Sunday, August 28, 2016

clout

clout    [klout]

noun. influence or power, especially in politics or business

"The UK has been a strong political ally, an important economic partner and a significant counterweight to Germany's clout within the union."

"China has growing economic clout."

"Oprah is known to have significant clout in the media industry."

Friday, August 26, 2016

usurp

usurp    [yoo-Surp]

verb.  seize and take control without authority and possibly with force

"Yankees veteran Brian McCann's catching duties have been usurped by the red-hot rookie Gary Sanchez."

"Leaders who usurp power don't ask for permission to take control of their country."

"Will you leave my mother's home and mine, and cease to usurp my rights?"

Monday, August 22, 2016

crib

crib  

verb.  copy,  plagiarize; lift

"Melania Trump's cribbing of Michelle Obama's lines was not the first time she claimed something that was not hers."

"He often cribbed from other researchers."

"She was doing an exam and didn't want anybody to crib the answers from him."

Sunday, August 21, 2016

bungee jump

bungee jump

phase.  bungee jumping is an activity that involves jumping from a tall structure while connected to a large elastic cord.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

pummel

pummel    [Puhm-uh l]

verb.  repeatedly beat or strike, especially with fists

"About 6.9 trillion gallons of rain pummeled Louisiana between August 8 and 14."

“The pedestrians pummeled the demonstrators.”

"The moon is a pretty harsh environment. There’s no atmosphere there and it gets pummeled by some pretty harsh radiation.”

Monday, August 15, 2016

gratuitous

gratuitous    [gruh-too-i-tuh s]

adjective. without good reason, unnecessary but also inappropriate;  free of charge

"Trump gratuitously attacked the ethnic background of the judge who dared to rule against him."

"Some films and video games contain gratuitous violence — that is, violence that is excessive and offensive."

"They were not going to stop in the hall to be grossly and gratuitously insulted!"

Sunday, August 14, 2016

accost

accost    [uh-Kawst]

verb. approach and address (someone) boldly or aggressively

"Trump supporter accosts reporters at rally."

"Reporters accosted him in the street"

"The player accosted an assistant referee and was subsequently suspended for the first six matches the following year."