Babbitt — Vocabulary
Sinclair Lewis
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	29	top 100
advocateadvocate → advocates:publicly supports She advocates stricter gun control.more Show sample from book do you mean to say you advocate these strikes?28 more support Show general definition for advocate (as in: to advocate) to recommend or publicly support (someone or something)
	5	top 100
establishestablish → established:created Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?more Show sample from book There was no court to decide whether the second son of a Pierce Arrow limousine should go in to dinner before the first son of a Buick roadster, but of their respective social importance there was no doubt; and where Babbitt as a boy had aspired to the presidency, his son Ted aspired to a Packard twin-six and an established position in the motored gentry.5 more establish → established:settled Show general definition for establish (as in: establish a positive tone) create, start, or set in [a] place
	1	top 100
establish#2establish → establishing:showing or demonstrating The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.more Show sample from book When he had thus established himself as a person unemotional and interested only in business, he sauntered out.5 more establish → established:proven or demonstrated Show general definition for establish (as in: establish that there is a need) show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
	11	top 1000
resolutedetermined and unwavering She stood resolute as some complained that she was asking too much of the team.more Show sample from book for however resolute he might be at dawn, he could not, for a single evening, check his drift.10 more firm in purpose Show general definition firm in purpose, belief, or action
	12	top 1000
yearnstrongly desire or wish I yearn for her return.more Show sample from book Mrs. Mudge was introduced by the president of the League of the Higher Illumination, an oldish young woman with a yearning voice, white spats, and a mustache.†11 more yearn → yearning:strongly desiring; or a strong desire Show general definition have a strong desire -- often for something difficult or impossible to have
	9	top 500
economicsthe study of how limited resources are allocated in an attempt to satisfy unlimited wants I don't know much about economics, but I know her plan doesn't make sense.more Show sample from book He was a Bachelor of Arts of Blodgett College, and a Doctor of Philosophy in economics of Yale.†8 more the study of how limited resources are allocated in an attempt to satisfy unlimi…
	9	top 500
condescendingacting superior She gave me that condescending look as though I wasn't worthy to ask her a question.more Show sample from book ...Babbitt accepted favors with the condescension one always shows a patient nurse.8 more condescending → condescension:a manner that treats others as inferiors Show general definition treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
	12	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 New York Assembly has passed some bills that ought to completely outlaw the socialists!11 more socialism → socialists:people who want 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
ponderouslarge and not elegant (unwieldy or boring) The findings were presented in a ponderous three-volume report.†more Show sample from book He had been a ponderous debater in college; he felt that he was an orator; he saw himself becoming governor of the state.†10 more large or of great weight; OR slow and unwieldy Show general definition large or of great weight; or slow and unwieldy -- especially because of size or boring -- especially because of length
	9	top 1000
cynicalsomeone who expects the worst The experience made her overly cynical.more Show sample from book He was supple and swift and flushed; his eyes (which he believed to be cynical) were candidly eager.†8 more someone who expects the worst -- especially of people Show general definition someone who expects the worst -- especially of people (such as expecting them to be selfish and lie)
	10	top 2000
republicrepublic → republics:governmental systems in which a majority of citizens elect representatives to make laws The United States and each of its states are republics.more Show sample from book Despite his strange learnings he was as strict a Presbyterian and as firm a Republican as George F. Babbitt.9 more republic → republican:of a system of government in which a majority of citizens elect representatives … Show general definition for republic (as in: the country is a republic) of a system of government in which a majority of citizens elect representatives to make laws; or someone in favor of such a form of government
	10	top 2000
prosperousfinancially successful She owns a prosperous law firm.more Show sample from book To George F. Babbitt, as to most prosperous citizens of Zenith, his motor car was poetry and tragedy, love and heroism.†9 more successful or good -- especially with regard to finances or wealth Show general definition successful or good -- especially with regard to finances or wealth
	6	top 2000
belligerenthostile or combative She spoke to her teacher in a belligerent tone and was sent to the office.more Show sample from book he was annoyed by such background thoughts as had never weakened him in his days of belligerent conformity.5 more hostile (with the attitude of one eager to fight) Show general definition hostile (the attitude of one eager to fight); or one already engaged in a fight or war
	6
correspondencedone from afar via written communication She took a correspondence course while she was in prison.more Show sample from book I knew this correspondence-school business had become a mighty profitable game—makes suburban real-estate look like two cents!†5 more done from afar Show general definition for correspondence (as in: a correspondence course) done from afar Show editor's word notes For example, a corresponding member or a correspondence course. This sense of corresponding arose because people who lived in distant cities and could not be present for meetings, could communicate by sending written communications.
	5
perjurythe criminal offense of telling lies in court after formally promising to tell the truth They did not charge her with theft. They charged her for perjury during her testimony to the grand jury.more Show sample from book Yes, I suppose it would be perjury.†4 more the criminal offense of telling lies after formally promising to tell the truth Show general definition the criminal offense of telling lies after formally promising to tell the truth -- such as when testifying in a court trial
	5
anemiaa deficiency of red blood cells -- resulting in fatigue She takes iron supplements to prevent anemia.more Show sample from book She had become so dully habituated to married life that in her full matronliness she was as sexless as an anemic nun.†4 more anemia → anemic:suffering from too few red blood cells or (less commonly): lacking vitality Show general definition a deficiency of red blood cells or where red blood cells are deficient in hemoglobin -- resulting in fatigue or (less commonly): suffering from a lack of energy
	4	top 2000
diffidenthesitant and unassertive She is diffident around adults, but dominant with her peer group.more Show sample from book In the midst of these more diffident invitations, the golden doors of the ballroom opened with a blatting of trumpets, and a circus parade rolled in.†3 more Show general definition hesitant and unassertive -- often due to a lack of self-confidence
	4	top 2000
stolidemotionless She listened to both arguments thoughtfully, but with a face as stolid as a cow's.more Show sample from book But Babbitt glared stolidly.†3 more stolid → stolidly:unemotionally Show general definition having or revealing little emotion -- sometimes indicating qualities of not changing or being dependable or (much more rarely): of an object: not interesting -- often large and unmoving
	3	top 1000
pioushighly religious The cartoon with a drawing of Muhammad outraged many pious Muslims.more Show sample from book [after talking about dieting] She stooped over her story while he piously sliced and gulped down the apple, discoursing: "One thing I've done: cut down my smoking."4 more pious → piously:in a highly moral manner (doing what is thought to be the right thing) Show general definition for pious (as in: a good, pious woman) religious or highly moral
	2
pious#2self-righteous (acting as though one is, or believing one is highly moral when it is not true) He was another pious slave owner who treated his slaves mercilessly.more Show sample from book And crooked—Say, if I told the prosecuting attorney what I know about this last Street Traction option steal, both you and me would go to jail, along with some nice, clean, pious, high-up traction guns!4 more self-righteous (acting as though one is highly moral when it is not true)