amiable
2 uses
She seemed an ideal candidate—attractive, amiable, intelligent and energetic.
amiable = friendly and likable
Definition
Generally amiable means:friendly, agreeable, and likable
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.3 |
belie
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
his smile belied his treachery
His gruff demeanor belies a soft heart.
belies = is in contradiction with
Definition
Generally this sense of belie means:to give a false impression; or be in contradiction with
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Scene 5.1 |
blithe
2 uses
She spoke with blithe ignorance of the true situation.
blithe = carefree and happy
Definition
Generally blithe means:carefree and happy — often unaware of or ignoring something that should be of concern
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.3 |
censure
1 use
They censured him for bringing dishonor upon the Senate.
censured = formally criticized
Definition
Generally censure means:harsh criticism; or formal criticism from an organization — such as the U.S. Senate
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.3 |
commend
3 uses
I commend you for a good job.
commend = praise
Definition
Generally commend means:praise or recommend
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.1 |
contemptible
1 use
She is uninformed and her views are contemptible.
contemptible = very bad (deserving no respect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.3 |
Cupid
9 uses
She must have been struck by one of Cupid's arrows.
Cupid = Roman mythology: god of love; a small, winged boy whose arrows make those struck fall in love
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
disdain
7 uses
She tries to be polite, but cannot hide her disdain for authority.
disdain = lack of respect
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Scene 2.1 |
disparage
1 use
She has a reputation for disparaging the efforts of her co-workers.
disparaging = criticizing or making seem less important
Definition
Generally disparage means:to criticize or make seem less important — especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Scene 3.2 |
melancholy
7 uses
Since her dog died she's been in a melancholy mood.
melancholy = very sad
Definition
Generally melancholy means:a sad feeling or manner — sometimes thoughtfully sad
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.1 |
mitigate
1 use
Don't judge her so harshly until you consider the mitigating circumstances.
mitigating = serving to make less harmful or unpleasant
Definition
Generally mitigate means:make less harmful or unpleasant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 4.1 |
pernicious
1 use
By the 21st century, it had evolved into a pernicious lack of employment.
pernicious = harmful
Definition
Generally pernicious means:harmful or something spreading harm — especially in a gradual or subtle way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
recluse
1 use
He became a recluse after his wife passed away.
recluse = someone withdrawn from society (living alone and avoiding contact with others)
Definition
Generally recluse means:someone withdrawn from society (living alone and avoiding contact)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 4.1 |
reproach
2 uses
She reproached him for being thoughtless and lazy.
reproached = criticized
Definition
Generally reproach means:a criticism; or to express criticism — especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Scene 4.1 |
revere
6 uses
Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
revere = deeply respect and admire
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 | 6 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 2.3 |
scorn
8 uses
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
scorned = rejected
Definition
Generally scorn means:disrespect or reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Scene 4.1 |
slander
15 uses
In the United States, it is extremely difficult for someone famous to win a slander lawsuit—almost no matter what is said.
slander = telling lies that damage the reputation of another
Definition
Generally slander means:lie to damage the reputation of another; or the lies told
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 5.3 |
tedious
3 uses
I'll have to endure one of her tedious lectures.
tedious = boring
Definition
Generally tedious means:boring — especially because something goes on too long or without variation
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.5 |
transgress
4 uses
Her actions transgressed the boundaries of acceptable behavior.
transgressed = violated (a rule, promise, or social norm)
Definition
Generally transgress means:to violate a rule, promise, or social norm
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Scene 2.1 |
writ
7 uses
Her attorney filed for a writ of habeas corpus.
writ = an order issued by a court or judicial officer
Definition
Generally writ means:law: an order issued by a court or judicial officer
or more rarely:
archaic term for written or wrote
or more rarely:
archaic term for written or wrote
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.3 |