abhor
6 uses
She abhors violence.
abhors = hates
Definition
Generally abhor means:to hate or detest something
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21-30 |
abominable
3 uses
She described the abominable treatment of prisoners.
abominable = exceptionally bad
Definition
Generally abominable means:exceptionally bad or detestable
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 81-90 |
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 131-140 |
beseech
5 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 | 5 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 71-80 |
bountiful
4 uses
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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11-20 |
calamity
3 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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 51-60 |
deride
5 uses
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 | 5 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-10 |
destitute
2 uses
The article is entitled Destitute and Desperate in the Land of Plenty.
destitute = extremely poor
Definition
Generally destitute means:extremely poor; or lacking the necessities of life such as food and shelter
The expression "destitute of" means: lacking
The expression "destitute of" means: lacking
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 101-110 |
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 21-30 |
heritage
10 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 | 10 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11-20 |
iniquity
62 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 | 62 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 31-40 |
moreover
3 uses
The company has too much debt. Moreover, it is responsible for a long term lease on expensive office space.
moreover = in addition to what has just been said
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11-20 |
prosper
4 uses
She is prospering at school.
prospering = doing well
Definition
Generally prosper means:to do well or to grow stronger
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-10 |
purge
3 uses
She thinks fasting once a month helps purge her body of impurities.
purge = rid
Definition
Generally purge means:get rid of things thought undesirable
The exact meaning of purge can depend upon its context. For example:
- "purge the government of our enemies" — get rid of people for political reasons
- "purge my closet of everything I haven't worn in a year" — get rid of undesired things
- "To purge yourself of crippling sorrow, you'll need to express it." — get rid of unwanted feelings
- "I'm doing a 24-hour purge and then starting a new diet." — emptying the intestinal tract
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 51-60 |
repentance
4 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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 101-110 |
slander
3 uses
In the United States, it is extremely difficult for someone famous to win a slander lawsuit—almost no matter what is said.
slander = telling lies that damage the reputation of another
Definition
Generally slander means:lie to damage the reputation of another; or the lies told
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 31-40 |
sojourn
3 uses
I have fond memories of our sojourn to the south of France.
sojourn = visit (to a place)
Definition
Generally sojourn means:a temporary visit to a place
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 101-110 |
subdue
3 uses
1 —3 uses
verb as in: subdued the opposition
She was threatening people with a knife, but police used a Taser to subdue her.
subdue = overcome and control
Definition
Generally this sense of subdue means:to control, prevent, or make less intense — sometimes through force
The exact meaning of subdue depends upon its context. For example:
- "subdued a nation" — defeated militarily and brought under control
- "subdued the fever" — made it less intense or defeated it
- "subdued her enthusiasm" — made it less intense
- "subdued her fears" — made them less intense or overcame them
- "subdued my emotions" — kept them under control
- "subdued the crowd" — quieted or controlled it
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 41-50 |
tempestuous
1 use
She has a tempestuous relationship with her mother.
tempestuous = turbulent (emotionally violent)
Definition
Generally tempestuous means:strongly turbulent — as of a storm or unstable emotions
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 41-50 |
vengeance
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
vengeance is mine
Most Americans wanted vengeance after the 9-11 attacks.
vengeance = revenge
Definition
Generally this sense of vengeance means:the act of taking revenge
(Revenge means to harm someone to get them back for something harmful that they have done.)
(Revenge means to harm someone to get them back for something harmful that they have done.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 51-60 |