anxiety
1 use
As I continued my chores, my anxiety grew.
anxiety = nervousness or worry
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
compassion
2 uses
In the past, I had seen her treat animals with more compassion than she did me.
compassion = feeling or showing sympathy for another's suffering
Definition
Generally compassion means:sympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
despise
3 uses
I came to despise the neighbors, my relatives and anybody else who had ever known me and the conditions under which I lived.
despise = dislike strongly
Definition
Generally despise means:to dislike strongly and to look down upon with disrespect
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
dispassionate
1 use
I turned my head to see Father, looking on dispassionately, as his son "mooned" him and as the brown seepage spilled into the bucket.
dispassionately = in a manner that is unaffected by strong emotion or bias
Definition
Generally dispassionate means:unaffected by strong emotion or bias
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
fidget
2 uses
I fidget in my chair, watching the secretary type papers.
fidget = make small restless movements
Definition
Generally fidget means:to make small restless movements
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
hideous
4 uses
She then revealed my hideous crime.
hideous = extremely ugly or offensive
Definition
Generally hideous means:extremely ugly, offensive, and/or frightening
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
hypnotize
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
hypnotized by her performance
Looking towards the west, I stare in awe at the hypnotic power of the waves.
hypnotic = fascinating to the point of becoming unaware of other things
Definition
Generally this sense of hypnotize means:fascinate so much that awareness of other surrounding things is lost or too much trust is granted
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Epil. |
monotone
1 use
Again, her voice was monotone—completely without emotion.
monotone = unvarying in pitch
Definition
Generally monotone means:sound unvarying in pitch — especially the human voice
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
morbid
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
morbidly obese
By October, my morbid life was in full swing.
morbid = unhealthy in a very bad or distasteful way
Definition
Generally this sense of morbid means:unhealthy or related to disease — especially of a serious long-term illness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
negative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
negative feedback from customers
I usually shook my head in a negative gesture.†
negative = indicating an answer of "no"
Definition
Generally this sense of negative means:to express criticism or disagreement, or (especially when talking over a radio or in a military setting) to say "no"
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
nurture
2 uses
When she yelled at us, her voice changed from the nurturing mother to the wicked witch.
nurturing = helping development and growth (in this case, of her child)
Definition
Generally nurture means:help develop or grow
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
pauper
1 use
On my hands and knees while scrubbing the bathroom tile, I imagined I was the prince in the story The Prince and the Pauper.
pauper = someone who is very poor
(editor's note: The Prince and the Pauper is a story about a prince and a poor person who look alike and pretend to be each other.)
(editor's note: The Prince and the Pauper is a story about a prince and a poor person who look alike and pretend to be each other.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
perspective
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
Look at it from her perspective
I bring a perspective born in the brutal reality of child abuse and nurtured in hope for a better tomorrow.
perspective = way of seeing and thinking about things
Definition
Generally this sense of perspective means:a particular way of seeing or thinking about things
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | P |
phenomenon
1 use
Some readers will find the story unreal and disturbing, but child abuse is a disturbing phenomenon that is a reality in our society.
phenomenon = thing that exists
Definition
Generally phenomenon means:something that exists or happened — especially something of special interest — sometimes someone or something that is extraordinary
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | P |
positive (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —1 use as in:
I'm absolutely positive!
I took positive control over my life.†
positive = absolute (used for emphasis)
Definition
Generally this sense of positive means:certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Epil. |
2 —3 uses as in:
had a positive effect
My blessings also mean having the opportunity to meet so many people who had a positive impact on my life.†
positive = good or beneficial
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
prevail
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
reason will prevail
They encouraged my hunger to prevail.
prevail = do well (prove superior or win)
Definition
Generally this sense of prevail means:prove superior or win
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Epil. |
savor
2 uses
I watch the officer closely as I slowly eat my cookies. I savor them as long as I can. I don't know when I will be eating again.
savor = relish (take great pleasure from)
Definition
Generally savor means:to take great pleasure from; or the pleasure or flavor enjoyed
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Epil. |
stupor
1 use
She still has a hangover from last night's stupor.
stupor = a state in which there is little ability to think (in this case, referring to her having been so drunk she had 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 1 |
wrath
2 uses
He even caught her wrath at work.
wrath = intense anger
Definition
Generally wrath means:extreme anger or angry punishment
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |