arbitrary
1 use
What do you think, that I make up arbitrary rules?
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
Just so you know, my goal is for every student in this school to succeed. Every student, Alex. Including you, so whatever biases you have about me you can throw them out the window.
biases = prejudices against; or tendencies to mistrust
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
"It wasn't a big deal," I say, wondering what the rumor is in contrast to what really happened.
in contrast = in a comparison that shows differences
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
The woman is delusional.
delusional = out of touch with reality (having false beliefs)
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
He was feelin' us out, checkin' how loyal we are to Hector. If he senses any dissension, his gang might take advantage.
dissension = disagreement
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
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
Paco wiggles the offending taco, goading me.
goading = provoking (making angry)
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
But I heard about you harassing a female student in the parking lot today.
harassing = persistently annoying
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
There's no use in delaying the inevitable.
inevitable = what is 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
Well, that was until he called and said all the pledges in the fraternity had to sleep at the frat house for some crazy initiation thing.
initiation = ceremony to accept someone's membership into an organization
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
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
Guys fight because of some primal, innate gene that makes them prove themselves physically.
innate = of a quality: present at birth rather than having been learned or acquired
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
"Dr. Aguirre believes we can bridge the gaps, and so do I. If I can just change one of my students' lives, I can—"
"Change the world?" I interject.
"Change the world?" I interject.
interject = to quickly insert a comment that interrupts what another is saying
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
I wish my dad was here to intervene. But he went directly to his study to check his e-mails right after coming home. I wish he'd act as a referee instead of sitting on the sidelines.
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
His eyes focus on me, trying to intimidate.
intimidate = threaten; or make fearful of inadequacy
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
You're pathetic if you think this thing between us was real.
pathetic = so bad that it is laughable (in this case, so stupid)
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
How dare I give Darlene advice when she can't reciprocate?
reciprocate = give in return (in this case, give advice in return)
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
I don't need Colin to make a scene every time a guy so much as talks to me. He's never done that before and it left me open for more scrutiny and gossip,
scrutiny = careful looks or inspections
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 smiles seductively as if she's wanting something more than a truce.
seductively = in a manner intended to be sexually alluring
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
I smile tentatively and smooth down my hair.
tentatively = in an unsure or hesitant manner
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
My dad smiled, talked, and was shocked and nervous when the gun was pulled on him. Shouldn't he have been wary all along?
wary = careful or 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
I'm tired of pretending, of being afraid of my mom's wrath.
wrath = extreme anger
Definition
Generally wrath means:extreme anger or angry punishment
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |