admonish
4 uses
He admonished the child for his bad behavior
admonished = expressed disapproval
Definition
Generally admonish means:to express disapproval to someone of their actions; or to warn or advise someone
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 2000 |
1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
anarchy
2 uses
It's not the government I want, but it's better than anarchy.
anarchy = the complete absence of political authority
Definition
Generally anarchy means:the complete absence of political authority; or more generally, complete absence of order
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 2000 |
1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
apathy
2 uses
Seeing too much senior apathy, the high school began having juniors declare a major for their senior year.
apathy = lack of interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.5 |
austere
1 use
He took a vow of silence and leads an austere life at the monastery.
austere = lacking luxury (and stern)
Definition
Generally austere means:a notable absence of luxury, comfort, or decoration
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Pro. |
candid
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a candid photograph
A photographer will take traditional wedding pictures. I'm just going to get some candid shots.
candid = unposed
Definition
Generally this sense of candid means:unposed — typically said of a photograph
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 3.24 |
complacent
1 use
She had become complacent after years of success.
complacent = unworried and satisfied
Definition
Generally complacent means:contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
diligent
1 use
She's the kind of diligent worker we want to hire.
diligent = showing hard work and care
Definition
Generally this sense of diligent means:hard work and care in tasks — often continuing when others might quit because of difficulties
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 3.20 |
disdain
2 uses
She tries to be polite, but cannot hide her disdain for authority.
disdain = lack of respect
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
1st use | Chapter 2.15 |
disparage
1 use
She has a reputation for disparaging the efforts of her co-workers.
disparaging = criticizing or making seem less important
Definition
Generally disparage means:to criticize or make seem less important — especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
divine
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
to forgive is divine
Her pies are divine.
divine = wonderful
Definition
Generally this sense of divine means:wonderful; or god-like or coming from God
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 3.20 |
elicit
7 uses
Her comments elicited public outrage.
elicited = brought out in response
Definition
Generally elicit means:get or bring out in response — such as information or a feeling
Word Statistics
Book | 7 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
forfeit
9 uses
We had to forfeit the deposit.
forfeit = lose
Definition
Generally forfeit means:to lose or surrender something — often as a penalty
Word Statistics
Book | 9 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.19 |
interject
9 uses
"That's not true," she interjected.
interjected = inserted (a comment)
Definition
Generally interject means:to quickly insert a comment that interrupts what another is saying
or more rarely and more generally: to insert — as in "She interjects religion into politics," or "She interjects herself into my business."
or more rarely and more generally: to insert — as in "She interjects religion into politics," or "She interjects herself into my business."
Word Statistics
Book | 9 uses |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Pro. |
mitigate
1 use
Don't judge her so harshly until you consider the mitigating circumstances.
mitigating = serving to make less harmful or unpleasant
Definition
Generally mitigate means:make less harmful or unpleasant
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
pervasive
3 uses
We were losing 35 to 0 at halftime and there was a pervasive sense of gloom in the locker room.
pervasive = existing throughout something
Definition
Generally pervasive means:existing throughout something; or generally widespread
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 2.9 |
pious
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
a good, pious woman
The cartoon with a drawing of Muhammad outraged many pious Muslims.
pious = highly religious
Definition
Generally this sense of pious means:religious or highly moral
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Pro. |
revere
1 use
Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
revere = deeply respect and admire
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 2.15 |
satiate
1 use
The candy satiated my craving for sugar.
satiated = satisfied
Definition
Generally satiate means:to satisfy a hunger; or fill to satisfaction (typically said of hunger for food, but can be said of anything desired—such as of knowledge or sensual pleasure)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
1st use | Chapter 2.11 |
savor
7 uses
Savor the soup.
savor = take pleasure from
Definition
Generally savor means:to take great pleasure from; or the pleasure or flavor enjoyed
Word Statistics
Book | 7 uses |
Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.12 |
scrutiny
1 use
She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.
scrutinized = looked very carefully at
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
Definition
Generally scrutiny means:careful examination of something
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 2.10 |