acclaim
2 uses
Neither of them had ever sampled the acclaimed sweets of the market bakery.†
acclaimed = popularly and enthusiastically praised
Definition
Generally acclaim means:to praise enthusiastically and publicly — sometimes choosing without opposition or a formal vote
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2, p.19.5 |
alliance
23 uses
That's why the queen's witchy ambassador has been staying at the palace, so she can secure an alliance.†
alliance = association formed to support common interests
Definition
Generally alliance means:an association formed to support common interests
Word Statistics
| Book | 23 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4, p.42.9 |
coincide
1 use
"I am honored," he began, "that my coronation coincides with our most revered holiday.†
coincides = to be similar — especially to happen at the same time or place
From page 310.3 Typical Usage
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.31, p.310.3 |
condolence
7 uses
She had not even thought to give Kai her condolences, or wishes for the emperor's return of health.†
condolences = expression of sympathy
Definition
Generally condolence means:an expression of sympathy to another who is in sorrow — typically in grief over a death in the family
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2, p.27.9 |
contradict
1 use
The prince listed his head, as if challenging her to contradict him.†
contradict = disagree
From page 11.1 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally contradict means:disagree
in various senses, including:
- to say something is not true — as in "She contradicted his testimony."
- to say something else is true when both can't be true — as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened."
- to be in conflict with — as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1, p.11.1 |
coronation
25 uses
The only other noteworthy tidbit was that Prince Kai's coronation had been scheduled for the same evening of the Peace Festival, to take place before the ball.†
coronation = a ceremony of installing a new monarch (new king or queen)
Word Statistics
| Book | 25 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.16, p.141.2 |
disdain
3 uses
She was sure she'd go mad if all the market shopkeepers looked at her with the same disdain as Chang Sacha did.†
disdain = a lack of respect
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1, p.10.5 |
indifferent
3 uses
Cinder feigned indifference.†
indifference = without interest
Definition
Generally indifferent means:without interest
in various senses, including:
- unconcerned — as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat."
- unsympathetic — as in "She is indifferent to his needs."
- not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) — as in "an indifferent performance"
- impartial — as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.30, p.298.8 |
lucrative
1 use
She'd had no qualms dismissing her when she found a lucrative means to do it, a way that could keep her free of guilt because, after all, they needed to find an antidote.†
lucrative = profitable
From page 130.9 Typical Usage
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.15, p.130.9 |
monstrosity
4 uses
Even if she did find dress gloves and slippers that could hide her metal monstrosities, her mousy hair would never hold a curl, and she didn't know the first thing about makeup.†
monstrosities = things that are ugly or terrible — typically large
Definition
Generally monstrosity means:something that is ugly or terrible — typically large
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3, p.32.9 |
naive
6 uses
He was too young, too stupid, too optimistic, too naive.†
naive = lacking experience or sophistication, and the understanding that comes from them — often too trusting or optimistic
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.16, p.139.7 |
nevertheless
4 uses
Nevertheless, we must proceed with our work.†
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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.19, p.167.6 |
optimistic
2 uses
Thank you for the optimism.†
optimism = a tendency to expect and see the best in all things
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 | Chapter 2.16, p.139.7 |
primarily
1 use
These two chambers are made primarily of silicon, mixed with bio tissue.†
primarily = mainly
From page 117.9 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally primarily means:mainly (most importantly)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.13, p.117.9 |
ratio
9 uses
We haven't run her diagnostics yet, but I think she's going to have a pretty high ratio.†
ratio = relative quantities
Definition
Generally ratio means:the relative magnitudes of two quantities — often expressed as a:b (which could also be expressed as the fraction a/b)
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.7, p.70.6 |
refute
2 uses
She wanted to refute Pearl's claim, to call her a liar.†
refute = disprove or argue against
Definition
Generally refute means:to disprove or argue against
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.34, p.343.2 |
relevant
2 uses
Dr. Erland filled his lungs slowly, then released them all at once, changing the display to the more relevant diagram of the patient's body.†
relevant = relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.7, p.69.8 |
simultaneous
7 uses
He dipped his head in polite farewell, simultaneously pulling the edges of the hood farther over his face.†
simultaneously = at the same time
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1, p.13.9 |
taut
7 uses
Adri's eyes widened, her temples pulling taut against her skull.†
taut = pulled or drawn tight;
or: subjected to great tension
or: subjected to great tension
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.6, p.67.2 |
vary
1 use
Cinder ignored her, selecting an assortment of varying tools and arranging them on Iko's magnetic torso.†
varying = differing; or changing
From page 30.7 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally vary means:to be different, or to change
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3, p.30.7 |