alacrity
1 use
She completed each assignment with alacrity.
alacrity = quickness
Definition
Generally alacrity means:quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
apathy
1 use
Seeing too much senior apathy, the high school began having juniors declare a major for their senior year.
apathy = lack of interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.4 |
appalling
11 uses
The live in appalling conditions.
appalling = shockingly terrible or horrible
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.1 |
blasphemy
1 use
The government of the Muslim nation monitors major websites for blasphemy.
blasphemy = disrespect of something considered sacred
Definition
Generally blasphemy means:something said or done that is disrespectful of something considered sacred — especially God or religion
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.1 |
candid
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
your candid opinion
Don't worry about my feelings. I'd like your candid opinion.
candid = honest and direct
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
complacent
7 uses
She had become complacent after years of success.
complacent = unworried and satisfied
Definition
Generally complacent means:contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.3 |
contempt
3 uses
1 —3 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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.1 |
contrite
12 uses
She apologized, but didn't seem genuinely contrite.
contrite = sorry
(editor's note: This book also often uses the phrase "Act of Contrition", referring to a Catholic prayer expressing sorrow or regret for having sinned.)
(editor's note: This book also often uses the phrase "Act of Contrition", referring to a Catholic prayer expressing sorrow or regret for having sinned.)
Definition
Generally contrite means:feeling sorrow or regret for a fault or offense
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
despair
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
do not despair
Don't despair. Next year will be better.
despair = lose hope
Definition
Generally this sense of despair means:to lose hope
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
diffident
1 use
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
disdain
1 use
She tries to be polite, but cannot hide her disdain for authority.
disdain = lack of respect
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
malicious
8 uses
I am not interested in hearing malicious gossip.
malicious = evil; or made with the intent to make others suffer
Definition
Generally malicious means:wanting to see others suffer; or threatening evil
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.3 |
martyr
24 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
Definition
Generally 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
or:
someone who suffers a great deal
Word Statistics
| Book | 24 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
obstinate
3 uses
She is an obstinate child who will not follow the family rules.
obstinate = stubbornly not doing what others want
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.3 |
penitent
4 uses
When her anger passed, she was penitent.
penitent = sorry for having done wrong
Definition
Generally penitent means:feeling or expressing sorrow for having done wrong; or a person who does such
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
pious
24 uses
1 —24 uses as in:
a good, pious woman
The cartoon with a drawing of Muhammad outraged many pious Muslims.
pious = highly religious
Definition
Generally this sense of pious means:religious or highly moral
Word Statistics
| Book | 24 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
plateau
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
found on the plateau
The plateau is about half a mile above sea level.
plateau = high land that is reasonably flat
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.4 |
repentance
11 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 | 11 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.3 |
resolve
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I resolved to stop drinking.
This year I resolved to lose a pound a week for 5 weeks.
resolved = decided
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:to decide — typically a firm or formal decision
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.1 |
sullen
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a sullen mood
She changed from a happy, outgoing child to sullen teenager.
sullen = unhappy and withdrawn
Definition
Generally this sense of sullen means:being unhappy and withdrawn
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |