admonish
4 uses
"I don't want him to grow soft playing baseball," he admonished.
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
A revolution swept across Mexico in 1910, precipitating a decade of civil war and 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
though some in the stands were offended or apathetic, many were touched by the humility of the team's condition and reached into their pockets for coins.
apathetic = without interest
Definition
Generally apathy means: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
Monterrey was a city devoid of material comforts, so it was good that he had chosen a vocation that rewarded austerity.
austerity = self-denial (of luxury and comfort)
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
She knew it was the kind of candid photo that made magazine covers and won awards.†
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
Fundidora, was quick to remind complacent or forgetful employees of the fragile demarcation between life and death.
complacent = unworried and satisfied (often to a fault)
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
men of different trades worked diligently, repairing roof rafters, shoring up timbers, chipping away the deteriorated masonry, and cleaning the twisted metal and concrete debris.
diligently = with 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
Inside, the clerk eyed him with a mix of disdain and pity.
disdain = contempt (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 could've been looking at a bird behind you, stupid," came Hector's disparaging remark.
disparaging = criticizing
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
The events of a Little League baseball game in Louisville, Kentucky should hardly have merited divine attention, but just as the umpire was about to call the game in Biloxi's favor, an angel's voice interceded.
divine = coming from God
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
He shoved the machine, eliciting a stern look from the deputy,
eliciting = bringing 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
Well, they better start now or else they's gonna forfeit,
forfeit = lose the game (as a penalty)
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
"Umberto, he's just a child," interjected Oralia.
interjected = quickly inserted (typically interrupts what another is saying)
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
Veterans of the factory knew that these didn't prevent or mitigate the accidents, nor did they protect workers from heat exhaustion or respiratory diseases.
mitigate = make less harmful
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
"Maybe it's best this way," Cesar said to Lucky while trying to find something to say to fill the awkward silence that pervaded the wait for news of their disposition.
pervaded = filled
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 kind of gut-wrenching event that tested the faith of even the most pious.
pious = 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
Lucky could not resist making a somewhat irreverent reference to Genesis,
irreverent = disrespectful
(Editor's note: The prefix "ir-" in irreverent means not and reverses the meaning of reverent. This prefix is sometimes used before words beginning with "R" as seen in words like irrational, irregular, and irresistible.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "ir-" in irreverent means not and reverses the meaning of reverent. This prefix is sometimes used before words beginning with "R" as seen in words like irrational, irregular, and irresistible.)
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
As a waitress in a local restaurant, she was no stranger to making sure customers' appetites were satiated.
satiated = filled to satisfaction
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
She'd have to savor the moment only in her memory.
savor = relish
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
He checked their papers with the scantest of scrutiny.
scrutiny = careful inspection
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 |