afflict
17 uses
She is afflicted by diabetes.
afflicted = made to suffer
Definition
Generally afflict means:cause suffering — such as illness, pain, or unhappiness
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 14 |
ardent
14 uses
I am her most ardent fan.
ardent = enthusiastic (feeling intense emotion)
Definition
Generally ardent means:showing or feeling intense emotion — typically strong positive feelings such as enthusiasm or love
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 20 |
attain
14 uses
She was the first woman to attain the rank of general.
attain = gain or reach something with effort
Definition
Generally attain means:to gain or reach something with effort
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Book 9 |
cease
73 uses
They signed a cease-fire agreement.
cease = to stop or discontinue (in this case, to stop firing weapons at each other)
Definition
Generally cease means:to stop or discontinue
Word Statistics
| Book | 73 uses |
| Library | 26 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
consequence
4 uses
1 —4 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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 28 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Book 9 |
contrived
15 uses
The novel has a contrived ending.
contrived = unnatural seeming (due to careful planning)
Definition
Generally contrived means:unnatural seeming (due to careful planning)
or more rarely:
arranged (that something should happen)
or more rarely:
arranged (that something should happen)
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
dispute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
She disputes his claim.
She disputes her landlord's claim that the music was that loud.
disputes = challenges
Definition
Generally this sense of dispute means:challenge, argue about, or fight over
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Book 18 |
divine
7 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
to forgive is divine
Her pies are divine.
divine = wonderful
Definition
Generally this sense of divine means:wonderful; or god-like or coming from God
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 4 |
dwell (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
It dwells in the forest.
The creature dwells in the forest.
dwells = lives in
Definition
Generally this sense of dwell means:make one's home in; or to live in; or to stay (in a place)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 4 |
2 —1 use as in:
a modest dwelling
There is a second dwelling unit on the property.
dwelling = home
Definition
Generally this sense of dwelling means:a house or shelter in which someone lives
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 6 |
forlorn
14 uses
She energized the previously forlorn team.
forlorn = hopeless
Definition
Generally forlorn means:sad, hopeless, pitiful and/or abandoned
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 5 |
heed
18 uses
Heed the advice of the old women.
heed = pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested
Definition
Generally heed means:pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested — especially with regard to a warning or other advice
Word Statistics
| Book | 18 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 4 |
hospitable
18 uses
a good-natured and hospitable man
hospitable = welcoming
Definition
Generally hospitable means:welcoming
in various senses, including:
- inclined to treat guests well — as in "She is good-natured and hospitable."
- favorable to life and growth — as in "The climate is hospitable to roses."
- open to new ideas or change — as in "The organization is hospitable to new ideas."
Word Statistics
| Book | 18 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
mentor
21 uses
Each new employee is matched with a mentor.
mentor = someone who guides and advises another who is less experienced
Definition
Generally mentor means:someone who guides and advises another who is less experienced; or the act of providing such guidance
Word Statistics
| Book | 21 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
mortal
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
mortal body
Don't expect perfection of a mere mortal.
mortal = human
Definition
Generally this sense of mortal means:human (especially merely human); or subject to death
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 8 |
perish
55 uses
...government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.
Abraham Lincoln -- Gettysburg Address
perish = be destroyed or cease to exist
Definition
Generally perish means:to die — especially in an unnatural way
or:
to be destroyed or cease to exist
or:
to be destroyed or cease to exist
Word Statistics
| Book | 55 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Book 11 |
prudent
31 uses
She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.
prudent = sensible and careful
Word Statistics
| Book | 31 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 15 |
satiate
11 uses
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 | 11 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Book 4 |
vengeance
15 uses
1 —15 uses as in:
vengeance is mine
Most Americans wanted vengeance after the 9-11 attacks.
vengeance = revenge
Definition
Generally this sense of vengeance means:the act of taking revenge
(Revenge means to harm someone to get them back for something harmful that they have done.)
(Revenge means to harm someone to get them back for something harmful that they have done.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
wrath
28 uses
She could hardly contain her wrath when she learned he had betrayed her.
wrath = extreme anger
Definition
Generally wrath means:extreme anger or angry punishment
Word Statistics
| Book | 28 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |