Oedipus King of Thebes — Vocabulary
Sophocles
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	10	top 1000
wrathextreme anger She could hardly contain her wrath when she learned he had betrayed her.more Show sample from book Nay; the wrath of any stone Would rise at him.†9 more Show general definition extreme anger or angry punishment
	7	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book —Children, care For this so moves me, I have scorned withal Message or writing: seeing 'tis I ye call, 'Tis I am come, world-honoured Oedipus.†6 more scorn → scorned:disrespected or rejected Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	8	top 1000
perilperil → perils:dangers The mountaineers faced many perils on their ascent to the summit, including treacherous icefalls and avalanches.more Show sample from book From thee in great peril fell peace upon my heart, In thee mine eye clouded and the dark is come apace.†7 more danger Show general definition danger
	7	top 1000
banishbanish → banished:forced to leave He was banished from his own country.more Show sample from book For Phoebus—thou hast heard withal His message—to our envoy hath decreed One only way of help in this great need: To find and smite with death or banishing, Him who smote Laius, our ancient King.†6 more banish → banishing:expelling or getting rid of Show general definition to expel or get rid of in various senses, including: to force someone to leave a country as punishment to push an idea from the mind
	5	top 500
scarcityshortage There is a scarcity of work in the region.more Show sample from book Scarce thy full meaning.†4 more scarcity → scarce:in short supply OR barely or hardly (by a small margin) Show general definition shortage (having an amount that is less than desired)
	7	top 2000
prophecyprediction of the future The prophecy came true.more Show sample from book Question every cry Of birds, and all roads else of prophecy Thou knowest.†6 more Show general definition a prediction of the future (usually said to be obtained in a supernatural way)
	4	top 1000
afflictafflict → afflicted:made to suffer The region was afflicted by a long drought that destroyed most crops.more Show sample from book One new as our new-come affliction, Or an old toil returned with the years?†3 more afflict → affliction:something that causes ongoing suffering Show general definition to cause pain, suffering, or trouble -- especially something long-lasting or hard to endure
	2	top 200
sinisterevil They created a sinister plan to recruit terrorists.more Show sample from book He is an old blind man in a prophet's robe, dark, unkempt and sinister in appearance.1 more evil, harmful, or frightening Show general definition evil or harmful; or making an evil or frightening impression
	4	top 2000
anguishpain I felt unbearable anguish when my 4-year-old child died from brain cancer.more Show sample from book She passed like one who flies In very anguish.†3 more extreme pain, suffering, or distress Show general definition extreme pain, suffering, or distress (of body or mind)
	4	top 2000
exileeviction from one's home country She fled Tibet and is living in exile in India.more Show sample from book 'Tis that, hath kept thee exiled in this place?†3 more exile → exiled:forced to leave one's homeland Show general definition to force someone to live outside of their homeland; or living in such a condition or more rarely: voluntary absence from a place someone would rather be
	3	top 2000
abhorabhor → abhors:hates She abhors violence.more Show sample from book And thou, O Golden-crown, Theban and named our own, O Wine-gleam, Voice of Joy, for ever more Ringed with thy Maenads white, Bacchus, draw near and smite, Smite with thy glad-eyed flame the God whom Gods abhor.†2 more hate or detest Show general definition to hate or detest something Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): As compared to "hate", "despise", or "loathe", "abhor" is often chosen to indicate moral revulsion.
	2	top 1000
heedheed → heedlessness:pay close attention to Heed the advice of those who have been there before.more Show context notes The suffix "-lessness" in heedlessness means in a state without. This is the same pattern you see in words like fearlessness, powerlessness, and harmlessness. Show sample from book We had no heed Of distant sorrows, having death so near.†1 more pay close attention to; or do what is suggested Show general definition pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested -- especially with regard to a warning or other advice
	3
heraldofficial who announces important news The herald loudly proclaimed, "The King is dead. Long live the King."more Show sample from book Aye, and two Heralds have sent ere now.2 more herald → heralds:people who announce important news Show general definition for herald (as in: announced by herald & trumpet) a person who announces important news -- especially a king's representative
	2	top 2000
forsakeabandon or give up The country must forsake terrorism as a political instrument.more Show sample from book Did not thy masteries of old forsake thee when the end was near?†1 more abandon or give up on Show general definition to abandon or give up on -- such as someone who needs you, or an idea, or a place
	2	top 2000
defiledefile → defiled:polluted They defiled the river by emptying raw sewage into it.more Show sample from book Fear lest thou take Defilement from the two that gave thee birth?†1 more defile → defilement:the act of spoiling the beauty or purity of something Show general definition to spoil the beauty or purity of something in various senses, including: pollute a pristine lake harm a reputation or good name damage or disrespect something sacred take a person's virginity in a disrespectful way
	1	top 500
impetuousimpulsive (made suddenly without much thought) She regretted her impetuous promise.†more Show sample from book The scene serves at least to quicken the pace of the drama, to bring out the impetuous and somewhat tyrannical nature of Oedipus, and to prepare the magnificent entrance of Jocasta.† impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) Show general definition for impetuous (as in: an impetuous decision) impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) -- often with an unfortunate consequence
	1	top 1000
wresttake (with effort) The radical wing of the party is trying to wrest control from the moderates.more Show sample from book There is my lineage true, which none shall wrest From me; who then am I to fear this quest?† obtain with difficult effort or force Show general definition obtain with difficult effort or force
	1	top 2000
assuagesoothe The panel will have an equal number of Democrats and Republicans to help assuage concern that it could be used for political ends.more Show sample from book She will assuage it as is well.† Show general definition to soothe (make something less unpleasant or frightening)
	1	top 2000
blasphemydisrespect of something considered sacred The government of the Muslim nation monitors major websites for blasphemy.more Show sample from book If such there be, oh, let some doom be given Meet for his ill-starred pride, Who will not gain his gain where Justice is, Who will not hold his lips from blasphemies, Who hurls rash hands amid the things of heaven From man's touch sanctified.† blasphemy → blasphemies:things said or done that are disrespectful of something considered sacred -- especially God or religion Show general definition something said or done that is disrespectful of something considered sacred -- especially God or religion
	1	top 2000
visageface The visage of the old woman was weathered and wrinkled, but her eyes sparkled with a youthful energy.more Show sample from book Cast me from Thebes ...now, quick ...where none may see My visage more, nor mingle words with me.† someone's face or facial expression Show general definition someone's face or facial expression