verb

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Bad / Powerless

pander - To provide what someone wants or demands even though it is not proper, good, or reasonable.

With his lead in the polls dwindling, the candidate pandered to his voters by offering them crazy promises.

noun

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Bad / Disorganized

shambles - A state of total disorder

After the mild earthquake, Steve's room was in shambles, making it very difficult for him to find the things he needed right away.

noun

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Good / Friendly

crony - A close friend of someone; especially : a friend of someone powerful (such as a politician) who is unfairly given special treatment or favors

The mayor owed a favor to his powerful crony, so he paid his company for the city's needed construction work.

verb

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Good / New

refurbish - To renovate and redecorate something; to restore something to its original or better condition and appearance.

After finding the used piece of furniture, Joel refurbished it so that it looked brand new.

noun

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Bad / Disgusting

smut - Obscene language or matter

Patty couldn't enjoy the comedy set because of the obscene smut in the comedian's material.

noun

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Other / Shape

gulch - A narrow and steep-sided ravine marking the course of what used to be a stream

Tourists would often walk through the dry gulch in the national park.

verb

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Other / Up+Down

plummet - To fall or drop straight down at high speed

The CEO had to be replaced after sales had plummeted in the previous quarter.

noun

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Bad / Dishonest

shenanigans - Secret or dishonest activity or maneuvering

Because of Wall Street's shenanigans, the American economy collapsed in 2008.

verb

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Other / Sound

yap - To give off a sharp, shrill bark; or to talk and chatter in a repetitive way.

Jack Russell terriers make up for their small size by yapping loudly when danger approaches.

noun

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Bad / Mistake

blooper - An embarrassing error

Movies will frequently have blooper reels where the actors laugh and ruin a scene.

verb

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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.

verb

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Bad / Delay

dawdle - To delay by taking more time than necessary

"Johnny!" his mother shouted, "we have to catch the train in 30 minutes, so would you please finish getting dressed and stop dawdling."