acknowledge
16 uses
She acknowledged that she might have forgotten.
acknowledged = admitted
Definition
Generally acknowledge means:express recognition of someone or something; or admit something
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 29 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
acquiesce
4 uses
She is opposed, but will ultimately acquiesce to the will of the majority.
acquiesce = reluctantly accept
Definition
Generally acquiesce means:reluctant or unenthusiastic compliance, consent, or agreement
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
agitate
23 uses
We are agitating public unrest, so there will be a cry for change.
agitating = stirring up emotions to increase unrest
Definition
Generally agitate means:to stir up or shake — emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
Word Statistics
| Book | 23 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
benevolent
1 use
They called themselves The Benevolent Association because their mission was to help others.
benevolent = kind, generous, or charitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
candid
2 uses
1 —2 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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
complacent
3 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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
conciliatory
1 use
Their statements are conciliatory, but their actions are uncompromising.
conciliatory = intended to end bad feelings or build trust
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 28 |
conjecture
9 uses
She dismissed it as mere conjecture.
conjecture = a conclusion or opinion based on inconclusive evidence
Definition
Generally conjecture means:a conclusion or opinion based on inconclusive evidence; or the act of forming of such a conclusion or opinion
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 29 |
diligent
1 use
She's the kind of diligent worker we want to hire.
diligent = showing hard work and care
Definition
Generally this sense of diligent means:hard work and care in tasks — often continuing when others might quit because of difficulties
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
discern
8 uses
The second picture has more pixels, but the human eye can't discern the difference.
discern = notice or see (something that is not obvious)
Definition
Generally discern means:to notice or understand something — often something that is not obvious
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
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 31 |
dissent
1 use
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
expedient
5 uses
It was a necessary expedient to get the job done.
expedient = a speedy or practical action
(The word necessary, implies that there were undesired aspects of the action.)
(The word necessary, implies that there were undesired aspects of the action.)
Definition
Generally expedient means:a practical action — especially one that accepts negative tradeoffs due to circumstances
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
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 29 |
nominal
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
he's nominally in charge
It was nominally written by the artist, but everyone suspects a ghostwriter did the bulk of the work.
nominally = in name only
Definition
Generally this sense of nominal means:in form or name, but not in reality
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 28 |
rectify
1 use
I am doing what I can to rectify the error.
rectify = correct, fix, or make right
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
sagacious
2 uses
She is a smart and sagacious statesman.
sagacious = wise
Definition
Generally sagacious means:wise — especially through long experience and thoughtfulness
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
scrupulous
1 use
You can count on her. She is scrupulous in her work.
scrupulous = careful and thorough
Definition
Generally scrupulous means:careful to behave ethically and/or diligently (with great care and attention to detail)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
simile
2 uses
When she said he was "as subtle as a sledgehammer," she was using ironic simile.
simile = a phrase that highlights similarity between things of different kinds
Definition
Generally simile means:a phrase that highlights similarity between things of different kinds — usually formed with "like" or "as"
as in "It's like looking for a needle in a haystack," or "She is as quiet as a mouse."
as in "It's like looking for a needle in a haystack," or "She is as quiet as a mouse."
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
venerate
1 use
Most contemporary Hindus do not actually worship the cow; though many venerate her.
venerate = regard with feelings of respect and reverence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |