apathy
3 uses
Seeing too much senior apathy, the high school began having juniors declare a major for their senior year.
apathy = lack of interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.6 |
candid
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
your candid opinion
Don't worry about my feelings. I'd like your candid opinion.
candid = honest and direct
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.3 |
capricious
2 uses
Nothing seems more capricious than a tornado.
capricious = unpredictable
Definition
Generally capricious means:impulsive or unpredictable or tending to make sudden changes — especially impulsive behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.3 |
contempt
10 uses
1 —10 uses as in:
feels contempt towards her
Familiarity breeds contempt.
contempt = lack of respect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior — often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.1 |
delirium
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
fever induced delirium
She should not be left alone in case the fever returns and makes her delirious.
delirious = mentally confused
Definition
Generally this sense of delirium means:a usually brief state of mental confusion often accompanied by hallucinations
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.1 |
despair
7 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
she felt despair
Don't give in to despair.
despair = a feeling of hopelessness
Definition
Generally this sense of despair means:hopelessness; or distress (such as extreme worry or sadness from feeling powerless to change a bad situation)
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discord amongst the group
There is too much discord in the team.
discord = conflict
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:conflict or disagreement — especially among those expected to cooperate
or (especially in the form discordant):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
or (especially in the form discordant):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6.4 |
disillusion
3 uses
She was at first excited to be involved, but soon grew disillusioned by the hard realities of politics.
disillusioned = disappointed from losing false belief that something is better than it is
Definition
Generally disillusion means:disappoint by removal of false belief that something is better than it is
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5.2 |
dispose
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
disposed the troops along...
Troops were disposed strategically along the northern border.
disposed = placed
Definition
Generally this sense of dispose means:the arrangement, positioning, or use of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5.2 |
dissent
2 uses
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.3 |
establish (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?
established = created
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
2 —1 use as in:
establish that there is a need
The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.
establishing = showing or demonstrating
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.2 |
haughty
17 uses
It is a story about a haughty princess who has a great fall.
haughty = arrogant or condescending (acting superior or self-important)
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.1 |
irony
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
verbal irony
She was being ironic when she said she couldn't wait to see you again.
ironic = saying one thing, while meaning the opposite
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:saying one thing, while meaning the opposite or something else — usually as humor or sarcasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.5 |
loathe
21 uses
I make New Year's resolutions every year and then loathe myself for breaking them.
loathe = hate
Definition
Generally loathe means:hate, detest, or intensely dislike
Word Statistics
| Book | 21 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
peasant
34 uses
Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.
peasants = an historical term describing people of low income, education, and social standing
Definition
Generally peasant means:used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing — especially one who raises crops or livestock
Word Statistics
| Book | 34 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.5 |
perplex
17 uses
She was perplexed by the rules of the game.
perplexed = confused
Definition
Generally perplex means:to confuse
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
reproach
16 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 | 16 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.4 |
resolute
16 uses
She stood resolute as some complained that she was asking too much of the team.
resolute = firm
Definition
Generally resolute means:firm in purpose or belief
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
wretch
13 uses
Pity the poor wretch.
wretch = someone you feel sorry for
Definition
Generally wretch means:someone you feel sorry for
or:
a person of bad character
or:
a person of bad character
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.1 |