approach
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
use the best approach
He'd learned through experience that the best way to approach a story like this was to begin with what he knew, so .... what did he know for certain?†
approach = begin to understand
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
contradict
1 use
I think you just contradicted yourself.†
contradicted = disagreed
Definition
Generally contradict means:disagree
in various senses, including:
- to say something is not true — as in "She contradicted his testimony."
- to say something else is true when both can't be true — as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened."
- to be in conflict with — as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
contrast (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —1 use as in:
contrast their writing styles
Downtown appeared in sharp focus, in contrast to the dreamy, misty images he remembered.†
in contrast = in a comparison that shows differences
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
2 —2 uses as in:
there is a contrast
With oak-paneled walls, mahogany flooring, and burgundy curtains, the cavernous, open room stood in stark contrast to the area downstairs.†
contrast = notable difference
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:a difference — especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
disparate
1 use
Like most mysteries, it was a puzzle with many disparate pieces.
disparate = very different
Definition
Generally disparate means:very different — often referring to a collection of very different elements such as a group of very different people
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
evaluate
3 uses
He might hem and haw while glancing at his wife's picture and pretending to evaluate the merits, but he never passed up a story like this.†
evaluate = to think carefully and make a judgment about
Definition
Generally evaluate means:to think carefully and make a judgment about something
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
fraudulent
6 uses
In each instance that Jeremy had investigated, including those that were well documented in the media, fraud had been the cause of the mysterious events.†
fraud = someone who deceives others or something intended to deceive — usually for financial gain or ego
Definition
Generally fraudulent means:intentional deception — usually for financial gain or ego
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
irony
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
situational irony
The name of the ship, ironically, was Titan.
ironically = an entertaining coincidence when what happens is very different than what might be expected
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together — especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
minute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
minute size
A fisherman wrote of tides and catches in almost minute detail; the second, by a chatty schoolteacher named Glenara, described her budding relationship with a young visiting doctor over an eight-month period, as well as her thoughts about her students and people she knew in town.†
minute = insignificant
Definition
Generally this sense of minute means:small, exceptionally small, or insignificant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
nevertheless
1 use
Nevertheless, he felt reasonably comfortable at Greenleaf, even if Jed still hadn't cracked a smile.†
nevertheless = in spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally nevertheless means:in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nonetheless, all the same, still, and however.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Epil. |
nonetheless
9 uses
One that pressed the limits of believability, but a fluke nonetheless.†
nonetheless = in spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally nonetheless means:in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nevertheless, all the same, still, and however.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
objective
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an objective viewpoint
You're an objective journalist.
objective = fact-based and not influenced by personal feelings or preferences
Definition
Generally this sense of objective means:fact-based without the influence of personal feelings or preferences
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
omit
1 use
He'd wanted to write a column criticizing the study, partly because it omitted what he felt were some important qualifications.†
omitted = to exclude or neglect something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
perpetrator
1 use
In both cases, the hoax was originally perpetrated as a practical joke, but public interest escalated so quickly that confessions were rendered difficult.
perpetrated = done (something wrong or illegal)
Definition
Generally perpetrator means:someone who has does something wrong — usually something illegal
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
perspective
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
Look at it from her perspective
I suppose that depends on the perspective.†
perspective = way of seeing and thinking about things
Definition
Generally this sense of perspective means:a particular way of seeing or thinking about things
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
phenomenon
6 uses
Don't you realize how many things had to come together to create this phenomenon?†
phenomenon = something that exists or happened — often of special interest
Definition
Generally phenomenon means:something that exists or happened — especially something of special interest — sometimes someone or something that is extraordinary
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
precede
1 use
My reputation precedes me.†
precedes = goes, does, or is before
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
primarily
2 uses
You do realize that I'm primarily a columnist?†
primarily = mainly
Definition
Generally primarily means:mainly (most importantly)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
relevant
2 uses
Most of the information covered the early history of the town, and he jotted what he thought were relevant notes on the pad beside him.†
relevant = relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
swindle
2 uses
Still, his career choice didn't change until his father was swindled by a bogus financial planner out of some $40,000, right before Jeremy graduated.
swindled = tricked
Definition
Generally swindle means:tricking or cheating someone — usually to get money
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |