- Acquiesce
- Today's Word
Acquiesce
ak-wee-ESS
Definition
(verb) To accept something reluctantly but without protest.
Example
He acquiesced to the board’s decision, even though he disagreed.
Fun Fact“Acquiesce” often appears in legal writing or formal agreements, describing passive consent. In pop culture, it shows up in scenes where characters silently give in—not out of agreement, but exhaustion, loyalty, or inevitability.
Today's Popular Words
Surfeit
- Today's Word
Surfeit
SUR-fit
Definition
(noun) An excessive amount of something.
Example
After the holidays, I had a surfeit of sweets and no desire to eat another cookie.
Fun Fact
“Surfeit” was frequently used in 18th-century medical writing, when overindulgence in food and drink was thought to cause all kinds of imbalances. Today, the word is often used playfully to describe streaming queues, inboxes, or overbooked calendars.
Petulance
- Today's Word
Petulance
PET-yoo-luns
Definition
(noun) The quality of being childishly sulky or bad-tempered.
Example
His petulance was on full display when the restaurant ran out of his favorite dessert.
Fun Fact
Petulance isn’t just for toddlers. In 17th-century court writings, the word was often used to describe nobles who threw fits when political decisions didn’t go their way. Even Shakespeare used variations of it to mock vain characters with bruised egos.
Rectitude
- Today's Word
Rectitude
REK-ti-tood
Definition
(noun) Morally correct behavior or thinking; righteousness.
Example
Her rectitude was admired even by her fiercest opponents.
Fun Fact
Rectitude is an old-school word that appears in documents like the U.S. Declaration of Independence, which refers to “a decent respect to the opinions of mankind” and “the rectitude of our intentions.” It comes from Latin rectus, meaning “straight” or “right,” and it’s often used to describe people with uncompromising principles.
Impervious
- Today's Word
Impervious
im-PUR-vee-us
Definition
(adjective) Not allowing something to pass through; unaffected by external influences.
Example
She remained impervious to criticism, focused entirely on her goal.
Fun Fact
Originally used to describe waterproof materials, “impervious” has become metaphorical over time. Now you might hear it in business meetings or therapy sessions to describe emotional resilience.
Expiate
- Today's Word
Expiate
EK-spee-ayt
Definition
(verb) To atone for or make amends for wrongdoing.
Example
He volunteered at the shelter to expiate his earlier mistakes.
Fun Fact
“Expiate” often appears in religious or moral discussions, especially in literature. It’s a core theme in stories about redemption—whether a hero making things right or a villain seeking forgiveness. Think of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables.
Obstinate
- Today's Word
Obstinate
OB-stuh-nut
Definition
(adjective) Stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or course of action.
Example
Despite undeniable evidence, he remained obstinate in his belief that the earth was flat.
Fun Fact
“Obstinate” shares roots with the word “obstacle.” While it’s often negative, the trait has sometimes been admired in revolutionaries, inventors, and activists. Historical figures from Galileo to Rosa Parks were once described as obstinate for defying norms.
Top 12 Benefits of Learning New Words
Expanding your vocabulary can offer a wide range of benefits that contribute to personal, academic, and professional growth. Learn some of the advantages.
