addle
1 use
It was the best she could do with her drug-addled mind.
addled = mixed up or confused
Definition
Generally addle means:mix up or confuse
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
anguish
3 uses
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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
approximate
1 use
The state has approximately as many Republicans as Democrats.
approximately = about
Definition
Generally approximate means:almost, but not exact; or similar
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
cache
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
cache of arms
We found a cache of weapons buried in the woods.
cache = hidden supply
Definition
Generally this sense of cache means:a storage space — often hidden to hold valuables, provisions or weapons; or the storing of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
competent
2 uses
She is a competent student and I have no doubt she will be a competent lawyer one day.
competent = sufficiently capable
Definition
Generally competent means:capable (able to do something in a generally satisfactory manner) — sometimes specifically to have legal capability
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
cryptic
2 uses
I didn't understand her cryptic reply.
cryptic = difficult to understand
Definition
Generally cryptic means:secretive or difficult to understand
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
flippant
1 use
Her response is entertaining, but the question deserves a less flippant answer.
flippant = having an inappropriate lack of seriousness
Definition
Generally flippant means:showing an inappropriate lack of seriousness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
immune
2 uses
People are immune if they've had the virus previously or been vaccinated.
immune = not in danger (from something)
Definition
Generally immune means:not in danger of being affected by something — especially a disease
or:
relating to disease resistance
or:
relating to disease resistance
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
impervious
2 uses
She has made up her mind and is impervious to criticism.
impervious = unaffected
Definition
Generally impervious means:not admitting passage through; or not capable of being affected
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
malevolent
2 uses
She tells vicious lies and spreads malevolent rumors.
malevolent = evil
Definition
Generally malevolent means:evil
- of a person — wishing or appearing to wish evil to others
- of a thing — exerting an evil or harmful influence
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
negative
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
The test came back negative.
The pregnancy test was negative.
negative = did not find a condition to be present
Definition
Generally this sense of negative means:did not find a condition or substance to be present
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
obscure
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
the view or directions are obscure
For some obscure reason that goes back many years, they don't like each other.
obscure = not clearly understood
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:not clearly seen, understood, or expressed
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
odious
1 use
Though they think the country's government is odious, they're unwilling to help topple it for fear of the consequences.
odious = worthy of hate
Definition
Generally odious means:extremely unpleasant, disgusting, dislikable, or worthy of hate
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
perceptible
1 use
The car makes a barely perceptible clicking sound at high speeds.
perceptible = capable of being noticed
Definition
Generally perceptible means:capable of being noticed — typically because it is different enough or large enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
pugnacious
1 use
Nicknamed, "The Pit Bull", he is known as a pugnacious supporter of workers' rights.
pugnacious = quick to fight or argue
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
requisition
2 uses
The surveillance recordings were requisitioned by police to identify the thief.
requisitioned = officially demanded
Definition
Generally requisition means:to officially request, demand, or take something; or the form used to make such a request
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
tentative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
said it tentatively
The puppy approached us tentatively until it knew we wouldn't harm it.
tentatively = in a careful way (indicating a lack of confidence)
Definition
Generally this sense of tentative means:done in a careful or unsure way (indicating a lack of confidence in exactly what will happen)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
treachery
2 uses
Benedict Arnold remains the U.S.'s symbol of ultimate treachery.
treachery = betrayal
Definition
Generally treachery means:the behavior of someone who pretends to be a friend and then tricks, cheats, or betrays
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
unwitting
1 use
She unwittingly bought and sold stolen merchandise.
unwittingly = unintentionally (without knowing it)
Definition
Generally unwitting means:not intentional (without knowledge)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
vapid
1 use
I thought the speech was vapid and pointless.
vapid = dull (not interesting or stimulating)
Definition
Generally vapid means:dull (lacking anything interesting or stimulating)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |