belligerent
3 uses
She spoke to her teacher in a belligerent tone and was sent to the office.
belligerent = hostile or combative
Definition
Generally belligerent means:hostile (the attitude of one eager to fight); or one already engaged in a fight or war
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
complacent
1 use
He had become complacent after years of success.
complacent = contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
contrite
1 use
She apologized, but didn't seem genuinely contrite.
contrite = feeling sorrow or regret for a fault or offense
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
decorum
1 use
All decorum was lost in the classroom.
decorum = manners and conduct considered to be proper and in good taste
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
denounce
1 use
She denounced him as a liar.
denounced = strongly criticized or accused publicly
Definition
Generally denounce means:to strongly criticize or accuse publicly
or more rarely: to inform against someone (turn someone into the authorities)
or more rarely: to inform against someone (turn someone into the authorities)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
dissent
1 use
The Alien and Sedition Acts were attempts to silence early political dissent in America.
dissent = disagreement
Definition
Generally dissent means:to disagree; or disagreement or conflict — typically between people who cooperate, and often with official or majority beliefs
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
doleful
1 use
It was another year of a doleful Detroit economy.
doleful = very sad; or causing sadness or misfortune
Definition
Generally doleful means:expressing or causing sadness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 1 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
exhort
4 uses
I have exhorted and encouraged her, but it has to be her decision.
exhorted = urged strongly
Definition
Generally exhort means:to urge strongly
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
implement
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
a small implement
They found a skeleton along with a number of implements belonging to the Stone Age era.
implements = small tools or other useful objects
Definition
Generally this sense of implement means:a small tool or other useful object
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
morose
1 use
She drank alone in the corner, looking morose.
morose = unhappy — often with a withdrawn personality
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
obscure
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
it obscured my view
The stars are obscured by the clouds.
obscured = hidden or made less visible
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:to block from view or make less visible or understandable
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
ostracize
2 uses
She is ostracized for her unpopular opinions.
ostracized = excluded from a community or group
Definition
Generally ostracize means:exclude someone from a community or group
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
passage
1 use
Each passage below is followed by a number of questions.
passage = a short part of a longer written work
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
prodigal
1 use
The rainforest is filled with a prodigal variety of vegetation.
prodigal = abundant (many, many kinds)
Definition
Generally prodigal means:recklessly wasteful
or more rarely:
abundant (extravagant in amount)
or more rarely still:
long absent (someone who has been away a long time)
or more rarely:
abundant (extravagant in amount)
or more rarely still:
long absent (someone who has been away a long time)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 1 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
querulous
1 use
He said it in a slightly querulous tone.
querulous = habitually complaining — especially in a high-pitched whiny voice
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 1 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
repress
3 uses
She could barely repress a smile as she scolded her son for fidgeting.
repress = to hold something back
Definition
Generally repress means:to hold something back
or:
to subjugate (oppress or hold others down)
or:
to subjugate (oppress or hold others down)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
servile
1 use
She acknowledged her submission in a servile tone.
servile = excessively submissive
Definition
Generally servile means:submissive — typically excessively so (so submissive or eager to serve and please that one seems to have no self-respect)
or:
relating to the work that requires obeying demeaning commands
or:
slave-like or relating to slaves
or:
relating to the work that requires obeying demeaning commands
or:
slave-like or relating to slaves
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 1 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
venerate
1 use
Most contemporary Hindus do not actually worship the cow; though many venerate her.
venerate = regard with feelings of respect and reverence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 1 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
vivacious
1 use
She's a charming and vivacious hostess.
vivacious = has an engaging liveliness
Definition
Generally vivacious means:an engaging liveliness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 1 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
zenith
2 uses
He met her when her career was at its zenith.
zenith = highest point
Definition
Generally zenith means:the highest point - physically or as a metaphor
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |