verb

1 of 60

Other / Move

lurch - To make an abrupt, unsteady, uncontrolled movement or series of movements; stagger

The town drunk lurched home, never managing to walk a straight line.

adjective

2 of 60

Bad / Small

meager - (of something provided or available) lacking in quantity or quality

Most Americans have meager retirement savings and will need to work well into their older years.

verb

3 of 60

Bad / Hurt

lunge - To move suddenly and with a lot of force in order to catch, hit, or avoid something or someone

Sir Lancelot lunged his sword into belly of the fiery dragon.

adjective

4 of 60

Bad / Strange

mawkish - Sentimental in a feeble or sickly way

James confessed his crush on Elisa in such a mawkish way that it turned her off and made her uncomfortable.

noun

5 of 60

Good / Brave

maverick - An unorthodox or independent-minded person

Frank Sinatra was such a maverick in his field that his best-known song is, appropriately, "My Way."

verb

6 of 60

Bad / Attack

mangle - To severely mutilate, disfigure, or damage by cutting, tearing, or crushing

The speeding car was mangled beyond belief when it hit the tree at 80 miles an hour.

adjective

7 of 60

Good / Beautiful

lush - Soft, thick, pleasingly rich quality, often from vegetation

The trees now were bare and the fallen leaves made a lush, soft carpet for the cold ground.

noun

8 of 60

Bad / War

mayhem - Violent and chaotic disorder

After the National Guard shot the protesting students and fired tear gas in Kent State, it was mayhem as the students ran in all directions.

verb

9 of 60

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.

adjective

10 of 60

Bad / Dirty

mangy - In poor condition; shabby

The homeless mangy dog looked like it hadn't had a decent meal in a long time.

verb

See noun

11 of 60

Good / Calm

lull - Calm or send to sleep, typically with soothing sounds or movements

Tanya lulled her crying baby to sleep by whispering softly in his ear.

verb

12 of 60

Bad / Dangerous

lurk - (of a person or animal) To be hidden so as to wait in ambush for someone or something

Artie lurked under his sister's bed so he could jump out and scare her when she least expected it.

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