amnesia
1 use
The movie is about a woman who suffers amnesia and doesn't even remember her husband.
amnesia = loss of memory
Definition
Generally amnesia means:loss of memory (partial or total)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
arrogant
1 use
She is rude and arrogant.
arrogant = with an excessive sense of superiority
Definition
Generally arrogant means:having an excessive sense of superiority
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
cadence
1 use
The sound of the waves crashing on the shore had a comforting cadence.
cadence = rhythm or recurring pattern
Definition
Generally cadence means:rhythm or recurring pattern of sounds or movements
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
compulsion
2 uses
I had a compulsion to tell the brutal truth.
compulsion = strong urge (possibly uncontrollable)
Definition
Generally compulsion means:a strong (possibly uncontrollable) urge to do something; or a force or a requirement that forces an action
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
descend
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
descend the mountain
We saw the rocket descend.
descend = move downward
Definition
Generally this sense of descend means:move or slope downward
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
diligent
1 use
She's the kind of diligent worker we want to hire.
diligent = showing hard work and care
Definition
Generally this sense of diligent means:hard work and care in tasks — often continuing when others might quit because of difficulties
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
evade
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
evade the question
She evaded his question by asking one of her own.
evaded = avoided answering
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 |
grotesque
1 use
She was wearing a grotesque mask that was quite disturbing.
grotesque = distorted or ugly
Definition
Generally grotesque means:distorted and unnatural in shape or size — especially in a disturbing way
or:
ugly, gross, or very wrong
or:
ugly, gross, or very wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
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 |
incessant
1 use
She grew annoyed by the child's incessant questions.
incessant = continuous
Definition
Generally incessant means:continuous — often in an annoying way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
listless
1 use
She was listless and bored.
listless = lacking energy and normal enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
oblivious
1 use
She is oblivious to the dangers.
oblivious = unaware of
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
paralysis
2 uses
She suffers paralysis of her legs.
paralysis = loss of the ability to move
Definition
Generally paralysis means:loss of the ability to move the body or a part of it
or:
inability to act or make a decision
or:
inability to act or make a decision
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
ponder
2 uses
The question the audience is left to ponder is...
ponder = think about
Definition
Generally ponder means:to think deeply or carefully about something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
pretense
1 use
The country maintains a pretense of a free press.
pretense = false appearance
Definition
Generally pretense means:a false appearance or action to help one pretend
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
prevail
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
reason will prevail
Neither side has the strength to prevail over the other.
prevail = win (prove to be superior)
Definition
Generally this sense of prevail means:prove superior or win
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
savor
2 uses
Savor the soup.
savor = take pleasure from
Definition
Generally savor means:to take great pleasure from; or the pleasure or flavor enjoyed
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
spontaneous
1 use
The group broke into spontaneous laughter.
spontaneous = happening or arising without plan
Definition
Generally spontaneous means:behaving in an instinctive, uninhibited manner
or:
happening naturally (without planning or external force)
or:
happening naturally (without planning or external force)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
suppress
1 use
She claimed that Facebook suppressed and promoted news that met a political agenda.
suppressed = kept from spreading
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
wane
1 use
Our passion has waned over the years, but our love has grown.
waned = gradually decreased
Definition
Generally wane means:a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number) — especially the part of the moon that is visible
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |