb

2 of 60

Bad / Dangerous

taint - To contaminate or pollute something.

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

verb

3 of 60

Other / Up+Down

swoop - (especially of a bird) To move rapidly downward through the air

Once it spotted its prey on the ground, the eagle swooped in with its talons ready.

noun

4 of 60

Good / New

thingamajig - Used to refer to something whose name one has forgotten, does not know, or does not wish to mention

Cherie didn't know anything about cars, so she would frequently ask the mechanic, "What does that thingamajig do?"

verb

5 of 60

Bad / Weak

teeter - To balance unsteadily, rocking back and forth, almost ready to fall

While on a hike, George saw that the boulder was teetering at the edge of the cliff, and that even slight push could make it crash into the valley below.

noun

6 of 60

Bad / Weak

tatters - Irregularly torn pieces of cloth, paper, or other material

Even though they were poor and their clothes were in tatters, Dorothy's family still possessed a strong pride that kept them hopeful.

verb

7 of 60

Bad / Disorganized

tangle - To twist together into a confused mass

The cords to Miguel's devices were so tangled that they couldn't be separated.

verb

See noun

8 of 60

Other / Up+Down

swoon - Faint from extreme emotion

The young woman swooned from hearing the bad news, so the man had to catch her before she fell.

noun

9 of 60

Bad / Pain

throes - Intense or violent pain and struggle, especially accompanying birth, death, or great change

Samantha experienced agonizing pain during the throes of childbirth.

verb

10 of 60

Bad / Hurt

thrash - To beat a person or animal repeatedly and violently

After Steve insulted his wife, Owen thrashed him until he apologized.

verb

See noun

11 of 60

Good / Busy

throng - (of a crowd) fill or be present in (a place or area)

The massive crowd thronged into the stadium to cheer on their country's Olympic athletes.

verb

12 of 60

Good / Strong

Url

tenacious - Not easily letting go or giving up.

Chuchill was tenacious in his resolve to defeat the Germans.

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