anguish
1 use
I felt unbearable anguish when my 4-year-old child died from brain cancer.
anguish = extreme pain
Definition
Generally anguish means:extreme pain, suffering, or distress (of body or mind)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.9 |
beckon
1 use
I should be studying, but television beckons me.
beckons = calls (in this case by being desirable and inviting)
Definition
Generally beckon means:to call — typically to ask or tell someone to come nearer by using a hand gesture or a nod of the head
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.4 |
chaos
2 uses
The country entered a period of civil war and chaos.
chaos = extreme confusion and disorder
Definition
Generally chaos means:a state of extreme confusion and disorder
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 26 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.1 |
depravity
2 uses
It is a terrible story of an innocent who trusted a man who treated her with ruthless depravity.
depravity = immorality or evilness
Definition
Generally depravity means:complete immorality or evilness
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
detach
1 use
She spoke in a cold, detached manner as though she didn't care about him any more.
detached = emotionally uninvolved (separated from emotions)
Definition
Generally detach means:to separate something from something else (physically or emotionally)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.4 |
elaborate
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
an elaborate wink
He gave her a slow elaborate wink.
elaborate = exaggerated
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:to exaggerate an action
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
frenetic
1 use
I lived life at a frenetic pace until my doctor convinced me to slow down.
frenetic = fast, energetic
Definition
Generally frenetic means:fast, energetic — often with confusion
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.6 |
impulsive
1 use
letting him borrow her car was an impulsive act that she immediately regretted
impulsive = action taken without forethought
Definition
Generally impulsive means:action without forethought; or such a tendency
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.4 |
insistent
1 use
We questioned her repeatedly and she remained insistent that she knew nothing of the event.
insistent = firm and continuing
Definition
Generally insistent means:persistent or continuing or firm — especially in maintaining a view or demanding something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.9 |
intercept
1 use
He intercepted the pass on the 5-yard line.
intercepted = stopped or caught something in route (in this case, the football)
Definition
Generally intercept means:to stop or catch someone or something in route
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.4 |
liaison
1 use
She acts as the Army's liaison on Capitol Hill.
liaison = a person with the role of increasing communication and cooperation between two organizations
Definition
Generally liaison means:a person with the role of increasing communication and cooperation between two organizations; or an instance or other means of such communication
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
nostalgia
1 use
The music makes me feel nostalgic.
nostalgic = with a longing for something past
Definition
Generally nostalgia means:happiness that come with the memory of good times combined with a hint of sadness that those times are over
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 1.5 |
obscure
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
it obscured my view
The stars are obscured by the clouds.
obscured = hidden or made less visible
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:to block from view or make less visible or understandable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Scene 1.9 |
pathetic
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a pathetic attempt to insult me
It was a pathetic attempt to insult me.
pathetic = so bad it was laughable
Definition
Generally this sense of pathetic means:very bad — possibly so bad it is laughable (possibly mixed with some feeling of pity)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
pummel
1 use
The strikers plan to pummel anyone who tries to cross their picket line.
pummel = to hit repeatedly
Definition
Generally pummel means:to hit repeatedly — usually with fists
or:
to damage seriously
or:
to defeat decisively
or:
to damage seriously
or:
to defeat decisively
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
resignation
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
submitted her resignation
I know you're unhappy there, but don't submit your resignation until you find a better job.
resignation = a document expressing that someone is quitting a job
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:to quit — especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Scene 2.1 |
saunter
1 use
It was pleasant to saunter lazily through the park.
saunter = walk leisurely
Definition
Generally saunter means:to walk leisurely
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
taunt
1 use
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.4 |
waver
1 use
Through good times and bad her love for him has never wavered.
wavered = faltered (stopped being strong)
Definition
Generally waver means:to move back and forth (shake or quiver)
or:
to change, be unsure, or weak
or:
to change, be unsure, or weak
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.9 |
wistful
1 use
Sitting in her wheelchair, the old woman looked wistfully at the young dancers.
wistfully = showing longing or unfulfilled desire
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.6 |