Catch-22 — Vocabulary
Joseph Heller
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	12	top 2000
approachapproach → approaching:getting nearer Winter is approaching.more Show sample from book When his inspiring dissertation was finished, he gave the men the colors of the day still one more time, stressed the angle of approach and reviewed the weather conditions again.13 more getting near Show general definition for approach (as in: approached the city) to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
	2	top 500
approach#2method (way of doing something) Perhaps I just need to work harder, but I may need an entirely different approach to the problem.more Show sample from book Why can't we take a more positive approach?13 more technique (way of doing something) Show general definition for approach (as in: use the best approach) a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
	1	top 1000
resignationa document expressing that someone is quitting a job I know you're unhappy there, but don't submit your resignation until you find a better job.more Show sample from book ...joining discussion groups and resigning from discussion groups,12 more resignation → resigning:quitting Show general definition for resignation (as in: submitted her resignation) to quit -- especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
	12	top 1000
resignation#2(accepted) something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils It wasn't her first choice, but she accepted it with resignation.more Show sample from book Yossarian stepped out of the way with resignation finally when he saw it was hopeless to try to reason with him.12 more acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable Show general definition for resignation (as in: accepted it with resignation) acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
	15	top 2000
positivecertain I'm positive I've seen her before.more Show sample from book So many monstrous events were occurring that he was no longer positive which events were monstrous and which were really taking place.15 more Show general definition for positive (as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
	1
positive#2optimistic With a positive attitude and some effort, I'm sure we can make this work.more Show sample from book Why can't we take a more positive approach? Why can't we all pray for something good, like a tighter bomb pattern, for example?15 more Show general definition for positive (as in: a positive attitude) optimistic (expecting or focusing on good things); or agreeable
	22	top 1000
retortquickly reply She wanted to retort that he that he sounded foolish, but she made herself count to ten and thought better of it.more Show sample from book Doc Daneeka retorted with annoyance.†21 more retort → retorted:quickly replied Show general definition for retort (as in: quick retort) a quick reply to a question or remark -- especially a witty or critical one
	16	top 1000
monotonouslacking variety and boring We hope to replace people with robots for the most monotonous work.more Show sample from book The engines droned on monotonously like a fat, lazy fly.†15 more monotonous → monotonously:lacking in variety and/or boring Show general definition lacking in variety -- typically boring
	20	top 2000
martialrelating to fighting skills She signed up for martial arts classes to learn self-defense and discipline.more Show sample from book Parades were so martial.†19 more relating to war, the military, or fighting Show general definition relating to war, the military, or fighting
	16	top 2000
censorcensor → censoring:suppressing everything considered politically unacceptable The Chinese devote enormous resources to censoring the Internet.more Show sample from book Catch-22 required that each censored letter bear the censoring officer's name.†15 more censor → censoring:removing or suppressing something considered obscene, immoral, or politically unacceptable Show general definition for censor (as related to censorship) to remove or suppress anything considered obscene, immoral, politically unacceptable, or a security threat or: a person who decides which such material should be removed or suppressed
	10	top 200
malicemalice → malicious:evil; or made with the intent to make others suffer I am not interested in hearing malicious gossip.more Show sample from book His eyes gleamed maliciously.†9 more malice → maliciously:with a desire to see others suffer; or in a threatening manner Show general definition the intention or desire to see others suffer
	14	top 1000
elatedhappy and excited I felt elated the first day of summer break.more Show sample from book Yossarian thumbed his nose at Major Danby and laughed with smug elation.13 more elated → elation:high-spirited delight Show general definition full of happiness and excitement
	9	top 500
lamentlament → lamented:expressed grief about She lamented the loss.more Show sample from book 'Why me?' was his constant lament, and the question was a good one.†8 more express grief or regret Show general definition to express grief or regret
	10	top 2000
odiousworthy of hate Though they think the country's government is odious, they're unwilling to help topple it for fear of the consequences.more Show sample from book It was an odious, alien, distasteful name, that just did not inspire confidence.†9 more extremely unpleasant, disgusting, dislikable, or worthy of hate Show general definition extremely unpleasant, disgusting, dislikable, or worthy of hate
	2	top 100
negativenegative → negatively:in a bad or harmful manner Higher interest rates negatively affected home sales.more Show sample from book 'But you can't just turn your back on all your responsibilities and run away from them,' Major Danby insisted. 'It's such a negative move.'2 more bad or harmful Show general definition for negative (as in: had a negative effect) bad or harmful
	1
negative#2pessimistic Don't be so negative. We'll find a way to make this work.more Show sample from book I don't want anything heavy or sad. I'd like you to keep it light and snappy, something that will send the boys out feeling pretty good. Do you know what I mean? I don't want any of this Kingdom of God or Valley of Death stuff. That's all too negative.2 more unhappy (focusing on unhappy things instead of happy things) Show general definition for negative (as in: a negative attitude) pessimistic (emphasizing bad things) or disagreeable
	8	top 2000
reprovereprove → reproves:criticizes She's the kind of boss who reproves in private and praises in public.more Show sample from book 'I still can't hear you,' Aarfy called back innocently with an expression of mild and reproving perplexity.†7 more reprove → reproving:criticizing or critical Show general definition express disapproval or criticism -- typically in a mild manner & sometimes even in a friendly manner
	6	top 2000
antagonismhostility There is skepticism, if not antagonism, between the two groups.more Show sample from book The crawlway was Yossarian's lifeline to outside from a plane about to fall, but Yossarian swore at it with seething antagonism, reviled it as an obstacle put there by providence as part of the plot that would destroy him.†5 more hostility or opposition Show general definition hostility, opposition, or tension between opposing forces or ideas
	5	top 1000
causticsarcastic, critical, or harsh She has a caustic sense of humor.more Show sample from book "What a sweet way you have of putting things!" Yossarian snapped with caustic resentment.4 more sarcastic
	4	top 500
inhibitedunable to act naturally due to being overly self-conscious She's personable and funny with her friends, but she tends to be inhibited with strangers.more Show sample from book Here, at last, was progress, and Major Major threw himself into his new career with uninhibited gusto.†3 more inhibited → uninhibited:acting naturally without being overly self-conscious Show context notes The prefix "un-" in uninhibited means not and reverses the meaning of inhibited. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.