breach
3 uses
He was sued for breach of contract.
breach = breaking
Definition
Generally breach means:break — as in break an understanding or a break (gap) in a wall
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
deposition
1 use
The purpose of a deposition is to discover facts and obtain evidence.
deposition = pretrial questioning of a witness
Definition
Generally this sense of deposition means:a pretrial questioning of a witness or the resulting transcript
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
dogged
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
dogged determination
She worked with dogged determination.
dogged = continuing effort to achieve something despite difficulties
Definition
Generally this sense of dogged means:continuing effort to achieve something despite difficulties (persistent)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
fester
2 uses
She had a festering boil on her neck.
festering = inflamed and creating pus
Definition
Generally fester means:of an injury: to be inflamed and create pus
generally: get worse — especially through inattention
generally: get worse — especially through inattention
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
glutton
1 use
A glutton is someone who digs his grave with his teeth.
French Proverb
glutton = someone who regularly eats too much
Definition
Generally glutton means:someone who consumes more than they should — especially eating and drinking too much
The expression: "a glutton for punishment" refers to someone who persist in some activity despite negative consequences (as though loving the punishment)
The expression: "a glutton for whatever" refers to people who like whatever a lot — such that "a glutton for sunshine" loves sunshine.
The expression: "a glutton for punishment" refers to someone who persist in some activity despite negative consequences (as though loving the punishment)
The expression: "a glutton for whatever" refers to people who like whatever a lot — such that "a glutton for sunshine" loves sunshine.
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
indifferent
3 uses
About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.
indifferent = without interest
Definition
Generally indifferent means:without interest
in various senses, including:
- unconcerned — as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat."
- unsympathetic — as in "She is indifferent to his needs."
- not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) — as in "an indifferent performance"
- impartial — as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
ingenuity
1 use
It will take more than ingenuity to clean this up. We're going to have to admit our mistake.
ingenuity = the ability to solve problems in smart creative ways
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
migrate
4 uses
The birds migrate in the Winter.
migrate = move from one place to another
Definition
Generally migrate means:move from one place to another — sometimes seasonally
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
persistent
4 uses
She has a persistent cough.
persistent = continuing
Definition
Generally persistent means:continuing — especially despite difficulties or opposition
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
replenish
1 use
The recent storms helped replenish the city's water supply.
replenish = replace what was used up
Definition
Generally replenish means:replace what was used up; or restore to a previous condition
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
savor
3 uses
Savor the soup.
savor = take pleasure from
Definition
Generally savor means:to take great pleasure from; or the pleasure or flavor enjoyed
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
skeptical
1 use
I am skeptical about her plan.
skeptical = doubtful
Definition
Generally skeptical means:doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile)
or more rarely:
generally tending to doubt what others believe
or more rarely:
generally tending to doubt what others believe
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
squander
1 use
She squandered the money she inherited from her grandmother.
squandered = wasted
Definition
Generally squander means:to waste — money, resources, or opportunities
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
stupor
1 use
Someone stole her purse while she was in a drunken stupor.
stupor = a state in which there is little ability to think
Definition
Generally stupor means:a state in which there is little ability to think — as from being very sleepy, drunk, or stunned
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
sullen
5 uses
1 —5 uses 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 | 5 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
taunt
4 uses
She used Twitter to taunt the opposing candidate.
taunt = intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone
Definition
Generally taunt means:to intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone — especially by mocking them or hurling insults
or (as a noun): an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone
or (as a noun): an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
tentative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
said it tentatively
The puppy approached us tentatively until it knew we wouldn't harm it.
tentatively = in a careful way (indicating a lack of confidence)
Definition
Generally this sense of tentative means:done in a careful or unsure way (indicating a lack of confidence in exactly what will happen)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
wallow (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
wallow in self-pity
Don't wallow in your sorrows.
wallow = indulge
Definition
Generally this sense of wallow means:to excessively give into a desire (indulge)
(This is often said of something negative such as self-pity when no attempt is made to move beyond it. But it is also sometimes said without connotation just to indicate that someone is enjoying a lot of something such as luxury or rest.)
(This is often said of something negative such as self-pity when no attempt is made to move beyond it. But it is also sometimes said without connotation just to indicate that someone is enjoying a lot of something such as luxury or rest.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
2 —1 use as in:
a wagon wallowed through the mud
The tractor wallowed through the mud.
wallowed = moved with difficulty
Definition
Generally this sense of wallow means:to move with difficulty; or perhaps just to move through water or in a rolling/wave-like manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
waver
4 uses
Through good times and bad her love for him has never wavered.
wavered = faltered (stopped being strong)
Definition
Generally waver means:to move back and forth (shake or quiver)
or:
to change, be unsure, or weak
or:
to change, be unsure, or weak
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |