acquiesce
1 use
She is opposed, but will ultimately acquiesce to the will of the majority.
acquiesce = reluctantly comply
Definition
Generally acquiesce means:reluctant or unenthusiastic compliance, consent, or agreement
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
allude
13 uses
He alluded to Susan without mentioning her name.
alluded = indirectly referenced
Definition
Generally allude means:to make an indirect reference
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
amiable
6 uses
She seemed an ideal candidate—attractive, amiable, intelligent and energetic.
amiable = friendly and kindly
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
candid
3 uses
Don't worry about my feelings. I'd like your candid opinion.
candid = honest and direct
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
complacent
1 use
He had become complacent after years of success.
complacent = contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
contract
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
legal contract
She signed the contract.
contract = a written agreement that is enforceable by law
Definition
Generally this sense of contract means:an agreement - typically written and enforceable by law
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
corroborate
1 use
The detectives looked for evidence to corroborate her story.
corroborate = support
Definition
Generally corroborate means:to support an opinion — typically with additional evidence or testimony
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
defer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deferred the decision
The weather forced us to defer our departure another day.
defer = postpone or delay
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:postpone (hold off until a later time)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
deprecate
1 use
You should not deprecate her efforts.
deprecate = treat as unimportant
Definition
Generally deprecate means:to diminish or treat something as unimportant or of low quality; or to express disapproval
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
diffident
2 uses
She is diffident around adults, but dominant with her peer group.
diffident = hesitant and unassertive
Definition
Generally diffident means:hesitant and unassertive — often due to a lack of self-confidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
diligent
2 uses
She's the kind of diligent worker we want to hire.
diligent = showing hard work and care
Definition
Generally diligent means:hard work and care in tasks — often continuing when others might quit because of difficulties
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
distend
1 use
One method of declawing is to severe the tendon that allows the claws to distend.
distend = extend
Definition
Generally distend means:to extend — especially the swelling outward of a part of the body; e.g., the stomach
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
dubious
3 uses
She was dubious, but agreed to come with us anyway.
dubious = doubtful; or suspicious; or full of uncertainty
Definition
Generally dubious means:doubtful
in various senses, including:
- doubtful that something should be relied upon — as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption."
- doubtful that something is morally proper — as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors."
- bad or of questionable value — as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes."
- doubtful or uncertain — as in "She is dubious about making the change."
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
ebullient
1 use
Her family was jumping for joy, but she was less ebullient.
ebullient = filled with energy and joy
Definition
Generally ebullient means:happy and energetic
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
furtive
3 uses
She watched me in a furtive manner—trying to hide her interest.
furtive = cautious or taking pains to avoid being observed
Definition
Generally furtive means:taking pains to avoid being observed
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
impetuous
1 use
She regretted her impetuous promise.
impetuous = impulsive (made suddenly without much thought)
Definition
Generally this sense of impetuous means:impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) — often with an unfortunate consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
incredulous
2 uses
I find it incredulous that you believe she is sincere.
incredulous = difficult to believe
Definition
Generally incredulous means:unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
mitigate
1 use
Don't judge her so harshly until you consider the mitigating circumstances.
mitigating = making less harmful or unpleasant
Definition
Generally mitigate means:make less harmful or unpleasant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
pious
6 uses
The cartoon with a drawing of Muhammad outraged many pious Muslims.
pious = highly religious
Definition
Generally pious means:behaving in a highly moral or religious manner
or less commonly: behaving highly moral in a self-righteous or holier-than-thou manner
or less commonly: behaving highly moral in a self-righteous or holier-than-thou manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
resignation
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
accepted it with resignation
It wasn't her first choice, but she accepted it with resignation.
resignation = having accepted something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |