Man And Superman — Vocabulary
George Bernard Shaw
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	15	top 1000
repentto feel regret for having done wrong and to firmly decide to be a better person in the future Prisoners who repent are more likely to be released on parole.more Show sample from book Do you suppose heaven is like earth, where people persuade themselves that what is done can be undone by repentance; that what is spoken can be unspoken...14 more repent → repentance:to feel regret for having done wrong and to desire to be a better person in the future
	13	top 2000
temperamentcharacter resulting in mood and tendencies She has the experience, temperament, and judgment for the job.more Show sample from book The gulf is the difference between the angelic and the diabolic temperament.12 more usual mood and tendencies Show general definition for temperament (as in: it is her temperament) usual mood and tendencies
	11	top 1000
scrupulouscareful and thorough You can count on her. She is scrupulous in her work.more Show sample from book she habitually and unscrupulously uses her personal fascination to make men give her whatever she wants.10 more scrupulous → unscrupulously:unethically Show context notes The prefix "un-" in unscrupulously means not and reverses the meaning of scrupulously. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky. Show general definition careful to behave ethically and/or diligently (with great care and attention to detail)
	13	top 2000
vulgarvulgar → vulgarity:crudeness (showing of bad taste) Her vulgarity was a turnoff.more Show sample from book he looks vulgar in his finery,12 more lacking in sophistication or good taste Show general definition of bad taste -- often crude or offensive or: unsophisticated (or common) -- especially of taste
	2	top 10
illustratemake clear Pictures of flooding help to illustrate the problem of global warming.more Show sample from book But the mature cases all illustrate the Shakespearian law.2 more help make clear Show general definition for illustrate (as in: as illustrated by this example) to help make clear -- typically by example
	1	top 2000
illustrate#2draw pictures to accompany I write and illustrate children's books.more Show sample from book It will be published in the illustrated papers.2 more illustrate → illustrated:accompanied by drawings Show general definition for illustrate (as in: an illustrated children's book) to draw pictures (or provide photographs) to accompany a book or other writing
	10	top 1000
cynicalsomeone who expects the worst The experience made her overly cynical.more Show sample from book Do you suppose this eternal shallow cynicism of yours has any real bearing on a nature like hers?9 more cynical → cynicism:believing that things usually go poorly and that selfish and insincere Show general definition someone who expects the worst -- especially of people (such as expecting them to be selfish and lie)
	10	top 1000
prejudiceunreasonable and unfair belief or feeling The group works to eliminate racial prejudice.more Show sample from book He has a prejudice against the English middle class.9 more unreasonable and unfair beliefs or feelings Show general definition bias that prevents objective consideration -- especially an unreasonable belief that is unfair to members of a race, religion, or other group
	11	top 2000
socialisman economic system based on government ownership and control of all companies -- with the ideal of equal benefits to all people She believes that more socialism would be more fair.more Show sample from book In fact, I am a bit of a Socialist myself.10 more socialism → socialist:a member of a political party that believes in an economic system based on government ownership or control of all important companies -- with the ideal of equal benefits to all people Show general definition an economic system based on government ownership or control of all important companies -- with the ideal of equal benefits to all people
	11	top 2000
sulkto overly indulge in being unhappy and unsociable She was disappointed and retreated to her room to sulk.more Show sample from book THE SULKY SOCIAL-DEMOCRAT.†10 more sulk → sulky:overly unhappy and unsociable Show general definition to be overly unhappy and unsociable -- often due to disappointment or a sense of not getting what was deserved
	8	top 500
cultivatedevelop or grow We encourage our representatives to cultivate a close relationship with their clients.more Show sample from book Cultivate a little impudence, Ramsden; and you will become quite a remarkable man.†7 more develop, grow, or prepare for growing crops Show general definition enhance growth or development in various senses, including: to grow crops or prepare land for them enhance a relationship -- especially for a purpose develop discernment (better recognition of differences) in taste or judgment to grow a culture in a petri dish
	7	top 1000
fastidiouscareful and attentive to detail She is fastidious in her work.more Show sample from book But you must not expect me to adopt your inexplicable, fantastic, petulant, fastidious ways: you must take me as I am, a reasonable, patient, consistent, apologetic, laborious person, with the temperament of a schoolmaster and the pursuits of a vestryman.†6 more giving careful attention to detail… Show general definition giving careful attention to detail or: excessively concerned with cleanliness or matters of taste
	6	top 200
enableenable → enables:makes possible The test enables earlier identification of autism.more Show sample from book The levity with which you assumed this frightful responsibility has probably by this time enabled you to forget it; but the day of reckoning has arrived: here is your play!†5 more enable → enabled:made possible Show general definition to make possible in various senses, including: to give someone the ability, knowledge, or authority to do something -- as in "The study will enable an informed discussion." to activate a computer system for use -- as in "You can enable the feature in the Settings Page." to permit someone to repeat bad behavior, so they reinforce the bad pattern -- as in "I don't want to enable her drug addiction."
	7	top 1000
reproachreproach → reproached:criticized and expressed disappointment She reproached him for treating his sister so thoughtlessly.more Show sample from book Therefore do not misunderstand my plain statement of the fundamental constitution of London society as an Irishman's reproach to your nation.†6 more a criticism; or to express criticism Show general definition a criticism; or to express criticism or disappointment -- especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame Show editor's word notes The expression "beyond reproach" is often used to indicate that one must not only be careful to do everything right, but must be careful not to do anything that might make people suspect they did something wrong. For example, politicians often need to behave in a manner that is beyond reproach. "Beyond reproach" can also suggest that something is perfect. More rarely, it can also be used to suggest that someone is too powerful or too well-connected to criticize.
	19
anarchistsomeone who opposes government or authority At the protest, one anarchist set off fireworks and shouted that all rules were meant to be broken.more Show sample from book They touch their hats, except the Anarchist, who defies the State with folded arms.†18 more someone who favors eliminating all government or authority Show general definition someone who favors eliminating all government or authority
	5	top 1000
ignominiousbringing disgrace or shame They retreated in ignominious defeat.more Show sample from book A sensitive boy's humiliations may be very good fun for ordinary thickskinned grown-ups; but to the boy himself they are so acute, so ignominious, that he cannot confess them—cannot but deny them passionately.†4 more deserving or bringing disgrace or shame Show general definition deserving or bringing disgrace or shame -- typically in reference to behavior or character
	4	top 500
antagonistenemy or opponent In the movie, Star Wars, Darth Vader is the antagonist to Luke Skywalker.more Show sample from book Of that antagonist, and of that conception of repentance, how much is left that could be used in a play by me dedicated to you?†3 more someone who offers opposition or is hostile Show general definition for antagonist (as in: the antagonist in the film) someone who offers opposition or is hostile
	5	top 2000
edifyedify → edifies:teaches or instructs She edifies and inspires supporters everywhere she speaks.more Show sample from book I not only tell you that my hero wrote a revolutionists' handbook: I give you the handbook at full length for your edification if you care to read it.†4 more edify → edification:instruction Show general definition to instruct -- morally or intellectually
	4	top 1000
repudiaterepudiate → repudiated:strongly rejected The parents repudiated their son.more Show sample from book I, who repudiated all duty, trampled honor underfoot, and laughed at justice!3 more Show general definition strong rejection -- especially when the idea or thing being rejected was once embraced
	2	top 500
digressdigress → digresses:wanders from a direct course She always digresses when telling a story.more Show sample from book However, I am digressing, as a man with a grievance always does.1 more digress → digressing:wandering away from a direct discussion of the main topic Show general definition wander from a direct or straight course -- typically verbally