Mrs. Warren's Profession — Vocabulary
George Bernard Shaw
(Auto-generated)

Word Set

Samples

Sort By

Further limit words

by act of first use

to Show all

by difficulty

to (9 is most difficult)

by interest

underline any show only

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	17	top 100
conventionconvention → conventional:normal It was once conventional wisdom that the earth is flat.more Show sample from book You are a conventional woman at heart.16 more convention → conventional:typical Show general definition for convention (as in: conventional behavior) something regarded as normal or typical
	26	top 2000
censorcensor → censoring:suppressing everything considered politically unacceptable The Chinese devote enormous resources to censoring the Internet.more Show sample from book The managers of our London music-halls are not subject to any censorship.†25 more censor → censorship:the act of removing or suppressing anything considered obscene, immoral, or politically unacceptable Show general definition for censor (as related to censorship) to remove or suppress anything considered obscene, immoral, politically unacceptable, or a security threat or: a person who decides which such material should be removed or suppressed
	6	top 1000
scrupulouscareful and thorough You can count on her. She is scrupulous in her work.more Show sample from book If he made his play false to life by inventing fictitious disadvantages for her, he would be acting as unscrupulously as any tract writer.†5 more scrupulous → unscrupulously:unethically Show context notes The prefix "un-" in unscrupulously means not and reverses the meaning of scrupulously. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky. Show general definition careful to behave ethically and/or diligently (with great care and attention to detail)
	2	top 10
contrastnotable difference The contrast in their leadership styles is striking. Olivia motivated people with fear. Isabella motivated them with praise.more Show sample from book The dramatic reason for making the clergyman what Mrs Warren calls "an old stick-in-the-mud," whose son, in spite of much capacity and charm, is a cynically worthless member of society, is to set up a mordant contrast between him and the woman of infamous profession, with her well brought-up, straightforward, hardworking daughter.†1 more Show general definition for contrast (as in: there is a contrast) a difference -- especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
	4	top 1000
cunningclever and deceitful She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more Show sample from book He grins; leans forward with his elbows on his knees to prod with his stick at some unfortunate insect in the grass; and looks cunningly at her.†3 more cunning → cunningly:in a manner that is clever and typically that includes tricking others Show general definition for cunning (as in: a cunning thief) being good at achieving goals through cleverness -- and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
	5	top 2000
operaa classical music play in which most of the dialogue is sung She is a popular opera singer.more Show sample from book The attempt to produce a genus of opera without music (and this absurdity is what our fashionable theatres have been driving at for a long time without knowing it) is far less hopeful than my own determination to accept problem as the normal materiel of the drama.†4 more a musical play with orchestra in which most of the dialogue is sung (or the art form that consists of such musicals; or describing something as related to that art form) Show general definition a form of musical theater with orchestra in which most of the words are sung, often in a classical style and sometimes in a foreign language
	5	top 2000
sulkto overly indulge in being unhappy and unsociable She was disappointed and retreated to her room to sulk.more Show sample from book MRS WARREN [sulkily] Oh well, yes, if you come to that, I suppose you are.†4 more sulk → sulkily:in an excessively unhappy and unsociable manner Show general definition to be overly unhappy and unsociable -- often due to disappointment or a sense of not getting what was deserved
	2	top 100
conformconform → conformist:someone who thinks and acts like others in a group Most teenagers are surprisingly conformist within their subgroup.more Show sample from book I declare that the real secret of the cynicism and inhumanity of which shallower critics accuse me is the unexpectedness with which my characters behave like human beings, instead of conforming to the romantic logic of the stage.†1 more conform → conforming:complying, fitting in, or being similar to what is normal Show general definition to comply, fit in, or be similar to what is normal
	3	top 1000
cordialfriendly The countries share a long border and have cordial relations.more Show sample from book [Frank comes in and shakes hands cordially]†2 more cordial → cordially:in a friendly way Show general definition for cordial (as in: a cordial reception) friendly -- usually warm and heartfelt, but possibly only polite
	4	top 1000
