amiable
2 uses
She seemed an ideal candidate—attractive, amiable, intelligent and energetic.
amiable = friendly and kindly
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
arbitrary
1 use
It was an arbitrary decision.
arbitrary = based on chance or impulse
Definition
Generally arbitrary means:based on chance or impulse (rather than upon reasoning, consistent rules, or a proper sense of fairness)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
conciliatory
2 uses
Their statements are conciliatory, but their actions are uncompromising.
conciliatory = intended to end bad feelings or build trust
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Pref. |
condescending
2 uses
She gave me that condescending look as though I wasn't worthy to ask her a question.
condescending = treating others as inferior
Definition
Generally condescending means:treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
contempt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
feels contempt towards her
Familiarity breeds contempt.
contempt = lack of respect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect — often accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 5 |
deference
2 uses
They changed their strategy in deference to the President's wishes.
deference = respect
Definition
Generally deference means:polite respect — often when submitting to another's wishes
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
deprecate
3 uses
I want to acknowledge her contribution without deprecating that of others.
deprecating = belittling (minimizing or diminishing the value of)
or:
expressing disapproval of
or:
expressing disapproval of
Definition
Generally deprecate means:to belittle (diminish the value of) or express disapproval of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
deride
3 uses
Critics derided her as unprofessional.
derided = laughed at or made fun of—while showing a lack of respect
Definition
Generally deride means:laugh at or make fun of—while showing a lack of respect
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 5 |
dialect
9 uses
It's not uncommon to hear "y'all" when talking in the American south where the rural areas still have a distinct dialect.
dialect = a regional variety of a language
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Pref. |
disdain
3 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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 5 |
haughty
2 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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
impetuous
2 uses
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
impudent
2 uses
She is an impudent girl given to insulting strangers.
impudent = improperly bold or disrespectful
Definition
Generally impudent means:improperly bold or disrespectful — especially toward someone who is older or considered to be of higher status
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 5 |
incorrigible
2 uses
She was declared an incorrigible delinquent and sent to reform school.
incorrigible = unresponsive to correction (even by punishment)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 5 |
pretentious
2 uses
Some people think she's pretentious, but I admire her ambition.
pretentious = acting more impressive than is deserved
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 5 |
remonstrate
3 uses
When she has a complaint with her staff, she will remonstrate quietly and in private.
remonstrate = argue in protest or opposition
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
reproach
2 uses
She reproached him for being thoughtless and lazy.
reproached = criticized
Definition
Generally reproach means:a criticism; or to express criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 5 |
repudiate
3 uses
The parents repudiated their son.
repudiated = strongly rejected
Definition
Generally repudiate means:strong rejection — especially when the idea or thing being rejected was once embraced
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Pref. |
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 | Act 3 |
resolute
7 uses
She stood resolute as some complained that she was asking too much of the team.
resolute = firm in purpose or belief
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |