apathy
3 uses
Seeing too much senior apathy, the high school began having juniors declare a major for their senior year.
apathy = lack of interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Act 4 |
bourgeois
9 uses
Our lifestyle upsets their bourgeois sensibilities.
bourgeois = typical middle class
Definition
Generally bourgeois means:typical of the middle class or their values and habits - typically used disapprovingly
or (in Marxist theory):
typical of the property-owning class
or (in Marxist theory):
typical of the property-owning class
Word Statistics
Book | 9 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Act 1 |
complacent
1 use
She had become complacent after years of success.
complacent = unworried and satisfied
Definition
Generally complacent means:contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Act 1 |
condescending
3 uses
She gave me that condescending look as though I wasn't worthy to ask her a question.
condescending = treating others as inferior
Definition
Generally condescending means:treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Act 3 |
contempt
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
feels contempt towards her
Familiarity breeds contempt.
contempt = lack of respect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior — often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Act 2 |
contrite
3 uses
She apologized, but didn't seem genuinely contrite.
contrite = sorry
Definition
Generally contrite means:feeling sorrow or regret for a fault or offense
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Act 1 |
denounce
6 uses
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 | 6 uses |
Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Act 1 |
deride
9 uses
She relentlessly mocks and derides the younger students.
derides = criticizes with strong disrespect
Definition
Generally deride means:to criticize with strong disrespect — often
with humor
with humor
Word Statistics
Book | 9 uses |
Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Act 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 | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
1st use | Act 2 |
disparage
1 use
She has a reputation for disparaging the efforts of her co-workers.
disparaging = criticizing or making seem less important
Definition
Generally disparage means:to criticize or make seem less important — especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
1st use | Act 1 |
exonerate
2 uses
The jury exonerated her of all charges.
exonerated = freed (of blame)
Definition
Generally exonerate means:to free someone from blame
or more rarely:
to free someone from an obligation
or more rarely:
to free someone from an obligation
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Act 3 |
fastidious
4 uses
She is fastidious in her work.
fastidious = careful and attentive to detail
Definition
Generally fastidious means:giving careful attention to detail
or:
excessively concerned with cleanliness or matters of taste
or:
excessively concerned with cleanliness or matters of taste
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Act 3 |
furtive
4 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 | 4 uses |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Act 2 |
guile
1 use
Her cleverness and inventiveness was exceeded only by her guile.
guile = cunning (shrewdness and cleverness) and deceit
Definition
Generally guile means:cunning (shrewdness and cleverness) and deceitful
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Act 1 |
incredulous
2 uses
I find it incredulous that you believe she is sincere.
incredulous = difficult to believe
Definition
Generally incredulous means:unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Act 1 |
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 | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Act 1 |
oblivious
9 uses
She is oblivious to the dangers.
oblivious = unaware of
Word Statistics
Book | 9 uses |
Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Act 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 | Act 3 |
taunt
11 uses
She used Twitter to taunt the opposing candidate.
taunt = intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone
Definition
Generally taunt means:to intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone — especially by mocking them or hurling insults
or (as a noun): an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone
or (as a noun): an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone
Word Statistics
Book | 11 uses |
Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Act 2 |
vindictive
9 uses
Not being vindictive by nature, Grant did what he could to see that the Confederate prisoners were treated well.
vindictive = inclined to seek revenge or desirous of hurting others
Definition
Generally vindictive means:desirous of seeking revenge or wanting to hurt someone
Word Statistics
Book | 9 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Act 1 |