anguish
13 uses
I felt unbearable anguish when my 4-year-old child died from brain cancer.
anguish = extreme pain
Definition
Generally anguish means:extreme pain, suffering, or distress (of body or mind)
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
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 | Chapter 2.3 |
bewilder
8 uses
Some of their customs can bewilder travelers.
bewilder = confuse
Definition
Generally bewilder means:to confuse someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 17 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
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 2.3 |
contempt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
feels contempt towards her
Familiarity breeds contempt.
contempt = lack of respect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior — often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.3 |
disdain
3 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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
endure
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
endured the pain
I endured insult and injury without complaint.
endured = suffered through
Definition
Generally this sense of endure means:to suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 18 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
exasperated
7 uses
She was exasperated by his teasing.
exasperated = greatly annoyed
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.1 |
foreshadow
1 use
The author is known for creative use of foreshadowing.
foreshadowing = using events as signs of future events
Definition
Generally foreshadow means:to be a sign of future events
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
grave
3 uses
Her smile disappeared as she suddenly realized the gravity of her situation.
gravity = seriousness or importance (weightiness)
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
imply
1 use
She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.
implied = hinted or suggested
Definition
Generally imply means:to suggest or say indirectly — possibly as a logical consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
indifferent
6 uses
About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.
indifferent = without interest
Definition
Generally indifferent means:without interest
in various senses, including:
- unconcerned — as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat."
- unsympathetic — as in "She is indifferent to his needs."
- not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) — as in "an indifferent performance"
- impartial — as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.3 |
malevolent
5 uses
She tells vicious lies and spreads malevolent rumors.
malevolent = evil
Definition
Generally malevolent means:evil
- of a person — wishing or appearing to wish evil to others
- of a thing — exerting an evil or harmful influence
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
malicious
9 uses
I am not interested in hearing malicious gossip.
malicious = evil; or made with the intent to make others suffer
Definition
Generally malicious means:wanting to see others suffer; or threatening evil
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
nevertheless
6 uses
The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.
nevertheless = in spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally nevertheless means:in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nonetheless, all the same, still, and however.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
precede
3 uses
Stone tools preceded bronze tools.
preceded = were before in time
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.1 |
scorn
15 uses
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
scorned = rejected
Definition
Generally scorn means:disrespect or reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
testify
12 uses
She testified against the robber.
testified = provided oral evidence in court
Definition
Generally testify means:provide evidence of something — especially to say something under oath in a court of law
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
testimony
15 uses
Her emotional testimony moved the jury.
testimony = the statement of a witness at a trial
Definition
Generally testimony means:something that serves as evidence — especially a statement at a trial or hearing
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
wrath
11 uses
She could hardly contain her wrath when she learned he had betrayed her.
wrath = extreme anger
Definition
Generally wrath means:extreme anger or angry punishment
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |