abstain
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
12 votes yes and 3 abstained
She abstained from the vote because her sister was bidding for the job.
abstained = formally did not vote either "yes" or "no" (so that other voters made the decision)
Definition
Generally this sense of abstain means:to formally not vote either "yes" or "no" (so that other voters will make the decision)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
accord
7 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
She will get a fair trial in accordance with the law.
accordance = keeping
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with
This sense of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example:
- "According to Kim, ..." — as stated by
- "To each according to her ability." — based upon
- "Points are scored according to how well they perform." — depending upon
- "The dose is calculated according to body weight." — in proportion to
- "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." — because of what was just said; or as a result
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
allege
1 use
She alleged that she was the victim of a crime.
alleged = asserted (said) without proof
Definition
Generally allege means:claim (asserted without proof)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
avenge
1 use
In the story, she wants to avenge the murder of her brother.
avenge = take revenge for
Definition
Generally avenge means:take revenge for a perceived wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
circumstantial evidence
1 use
She argued that the accusations against her client were based on the worst kind of circumstantial evidence.
circumstantial evidence = evidence that can suggest something, but does not prove it
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
compulsive
1 use
She is a compulsive gambler.
compulsive = done too much because of an uncontrollable desire
Definition
Generally compulsive means:describing something someone does as done too much because of an uncontrollable desire — such as excessive gambling or eating
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
confer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
confer with her coach
The doctors conferred and then recommended a plan of action.
conferred = met to talk something over
Definition
Generally this sense of confer means:have a conference in order to talk something over
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
convention
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
to convene
She is at the convention in Las Vegas.
convention = large conference or meeting
Definition
Generally this sense of convention means:a large conference or meeting
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
deliberate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
need to deliberate
We deliberated into the evening.
deliberated = thought and discussed
Definition
Generally this sense of deliberate means:to think about or discuss — especially with great care
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
fluster
1 use
He gets flustered when talking to groups and tends to lose his train of thought.
flustered = nervous or confused
Definition
Generally fluster means:to be or cause to be nervous or upset
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
however
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
However, complications may...
Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.
however = despite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally this sense of however means:though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas)
(Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that,, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrastand but.)
(Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that,
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 61 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
indicate
12 uses
These maps are drawn with north to the top unless otherwise indicated.
indicated = pointed out (shown)
Definition
Generally indicate means:to show (point out, demonstrate, express, or suggest)
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 40 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
intercept
1 use
He intercepted the pass on the 5-yard line.
intercepted = stopped or caught something in route (in this case, the football)
Definition
Generally intercept means:to stop or catch someone or something in route
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
interrogate
1 use
The CIA's controversial interrogation program lasted from 2002 to 2007.
interrogation = the process of asking a series of questions of someone
(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 interrogate means:ask a series of questions of someone — typically asked by law enforcement officials or by someone in an aggressive manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
mandatory
2 uses
In our state, the mandatory minimum sentence for a gun crime is ten years.
mandatory = required by rule
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
optometry
1 use
She is studying optometry.
optometry = the practice of testing eyesight and providing glasses or contact lenses to improve vision
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
provoke
1 use
Her remarks provoked a public outcry.
provoked = caused — typically an emotional reaction such as anger
Definition
Generally provoke means:to cause a reaction — typically an emotional reaction such as anger; and sometimes caused intentionally
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
recede
1 use
Her unhappy childhood memories receded as she grew older.
receded = diminished (decreased)
Definition
Generally recede means:to move away or diminish (become less)
The exact meaning of recede depends upon its context. For example:
- "We can't move back in until the floodwaters recede." — diminish and move away
- "Her fear receded." — diminished
- "The waves first advance and then recede." — move away
- "The news story receded into the background as it was replaced by new stories." — received diminished attention
- "a receding hairline" — diminished hair (each year the line where hair stops growing is higher)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
ridicule
1 use
It's easier to ridicule her ideas than to seriously refute her findings.
ridicule = mock (make fun of)
Definition
Generally ridicule means:mock (make fun of); or the language or behavior that does so
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
sequential
1 use
She has a gift for breaking a complex task into a simple series of sequential steps.
sequential = happening in a specific order — especially chronological order
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |