verb

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Other / Light

shimmer - To shine in such a way that the light seems to glow and shake slightly

The soft light of the sun shimmered upon the empty field.

noun

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Other / Shape

stubble - Short stalks of growth

After the forest fire, the beautiful woods had been reduced to a random stubble of burnt stumps.

noun

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Bad / Disorganized

gobbledygook - Language that is meaningless or is made unintelligible by excessive use of abstruse technical terms; nonsense

For tourists who don't speak the native language, it can seem like a bunch of gobbledygook.

verb

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Other / Move

squirm - To wriggle or twist the body from side to side, especially as a result of nervousness or discomfort

The gymnast's parents squirmed in their seats as their daughter performed in her event.

noun

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Other / Body

gulp - An act of gulping food or drink

Sweating from the heat, Roger took a big gulp of water to cool down.

verb

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Bad / Uncomfortable

schlep - To haul or carry something heavy, often in an way that is awkward and takes a lot of energy.

For his new job as a mover, Joey had to schlep heavy boxes into and out of homes all day long.

noun

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Bad / Hostile

barb - A remark that is funny but unkind.

Burt realized that Sam was not really his friend when Sam made several barbed comments directed at Burt at the dinner party.

verb

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Other / Sound

blare - To make or cause to make a loud, harsh sound

The car horn blared along with all of the other car horns as the traffic jam caused drivers to be upset.

verb

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Other / Sound

rustle - To make a soft, muffled crackling sound like that caused by the movement of dry leaves or paper

The autumn leaves rustled when the dog jumped on the pile.

verb

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Bad / Hurt

maul - (of an animal) To wound (a person or animal) by scratching and tearing

Animals in the jungle can be mauled by lions if they're too slow.

verb

See noun

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Bad / Disgusting

belch - To emit gas noisily from the stomach through the mouth.

Matthew found that whenever he consumed lots of pizza and soda, it was only a matter of time before he would start to belch.

noun

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Good / Calm

nook - Small area or space, like an alcove, that is conducive to meditating, reading, relaxing or quietly reflecting.

The alcove at the large window made a perfect nook, where Gemma could quietly take time away from the family, to read her book or write in her journal without interruption.