clamorloud noise and/or persistent demands She ignored the clamor of the crowd.more Show sample from book Here again the clamor for naturalness and human feeling, raised by so many critics when they are confronted by the real thing on the stage, is really a clamor for the most mechanical and superficial sort of logic.†3 more Show general definition loud noise and/or persistent demands -- especially from human voice
	2	top 200
apprehensiveworried She is apprehensive about her new job.more Show sample from book [He looks round apprehensively Seeing no one within earshot he plucks up courage to boom again, but more subduedly]†1 more apprehensive → apprehensively:worried over possible misfortune Show general definition worried over possible misfortune
	2	top 200
complacentunworried and satisfied She had become complacent after years of success.more Show sample from book The most vicious man in the play is not in the least a stage villain; indeed, he regards his own moral character with the sincere complacency of a hero of melodrama.†1 more complacent → complacency:contentment (often unworried to a fault) Show general definition contented (unworried and satisfied) -- often to a fault
	3	top 1000
reproachreproach → reproached:criticized and expressed disappointment She reproached him for treating his sister so thoughtlessly.more Show sample from book My old Independent Theatre manager, Mr Grein, besides that reproach to me for shattering his ideals, complains that Mrs Warren is not wicked enough, and names several romancers who would have clothed her black soul with all the terrors of tragedy.†2 more a criticism; or to express criticism Show general definition a criticism; or to express criticism or disappointment -- especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame Show editor's word notes The expression "beyond reproach" is often used to indicate that one must not only be careful to do everything right, but must be careful not to do anything that might make people suspect they did something wrong. For example, politicians often need to behave in a manner that is beyond reproach. "Beyond reproach" can also suggest that something is perfect. More rarely, it can also be used to suggest that someone is too powerful or too well-connected to criticize.
	2
trifletrifle → trifling:unimportant We all agree with the goal, but how to achieve it is not a trifling matter.more Show sample from book They might as well ask what good Lord Shaftesbury did by devoting his life to the exposure of evils (by no means yet remedied) compared to which the worst things brought into view or even into surmise by this play are trifles.†3 more trifle → trifles:things of small importance Show general definition for trifle (as in: a trifling matter) something of small importance; or a small quantity
	2
trifle withtreat thoughtlessly or without respect She is not a woman to trifle with or ignore.more Show sample from book VIVIE [ruthlessly] Yes, without a moment's hesitation, if you trifle with me about this.†3 more Show general definition for trifle with (as in: trifle with her affections) to treat somebody or something thoughtlessly or without respect
	7
remonstratecriticize or argue When she has a complaint with her staff, she will remonstrate quietly and in private.more Show sample from book Even the Ibsen champions of ten years ago remonstrate with me just as the veterans of those brave days remonstrated with them.†6 more remonstrate → remonstrated:argued in protest or opposition Show general definition argue, complain, or criticize
	2	top 500
disparagedisparage → disparaging:criticizing or making seem less important She has a reputation for disparaging the efforts of her co-workers.more Show sample from book FRANK [looking round disparagingly] Do you intend to stick in this confounded place?†1 more disparage → disparagingly:with criticism or in a manner that makes something seem less important Show general definition to criticize or make seem less important -- especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
	2	top 1000
repudiaterepudiate → repudiated:strongly rejected The parents repudiated their son.more Show sample from book PRAED [rising in a frenzy of repudiation] I don't believe it.†1 more repudiate → repudiation:strong rejection Show general definition strong rejection -- especially when the idea or thing being rejected was once embraced
	2	top 2000
flippanthaving an inappropriate lack of seriousness Her response is entertaining, but the question deserves a less flippant answer.more Show sample from book I advised you to conquer your idleness and flippancy, and to work your way into an honorable profession and live on it and not upon me.†1 more flippant → flippancy:an inappropriate lack of seriousness Show general definition showing an inappropriate lack of seriousness
	2	top 2000
slovenlymessy She scolded her son for his slovenly habits.more Show sample from book It isn't the thing: it's slovenly, ever so slovenly.† messy or dirty; OR excessively careless or casual Show general definition messy or dirty; or: excessively careless or casual