Much Ado About Nothing — Vocabulary
William Shakespeare
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	15
slandertelling lies that damage the reputation of another In the United States, it is extremely difficult for someone famous to win a slander lawsuit--almost no matter what is said.more Show sample from book she is wronged, she is slandered, she is undone.14 more slander → slandered:things falsely said that damaged the reputation of another Show general definition lie to damage the reputation of another; or the lies told Show editor's word notes The legal distinction between libel and slander is that libel is an oral offense while slander is written or published.
	8	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book if she should make tender of her love, 'tis very possible he'll scorn it;7 more reject or disrespect Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	7	top 200
disdainlack of respect She tries to be polite, but she cannot hide her disdain for authority.more Show sample from book Courtesy itself must convert to disdain if you come in her presence.6 more a lack of respect Show general definition to disrespect or reject as unworthy
	7	top 1000
melancholyvery sad She's been in a melancholy mood since her dog died.more Show sample from book He is of a very melancholy disposition.6 more sad Show general definition a sad feeling or manner -- sometimes thoughtfully sad
	6	top 500
reveredeeply respect and admire Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.more Show sample from book knavery cannot, sure, hide itself in such reverence.5 more revere → reverence:respectful attitude Show general definition regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration -- sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
	5	top 500
devisecome up with (invent or create) She plans to devise something to launch water balloons.more Show sample from book And, truly, I'll devise some honest slanders To stain my cousin with.†4 more Show general definition for devise (as in: devise a plan) to come up with a way of doing something -- typically a creative idea or plan
	4	top 200
moreoverin addition to what has just been said The company has too much debt. Moreover, it is responsible for a long-term lease on expensive office space.more Show sample from book All, all; and moreover, God saw him when he was hid in the garden.†3 more
	5	top 2000
bestowgive (as an honor) They gave her the highest honor they can bestow.more Show sample from book I find here that Don Pedro hath bestowed much honour on a young Florentine called Claudio.†4 more bestow → bestowed:gave Show general definition to give -- typically to present as an honor or give as a gift
	4	top 1000
cunningclever and deceitful She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more Show sample from book this learned constable is too cunning to be understood.†3 more good at achieving goals through cleverness and deception Show general definition for cunning (as in: a cunning thief) being good at achieving goals through cleverness -- and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
	4	top 1000
transgresstransgress → transgressed:violated Her actions transgressed the boundaries of acceptable behavior.more Show sample from book Wilt thou make a trust a transgression?3 more transgress → transgression:an act in violation of rules, promises, or social norms Show general definition to violate a rule, promise, or social norm
	3	top 1000
tediousboring I'll have to endure one of her tedious lectures.more Show sample from book Neighbours, you are tedious.2 more Show general definition boring -- especially because something goes on too long or without variation
	3	top 1000
deceivemislead The plan was to deceive the Germans into believing the main attack would take place further north.more Show sample from book Why, then, your uncle and the prince and Claudio Have been deceived; for they swore you did.†2 more deceive → deceived:lied or misled Show general definition to lie to or mislead someone -- occasionally to lie to oneself by denying reality
	4
beseechbeseech → beseeches:begs She beseeches her students to think about their future.more Show sample from book But, I beseech your Grace, pardon me; I was born to speak all mirth and no matter.†3 more to ask strongly or beg for something Show general definition to ask strongly or beg for something Show editor's word notes Beseech is common in classic literature. Though its usage has doubled in recent decades, it remains a rare word in modern writing. Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Beseech is similar to beg or entreat. Beg implies the request for a personal favor, while entreat implies an attempt to overcome resistance.
	4	top 2000
allegianceloyalty At the citizenship ceremony, she pledged allegiance to her new country.more Show sample from book I charge thee on thy allegiance.†3 more Show general definition loyalty to a person, group, or cause
	1
writan order issued by a court or judicial officer Her attorney filed for a writ of habeas corpus.more Show sample from book This says she now when she is beginning to write to him; for she'll be up twenty times a night, and there will she sit in her smock till she have writ a sheet of paper: my daughter tells us all.6 more written
	6
writ#2written Find delight there writ with beauty's pen.Shakespeare — Romeo and Julietmore Show sample from book Writ in my cousin's hand,6 more Show general definition for writ (as in: writ in her own hand) archaic way of saying written or wrote
	3
unrequitedunreturned It's a sad song about the heartbreak of unrequited love.more Show sample from book why, it must be requited.†2 more unrequited → requited:repaid or returned Show context notes Today, unrequited is used much more commonly than requited, so you'll probably learn unrequited first. The prefix "un-" means not, so when it's not there, the meaning of unrequited is reversed. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky. Show general definition not returned (typically of feelings -- as in unrequited love)
	3
commendpraise I commend you for a good job.more Show sample from book such carping is not commendable.2 more commend → commendable:deserving of praise Show context notes The suffix "-able" means able to be. This is the same pattern you see in words like breakable, understandable, and comfortable. Show general definition for commend (as in: I commend her work) praise or recommend
	2	top 2000
constrainedrestricted The standard of living is ultimately constrained by worker productivity.more Show sample from book I would your Grace would constrain me to tell.†1 more constrained → constrain:restrict Show general definition restricted or inhibited
	2
forswearforswear → forsworn:renounced or disavowed The group has forsworn terrorism in favor of negotiating an end to the conflict.more Show sample from book If you swear, my lord, you shall not be forsworn.†1 more forswear → forsworn:to decide to stop doing something; OR to renounce or disavow something Show general definition for forswear (as in: forswear my country of birth) to decide to stop doing something; or to renounce or disavow something