Six Characters in Search of an Author — Vocabulary
Luigi Pirandello
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	8	top 200
indignantindignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong "I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more Show sample from book The Manager [losing patience at last and almost indignant].†7 more angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
	9	top 2000
tormenttorment → tormenting:causing great mental or physical suffering She enjoys tormenting others.†more Show sample from book I wanted to think of her as fortunate and happy because far away from the complicated torments of my spirit.†8 more torment → torments:causes great mental or physical suffering Show general definition to cause or to experience great mental or physical suffering
	7	top 1000
remorseregret for doing something wrong There was no sign of remorse until the police caught her.more Show sample from book Even in the case of remorse.†6 more deep regret for doing something that was wrong Show general definition a feeling of deep regret for doing something that was wrong Show editor's word notes Synonym comparison (if you're into word choice): Many consider the word remorse stronger than the word regret. Also, it is more personal. One might regret that their team lost the game, but feel remorse that they missed the bus and weren't there to help the team.
	4	top 100
contradictdisagree with Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more Show sample from book This seeming contradiction, gentlemen, is the strongest proof that I stand here a live man before you.†3 more contradict → contradiction:something (typically a statement) that disagrees with itself; or (more rarely) the act of disagreeing Show general definition disagree in various senses, including: to say something is not true -- as in "She contradicted his testimony." to say something else is true when both can't be true -- as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened." to be in conflict with -- as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
	5	top 1000
perplexperplex → perplexed:confused She was perplexed by the rules of the game.more Show sample from book The Manager [perplexed, half smiling].†4 more perplex → perplexed:confused or puzzled Show general definition to confuse
	3	top 100
alludeallude → alluded:indirectly referenced He alluded to Susan without mentioning her name.more Show sample from book I should like to know who they are...[Alludes to CHARACTERS].†2 more allude → alludes:makes an indirect reference Show general definition to make an indirect reference Show editor's word notes The expression, no allusion can mean "not even an indirect reference"; i.e., neither a direct nor an indirect reference to something.
	5	top 1000
contemptlack of respect Familiarity breeds contempt.more Show sample from book She shows contempt for the timid half-frightened manner of the wretched BOY4 more disrespect and dislike 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."
	3	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book You may have noticed, Mr. Manager, that I fix him now and again with a look of scorn while he lowers his eyes — for he knows the evil he has done me.†2 more disrespect or reject as not good enough Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	5	top 2000
pretensepretending Nobody is fooled by her pretense.more Show sample from book It's all pretence you know.†4 more pretense → pretence:a false appearance or action to help one pretend Show context notes This is a British spelling. Americans use pretense. Show general definition a false appearance or action to help one pretend Show editor's word notes This is sometimes seen in the expression "false pretense" or "false pretenses" which is just emphasizing that behavior or actions do not reflect the true situation.
	3	top 500
acquireobtain (get) Children acquire language at an amazing rate.more Show sample from book And the drama, you will see, acquires a tremendous value from this point.†2 more acquire → acquires:obtains (comes into possession of) Show general definition obtain (come into the possession of something)
	2	top 200
disdainlack of respect She tries to be polite, but she cannot hide her disdain for authority.more Show sample from book The Step-Daughter [disdainful, alluring, treacherous, full of impudence].†1 more disdain → disdainful:full of disrespect Show general definition to disrespect or reject as unworthy
	3	top 1000
fleetinglasting a short time Her moments of happiness were few and fleeting.more Show sample from book She surprised me in a place, where she ought not to have known me, just as I could not exist for her; and she now seeks to attach to me a reality such as I could never suppose I should have to assume for her in a shameful and fleeting moment of my life.†2 more Show general definition lasting a short time
	2	top 500
indifferentwithout interest About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.more Show sample from book THE SON (22) tall, severe in his attitude of contempt for THE FATHER, supercilious and indifferent to THE MOTHER.†1 more Show general definition without interest in various senses, including: unconcerned -- as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat." unsympathetic -- as in "She is indifferent to his needs." not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) -- as in "an indifferent performance" impartial -- as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
	2	top 500
exasperatedgreatly annoyed She was exasperated by his teasing.more Show sample from book And this, believe me, was just about enough of itself to keep me in a constant rage, to exasperate me beyond measure.†1 more exasperated → exasperate:greatly annoy
	3	top 2000
consternationdismay (unhappiness and worry) Much to the consternation of Congress, raising the tax decreased tax collections as manufacturers moved to other countries.more Show sample from book The Manager [in consternation].†2 more dismay (unhappiness, worry, and often confusion) Show general definition dismay (unhappiness, worry, and often confusion) -- typically over something unexpected
	3	top 2000
impudentimproperly bold or disrespectful She is an impudent girl given to insulting strangers.†more Show sample from book The Step-Daughter [disdainful, alluring, treacherous, full of impudence].†2 more Show general definition improperly bold or disrespectful -- especially toward someone who is older or considered to be of higher status
	3	top 2000
aspirationdesire Her aspiration to become a famous author motivated her to write every day.more Show sample from book All my life I have had these confounded aspirations towards a certain moral sanity.†2 more aspiration → aspirations:desires Show general definition a desire to achieve something
	2	top 1000
culminateculminate → culminated:reached a peak or end Her years of training culminated in a national championship win.more Show sample from book But the drama culminated unforeseen and violent on their return, when I was impelled by my miserable flesh that still lives...Ah!†1 more culminate → culminated:reached the highest or most decisive or final stage Show general definition reach the highest or most decisive or final stage
	2	top 2000
equivocalunclear in meaning Her equivocal answer left everyone wondering what she really meant.more Show sample from book He is obliged to watch her treat his father in an equivocal and confidential manner.†1 more Show general definition unclear in meaning -- especially where opposing interpretations are reasonable (sometimes intentionally)
	1	top 500
diversevaried (in this case, of different ethnic groups and genders) The college wants a diverse student body.more Show sample from book Diverse consciences.† varied; OR (having differences amongst things of the same kind) Show general definition varied or (having differences amongst things of the same kind) -- especially with regard to ideas or members of a population group