Exactly. The sentences in the dictionary tend to be short and easy to parse. You can always use Rikai-chan to help translate.
I use https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp (Digital Daijiten)
Also, in this website, there is a Japanese-bred JE dictionary. (Shogakukan Progressive JE). There is also a thesaurus in this website.
My another trick is dictation of E->J in Anki.
You might also use these two scripts to get more out of vocab lessons. Actually, if you read some real stuff, you always get more out of vocab,
- [Userscript] Context sentence in review
- [Userscript] WaniKani JJ External Definition from Weblio (JP) and Kanjipedia
Weblio JP uses Digital Daijirin.