abominable
1 use
She described the abominable treatment of prisoners.
abominable = exceptionally bad
Definition
Generally abominable means:exceptionally bad or detestable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11-15 |
acquaint
1 use
You should acquaint yourself with the new computer program.
acquaint = cause to know better
Definition
Generally acquaint means:to cause to know; or to cause to be familiar with
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21-25 |
beseech
2 uses
She teaches and beseeches her students to think about their future.
beseeches = begs
Definition
Generally beseech means:to ask strongly or beg for something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6-10 |
breadth
2 uses
The introductory courses are meant to add to breadth rather than depth of understanding.
breadth = the range of variety
Definition
Generally breadth means:the distance between two sides; or the range of variety — especially a broad range of knowledge
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 36-42 |
calamity
2 uses
The whole country was affected by the calamity of 9/11.
calamity = disastrous event
Definition
Generally calamity means:a disastrous event; or the distress resulting from it
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6-10 |
chastise
1 use
She said the United Nations resolution amounted to chastising Israel for wanting to exist.
chastising = criticizing
Definition
Generally chastise means:to scold or criticize
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 31-35 |
confound
1 use
She confounded her critics.
confounded = frustrated
Definition
Generally confound means:to confuse, prove wrong, frustrate, or express frustration
in various senses, including:
confuse or surprise — sometimes specifically to confuse one thing with another
- "confounded by the puzzle" — confused or perplexed
- "Test results confounded the experts." — surprised and confused
- "Do not confound confidence with correctness." — mistake one thing for another
prove wrong, defeat, or frustrate
- "The test results confounded my theory." — proved wrong
- "Their defense confounded our offense." — defeated or frustrated
make worse
- "She confounded the problem by painting without sanding." — made worse
- "The task is complicated by other confounding factors." — making worse
an exclamation expressing anger or frustration
- "Confound it! Will I ever get this thing to work?"
- "I don't understand the confounded directions!"
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6-10 |
deride
1 use
She relentlessly mocks and derides the younger students.
derides = criticizes with strong disrespect
Definition
Generally deride means:to criticize with strong disrespect — often
with humor
with humor
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 26-30 |
discern
2 uses
The second picture has more pixels, but the human eye can't discern the difference.
discern = notice or see (something that is not obvious)
Definition
Generally discern means:to notice or understand something — often something that is not obvious
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-5 |
doctrine
1 use
She argues that the action is protected under the separation-of-powers doctrine that is fundamental to the US Constitution.
doctrine = principle
Definition
Generally doctrine means:a belief (or system of beliefs or principles) accepted as authoritative by some group
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11-15 |
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 21-25 |
eschew
3 uses
Her bumper sticker says "Eschew obfuscation."
eschew = avoid and stay away from
Definition
Generally eschew means:avoid and stay away from deliberately
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-5 |
garnish
1 use
She garnished the plate with parsley.
garnished = decorated or adorned
Definition
Generally this sense of garnish means:to decorate or adorn something (most typically food with another food); or the item added for decoration
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 26-30 |
heed
1 use
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 36-42 |
heritage
2 uses
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16-20 |
iniquity
30 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 | 30 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11-15 |
innumerable
1 use
She has been the target of innumerable investigations.
innumerable = too numerous to be counted
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21-25 |
persecution
2 uses
Everyone knows about the persecution of the Jews by the Nazis.
persecution = very bad and unfair treatment
Definition
Generally persecution means:very bad and unfair treatment of others — usually because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political beliefs
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16-20 |
prosper
2 uses
She is prospering at school.
prospering = doing well
Definition
Generally prosper means:to do well or to grow stronger
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6-10 |
repentance
1 use
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 36-42 |