bombastic
1 use
The media relishes her bombastic style.
bombastic = pompous or pretentious talk or writing
(often using difficult words to make something sound more important than it is or to make the speaker sound more intelligent)
(often using difficult words to make something sound more important than it is or to make the speaker sound more intelligent)
Definition
Generally bombastic means:pompous or pretentious talk or writing
(often using difficult words in an attempt to make something sound more important than it is or to make the speaker sound more intelligent)
(often using difficult words in an attempt to make something sound more important than it is or to make the speaker sound more intelligent)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 22 |
Constantinople
13 uses
Turkey renamed Constantinople to Istanbul in 1930.
Constantinople = the city of Byzantium was renamed to Constantinople which was renamed to Istanbul, Turkey; Constantine made it the capital of the eastern Roman Empire in the fourth century
Definition
Generally Constantinople means:the city of Byzantium was renamed to Constantinople which was renamed to Istanbul, Turkey; Constantine made it the capital of the Byzantium Empire (also known as the eastern Roman Empire) in the fourth century
Word Statistics
Book | 13 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 12 |
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 | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 16 |
effrontery
1 use
She had the effrontery to laugh at the mayor's request.
effrontery = rudeness
Definition
Generally effrontery means:rude and disrespectful behavior — often made by someone who does not realize they are being rude — as when someone is presumptuous or impolitely bold
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 15 |
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 | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 28 |
incessant
1 use
She grew annoyed by the child's incessant questions.
incessant = continuous
Definition
Generally incessant means:continuous — often in an annoying way
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 18 |
ingenious
1 use
It is an ingenious solution to the problem. It is as reliable as it is easy.
ingenious = showing cleverness and originality
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 | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 22 |
inquisitor
22 uses
15th century inquisitors were on the lookout for witches.
inquisitors = a questioner who is excessively harsh
Definition
Generally inquisitor means:a questioner who is excessively harsh
or:
an officer of the Inquisition
or:
an officer of the Inquisition
Word Statistics
Book | 22 uses |
Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 10 |
intractable
1 use
What do you think is the most intractable issue of our era?
intractable = difficult
Definition
Generally intractable means:difficult
in various senses, including:
- of problems or disease — difficult to solve or cure
- of people or animals — difficult to manage or control
- of materials — difficult to manipulate
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 8 |
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
I'm hoping a cold iced tea will help me get past this lethargic feeling.
lethargic = lacking energy
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 30 |
officious
1 use
She plays the role of a well-meaning but officious classmate who thinks she knows what's best for everyone.
officious = too eager to tell others what to do
Definition
Generally officious means:too eager to tell others what to do — often regarding unimportant matters
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 22 |
precipitate
1 use
1 —1 use
(adj) as in: a precipitate decision
Think about this. Don't make a precipitate decision.
precipitate = sudden (without adequate thought)
Definition
Generally this sense of precipitate means:acting with great haste — often without adequate thought
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 2000 |
1st use | Chapter 16 |
prodigal
1 use
The rainforest is filled with a prodigal variety of vegetation.
prodigal = abundant (many, many kinds)
Definition
Generally prodigal means:recklessly wasteful
or more rarely:
abundant (extravagant in amount)
or more rarely still:
long absent (someone who has been away a long time)
or more rarely:
abundant (extravagant in amount)
or more rarely still:
long absent (someone who has been away a long time)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Intr. |
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 500 |
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 |
vivacious
1 use
She's a charming and vivacious hostess.
vivacious = has an engaging liveliness
Definition
Generally vivacious means:having an engaging liveliness — when said of a person, typically said of a female
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1 |
whimsical
1 use
It was an especially whimsical episode of Family Guy.
whimsical = playful or amusing
Definition
Generally whimsical means:playful, amusing, or impulsive rather than seriously rational
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
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 |