adapt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
adapted to the new rules
Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.
adapted = changed (to fit this situation)
Definition
Generally this sense of adapt means:changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | All, p.307.7 |
agitate
1 use
We are agitating public unrest, so there will be a cry for change.
agitating = stirring up emotions to increase unrest
Definition
Generally agitate means:to stir up or shake — emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | All, p.131 |
approach
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
use the best approach
Perhaps I just need to work harder, but I may need an entirely different approach to the problem.
approach = method (way of doing something)
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | All, p.11.6 |
banish
5 uses
He was banished from his own country.
banished = forced to leave
Definition
Generally banish means:to expel or get rid of
in various senses, including:
- to force someone to leave a country as punishment
- to push an idea from the mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | All, p.251.1 |
collide
4 uses
The cars collided and burst into flame.
collided = crashed together with violent impact
Definition
Generally collide means:crash together with violent impact; or come into conflict
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | All, p.275.7 |
deceive
4 uses
The plan was to deceive the Germans into believing the main attack would take place further north.
deceive = mislead
Definition
Generally deceive means:to lie to or mislead someone — occasionally to lie to oneself by denying reality
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | All, p.2.2 |
erratic
2 uses
Her behavior became erratic and often argumentative.
erratic = irregular or unpredictable
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | All, p.251.2 |
evaluate
2 uses
I'm evaluating colleges and deciding which I want to apply to.
evaluating = thinking carefully and making a judgment about
Definition
Generally evaluate means:to think carefully and make a judgment about something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | All, p.271.4 |
foreshadow
1 use
The author is known for creative use of foreshadowing.
foreshadowing = using events as signs of future events
Definition
Generally foreshadow means:to be a sign of future events
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | All, p.135.3 |
highlight
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
highlights of the year
Did you watch the video highlights?
highlights = best parts
Definition
Generally this sense of highlight means:something that stands out
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | All, p.64.1 |
humiliate
4 uses
She felt humiliated by his public insults.
humiliated = extremely embarrassed (feeling decreased dignity)
Definition
Generally humiliate means:extremely embarrass (decrease dignity, self-respect, or pride — especially in front of others)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | All, p.180.5 |
imply
3 uses
She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.
implied = hinted or suggested
Definition
Generally imply means:to suggest or say indirectly — possibly as a logical consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | All, p.11.8 |
incredulous
3 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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | All, p.273.2 |
irony
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
verbal irony
She was being ironic when she said she couldn't wait to see you again.
ironic = saying one thing, while meaning the opposite
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:saying one thing, while meaning the opposite or something else — usually as humor or sarcasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | All, p.29.9 |
judicious
1 use
She is judicious when spending her money.
judicious = shows good judgment
Definition
Generally judicious means:showing good judgment
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | All, p.292.4 |
mortal
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
mortal body
Don't expect perfection of a mere mortal.
mortal = human
Definition
Generally this sense of mortal means:human (especially merely human); or subject to death
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | All, p.311.6 |
optimistic
2 uses
I'm optimistic that I'll get into a good college.
optimistic = expecting the best
Definition
Generally optimistic means:expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | All, p.190.6 |
perceptible
1 use
The car makes a barely perceptible clicking sound at high speeds.
perceptible = capable of being noticed
Definition
Generally perceptible means:capable of being noticed — typically because it is different enough or large enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | All, p.369.1 |
scorn
1 use
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
scorned = rejected
Definition
Generally scorn means:disrespect or reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | All, p.14.1 |
scrutiny
4 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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | All, p.124 |