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Murder in the Cathedral

Top-Ranked Words with Typical Sample Sentences

instructions
absolve
4 uses
The committee absolved her of any wrong doing.
absolved = found blameless
DefinitionGenerally absolve means:
to find someone blameless; or forgive; or relieve (of a requirement or obligation)
Word Statistics
Book4 uses
Library2 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
alliance
2 uses
The Islamic governments formed an alliance to defeat Israel.
alliance = association formed to support common interests
DefinitionGenerally alliance means:
an association formed to support common interests
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library8 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 1
Web Links
compel
2 uses
Does our DNA compel us to act as we do?
compel = force
DefinitionGenerally compel means:
to force someone to do something

or more rarely:

to convince someone to do something
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library9 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 2000
1st useChapter 1
Web Links
contempt
1 use
1  —1 use as in:
feels contempt towards her
Familiarity breeds contempt.
contempt = lack of respect
DefinitionGenerally 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
Book1 use
Library8 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
defer
1 use
1  —1 use as in:
deferred to her wishes
I defer to her expertise.
defer = submit
DefinitionGenerally this sense of defer means:
submit or yield (typically to another person's opinion because of respect for that person or their knowledge)
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library2 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 500
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
disdain
1 use
She tries to be polite, but cannot hide her disdain for authority.
disdain = lack of respect
DefinitionGenerally disdain means:
a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority

or:

to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library7 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 500
1st useChapter 1
Web Links
dismay
2 uses
Don't be dismayed. I have a solution.
dismayed = sad, disappointed, or worried
DefinitionGenerally dismay means:
to feel sadness, disappointment, or worry — typically in response to something surprising
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library12 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 2000
1st useChapter 1
Web Links
duplicity
1 use
I trust her. Duplicity isn't in her nature or her tool kit.
duplicity = deception
DefinitionGenerally duplicity means:
deception (lying to or misleading others) — usually over an extended period
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 1
Web Links
establish
1 use
1  —1 use as in:
establish a positive tone
Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?
established = created
DefinitionGenerally this sense of establish means:
create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library25 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 100
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
insolent
2 uses
I don't recommend the hotel. The employees are insolent and unhelpful.
insolent = rudely disrespectful
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library4 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
martyr
29 uses
Many believe that all of the Apostles were martyred except John; however, the Bible reports only on the martyrdom of James.
martyrdom = someone who dies upholding religious principles
DefinitionGenerally martyr means:
someone who dies or suffers to uphold principles — especially someone killed for refusing to renounce their religion, or someone who commits a suicide death in the name of their religion

or:

someone who suffers a great deal
Word Statistics
Book29 uses
Library6 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 1
Web Links
perish
1 use
...government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.
Abraham Lincoln  --  Gettysburg Address
perish = be destroyed or cease to exist
DefinitionGenerally perish means:
to die — especially in an unnatural way

or:

to be destroyed or cease to exist
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library7 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 500
1st useChapter 1
Web Links
persecution
2 uses
Everyone knows about the persecution of the Jews by the Nazis.
persecution = very bad and unfair treatment
DefinitionGenerally persecution means:
very bad and unfair treatment of others — usually because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political beliefs
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library5 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 2000
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
precede
2 uses
Stone tools preceded bronze tools.
preceded = were before in time
DefinitionGenerally precede means:
to go or do before
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library9 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 100
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
pretense
5 uses
The country maintains a pretense of a free press.
pretense = false appearance
DefinitionGenerally pretense means:
a false appearance or action to help one pretend
Word Statistics
Book5 uses
Library7 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 1
Web Links
refute
1 use
The speaker refuted his opponent's arguments.
refuted = argued against
DefinitionGenerally refute means:
to disprove or argue against
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library2 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 500
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
resignation
1 use
1  —1 use as in:
submitted her resignation
I know you're unhappy there, but don't submit your resignation until you find a better job.
resignation = a document expressing that someone is quitting a job
DefinitionGenerally this sense of resignation means:
to quit — especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library12 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 2000
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
scorn
2 uses
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
scorned = rejected
DefinitionGenerally scorn means:
disrespect or reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library10 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 500
1st useChapter 1
Web Links
treachery
2 uses
Benedict Arnold remains the U.S.'s symbol of ultimate treachery.
treachery = betrayal
DefinitionGenerally treachery means:
the behavior of someone who pretends to be a friend and then tricks, cheats, or betrays
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library3 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 1
Web Links
treason
3 uses
He was executed for treason in a time of war.
treason = betraying one's own country
DefinitionGenerally treason means:
betraying someone or something — typically betraying one's own country

(in this context, to betray is to not be loyal—often by helping enemies)
Word Statistics
Book3 uses
Library5 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 1
Web Links
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