agitate
1 use
We are agitating public unrest, so there will be a cry for change.
agitating = stirring up emotions to increase unrest
Definition
Generally agitate means:to stir up or shake — emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
approach (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
approached the city
Winter is approaching.
approaching = getting nearer
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 104 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
2 —1 use as in:
use the best approach
Perhaps I just need to work harder, but I may need an entirely different approach to the problem.
approach = method (way of doing something)
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
context
1 use
She said she was quoted out of context and that anyone who read her full speech would know it.
context = in a misleading manner (because the quote left out additional words that changed the meaning of what was quoted)
Definition
Generally context means:the setting or situation in which something occurs
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
crucial
5 uses
Doing well on the ACT is crucial to getting into the college I want to attend.
crucial = very important
Definition
Generally crucial means:very important or necessary — often because it determines how something else will turn out
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
curt
6 uses
Her response was so curt it was almost rude.
curt = brief (using few words)
Definition
Generally curt means:brief to the point of rudeness
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
dismay
10 uses
Don't be dismayed. I have a solution.
dismayed = sad, disappointed, or worried
Definition
Generally dismay means:to feel sadness, disappointment, or worry — typically in response to something surprising
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
dispose
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
disposed the troops along...
Troops were disposed strategically along the northern border.
disposed = placed
Definition
Generally this sense of dispose means:the arrangement, positioning, or use of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
frugal
10 uses
A good salary and frugal spending habits led to a large bank account.
frugal = money-saving
Definition
Generally frugal means:avoiding waste — typically being careful not to spend much money
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
hideous
6 uses
The beast had hideous fangs.
hideous = extremely ugly, offensive, and/or frightening
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
incredulous
8 uses
I find it incredulous that you believe she is sincere.
incredulous = difficult to believe
Definition
Generally incredulous means:unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
indignant
5 uses
She was indignant, but agreed to be searched when they accused her of shoplifting.
indignant = angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
irony
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
situational irony
She didn't see the irony in acting like the mother she detested.
irony = when what happens is very different than what might be expected
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together — especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
irrelevant
2 uses
The sentence should be deleted because it introduces information that is irrelevant to the passage.
irrelevant = not relevant
Definition
Generally irrelevant means:not relevant (not related to the subject being considered, or not important enough to want to consider)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
nevertheless
1 use
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
nonchalant
9 uses
I could tell she was nervous, but she was trying to look nonchalant.
nonchalant = calm and unconcerned
Definition
Generally nonchalant means:calm in manner — appearing unconcerned
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
primarily
1 use
Did the author mention multiple companies primarily to demonstrate diversity of solutions or to show that interest in the industry is widespread?
primarily = mainly
Definition
Generally primarily means:mainly (most importantly)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
relevant
1 use
Shannon tells an interesting story, but it's not relevant to the decision we have to make.
relevant = important (related in a meaningful way)
Definition
Generally relevant means:relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
resignation
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
accepted it with resignation
It wasn't her first choice, but she accepted it with resignation.
resignation = (accepted) something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
retort
8 uses
She wanted to retort that he that he sounded foolish, but she made herself count to ten and thought better of it.
retort = quickly reply
Definition
Generally this sense of retort means:a quick reply to a question or remark — especially a witty or critical one
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |