alleviate
1 use
Regular massage will help to alleviate the pain.
alleviate = lessen
Definition
Generally alleviate means:to lessen something that is bad — especially to lessen pain
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
alliance
1 use
The Islamic governments formed an alliance to defeat Israel.
alliance = association formed to support common interests
Definition
Generally alliance means:an association formed to support common interests
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
armistice
1 use
The Korean War armistice has yet to be followed with a peace treaty.
armistice = agreement to temporarily stop fighting
Definition
Generally armistice means:an agreement to temporarily stop fighting a war — typically to discuss terms of peace
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
attain
1 use
She was the first woman to attain the rank of general.
attain = gain or reach something with effort
Definition
Generally attain means:to gain or reach something with effort
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
deterrent
1 use
How effective is the death penalty as an additional deterrent?
deterrent = something that discourages something not wanted
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
epic
1 use
I think Game of Thrones is the most epic fantasy written since The Rings Trilogy.
epic = an outstanding literary work that is long and heroic
Definition
Generally epic means:something that is outstanding — especially a literary work that is long and heroic
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
heritage
1 use
The country was slow to recognize the rights of African-Americans and women, but still has a heritage of freedom relative to most of the world.
heritage = something handed down from the past
Definition
Generally heritage means:something handed down from the past
in various senses, including:
- traditions — as in "Americans inherit a heritage of freedom"
- cultural practices — as in "Hospitality to strangers is part of Arabic cultural heritage."
- physical items built and/or protected from long ago — as in "The cathedral is a World Heritage site," or "The national parks are part of our heritage as Americans."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
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 |
indicate
1 use
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 40 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
indulgent
1 use
Indulgent parents risk spoiling their children.
indulgent = treating with extra kindness or leniency (in this case, not demanding enough of the children)
Definition
Generally indulgent means:to treat with extra kindness or tolerance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
innovate
1 use
Apple is considered one of the most innovative companies.
innovative = introducing things that are new and different
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word into an adjective; though over time, what was originally an adjective often comes to be used as a noun. The adjective pattern means tending to and is seen in words like attractive, impressive, and supportive. Examples of the noun include narrative, alternative, and detective.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word into an adjective; though over time, what was originally an adjective often comes to be used as a noun. The adjective pattern means tending to and is seen in words like attractive, impressive, and supportive. Examples of the noun include narrative, alternative, and detective.)
Definition
Generally innovate means:bring something new to an environment
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
motivate
1 use
We pay low salary, but high commission to motivate our salespeople to work hard and smart.
motivate = make someone want to do something
Definition
Generally motivate means:to make someone want to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
motivation
1 use
A generous commission structure provides motivation to our salespeople.
motivation = reason for doing something
Definition
Generally motivation means:the reason for doing something; or the level of desire to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
nevertheless
1 use
The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.
nevertheless = in spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally nevertheless means:in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nonetheless, all the same, still, and however.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
optimistic
1 use
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
technique
1 use
She developed a new surgical technique that shortens recovery time.
technique = way of doing something
Definition
Generally technique means:a way of doing something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
temperament
1 use
She has the experience, temperament, and judgment for the job.
temperament = character resulting in mood and tendencies
Definition
Generally this sense of temperament means:usual mood and tendencies
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
testify
1 use
She testified against the robber.
testified = provided oral evidence in court
Definition
Generally testify means:provide evidence of something — especially to say something under oath in a court of law
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
transcend
1 use
The book transcends our expectations from a romance novel.
transcends = exceeds or surpasses
Definition
Generally transcend means:exceed (go beyond); or surpass (to be more or better)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
unprecedented
1 use
Human impact on the environment is increasing at an unprecedented rate.
unprecedented = not having happened before
Definition
Generally unprecedented means:not having happened before; or nothing similar having happened before
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |