consequence
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
a direct consequence of
Your decision will have three major consequences.
consequences = results
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
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 | Chapter 25 |
demonstrate
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
It demonstrates my point.
The salesperson demonstrated features of both phones so I could compare them.
demonstrated = showed
Definition
Generally this sense of demonstrate means:to show
The exact meaning of this sense of demonstrate can depend upon its context. For example:
- "I will demonstrate how to throw a Frisbee." — show how to do something
- "I will demonstrate how much quicker the new computer is than the old one." — show how something works
- "Her questioned demonstrated that she was listening and thinking deeply about what was said." — showed to be true or proved
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
denounce
1 use
She denounced him as a liar.
denounced = strongly criticized or accused publicly
Definition
Generally denounce means:to strongly criticize or accuse publicly
or more rarely: to inform against someone (turn someone into the authorities)
or more rarely: to inform against someone (turn someone into the authorities)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
despair
9 uses
Don't despair—help is on the way!
despair = give up hope
Definition
Generally despair means:hopelessness
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 27 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
establish
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?
established = created
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 28 |
heresy
1 use
It is a hardline form of Sunni Islam that condemns all other strains as heresy.
heresy = something immoral
Definition
Generally heresy means:opinions or actions most people consider immoral
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 28 |
impudent
1 use
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
incessant
1 use
She grew annoyed by the child's incessant questions.
incessant = continuous (and often annoying)
Definition
Generally incessant means:continuous — often in an annoying way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
indifferent
3 uses
About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.
indifferent = without interest
Definition
Generally indifferent means:without interest
in various senses, including:
- unconcerned — as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat."
- unsympathetic — as in "She is indifferent to his needs."
- not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) — as in "an indifferent performance"
- impartial — as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
ingenious
1 use
It was an ingenious solution to the problem—as reliable as it was easy.
ingenious = showing inventiveness and skill
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
innate
1 use
She has an innate musical talent that cannot be taught.
innate = present at birth
Definition
Generally innate means:of a quality: present at birth; or arising from within rather than having been learned or acquired
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
languish
1 use
The prisoner languished in the dungeon for years.
languished = suffering in a bad situation for a long time
Definition
Generally languish means:to suffer in a bad situation for a long time
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
lethargic
1 use
Large lunches make me feel lethargic in the afternoon.
lethargic = lacking energy
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
precipitate
1 use
1 —1 use
adj as in: a precipitate decision
I had planned to ask her, but she made a precipitate departure.
precipitate = sudden
Definition
Generally this sense of precipitate means:acting with great haste — often without adequate thought
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
reproach
1 use
She reproached him for being thoughtless and lazy.
reproached = criticized
Definition
Generally reproach means:a criticism; or to express criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 29 |
satiate
1 use
The candy satiated my craving for sugar.
satiated = satisfied
Definition
Generally satiate means:to satisfy a hunger; or fill to satisfaction (typically said of hunger for food, but can be said of anything desired—such as of knowledge or sensual pleasure)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
squander
1 use
She squandered the money she inherited from her grandmother.
squandered = wasted
Definition
Generally squander means:to waste — money, resources, or opportunities
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
sufficient
9 uses
We have sufficient supplies.
sufficient = adequate (enough — often without being more than is needed)
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
zeal
1 use
She attacks each challenge with zeal.
zeal = active interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |