affectation
1 use
She is comfortable in her own skin and meets strangers without affectation.
affectation = behaving in an artificial way to make an impression
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
arbitrary
2 uses
It was an arbitrary decision.
arbitrary = based on chance or impulse
Definition
Generally arbitrary means:based on chance or impulse (rather than upon reasoning, consistent rules, or a proper sense of fairness)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
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 |
capacious
2 uses
She carries a capacious bag.
capacious = very large
Definition
Generally capacious means:large in capacity
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
confound
2 uses
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
continuance
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
continuance of the journey
The backup data center helps assure business continuance in event of a natural disaster.
continuance = continuation
Definition
Generally this sense of continuance means:the process of continuing; or the time or state during which something continues
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
detestable
2 uses
I think Umbridge is the most detestable character in the Harry Potter books.
detestable = deserving intense dislike
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
dismal
3 uses
The coach will probably be replaced after such a dismal year.
dismal = terrible
Definition
Generally dismal means:of terrible quality or depressing; or dark and dreary (as when bad weather blocks the sun or when it is drizzly)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
endeavor
2 uses
I endeavored to get both sides to agree to a compromise.
endeavored = tried or attempted
Definition
Generally endeavor means:to attempt; or a project or activity attempted
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
engender
1 use
The police in Mexico don't engender confidence.
engender = cause (bring into being)
Definition
Generally engender means:cause — usually a feeling (possibly a situation)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
imperious
3 uses
She dismissed the matter with an imperious wave of her hand.
imperious = arrogant
Definition
Generally imperious means:expecting obedience; or arrogant; or domineering
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
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 |
notwithstanding
1 use
Notwithstanding other provisions of this contract, employee may be fired immediately if there is any material misrepresentation on employee's resume or job application.
notwithstanding = in spite of (used to connect contrasting ideas)
(In this case, even if other parts of the contract protect the employee from being fired without notice, the employee can be fired immediately for these reasons. The other parts of the contract do not withstand this part.)
(In this case, even if other parts of the contract protect the employee from being fired without notice, the employee can be fired immediately for these reasons. The other parts of the contract do not withstand this part.)
Definition
Generally notwithstanding means:in spite of; or in spite of the thing mentioned
(Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nevertheless, nonetheless, all the same, still, and however.)
(Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nevertheless, nonetheless, all the same, still, and however.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
omnipotent
1 use
When I was young, I believed in the myth of omnipotent science, technology and logic.
omnipotent = all powerful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
patronage
2 uses
Most ambassadors are selected from career Foreign Service officers, but many are appointed through political patronage.
patronage = political appointment in return for political support
Definition
Generally patronage means:support or favor given
The exact sense of patronage depends upon its context. For example::
- "wants to increase federal patronage of the arts" — donations made to support an organization or person
- "a political patronage appointee" — favors given such as political appointments or contracts given in return for political support
- "rewards repeat patronage" — business from customers — especially recurring business
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
pervasive
1 use
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
sagacious
1 use
She is a smart and sagacious statesman.
sagacious = wise
Definition
Generally sagacious means:wise — especially through long experience and thoughtfulness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
scrupulous
3 uses
You can count on her. She is scrupulous in her work.
scrupulous = careful and thorough
Definition
Generally scrupulous means:careful to behave ethically and/or diligently (with great care and attention to detail)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
spurn
1 use
She spurned his advances.
spurned = rejected
Definition
Generally spurn means:reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
temperament
2 uses
She has the experience, temperament, and judgment for the job.
temperament = character resulting in mood and tendencies
Definition
Generally this sense of temperament means:usual mood and tendencies
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |