assail
1 use
Serbian forces assailed Bosnian towns.
assailed = attacked
Definition
Generally assail means:attack physically or verbally
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
bastion
1 use
The universities were the last bastion of freedom, but they were purged of anyone who questioned official propaganda shortly after the coup.
bastion = defensive fortification
Definition
Generally bastion means:defense or defensive fortification — such as people who defend a principle or fortifications that defend people from attack (especially the projecting part of a castle wall or rampart)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
chastise
1 use
She said the United Nations resolution amounted to chastising Israel for wanting to exist.
chastising = criticizing
Definition
Generally chastise means:to scold or criticize
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
convention
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
to convene
She is at the convention in Las Vegas.
convention = large conference or meeting
Definition
Generally this sense of convention means:a large conference or meeting
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
denizen
1 use
The book has photographs of deep sea creatures, and is called "Denizens of the Deep."
denizens = animals that inhabit a particular place
Definition
Generally denizen means:a person or animal that inhabits or frequently visits a particular place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
dissipate
1 use
Airborne radiation dissipates over time and distance.
dissipates = gradually disappears
Definition
Generally dissipate means:to gradually disappear; or to gradually waste
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
distraught
2 uses
At the time, she was distraught over the loss of her child.
distraught = extremely distressed
Definition
Generally distraught means:extremely distressed—typically with worry or grief
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
exeunt
1 use
Exeunt all except Hamlet.
exeunt = stage direction: characters exit from stage
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
forsake
1 use
The country must forsake terrorism as a political instrument.
forsake = abandon or give up
Definition
Generally forsake means:to abandon or give up on — such as someone who needs you, or an idea, or a place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
fraught
2 uses
The week following the diagnosis was fraught with difficult choices.
fraught = full of negative things; or anxiety-related
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
hackneyed
1 use
She writes in a hackneyed manner with nothing original.
hackneyed = writing that is unimaginative and filled with overused expressions, ideas, and formulas
Definition
Generally hackneyed means:lacking impact due to too much previous exposure — especially writing that is unimaginative and filled with overused expressions, ideas, and formulas
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
invincible
1 use
They believe their army is invincible.
invincible = impossible to defeat or overcome
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
provoke
4 uses
Her remarks provoked a public outcry.
provoked = caused — typically an emotional reaction such as anger
Definition
Generally provoke means:to cause a reaction — typically an emotional reaction such as anger; and sometimes caused intentionally
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
prudent
1 use
She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.
prudent = sensible and careful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
revere
5 uses
Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
revere = deeply respect and admire
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
scapegoat
1 use
She is a convenient scapegoat because she was chosen by the last administration.
scapegoat = someone to blame for the errors of others
(editor's note: This expression comes from an ancient Jewish ritual in which the sins of the people were ritually transferred to a goat which was then driven into the desert away from the community.)
(editor's note: This expression comes from an ancient Jewish ritual in which the sins of the people were ritually transferred to a goat which was then driven into the desert away from the community.)
Definition
Generally scapegoat means:someone blamed or punished for the errors of others
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
taint
1 use
Three people died from eating the tainted ice cream.
tainted = spoiled or contaminated
Definition
Generally taint means:to spoil something so it is not desirable — as when bacteria contaminates a food; or as when a rumor makes people distrust a person
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
talon
2 uses
Bald eagle talons can measure as long as two inches.
talons = sharp hooked claws
Definition
Generally talon means:a sharp hooked claw — especially on a bird of prey
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
usurp
1 use
The lawsuit claims that the Federal Government is usurping rights reserved by the Constitution for state governments.
usurping = taking without authority
Definition
Generally usurp means:seize or take control without authority
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
windward
1 use
The windward side of the island gets more rain.
windward = the direction from which the wind is coming
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |