abysmal
2 uses
The refugee camp has abysmal living conditions.
abysmal = very bad
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 3.1 |
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 |
1st use | Chapter 2.3 |
apathy
1 use
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 | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
archaic
1 use
When I first started reading Shakespeare, it seemed archaic.
archaic = so extremely old as to seem to belong to an earlier period
Definition
Generally archaic means:so extremely old as to seem to belong to an earlier period; or obsolete
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
bequeath
2 uses
It is our duty to bequeath a better world to our grandchildren.
bequeath = pass down
Definition
Generally bequeath means:give or pass down — often upon death in a will
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
confound
5 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 | 5 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
corroborate
2 uses
The detectives looked for evidence to corroborate her story.
corroborate = support
Definition
Generally corroborate means:to support an opinion — typically with additional evidence or testimony
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 2000 |
1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
diffident
1 use
She is diffident around adults, but dominant with her peer group.
diffident = hesitant and unassertive
Definition
Generally diffident means:hesitant and unassertive — often due to a lack of self-confidence
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.3 |
distend
1 use
One method of declawing is to severe the tendon that allows the claws to distend.
distend = extend
Definition
Generally distend means:to extend — especially the swelling outward of a part of the body; e.g., the stomach
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
infernal
3 uses
Please stop making that infernal noise!
infernal = very annoying
Definition
Generally infernal means:very bad; or very annoying; or characteristic of hell or the underworld
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
iniquity
1 use
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 | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
interloper
1 use
All the new settlers made him feel like an interloper in the country of his fathers.
interloper = someone who intrudes or encroaches (inserts himself without invitation)
Definition
Generally interloper means:someone or something that, without invitation, inserts itself — such as an uninvited guest at a party or a species that invades non-native territory
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
penitent
2 uses
When her anger passed, she was penitent.
penitent = sorry for having done wrong
Definition
Generally penitent means:feeling or expressing sorrow for having done wrong; or a person who does such
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.1 |
perceptible
2 uses
The car makes a barely perceptible clicking sound at high speeds.
perceptible = capable of being noticed
Definition
Generally perceptible means:capable of being noticed — typically because it is different enough or large enough
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
repentance
6 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 | 6 uses |
Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
reproach
6 uses
She reproached him for being thoughtless and lazy.
reproached = criticized
Definition
Generally reproach means:a criticism; or to express criticism — especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame
Word Statistics
Book | 6 uses |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 2000 |
1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
reputable
1 use
It is a reputable business.
reputable = trusted and respected
Definition
Generally reputable means:trusted and respected (having a good reputation)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
shirk
1 use
She began to shirk her duties and turned to drinking to help deal with the pain.
shirk = avoid
Definition
Generally shirk means:to avoid something — such as a duty or responsibility
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.1 |
transfigure
1 use
Her face was transfigured by a smile.
transfigured = completely changed
Definition
Generally transfigure means:change completely the nature or appearance of — especially in a positive way
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
wrest
2 uses
The radical wing of the party is trying to wrest control from the moderates.
wrest = take (with effort)
Definition
Generally wrest means:obtain with difficult effort or force
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 2000 |
1st use | Chapter 2.2 |