assault
13 uses
I was assaulted by someone wearing a mask.
assaulted = attacked
Definition
Generally assault means:to attack someone or something physically or verbally; or to threaten violence
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 24 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.5 |
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 3.10 |
breach
10 uses
He was sued for breach of contract.
breach = breaking
Definition
Generally breach means:break — as in break an understanding or a break (gap) in a wall
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.8 |
daunt
7 uses
It is a challenge that would daunt a lesser diplomat.
daunt = discourage or intimidate
Definition
Generally daunt means:to discourage or intimidate
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.5 |
discern
3 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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.2 |
establish
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
establish that there is a need
The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.
establishing = showing or demonstrating
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.5 |
furtive
3 uses
She watched me in a furtive manner—trying to hide her interest.
furtive = cautious or taking pains to avoid being observed
Definition
Generally furtive means:taking pains to avoid being observed
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.4 |
grave
3 uses
Her smile disappeared as she suddenly realized the gravity of her situation.
gravity = seriousness or importance (weightiness)
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.5 |
inevitable
2 uses
It is as inevitable as death and taxes.
inevitable = certain to happen
Definition
Generally inevitable means:certain to happen (even if one tried to prevent it)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.10 |
minute
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
minute size
Don't eat a lot of poppy seeds for a few days before a drug test. They have a minute amount of a chemical that can cause a false positive when testing for heroin use.
minute = tiny
Definition
Generally this sense of minute means:small, exceptionally small, or insignificant
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.2 |
ominous
6 uses
I'm beginning to hear ominous rumblings of discontent.
ominous = threatening
Definition
Generally ominous means:threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.4 |
prudent
1 use
She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.
prudent = sensible and careful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.6 |
refuge
10 uses
The park serves as a refuge for wildlife.
refuge = safe place
Definition
Generally refuge means:something giving protection — especially a safe place
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.6 |
revere
3 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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.5 |
solemn
12 uses
He took a solemn oath.
solemn = very serious
Definition
Generally solemn means:in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.4 |
sullen
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a sullen mood
She changed from a happy, outgoing child to sullen teenager.
sullen = unhappy and withdrawn
Definition
Generally this sense of sullen means:being unhappy and withdrawn
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.3 |
summon
9 uses
I was summoned to the principal's office.
summoned = called to come
Definition
Generally summon means:to call forth
The exact meaning of summon can depend upon its context. For example:
- "summon to court" — officially demand that someone appear in court (call them to court)
- "summon the team to a meeting" — call upon the team members to attend a meeting
- "summon help" — call others to come and help
- "summon her courage" — call forth her courage from within
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 35 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.6 |
treacherous
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a scheming, treacherous assistant
That was how she uncovered his treacherous plot.
treacherous = betraying trust
Definition
Generally this sense of treacherous means:guilty of betrayal or deception or likely to betray or deceive
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.10 |
treachery
9 uses
Benedict Arnold remains the U.S.'s symbol of ultimate treachery.
treachery = betrayal
Definition
Generally treachery means:the behavior of someone who pretends to be a friend and then tricks, cheats, or betrays
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.4 |
wretched
8 uses
The children were taken into protective custody due to their wretched living conditions.
wretched = miserable
Definition
Generally wretched means:very bad
in various senses, including:
- unfortunate or miserable — as in "wretched prisoners sleeping on the cold floor"
- of poor quality — as in "wretched roads"
- morally bad — as in "The wretched woman stole his wallet."
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.9 |