clamor
10 uses
In his great anxiety his heart was continually clamoring at what he considered the intolerable slowness of the generals.
clamoring = demanding loudly and persistently
Definition
Generally clamor means:loud noise and/or persistent demands — especially from human voice
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
compel
13 uses
he had been compelled to leave a little protection of stones and dirt to which he had devoted much care and skill.
compelled = forced — perhaps by an inner desire
Definition
Generally compel means:to force someone to do something
or more rarely:
to convince someone to do something
or more rarely:
to convince someone to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
conciliatory
2 uses
"Why, no," he hastened to say in a conciliating voice "I don't think I fought the whole battle yesterday."
conciliating = attempting to end bad feelings or build trust
Definition
Generally conciliatory means:intended to end bad feelings or build trust
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
contempt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
feels contempt towards her
Thinking of the slain, he achieved a great contempt for some of them, as if they were guilty for thus becoming lifeless.
contempt = disrespect
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
deride
7 uses
It would now be he who could laugh and shoot the shafts of derision.
derision = treatment as inferior and unworthy of respect
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
Definition
Generally deride means:to criticize with strong disrespect — often
with humor
with humor
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
disdain
3 uses
He veiled a glance of disdain at his fellows
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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
indifferent
5 uses
And this inward confidence evidently enabled him to be indifferent to little words of other men aimed at him.
indifferent = unconcerned (without interest)
Definition
Generally indifferent means:without interest
in various senses, including:
- unconcerned — as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat."
- unsympathetic — as in "She is indifferent to his needs."
- not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) — as in "an indifferent performance"
- impartial — as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
insolent
6 uses
Wherever he went in camp, he would encounter insolent and lingeringly cruel stares.
insolent = rudely disrespectful
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
oblige
13 uses
1 —13 uses as in:
I am obliged by law.
Thus, many men of courage ... would be obliged to desert the colors and scurry like chickens.
obliged = required
Definition
Generally this sense of oblige means:require (obligate) to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
ominous
6 uses
A house standing placidly in distant fields had to him an ominous look.
ominous = threatening or suggestive of bad things to come
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 12 |
perfunctory
2 uses
A few shot perfunctorily at distant marks.
perfunctorily = without much interest or effort
Definition
Generally perfunctory means:done without much interest or effort — especially as when dispensing with a formality
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
petulant
1 use
"Thunder!" he remarked petulantly.
petulantly = with unreasonable anger or upset
Definition
Generally petulant means:unreasonably annoyed or upset
or:
easily annoyed or upset
or:
easily annoyed or upset
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
profound
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
profound sadness
Shame was upon him, and with it profound regret that he was, perhaps, no more to be counted in the ranks of his fellows.
profound = of greatest intensity or emotional depth
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
remonstrate
2 uses
The soft air was filled with the tremendous remonstrance.
remonstrance = argument in protest or opposition
Definition
Generally remonstrate means:argue, complain, or criticize
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
reproach
8 uses
The news that the regiment had been reproached went along the line.
reproached = criticized
Definition
Generally reproach means:a criticism; or to express criticism — especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
resolve (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 7 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
I resolved to stop drinking.
He must accumulate information of himself, and meanwhile he resolved to remain close upon his guard lest those qualities of which he knew nothing should everlastingly disgrace him.
resolved = decided
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:to decide — typically a firm or formal decision
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —3 uses as in:
Her resolve weakened.
They seemed resolved to make every trouble.
resolved = determined
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:firmness of purpose (strong determination to do something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
stolid
8 uses
The youth walked stolidly into the midst of the mob, and with his flag in his hands took a stand as if he expected an attempt to push him to the ground.
stolidly = with little emotion
(editor's note: Stolidly also lends to an image of moving slowly and standing firmly)
(editor's note: Stolidly also lends to an image of moving slowly and standing firmly)
Definition
Generally stolid means:having or revealing little emotion — sometimes indicating qualities of not changing or being dependable
or (much more rarely):
of an object: not interesting — often large and unmoving
or (much more rarely):
of an object: not interesting — often large and unmoving
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
tranquil
6 uses
He stood, erect and tranquil, watching the attack begin against apart of the line that made a blue curve along the side of an adjacent hill.
tranquil = calm and undisturbed
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
vindicate
4 uses
A moral vindication was regarded by the youth as a very important thing.
vindication = to be shown to be right or justified in taking prior action
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally vindicate means:show to be right or justified
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |