allay
1 use
They have tried to allay fears by saying their weapons are of a defensive nature.
allay = reduced the intensity of
Definition
Generally allay means:reduce the intensity of or calm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
antagonism
2 uses
There is skepticism, if not antagonism, between the two groups.
antagonism = hostility
Definition
Generally antagonism means:hostility, opposition, or tension between opposing forces or ideas
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
capitalize
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
capitalize on our strength
How can we capitalize on being first with this idea?
capitalize on = gain advantage from
Definition
Generally this sense of capitalize means:benefit from an advantage
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.18 |
copious
1 use
She took copious notes.
copious = a lot of
Definition
Generally copious means:abundant (large in quantity or number)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
debase
2 uses
Prosecutors said fighters raped village elders to publicly debase them.
debase = decrease the status
Definition
Generally debase means:to degrade (decrease) the purity, quality, or status of something — often morality or metals
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.10 |
disavow
2 uses
She disavowed her assistant's comments.
disavowed = to refuse to have responsibility for, or association with
Definition
Generally disavow means:to refuse to have knowledge of, responsibility for, or association with
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.18 |
dissemble
1 use
After the primaries, she will dissemble her past statements to appear more moderate in her beliefs.
dissemble = be deceptive about
Definition
Generally dissemble means:hide or disguise the truth without outright lying
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.9 |
engender
1 use
The police in Mexico don't engender confidence.
engender = cause (bring into being)
Definition
Generally engender means:cause — usually a feeling (possibly a situation)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.19 |
expound
2 uses
You will be asked to expound on a teacher-selected topic from the book.
expound = discuss in detail
Definition
Generally expound means:explain or discuss in detail
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
integral
1 use
That was before China became an integral part of the world economy.
integral = essential
Definition
Generally this sense of integral means:an essential part or characteristic
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.15 |
malinger
1 use
They accused me of malingering and insisted I visit their doctor.
malingering = avoiding responsibilities and duties by pretending to be sick
Definition
Generally malinger means:avoid responsibilities and duties — typically by pretending to be ill
or (more rarely): to be slow
or (more rarely): to be slow
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.16 |
opportunist
1 use
Her opponents describe her as a self-serving opportunist who will say anything and stab anyone in the back to get what she wants.
opportunist = someone who takes advantage of unplanned circumstances
Definition
Generally opportunist means:someone who takes advantage of unplanned circumstances — possibly unethically
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.18 |
predilection
1 use
The group has an unfortunate predilection for fighting, drinking, and drug use.
predilection = preference or tendency
Definition
Generally predilection means:preference (a predisposition in favor of something); or tendency (normal behavior)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
redress
1 use
Action must be taken to redress the wrongs of the past.
redress = fix, compensate, or make up for
Definition
Generally redress means:fix a problem; or make up for a wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.19 |
remiss
1 use
I'd be remiss in this overview if I didn't also mention...
remiss = careless — not doing a good job
Definition
Generally remiss means:careless — especially with regard to a duty
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
sensuous
1 use
She claims the tango as the most sensuous of dance forms.
sensuous = pleasing to the physical senses (sexy)
Definition
Generally sensuous means:relating to pleasure from the body's senses rather than from the intellect
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
sonorous
2 uses
The candidate discussed weighty matters in rich, sonorous tones.
sonorous = (of sound:) full and deep
Definition
Generally sonorous means:full and deep sounding
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.6 |
spurn
2 uses
She spurned his advances.
spurned = rejected
Definition
Generally spurn means:reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
swindle
3 uses
She stole over a million dollars in her biggest swindle.
swindle = fraud (or deception) to steal money
Definition
Generally swindle means:tricking or cheating someone — usually to get money
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.16 |
tacit
2 uses
There was a tacit understanding that Jessica would play good cop and Tyler would play bad cop.
tacit = implied (not directly said, but understood)
Definition
Generally tacit means:implied or understood, but not expressed directly
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |