All words

rife

Meaning

Prevalent or common, especially in a negative or undesirable context.

Examples by difficulty

Basic: Simple, everyday vocabulary — the easiest to read.

Lately, fear is rife in the neighborhood since there have been more break-ins every week. People talk about it at the store and watch their homes closely. The feeling is spreading fast and everyone worries that something bad might happen to them soon.

When the factory closed, our town grew scared. What started as a few whispers became constant talk. The community is now rife with rumors about who will be next to lose their job, with new fears spreading daily.

The neighborhood had always been safe, but lately crime was rife. Every week brought news of another break-in or stolen car. Sarah barely recognized her street anymore. What started as one or two incidents had grown into a constant worry that kept everyone checking their locks twice before bed.

Lately, rumors about Bob’s pet goldfish joining a circus are rife in our neighborhood. Every day, more people believe the fish can juggle tiny balls and ride a tricycle. Soon, I expect the goldfish will have its own reality show, thanks to all this rampant gossip!

My backyard is rife with squirrel conspiracies. It started with one simply stealing a nut. Now, a whole fluffy-tailed army plots daily heists on my bird feeder, their numbers and their boldness growing with every single sunrise.

Normal: Standard, everyday language.

The small town was rife with gossip about the new family that had moved in next door. It seemed like everyone had something to say about them, and the rumors were spreading quickly.

The town was rife with rumors about the strange disappearances. Everyone whispered about it, but no one dared to speak openly. The fear spread like wildfire, until it consumed the entire community. The once-peaceful town was now a breeding ground for suspicion and paranoia.

The small town was plagued by a darkness that seemed to seep into every corner, leaving a sense of unease in its wake. The whispers of the townspeople spoke of a malevolent presence that was rife in the area, causing fear to spread like wildfire. The once bustling streets now lay empty and desolate, as the residents cowered in their homes, too afraid to venture out into the night. The sense of dread was palpable, hanging heavy in the air like a shroud. The town was under siege by an evil that was growing more rife with each passing day.

The once-serene town was now a breeding ground for horrors. The stench of decay permeated the air, rife with unspeakable terror. Hideous creatures lurked in every shadow, their guttural cries echoing through the desolate streets. As the night wore on, the darkness became more all-consuming, swallowing the last vestiges of hope in its relentless embrace.

In the mystical land of Eldoria, magic was rife among the inhabitants. Every corner of the kingdom was filled with enchantments, from the sparkling streams that flowed with healing waters to the ancient forests where the trees whispered secrets of the past. But as time passed, a darkness began to spread, corrupting the once pure energy of the land. The evil sorcerer, Malacar, had cast a powerful spell that made fear and despair rife in the hearts of the people. The only hope for Eldoria lay in the hands of a young hero who possessed the rare gift of true courage.

Advanced: Richer vocabulary that stretches an upper-level reader.

Rumors were rife throughout the school, picking up speed as each day passed. Nearly every conversation in the hallway seemed to touch on them. The tension built because trouble was prevalent to an increasing degree, making people uneasy every time they heard another whisper.

After the unexpected layoffs, a deep anxiety settled over the office. The environment was rife with speculation about who would be next, and hushed, fearful conversations replaced the usual chatter. No one could focus on their actual work anymore.

The office gossip started with one person but spread quickly through every department. By Friday, rumors about layoffs were rife, and everyone anxiously checked their email every few minutes. What began as whispers in the break room had become the only thing anyone could talk about, growing worse each day.

In Larry’s kitchen, chaos was rife; strange noises echoed from the cupboards while a mysterious green fog wafted out of the fridge. The number of missing spoons increased daily, leading Larry to suspect that disorder was not just present, but spreading with enthusiastic, supernatural ambition.

The town square became a peculiar sight. Paranoia was rife as citizens, once sane, began scrutinizing every pigeon for tiny cameras. The number of tinfoil hats seemed to double daily, creating a uniquely hostile environment for anyone attempting a peaceful picnic.

Challenging: Rare, high-register vocabulary for serious word lovers.

Rumors were rife in the office after the abrupt dismissal of two managers. Each day the tension escalated as whispered gossip became more prevalent. People grew wary of even speaking openly, the anxiety about impending layoffs increasing amid an atmosphere rife with uncertainty and dread.

A profound disquietude settled over the capitol. Rumors of subversion were rife, and this insidious malaise meant erstwhile allies now regarded each other with suspicion, wondering who would be implicated next.

The office had become unbearable by October. Rumors about impending layoffs were rife, spreading through each department with accelerating velocity. Every hushed conversation near the water cooler, every closed-door meeting with executives, fed the mounting anxiety. People who had worked together cordially for years now eyed each other with suspicion, wondering whose position might be deemed extraneous.

The office was rife with rumors about Dave’s alleged pet squirrel, whose purported escapades—such as orchestrating a heist on the snack drawers—became increasingly elaborate each day; speculation burgeoned so wildly that even the otherwise unflappable Brenda began labeling her sandwiches with a stern “Rodents Prohibited” warning.

The nascent proclivity for fatuous, inflatable trousers, once a rare absurdity, is now rife throughout the financial district. Executives waddle about like corpulent penguins, making my own sartorial choices seem positively antediluvian by comparison.

Difficulty

Basic — Common words most learners already know.

Appears in

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