arbitrary
1 use
It was an arbitrary decision.
arbitrary = based on chance or impulse
Definition
Generally arbitrary means:based on chance or impulse (rather than upon reasoning, consistent rules, or a proper sense of fairness)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
bias
2 uses
Everyone knows she is too biased to act as an impartial judge.
biased = has a prejudice that prevents objective consideration
Definition
Generally bias means:a personal preference — especially a prejudice that prevents objective consideration
or:
any tendency to move in a particular direction — such as a car that tends to want to swerve toward the right
or:
any tendency to move in a particular direction — such as a car that tends to want to swerve toward the right
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
contrast
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
contrast their writing styles
Contrast winter in Panama with winter in Alaska.
contrast = point to differences between
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 100 |
delude
4 uses
She is a sincere but deluded idealist.
deluded = with a false belief
Definition
Generally delude means:deceive (convince to have a false belief)
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
dissent
1 use
The Alien and Sedition Acts were attempts to silence early political dissent in America.
dissent = disagreement
Definition
Generally dissent means:to disagree; or disagreement or conflict — typically between people who cooperate, and often with official or majority beliefs
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
goad
2 uses
She goaded him into an argument.
goaded = provoked (angered or annoyed)
Definition
Generally goad means:to a human: to provoke or encourage someone to do something — usually something bad and often provoking in an annoying manner
to an animal: to prod with a pointed stick to make it move
to an animal: to prod with a pointed stick to make it move
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
harass
5 uses
This man harasses his female co-workers
harasses = persistently annoys
Definition
Generally harass means:persistently annoy
or:
repeatedly attack to weaken or hinder
or:
repeatedly attack to weaken or hinder
Word Statistics
Book | 5 uses |
Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
inevitable
3 uses
It is as inevitable as death and taxes.
inevitable = certain to happen
Definition
Generally inevitable means:certain to happen (even if one tried to prevent it)
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
initiate
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
initiate into the fraternity
The photo is from the ceremony when she was initiated into the sorority.
initiated = accepted into the group in a special ceremony
Definition
Generally this sense of initiate means:to accept someone's membership into an organization — typically in a ceremony — sometimes including a period of instruction and/or test
Word Statistics
Book | 5 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
innate
1 use
She has an innate musical talent that cannot be taught.
innate = present at birth
Definition
Generally innate means:of a quality: present at birth; or arising from within rather than having been learned or acquired
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
interject
3 uses
"That's not true," she interjected.
interjected = inserted (a comment)
Definition
Generally interject means:to quickly insert a comment that interrupts what another is saying
or more rarely and more generally: to insert — as in "She interjects religion into politics," or "She interjects herself into my business."
or more rarely and more generally: to insert — as in "She interjects religion into politics," or "She interjects herself into my business."
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
intervene
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
intervened in the war
They do not like America to intervene in the Middle East.
intervene = get involved
Definition
Generally this sense of intervene means:get involved; or come between
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
intimidate
5 uses
I was intimidated on my first day at the job, but I'm comfortable now.
intimidated = afraid (of being inadequate)
Definition
Generally intimidate means:make fearful of inadequacy
or:
threaten
or:
threaten
Word Statistics
Book | 5 uses |
Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
pathetic
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a pathetic attempt to insult me
It was a pathetic attempt to insult me.
pathetic = so bad it was laughable
Definition
Generally this sense of pathetic means:very bad — possibly so bad it is laughable (possibly mixed with some feeling of pity)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
reciprocate
1 use
She was attracted to him, and he seemed to reciprocate.
reciprocate = return the feeling
Definition
Generally reciprocate means:to give in return — such as invitations, gifts, actions, or feelings
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
scrutiny
2 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 | 2 uses |
Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
seduce
4 uses
She was seduced by the temptation of easy money.
seduced = persuaded to do something
Definition
Generally seduce means:to persuade someone to do something by tempting them with something pleasurable or desired — often to make them want to have sex
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
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 |
wary
7 uses
She was taught to be wary of strangers.
wary = distrustful
Definition
Generally wary means:nervous about (or distrustful of) someone or something
Word Statistics
Book | 7 uses |
Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
wrath
4 uses
She could hardly contain her wrath when she learned he had betrayed her.
wrath = extreme anger
Definition
Generally wrath means:extreme anger or angry punishment
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |