The Jungle — Vocabulary
Upton Sinclair
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	83	top 100
howeverdespite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas) Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.more Show sample from book He did not make so much, however, as he had the previous summer, for the packers took on more hands.83 more though (used to connect contrasting ideas) Show general definition for however (as in: However, complications may...) though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas) Show editor's word notes Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
	1	top 2000
however#2in whatever way However we do it, someone is going to be unhappy.more Show sample from book However that might be, the known facts were that a few weeks before the factory closed, Marija had been cheated out of her pay for three hundred cans.83 more Show general definition for however (as in: However you do it, get it done!) in whatever way
	68	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 "These men are not Socialists!" he cried.†67 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
	9	top 100
consequenceconsequence → consequences:results Your decision will have three major consequences.more Show sample from book One of the consequences of all these things was that Jurgis was no longer perplexed when he heard men talk of fighting for their rights.11 more Show general definition for consequence (as in: a direct consequence of) a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
	3	top 1000
consequence#2consequence → consequential:important Think carefully. This is a consequential decision.more Show sample from book He was of no consequence--he was flung aside, like a bit of trash, the carcass of some animal.11 more importance Show general definition for consequence (as in: of little consequence) importance or relevance
	17	top 1000
perplexperplex → perplexed:confused She was perplexed by the rules of the game.more Show sample from book One of the consequences of all these things was that Jurgis was no longer perplexed when he heard men talk of fighting for their rights.†16 more perplex → perplexed:confused or puzzled Show general definition to confuse
	18	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 And meantime Scully had given Jurgis a note to the Republican leader of the ward, and he had gone there and met the crowd he was to work with.17 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
	2	top 1000
interprettranslate Can she interpret Spanish to English for us?more Show sample from book In the morning an interpreter was found, and they were taken and put upon a car, and taught a new word—"stockyards."4 more interpret → interpreter:someone who translates language Show general definition for interpret (as in: interpret Spanish to English) to translate someone’s words into spoken words of another language while they are speaking
	3	top 10
interpret#2understand (In this case: Why did she smile? What does it mean?) I don't know how to interpret her smile.more Show sample from book "Comrade" Lucas was not what is called an educated man; he knew only the Bible, but it was the Bible interpreted by real experience.4 more interpret → interpreted:understood (in a particular way) Show general definition for interpret (as in: her interpretation of the data) to understand or explain something in a particular way -- often the meaning or significance of something
	17	top 2000
capitalisman economic system based on private ownership of property and businesses, and on voluntary exchange in a competitive environment Capitalism has helped to move millions of people out of poverty.more Show sample from book Here were all the opportunities of the country, the land, and the buildings upon the land, the railroads, the mines, the factories, and the stores, all in the hands of a few private individuals, called capitalists, for whom the people were obliged to work for wages.16 more capitalism → capitalists:people who are wealthy and benefit from an economic system based on private ownership of property and businesses Show general definition an economic system based on voluntary exchange in a competitive environment with private ownership of property and businesses Show editor's word notes Proponents of capitalism argue that voluntary exchanges tap into people’s local knowledge and natural self-interest, channeling millions of everyday decisions into broader benefits for society. At the same time, most of them also support a role for government in addressing problems that “pure” capitalism handles poorly—such as monopolies, shared costs and benefits like pollution and national defense, and providing a safety net for those who are hit by bad luck.
	14	top 1000
dismaydismay → dismayed:sad, disappointed, or worried Don't be dismayed. I have a solution.more Show sample from book He was quite dismayed when he first began to find it out—that most of the men hated their work.13 more dismay → dismayed:disappointed or worried Show general definition to feel sadness, disappointment, or worry -- typically in response to something surprising
	14	top 1000
oppressoppress → oppresses:treats harshly and unfairly The regime oppresses its people.more Show sample from book One of the girls had read somewhere that a red flag was the proper symbol for oppressed workers, and so they mounted one, and paraded all about the yards, yelling with rage.13 more oppress → oppressed:treated harshly and unfairly Show general definition for oppress (as in: oppressive government) to dominate harshly and unfairly; or to make suffer The meaning of oppress depends upon its context. For example: "The authorities oppress political activists," or "The new nation oppressed Native Americans." -- to dominate harshly and unfairly "She is oppressed by excessive debt." - made to suffer
	12
swindlefraud (or deception) to steal money She stole over a million dollars in her biggest swindle.†more Show sample from book The house was one of a whole row that was built by a company which existed to make money by swindling poor people.11 more swindle → swindling:tricking or cheating Show general definition tricking or cheating someone -- usually to get money
	10	top 2000
adulterateadulterate → adulterated:made impure by adding a foreign substance Heroine is often adulterated with other chemicals that add to the overdose risk.more Show sample from book As no one makes any profit by the sale, there is no longer any stimulus to extravagance, and no misrepresentation; no cheating, no adulteration or imitation, no bribery or 'grafting.'9 more adulterate → adulteration:lowering the quality of something by adding something else to it Show general definition corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance
	8
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 Ostrinski explained the organization of the party, the machinery by which the proletariat was educating itself.†7 more Show general definition a social class consisting of those who must work for wages to support themselves
	7
scoundrelsomeone without moral principles He's a scoundrel. Don't trust him.more Show sample from book They had a hard time on the passage; there was an agent who helped them, but he proved a scoundrel, and got them into a trap with some officials, and cost them a good deal of their precious money, which they clung to with such horrible fear.†6 more Show general definition someone without moral principles
	2	top 2000
vengeancerevenge Most Americans wanted vengeance after the 9-11 attacks.more Show sample from book And every hour his soul grew blacker, every hour he dreamed new dreams of vengeance, of defiance, of raging, frenzied hate.†2 more the act of taking revenge Show general definition for vengeance (as in: vengeance is mine) the act of taking revenge (Revenge means to harm someone to get them back for something harmful that they have done.)
	1
with a vengeancewith intensity I thought I was getting over my cold and went to work, but it came back with a vengeance.more Show sample from book Jurgis was called upon to do the beating, and as it hurt his foot he did it with a vengeance; but it did not tend to add to the sweetness of his temper.†2 more Show general definition for with a vengeance (as in: with a vengeance) with intensity
	1	top 500
preserveprepare food in a way to keep it from spoiling Salt was used to preserve the meat.more Show sample from book Some of it they would make into "smoked" sausage—but as the smoking took time, and was therefore expensive, they would call upon their chemistry department, and preserve it with borax and color it with gelatine to make it brown.1 more prepare in a way that keeps from spoiling Show general definition for preserve (as in: preserve the peaches) to prepare food in a way that keeps it from spoiling
	1	top 500
preserve#2an activity done exclusively by a group At that time, Yoga was the preserve of India's highest-caste men.more Show sample from book This is a great tract of a hundred thousand acres, which from time immemorial has been a hunting preserve of the nobility.1 more a place exclusive to a group Show general definition for preserve (as in: no longer a male preserve) something exclusive to (someone or some group) -- such as an activity or place