banish
1 use
Every time Theresa laughed or squeezed his hand, she reaffirmed the feelings he'd had when she was last in Wilmington, banishing the dark thoughts that plagued him in her absence.
banishing = eliminating (getting rid of)
Definition
Generally banish means:to expel or get rid of
in various senses, including:
- to force someone to leave a country as punishment
- to push an idea from the mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
broach
1 use
Yet neither of them broached the subject of what was going to happen to their relationship in the future.
broached = brought up a topic for discussion - especially an awkward topic
Definition
Generally this sense of broach means:bring up a topic for discussion - especially an awkward topic
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
chaos
2 uses
...at work, the recordings of Mozart or Beethoven were always flooding out of her office into the chaos of the newsroom.
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 | Chapter 10 |
coherent
1 use
But she sounds coherent—not like a lot of people who've been calling today.
coherent = sensible (able to think and express herself clearly)
Definition
Generally coherent means:sensible and clear; or describing parts as fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
confront
4 uses
She shut her eyes tiredly, suddenly unwilling to confront her warring emotions.
confront = deal directly with a difficult situation
Definition
Generally confront means:to deal directly with an unpleasant situation or person
or:
to challenge someone — often by presenting evidence
or:
to challenge someone — often by presenting evidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 27 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
conjure
2 uses
I think of you, I dream of you, I conjure you up when I need you most.
conjure = summon into existence (in this case, summon into existence in his mind)
Definition
Generally conjure means:summon into action or bring into existence — often as if by magic
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
credence
1 use
They had probably sanded her down, and as she looked closer, she saw nicks in the hull, lending credence to her theory.
credence = a degree of believability
Definition
Generally credence means:degree of believability
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
daunt
1 use
The information didn't look too daunting.
daunting = discouraging or intimidating
Definition
Generally daunt means:to discourage or intimidate
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
dispose
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
disposed the troops along...
Through her computer she could also access the library at Harvard University or Boston University, and the addition of literally hundreds of thousands of articles they had at their disposal made any search much easier and less time-consuming than it had been even a few years ago.†
disposal = command
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
Definition
Generally this sense of dispose means:the arrangement, positioning, or use of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
emerge
3 uses
Over the years, a different kind of marriage emerged.
emerged = came out or appeared
Definition
Generally emerge means:to come out, or to appear
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 58 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
furtive
2 uses
Whenever they had a chance, Garrett and Theresa held hands, stealing a few furtive kisses when Kevin wasn't looking.
furtive = taking pains to avoid being observed
Definition
Generally furtive means:taking pains to avoid being observed
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
futile
2 uses
Halfway there, the ocean reached his neck and the futility of the situation finally hit him.
futility = pointlessness (uselessness)
Definition
Generally futile means:effort that is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
impulsive
1 use
"Oh ... Deanna ..." Theresa leaned in and impulsively hugged Deanna, excitement animating her face.
impulsively = 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 | Chapter 11 |
nonchalant
2 uses
Continuing to roll his cigarette, Jeb asked nonchalantly, "So, what did you two do with yourselves?"
nonchalantly = casually (in a calm, unconcerned manner)
Definition
Generally nonchalant means:calm in manner — appearing unconcerned
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
ominous
2 uses
On the horizon, the clouds looked ominous.
ominous = threatening
Definition
Generally ominous means:threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
omniscient
1 use
"Are you omniscient?"
omniscient = all-knowing (like saying, "Do you know everything?")
Definition
Generally omniscient means:all-knowing (to know everything)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
resolute
2 uses
Resolutely he pressed on.
resolutely = with firm purpose or belief
Definition
Generally resolute means:firm in purpose or belief
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
revere
1 use
...with her picture in front of him, he read the letters slowly, almost reverently, sensing Catherine's presence filling the room.
reverently = with feelings of deep respect and admiration
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
vicarious
1 use
It could even have been sent by someone who got some sort of vicarious thrill by making lonely women cry on distant beaches.
vicarious = experienced secondhand
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
wane
2 uses
It was dusk, and there were only a few minutes left of waning gray light.
waning = diminishing
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |