aesthetic
2 uses
It was not aesthetically pleasing.
aesthetically = in a manner that is beautiful or tasteful
Definition
Generally aesthetic means:related to beauty or good taste — often referring to one's appreciation of beauty or one's sense of what is beautiful
or:
beautiful or tasteful
or:
beautiful or tasteful
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT | top 2000 |
1st use | Chapter 8 |
agitate
17 uses
Our goal is to agitate public unrest, so there will be a cry for change.
agitate = stir up (create or increase emotional unrest)
Definition
Generally agitate means:to stir up — emotionally (such as anxiety) or physically (such as shaking)
Word Statistics
Book | 17 uses |
Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT | top 500 |
1st use | Chapter 35 |
apparent
26 uses
The effects of the drought are apparent to anyone who sees the dry fields.
apparent = clear or obvious
Definition
Generally apparent means:clear or obvious; or appearing as such but not necessarily so
Word Statistics
Book | 26 uses |
Library | 50 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT | top 500 |
1st use | Chapter 5 |
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 22 |
cease
18 uses
They signed a cease-fire agreement.
cease = to stop or discontinue (in this case, to stop firing weapons at each other)
Definition
Generally cease means:to stop or discontinue
Word Statistics
Book | 18 uses |
Library | 24 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 2 |
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 |
didactic
1 use
Though John loved her lessons, George hated her didactic tone.
didactic = describing someone as inclined too inclined to instruct
Definition
Generally didactic means:describing something intended to instruct; or someone excessively inclined to instruct
Word Statistics
Book | 1 uses |
Library | 1 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 20 |
digress
1 use
She always digresses when telling a story.
digresses = wanders from a direct or straight course — especially verbally
Definition
Generally digress means:wander from a direct or straight course — especially verbally
Word Statistics
Book | 1 uses |
Library | 1 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 16 |
earnest
26 uses
Both sides were deeply in earnest, even passionate.
earnest = sincere or serious
Definition
Generally earnest means:characterized by sincere belief
or:
intensely or excessively serious
or:
intensely or excessively serious
Word Statistics
Book | 26 uses |
Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 24 |
erudite
1 use
She is an erudite professor.
erudite = having or showing deep scholarly knowledge
Word Statistics
Book | 1 uses |
Library | 1 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 8 |
fastidious
3 uses
He is fastidious in his grooming.
fastidious = giving careful attention to detail
or:
excessively concerned with cleanliness or matters of taste
or:
excessively concerned with cleanliness or matters of taste
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 36 |
hackneyed
1 use
She writes in a hackneyed manner with nothing original.
hackneyed = writing that is unimaginative and filled with overused expressions, ideas, and formulas
Definition
Generally hackneyed means:lacking impact due to too much previous exposure — especially writing that is unimaginative and filled with overused expressions, ideas, and formulas
Word Statistics
Book | 1 uses |
Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 6 |
indolent
6 uses
She never recovered from the indolence of her youth.
indolence = laziness
Definition
Generally this sense of indolent means:lazy; disinclined to work
Word Statistics
Book | 6 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 4 |
lucid
3 uses
Although she was on heavy pain medication, she was still lucid.
lucid = capable of thinking clearly
Definition
Generally lucid means:of a person: capable of thinking clearly
or:
of language: clearly expressed so it is easily understood
or:
of language: clearly expressed so it is easily understood
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 25 |
resignation
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
submitted her resignation
I know you're unhappy there, but don't submit your resignation until you find a better job.
resignation = a document expressing that someone is quitting a job
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:to quit — especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
Word Statistics
Book | 1 uses |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 24 |
reticent
4 uses
She was reticent initially, but eventually she opened up.
reticent = reluctant — usually to speak freely
Definition
Generally reticent means:reluctant — especially to speak freely
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 7 |
revere
18 uses
Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
revere = regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
Book | 18 uses |
Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 3 |
scrupulous
5 uses
You can count on her. She is scrupulous in her work.
scrupulous = careful to behave ethically and/or diligently
Definition
Generally scrupulous means:careful to behave ethically and/or diligently (with great care and attention to detail)
Word Statistics
Book | 5 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 27 |
virulent
5 uses
A virulent form of the infectious disease spread through the country.
virulent = very bad
Definition
Generally virulent means:of disease: very bad — perhaps very contagious
or
harsh or hateful
or
harsh or hateful
Word Statistics
Book | 5 uses |
Library | 1 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 12 |
zeal
6 uses
She attacks each challenge with zeal.
zeal = active interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
Book | 6 uses |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 3 |