antagonism
1 use
There is skepticism, if not antagonism, between the two groups.
antagonism = hostility
Definition
Generally antagonism means:hostility or opposition
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
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 |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
cleave
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
cleave through
The battle axe was a weapon used to cleave skulls or decapitate.
cleave = to split or cut through something
Definition
Generally this sense of cleave means:to split something — especially with violent force
or:
to cut through something
or:
to cut through something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
conflagration
1 use
sparked the current conflagration by releasing the report
conflagration = a large, violent, uncontrolled event — especially a fire
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
contentious
1 use
We started with the most contentious item on the agenda.
contentious = likely to cause disagreement
Definition
Generally contentious means:causing or likely to cause disagreement; or argumentative
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
countenance
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
giving countenance
We will not countenance torture.
countenance = to tolerate or approve
Definition
Generally this sense of countenance means:to tolerate, approve, or show favor or support
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
discriminate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discriminating taste
It costs more, but is worth it to people with discriminating taste.
discriminating = recognizing fine distinctions
Definition
Generally this sense of discriminate means:to recognize or perceive differences — especially fine distinctions
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
disdain
1 use
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
divert
1 use
I tried to divert her attention.
divert = get her to start thinking about something else
Definition
Generally divert means:to change the direction of something; or to distract someone's attention
or more rarely: to change the purpose for which something is used — such as an army or funds
or more rarely: to change the purpose for which something is used — such as an army or funds
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
exhume
1 use
Investigators want to exhume the body for analysis, but the family is objecting.
exhume = to unbury a corpse — typically for medical investigation or reburial elsewhere
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
indolent
1 use
She never recovered from the indolence of her youth.
indolence = laziness
Definition
Generally this sense of indolent means:lazy; disinclined to work
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
indulgent
1 use
Indulgent parents risk spoiling their children.
indulgent = treating with extra kindness or leniency (in this case, not demanding enough of the children)
Definition
Generally indulgent means:to treat with extra kindness or tolerance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
noisome
1 use
the noisome atmosphere of the Nairobi slum
noisome = causing or able to cause nausea — especially from odor
or:
harmful
or:
harmful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
perfunctory
1 use
She gave us menus and a perfunctory smile.
perfunctory = done without much interest or effort — especially as when dispensing with a formality
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
rancor
1 use
She made the suggestion to reduce the partisan rancor.
rancor = feelings of deep and bitter anger or hatred
Definition
Generally rancor means:deep and bitter anger or hatred — especially when long-standing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
rebuke
3 uses
She was stung by the rebuke.
rebuke = severe criticism
Definition
Generally rebuke means:criticize severely; or such criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
resignation
1 use
1 —1 use 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 | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
resolve
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
Her resolve weakened.
She never waivered in her resolve to attend a good college.
resolve = determination (firmness of purpose)
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:firmness of purpose (strong determination to do something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
sedition
1 use
She was investigated for sedition, but charges were dropped.
sedition = illegal acts encouraging resistance to government authority — especially overthrow of the government
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
simulate
1 use
A computer model is used to simulate the effects of wind.
simulate = imitate or represent
Definition
Generally simulate means:make an imitation or representation of
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Part 1 |