The Iceman Cometh — Vocabulary
Eugene O'Neill
(Auto-generated)

Word Set

Samples

Sort By

Further limit words

by act of first use

to Show all

by difficulty

to (9 is most difficult)

by interest

underline any show only

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	13	top 2000
paralysisloss of the ability to move She suffers paralysis of her legs.more Show sample from book But Lewis, his hand about to push the swinging doors open, hesitates, as though struck by a sudden paralysis of the will,12 more Show general definition loss of the ability to move the body or a part of it or: inability to act or make a decision
	8	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book PEARL—(her face hard—scornfully) Nuttin'.†7 more scorn → scornfully:in a disrespectful or rejecting manner Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	11	top 1000
tauntintentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone She used Twitter to taunt the opposing candidate.more Show sample from book LARRY--(stung--furiously) Look out how you try to taunt me back into life, I warn you!10 more anger Show general definition to intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone -- especially by mocking them or hurling insults or (as a noun): an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone
	10	top 1000
sullenunhappy and withdrawn She changed from a happy, outgoing child to sullen teenager.more Show sample from book His manner is sullen, his face set in gloom.9 more Show general definition for sullen (as in: a sullen mood) being unhappy (and often withdrawn)
	8	top 1000
assentconsent or agreement The patient gave her assent to the surgery, even though she was nervous about it.more Show sample from book They all laughingly assent.†7 more to express agreement -- especially with a statement or proposal to do something Show general definition to express agreement -- especially with a statement or proposal to do something
	9	top 2000
deridederide → derides:criticizes with strong disrespect She relentlessly mocks and derides the younger students.more Show sample from book Pearl and Margie exchange a derisive look.8 more deride → derisive:mocking and disrespectful Show general definition to criticize with strong disrespect -- often with humor
	9	top 1000
obliviousunaware of She is oblivious to the dangers.more Show sample from book They advance, their heads together, so interested in a discussion they are oblivious to everyone.8 more Show general definition unaware of
	8	top 2000
insistentfirm and continuing We questioned her repeatedly and she remained insistent that she knew nothing of the event.more Show sample from book HUGO—(with uneasy insistence) What's matter, Larry?†7 more insistent → insistence:demand or persist Show general definition persistent or continuing or firm -- especially in maintaining a view or demanding something
	7	top 1000
contemptlack of respect Familiarity breeds contempt.more Show sample from book A bitter mocking contempt creeps into his tone.6 more disrespect Show general definition for contempt (as in: feels contempt towards her) lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior -- often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust Show editor's word notes A famous saying, "familiarity breeds contempt" comes from Aesop's fable, "The Fox and the Lion". (6th century BC) When first the Fox saw the Lion he was terribly frightened, and ran away and hid himself in the wood. Next time however he came near the King of Beasts he stopped at a safe distance and watched him pass by. The third time they came near one another the Fox went straight up to the Lion and passed the time of day with him, asking him how his family were, and when he should have the pleasure of seeing him again; then turning his tail, he parted from the Lion without much ceremony. The moral is traditionally, "Familiarity breeds contempt"; though an alternative moral is "Acquaintance softens prejudices."
	6	top 1000
reproachreproach → reproached:criticized and expressed disappointment She reproached him for treating his sister so thoughtlessly.more Show sample from book It isn't the kind that lets itself off easy by encouraging some poor guy to go on kidding himself with a lie—the kind that leaves the poor slob worse off because it makes him feel guiltier than ever—the kind that makes his lying hopes nag at him and reproach him until he's a rotten skunk in his own eyes.†5 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.
	6	top 2000
denouncedenounce → denounced:strongly criticized or accused publicly She denounced him as a liar.more Show sample from book She wrote to denounce me and...5 more strongly criticize Show general definition to strongly criticize or accuse publicly or more rarely: to inform against someone (turn someone into the authorities)
	6	top 2000
preoccupiedbusy (doing or thinking about other things) She got no help from her husband who was preoccupied with the children.more Show sample from book HOPE—(preoccupied with his own thoughts) Eh?†5 more took up the attention of Show general definition busy thinking about or doing something so that other things are not noticed or done
	4	top 1000
furtivedone in a way that attempts to avoid notice Despite her attempt to look interested, her teacher did not miss her furtive glances at the clock.more Show sample from book He slinks in furtively, as if he were escaping from someone.3 more furtive → furtively:while taking pains to avoid being observed Show general definition taking pains to avoid being observed or: in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
	5	top 2000
dejectedsad or disappointed She looked dejected after learning she didn’t make the team.more Show sample from book McGLOIN—(dejectedly) Yes, once Bessie's relations get their hooks in him, it'll be as tough for us as if she wasn't gone.†4 more dejected → dejectedly:with low spirits (sadness, disappointment, hopelessness) Show general definition feeling sad, disappointed, or low in spirits -- especially after a loss or setback
	9	top 1000
vindictiveinclined to seek revenge or desirous of hurting others Not being vindictive by nature, Grant did what he could to see that the Confederate prisoners were treated well.more Show sample from book (While he is speaking the faces of the gang have lighted up vindictively, as if all at once they saw a chance to revenge themselves.)8 more vindictive → vindictively:with revenge or malice (desire to harm) Show general definition desirous of seeking revenge or wanting to hurt someone
	9
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 There is a foreign atmosphere about him, the stamp of an alien radical, a strong resemblance to the type Anarchist as portrayed, bomb in hand, in newspaper cartoons.†8 more someone who favors eliminating all government or authority Show general definition someone who favors eliminating all government or authority
	9
bourgeoistypical middle class Our lifestyle upsets their bourgeois sensibilities.more Show sample from book I remember her putting on her high-and-mighty free-woman stuff, saying you were still a slave to bourgeois morality and jealousy and you thought a woman you loved was a piece of private property you owned.8 more typical of the middle class values Show general definition typical of the middle class or their values and habits - typically used disapprovingly or (in Marxist theory): typical of the property-owning class Show editor's word notes Bourgeois is often used to refer to the values of the upper middle class. You may also see the term petit bourgeois to describe very small business owners. Note that bourgeois, bourgeoisie, and bourgeoise are often interchanged. Bourgeois is most common and can be used as an adjective or a noun. Bourgeoisie is typically used only as a noun, and bourgeoise is occasionally used as an alternate spelling of bourgeois.
	4	top 1000
fastidiouscareful and attentive to detail She is fastidious in her work.more Show sample from book He is dressed in threadbare black clothes and his white shirt is frayed at collar and cuffs, but everything about him is fastidiously clean.3 more fastidious → fastidiously:showing an excessive concern for cleanliness Show general definition giving careful attention to detail or: excessively concerned with cleanliness or matters of taste
	5
proletariata social class consisting of those who must work for wages to support themselves Marx did not envision a generally satisfied proletariat that found meaning and financial reward in their work.more Show sample from book Soon, leedle proletarians, ve vill have free picnic in the cool shade, ve vill eat hot dogs and trink free beer beneath the villow trees!†4 more
	3	top 1000
apathylack of interest and enthusiasm Seeing too much senior apathy, the high school began having juniors declare a major for their senior year.more Show sample from book Rocky pushes the bottle toward him apathetically.2 more apathy → apathetically:with a lack of enthusiasm