alacrity
4 uses
She completed each assignment with alacrity.
alacrity = quickness
Definition
Generally alacrity means:quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 1 |
anguish
18 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 | 18 uses |
Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 1 |
beguile
5 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 | 5 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 3 |
brusque
11 uses
She is known for her brusque manner and brief meetings.
brusque = abrupt (not taking the time to be friendly)
Definition
Generally brusque means:abrupt (sudden and quick — without taking the time to be friendly)
Word Statistics
Book | 11 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 3 |
contempt
6 uses
1 —6 uses 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 | 6 uses |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 2 |
curt
7 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 | 7 uses |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Pro. |
diffident
4 uses
She is diffident around adults, but dominant with her peer group.
diffident = hesitant and unassertive
Definition
Generally diffident means:hesitant and unassertive — often due to a lack of self-confidence
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 1 |
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 | Book 1 |
incredulous
11 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 | 11 uses |
Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Book 1 |
minute
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
minute size
Don't eat a lot of poppy seeds for a few days before a drug test. They have a minute amount of a chemical that can cause a false positive when testing for heroin use.
minute = tiny
Definition
Generally this sense of minute means:small, exceptionally small, or insignificant
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 1 |
mollify
2 uses
She managed to mollify the angry customer.
mollify = calm
Definition
Generally mollify means:calm someone who is or may become angry or upset
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 2 |
ominous
16 uses
I'm beginning to hear ominous rumblings of discontent.
ominous = threatening
Definition
Generally ominous means:threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
Word Statistics
Book | 16 uses |
Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 1 |
peasant
14 uses
Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.
peasants = an historical term describing people of low income, education, and social standing
Definition
Generally peasant means:used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing — especially one who raises crops or livestock
Word Statistics
Book | 14 uses |
Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Pro. |
precede
6 uses
Stone tools preceded bronze tools.
preceded = were before in time
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
Book | 6 uses |
Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 100 |
1st use | Book 1 |
revise
1 use
How can you revise that paragraph to improve the expression of ideas?
revise = improve (change)
Definition
Generally revise means:to change (and hopefully improve) — most frequently to improve a written document, but it can be any intentional change such as a change in an estimated amount, a plan, or a series of procedures
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 10 |
1st use | Book 4 |
scrutiny
12 uses
She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.
scrutinized = looked very carefully at
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
Definition
Generally scrutiny means:careful examination of something
Word Statistics
Book | 12 uses |
Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Book 2 |
taut
14 uses
The string is pulled taut.
taut = tight
Definition
Generally taut means:pulled or drawn tight;
or: subjected to great tension
or: subjected to great tension
Word Statistics
Book | 14 uses |
Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 2000 |
1st use | Book 1 |
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 | Pro. |
writhe
16 uses
The patient writhed in pain.
writhed = moved in a twisting or contorted motion
Definition
Generally writhe means:to move in a twisting or contorted motion — often of a person when struggling or in pain
Word Statistics
Book | 16 uses |
Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 1 |
yield
3 uses
1 —3 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 | 3 uses |
Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 1 |