abhor
2 uses
She abhors violence.
abhors = hates
Definition
Generally abhor means:to hate or detest something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
afflict
4 uses
She is afflicted by diabetes.
afflicted = made to suffer
Definition
Generally afflict means:cause suffering — such as illness, pain, or unhappiness
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
attain
1 use
She was the first woman to attain the rank of general.
attain = gain or reach something with effort
Definition
Generally attain means:to gain or reach something with effort
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
bountiful
1 use
the bountiful Thanksgiving dinner
bountiful = an abundant (large) amount
Definition
Generally bountiful means:given in abundance (a large amount); or an abundant (large) amount
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
commend
1 use
I commend you for a good job.
commend = praise
Definition
Generally commend means:praise or recommend
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
contentious
3 uses
We started with the most contentious item on the agenda.
contentious = likely to cause disagreement
Definition
Generally contentious means:causing or likely to cause disagreement; or argumentative
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
disperse
2 uses
The crowd dispersed.
dispersed = scattered (moved away from one another)
Definition
Generally this sense of disperse means:to scatter or cause to spread
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
dissemble
1 use
After the primaries, she will dissemble her past statements to appear more moderate in her beliefs.
dissemble = be deceptive about
Definition
Generally dissemble means:hide or disguise the truth without outright lying
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 26 |
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 4 |
grievous
2 uses
She suffered grievous bodily harm.
grievous = very serious; or very bad
Definition
Generally grievous means:very serious; or very bad; or causing grief
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
haughty
3 uses
It is a story about a haughty princess who has a great fall.
haughty = arrogant or condescending (acting superior or self-important)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
impudent
1 use
She is an impudent girl given to insulting strangers.
impudent = improperly bold or disrespectful
Definition
Generally impudent means:improperly bold or disrespectful — especially toward someone who is older or considered to be of higher status
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
infamy
1 use
Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live on in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
infamy = famous for something bad
Definition
Generally infamy means:famous for something that is bad; or an extremely bad event
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
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 5 |
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 | Chapter 30 |
pacify
1 use
She was upset and I could not pacify her.
pacify = calm
Definition
Generally pacify means:calm someone who is angry; or establish peace
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
penury
1 use
The couple suffered from substance abuse, gambling, lack of family support, and other social ills that lead to penury.
penury = extreme poverty
Definition
Generally penury means:a state of extreme poverty or destitution
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
prophecy
2 uses
The prophecy came true.
prophecy = prediction of the future
Definition
Generally prophecy means:a prediction of the future (usually said to be obtained in a supernatural way)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
ravish
2 uses
The soldiers ravished the city.
ravished = overwhelmed, plundered, and raped
Definition
Generally this sense of ravish means:to rape, overwhelm or plunder
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
sloth
12 uses
1 —12 uses as in:
mental sloth
It is difficult to change the habit of sloth.
sloth = laziness
Definition
Generally this sense of sloth means:laziness (an unwillingness to work or exert oneself)
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |