beguile
6 uses
Few men could remain detached while looking into her beguiling eyes.
beguiling = enchanting; or enchanting and deceptive
Definition
Generally beguile means:to charm, enchant, or entertain someone; or to deceive — especially through charm
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 10 |
beseech
33 uses
She teaches and beseeches her students to think about their future.
beseeches = begs
Definition
Generally beseech means:to ask strongly or beg for something
Word Statistics
| Book | 33 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 10 |
commend
18 uses
I commend you for a good job.
commend = praise
Definition
Generally commend means:praise or recommend
Word Statistics
| Book | 18 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 10 |
contrary (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
contrary to
Contrary to popular belief, the largest pyramid is in Mexico—not Egypt.
contrary to = in opposition to
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 10 |
2 —1 use as in:
to the contrary
What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary.
to the contrary = with an opposite or different effect
Definition
Generally this sense of to the contrary means:with an opposite or different effect; or something with an opposite or different effect
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 10 |
doleful
13 uses
It was another year of a doleful Detroit economy.
doleful = very sad; or causing sadness or misfortune
Definition
Generally doleful means:expressing or causing sadness
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 10 |
forsake
11 uses
The country must forsake terrorism as a political instrument.
forsake = abandon or give up
Definition
Generally forsake means:to abandon or give up on — such as someone who needs you, or an idea, or a place
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 18 |
garnish
7 uses
She garnished the plate with parsley.
garnished = decorated or adorned
Definition
Generally this sense of garnish means:to decorate or adorn something (most typically food with another food); or the item added for decoration
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 10 |
King Arthur
445 uses
It is another story about the boy who would become King Arthur.
King Arthur = mythical king of the Britons recognized as such when he was able to pull the sword Excalibur from the stone that had locked its blade; created the Knights of the Round Table
Definition
Generally King Arthur means:mythical king of the Britons (English) recognized as such when he was able to pull the sword Excalibur from the stone that had locked its blade; created the Knights of the Round Table to protect his people
Word Statistics
| Book | 445 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 10 |
meddle
16 uses
She's always meddling in other people's business.
meddling = interfering (getting involved where not wanted)
Definition
Generally meddle means:interfere (in another's affairs or business); or handle (something that shouldn't be handled)
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 10 |
notwithstanding
13 uses
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 | 13 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 10 |
perish
9 uses
...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
Definition
Generally perish means:to die — especially in an unnatural way
or:
to be destroyed or cease to exist
or:
to be destroyed or cease to exist
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Book 17 |
rebuke
20 uses
She was stung by the rebuke.
rebuke = severe criticism
Definition
Generally rebuke means:criticize severely; or such criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 20 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 10 |
remnant
15 uses
They are working to eliminate remnants of al-Qaeda in that area.
remnants = small amounts that remains after the rest is gone
Definition
Generally remnant means:a small amount that remains after the rest is gone — sometimes specifically of cloth
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 10 |
repentance
54 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 | 54 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 13 |
treason
80 uses
He was executed for treason in a time of war.
treason = betraying one's own country
Definition
Generally 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)
(in this context, to betray is to not be loyal—often by helping enemies)
Word Statistics
| Book | 80 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 10 |
vengeance
10 uses
1 —10 uses as in:
vengeance is mine
Most Americans wanted vengeance after the 9-11 attacks.
vengeance = revenge
Definition
Generally this sense of vengeance means:the act of taking revenge
(Revenge means to harm someone to get them back for something harmful that they have done.)
(Revenge means to harm someone to get them back for something harmful that they have done.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 10 |
wrath
10 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 | 10 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 10 |
yield (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 7 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
will yield valuable data
The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.
yield = produce (lead to)
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Book 10 |
2 —4 uses as in:
yield to pressure
The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.
yield = give in
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 17 |