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The Yellow Wallpaper

Top-Ranked Words with Typical Sample Sentences

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arbor
3 uses
The arbor provided a shady resting place in the park.
arbor = a framework that supports climbing plants
DefinitionGenerally this sense of arbor means:
a framework that supports climbing plants; or a shady rest area made by such a framework or by trees and shrubs
Word Statistics
Book3 uses
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
Web Links
atrocious
1 use
She was alarmed by his atrocious behavior.
atrocious = exceptionally bad or cruel
DefinitionGenerally atrocious means:
exceptionally bad, cruel, or ugly
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
Web Links
conscientious
1 use
She is conscientious in the lab.
conscientious = careful and thorough
DefinitionGenerally conscientious means:
careful to do what is right—especially to perform duties in a thorough manner (as when guided by conscience)
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library2 uses in 10 avg bks
Web Links
convoluted
1 use
1  —1 use as in:
convoluted folds of the brain
I don't know how to untie such a convoluted knot.
convoluted = having complex coils, folds,  and twists
DefinitionGenerally this sense of convoluted means:
having complex coils, folds, twists, or irregularities
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
Web Links
cultivate
1 use
We encourage our representatives to cultivate a close relationship with their clients.
cultivate = develop or grow
DefinitionGenerally cultivate means:
enhance growth or development
in various senses, including:
  • to grow crops or prepare land for them
  • enhance a relationship — especially for a purpose
  • develop discernment (better recognition of differences) in taste or judgment
  • to grow a culture in a petri dish
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library9 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 1000
Web Links
debase
1 use
Prosecutors said fighters raped village elders to publicly debase them.
debase = decrease the status
DefinitionGenerally debase means:
to degrade (decrease) the purity, quality, or status of something — often morality or metals
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
Web Links
deride
1 use
She relentlessly mocks and derides the younger students.
derides = criticizes with strong disrespect
DefinitionGenerally deride means:
to criticize with strong disrespect — often
with humor
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library5 uses in 10 avg bks
Web Links
endure
1 use
1  —1 use as in:
endure through the ages
She is gone, but her teachings endure through the ages.
endure = continue to exist
DefinitionGenerally this sense of endure means:
to continue to exist
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library13 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 1000
Web Links
grotesque
1 use
She was wearing a grotesque mask that was quite disturbing.
grotesque = distorted or ugly
DefinitionGenerally grotesque means:
distorted and unnatural in shape or size — especially in a disturbing way

or:

ugly, gross, or very wrong
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library6 uses in 10 avg bks
Web Links
infuriate
1 use
She was infuriated by his rude behavior.
infuriated = made very angry or annoyed
DefinitionGenerally infuriate means:
to make very angry or annoyed
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library7 uses in 10 avg bks
Web Links
perplex
1 use
She was perplexed by the rules of the game.
perplexed = confused
DefinitionGenerally perplex means:
to confuse
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library9 uses in 10 avg bks
Web Links
perseverance
1 use
Her perseverance was finally rewarded.
perseverance = continued effort to achieve something despite difficulties
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library2 uses in 10 avg bks
Web Links
prescribe
1 use
The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for the infection.
prescribed = gave medical instructions instructing that the patient should take
DefinitionGenerally prescribe means:
to recommend or require what should be done

or more specifically:

of a medical doctor:  to give medical instructions — such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library9 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 2000
Web Links
provoke
2 uses
Her remarks provoked a public outcry.
provoked = caused — typically an emotional reaction such as anger
DefinitionGenerally provoke means:
to cause a reaction — typically an emotional reaction such as anger; and sometimes caused intentionally
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library11 uses in 10 avg bks
Web Links
recur
1 use
The infection is less likely to recur if you finish all the recommended antibiotics.
recur = happen again
DefinitionGenerally recur means:
to happen repeatedly or a second time
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library4 uses in 10 avg bks
Web Links
reproach
1 use
She reproached him for being thoughtless and lazy.
reproached = criticized
DefinitionGenerally reproach means:
a criticism; or to express criticism — especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library7 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 2000
Web Links
subtle
1 use
1  —1 use as in:
a subtle shade of blue
Her warning was subtle, but unmistakable.
subtle = understated (so as not to draw attention to itself)
DefinitionGenerally this sense of subtle means:
understated so as not to draw attention to itself
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library6 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 500
Web Links
symmetry
1 use
The building has multiple local symmetries.
symmetries = balance among the parts of something
DefinitionGenerally symmetry means:
balance among the parts of something

or more specifically:

having an exact reflection of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library2 uses in 10 avg bks
Web Links
twilight
1 use
1  —1 use as in:
pink clouds in a twilight sky
It is a beautiful picture taken in twilight.
twilight = the light from the sky in the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise)
DefinitionGenerally this sense of twilight means:
the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise); or the light from the sky at that time
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library6 uses in 10 avg bks
Web Links
undulate
1 use
A sidewinding snake uses less energy to cover the same distance as a laterally undulating snake uses.
undulating = moving with smooth wave-like movements
DefinitionGenerally undulate means:
a smooth wave-like motion (physical or auditory)

or:

having a wavy or rippled form or surface
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library4 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 2000
Web Links
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