abhor
1 use
She abhors violence.
abhors = hates
Definition
Generally abhor means:to hate or detest something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-5 |
abominable
2 uses
She described the abominable treatment of prisoners.
abominable = exceptionally bad
Definition
Generally abominable means:exceptionally bad or detestable
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6-10 |
abundant
3 uses
Farmers in the region enjoy good soil, moderate temperatures, and an abundant supply of water.
abundant = present in great quantity
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-5 |
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 | Chapter 6-10 |
bestow
1 use
They gave her the highest honor they can bestow.
bestow = give (as an honor)
Definition
Generally bestow means:to give — typically to present as an honor or give as a gift
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 30-35 |
chide
3 uses
She constantly chides me for my grammar.
chides = corrects or criticizes
Definition
Generally chide means:to tell someone they have done wrong — sometimes in a gentle way to encourage better behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16-20 |
eloquent
1 use
Her eloquence is unquestioned even amongst those who disagree with her.
eloquence = powerful use of language
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-5 |
entreat
1 use
She flattered and entreated him until he agreed to help.
entreated = asked
Definition
Generally entreat means:to ask — especially while trying hard to overcome resistance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-5 |
guile
1 use
Her cleverness and inventiveness was exceeded only by her guile.
guile = cunning (shrewdness and cleverness) and deceit
Definition
Generally guile means:cunning (shrewdness and cleverness) and deceitful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21-25 |
heed
3 uses
Heed the advice of the old women.
heed = pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested
Definition
Generally heed means:pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested — especially with regard to a warning or other advice
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6-10 |
heritage
1 use
The country was slow to recognize the rights of African-Americans and women, but still has a heritage of freedom relative to most of the world.
heritage = something handed down from the past
Definition
Generally heritage means:something handed down from the past
in various senses, including:
- traditions — as in "Americans inherit a heritage of freedom"
- cultural practices — as in "Hospitality to strangers is part of Arabic cultural heritage."
- physical items built and/or protected from long ago — as in "The cathedral is a World Heritage site," or "The national parks are part of our heritage as Americans."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6-10 |
iniquity
6 uses
That was when I realized I had to climb up from the depths of iniquity.
iniquity = immorality
Definition
Generally iniquity means:immorality; or an immoral act
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16-20 |
inquire
1 use
Students should contact our office to inquire about scholarship opportunities.
inquire = ask about or look into
Definition
Generally inquire means:to ask about or look into something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16-20 |
perversion
1 use
It was an unacceptable perversion of justice.
perversion = the conversion of something to a wrong use
Definition
Generally perversion means:the conversion of something so it is not what it should be — especially a sexual practice considered unacceptable by society
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21-25 |
provoke
1 use
Her remarks provoked a public outcry.
provoked = caused — typically an emotional reaction such as anger
Definition
Generally provoke means:to cause a reaction — typically an emotional reaction such as anger; and sometimes caused intentionally
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21-25 |
remnant
1 use
They are working to eliminate remnants of al-Qaeda in that area.
remnants = small amounts that remains after the rest is gone
Definition
Generally remnant means:a small amount that remains after the rest is gone — sometimes specifically of cloth
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 26-30 |
repentance
3 uses
Prisoners who show repentance are more likely to be released on parole.
repentance = regret for having done wrong with a desire to be a better person in the future
Definition
Generally repentance means:the feeling or expression of regret for having done something wrong with a firm decision to be a better person in the future
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 30-35 |
sufficient
1 use
We have sufficient supplies.
sufficient = adequate (enough)
Definition
Generally sufficient means:adequate (enough — often without being more than is needed)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 36-40 |
therefore
21 uses
Kim is taller than Ashley. Ashley is taller than Anna. Therefore, Kim is taller than Anna.
therefore = for that reason
Definition
Generally therefore means:for that reason (what follows is so because of what was just said)
Word Statistics
| Book | 21 uses |
| Library | 24 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-5 |
utter
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
utter stupidity
She suffered utter devastation when her child died in the accident.
utter = complete
Definition
Generally this sense of utter means:complete or total (used as an intensifier—typically when stressing how bad something is)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 26 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16-20 |