abrupt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an abrupt change
He laughed, and the mood abruptly lightened.
abruptly = suddenly and unexpectedly
Definition
Generally this sense of abrupt means:sudden and unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
alleviate
2 uses
The lights inside were bright, but they did little to alleviate the blackness of the encroaching forest.
alleviate = lessen (especially something bad)
Definition
Generally alleviate means:to lessen something that is bad — especially to lessen pain
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
bewilder
10 uses
He was bewildered, obviously not thinking in that direction at all.
bewildered = confused
Definition
Generally bewilder means:to confuse someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 17 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
complacent
1 use
"Don't let that make you complacent, though," he warned me.
complacent = contented (often to a fault)
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 | Chapter 9 |
contrite
2 uses
He was instantly contrite.
contrite = feeling sorrow or regret for an offense
Definition
Generally contrite means:feeling sorrow or regret for a fault or offense
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
deliberate (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 9 uses
1 —1 use as in:
deliberate insult
He pointed us out in groups, deliberately not calling attention to individuals.
deliberately = intentionally
Definition
Generally this sense of deliberate means:to do something intentionally (do it on purpose)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
2 —7 uses as in:
need to deliberate
I deliberated for a moment, and decided she meant it.
deliberated = thought
Definition
Generally this sense of deliberate means:to think about or discuss — especially with great care
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
3 —1 use as in:
a deliberate thinker
With deliberate slowness, his hands slid down the sides of my neck.
deliberate = careful
Definition
Generally this sense of deliberate means:done with great care — often slowly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
disparage
2 uses
He gave me a disparaging look as he chewed.
disparaging = criticizing
Definition
Generally disparage means:to criticize or make seem less important — especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
dubious
3 uses
"Oh, come on," I said dubiously.
dubiously = doubtfully
Definition
Generally dubious means:doubtful
in various senses, including:
- doubtful that something should be relied upon — as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption."
- doubtful that something is morally proper — as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors."
- bad or of questionable value — as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes."
- doubtful or uncertain — as in "She is dubious about making the change."
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
evade (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
evade the enemy
I hurried from the girls' locker room, pleased to find that I had successfully evaded my retriever friend for the moment.
evaded = use cunning or dexterity to physically avoid
Definition
Generally this sense of evade means:physically avoid or get away from; or: said of something that is hard to obtain
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
2 —1 use as in:
evade the question
"I thought we were past all the evasiveness," I grumbled.
evasiveness = the act of trying to avoid answering questions candidly (with direct answers)
(Editor's note: The suffix "-ness" converts an adjective to a noun that means the quality of. This is the same pattern you see in words like darkness, kindness, and coolness.)
(Editor's note: The suffix "-ness" converts an adjective to a noun that means the quality of. This is the same pattern you see in words like darkness, kindness, and coolness.)
Definition
Generally this sense of evade means:to avoid or try to avoid either a responsibility or telling the whole truth
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
incredulous
13 uses
Something outside the possibility of rational justification was taking place in front of my incredulous eyes.
incredulous = unbelieving
Definition
Generally incredulous means:unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
indifferent
6 uses
I wanted to see his face, to see if he'd gone back to the cold, indifferent person I'd known for the last several weeks.
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 | 6 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
morose
3 uses
Jacob asked, his voice morose.
morose = unhappy
Definition
Generally morose means:unhappy — often with a withdrawn personality
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
muse
10 uses
1 —10 uses as in:
her musings
"Hmmm..." he mused.
mused = thought deeply on a subject
Definition
Generally this sense of muse means:reflect (think) deeply on a subject — perhaps aloud
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
ostentatious
3 uses
Ostentatious, isn't it?
ostentatious = showy (intended to attract notice and impress others)
Definition
Generally ostentatious means:intended to attract notice and impress others — especially with wealth in a vulgar way
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
scrutiny
8 uses
He scrutinized my face.
scrutinized = carefully looked
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
Definition
Generally scrutiny means:careful examination of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
skeptical
6 uses
His voice was deeply skeptical.
skeptical = doubtful (that something is true)
Definition
Generally skeptical means:doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile)
or more rarely:
generally tending to doubt what others believe
or more rarely:
generally tending to doubt what others believe
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
suppress
7 uses
I suppressed my curiosity, though it was far from idle.
suppressed = tried to keep under control
Definition
Generally suppress means:trying to keep under control
The exact meaning of suppress can depend upon its context. For example:
- "suppressed the revolution" — to stop others from doing something by force
- "suppressed a smile" — kept something from happening
- "suppressed the story" — kept news from spreading
- "suppressed her fear" — controlled an emotion
- "suppressed the memory" — avoided thinking about (perhaps even removed from conscious memory)
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |