apprehend
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
apprehend the situation
She doesn't yet apprehend the seriousness of the charge against her.
apprehend = understand
Definition
Generally this sense of apprehend means:to understand or perceive (see or become aware of)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 5 |
approach (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 5 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
approached the city
Winter is approaching.
approaching = getting nearer
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 104 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 4 |
2 —1 use as in:
approached her with the proposal
They approached her about becoming a member of the committee.
approached = began communication with
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to begin communication with someone about something — often a proposal or a delicate topic
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 8 |
censure
3 uses
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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 5 |
complacent
8 uses
She had become complacent after years of success.
complacent = unworried and satisfied
Definition
Generally complacent means:contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
contempt
22 uses
1 —22 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 | 22 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
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 | Part 5 |
dispose
3 uses
1 —3 uses 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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
incessant
10 uses
She grew annoyed by the child's incessant questions.
incessant = continuous
Definition
Generally incessant means:continuous — often in an annoying way
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 4 |
irony (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
situational irony
She didn't see the irony in acting like the mother she detested.
irony = when what happens is very different than what might be expected
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together — especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
2 —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 | Part 5 |
obstinate
13 uses
She is an obstinate child who will not follow the family rules.
obstinate = stubbornly not doing what others want
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
philanthropy
5 uses
Her primary interests are family and philanthropy.
philanthropy = helping others
Definition
Generally philanthropy means:helping others — especially donating money to worthy causes; or an organization that does so
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
prominent
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a prominent jaw
The skull resembles that of modern humans, but was smaller with a sloped forehead, larger teeth, and a prominent jaw.
prominent = protruding (sticking out)
Definition
Generally this sense of prominent means:sticking out and easily noticed
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 5 |
refute
1 use
The speaker refuted his opponent's arguments.
refuted = argued against
Definition
Generally refute means:to disprove or argue against
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Part 8 |
reprehensible
2 uses
Cheating is reprehensible.
reprehensible = bad — deserving criticism
Definition
Generally reprehensible means:bad — deserving severe criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
resolute
39 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 | 39 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
scrutiny
13 uses
She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.
scrutinized = looked very carefully at
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
Definition
Generally scrutiny means:careful examination of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
yield (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 8 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
will yield valuable data
The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.
yield = produce (lead to)
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
2 —3 uses as in:
yield to pressure
The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.
yield = give in
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 4 |