velleity
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It was the least effort he could spend — a velleity — to appease them and avoid being sent to the gulag, or worse.
From Washington Post
There 27 is such a thing as real effective volition, and there is something which strives to be such and fails; this latter we might call “velleity.”
From Project Gutenberg
They have but the velleity of the eunuch.
From Project Gutenberg
But these velleities are foolish and venially sinful, and often on account of danger they are mortally sinful.
From Project Gutenberg
All were born late enough to breathe the atmosphere of the new poetry young; all had poetical velleities, and a certain amount, if not of originality, of capacity to write poetry.
From Project Gutenberg
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
