Misery — Vocabulary
Stephen King
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	7	top 2000
accordaccord → accordance:keeping She will get a fair trial in accordance with the law.more Show sample from book The other two were Kreigs, the best locks in the whole world, according to his ex-cop friend Tom Twyford.7 more accord → according to:as stated by Show general definition for accord (as in: according to, or in accord with) in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with This meaning of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example: "According to Kim, ..." -- as stated by "To each according to her ability." -- based upon "Points are scored according to how well they perform." -- depending upon "The dose is calculated according to body weight." -- in proportion to "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." -- because of what was just said; or as a result
	1	top 2000
accord#2accord → own accord:own mind -- voluntarily (without anyone asking) She was not forced. She did it of her own accord.more Show sample from book Of its own accord, seemingly, her head slipped to one side so her right ear was pressed against the ground -- she had seen children in similar postures by the railway line, listening for trains.7 more accord → own accord:own mind (without her telling it to do so) Show general definition for accord (as in: done of her own accord) mind Show editor's word notes This sense of accord is typically seen in the form own accord or one accord.
	8	top 1000
sereneserene → serenely:calmly and peacefully While I lie awake worrying, she sleeps serenely.more Show sample from book The prospect did not seem to disturb Annie's weird serenity in the least, although Paul could not believe that, in some part of her mind, she did not realize how close to the end of the game they had now come.7 more serene → serenity:calm and untroubled manner Show general definition calm and untroubled
	2	top 500
obscureobscure → obscured:hidden or made less visible The stars are obscured by the clouds.more Show sample from book Her smile suddenly collapsed into a narrow watchfulness he didn't like much, it was like discovering a deep crevasse almost obscured by summer flowers2 more obscure → obscured:hidden Show general definition for obscure (as in: it obscured my view) to block from view or make less visible or understandable Show editor's word notes Although this meaning of obscure typically refers to seeing or understanding, it can also refer to situation where something makes something else harder to detect or as when a noise makes another noise difficult to hear. Similarly it can reference something overshadowing something else, as in "Her memory of her dog's death was obscured by her brother's death the next day."
	1	top 1000
obscure#2not known to many people The obscure battle is hardly mentioned in history books.more Show sample from book What is it Thomas Hardy says in Jude the Obscure?2 more not known to many people; or undistinguished Show general definition for obscure (as in: the famous and the obscure) not known to many people; or unimportant or undistinguished Show editor's word notes More rarely, this meaning of obscure can be used for:<ul><li>seemingly unimportant -- as in "I want her on the team. She always seems to ask obscure questions that reveal problems in a different light."</li><li>humble (typically only found in classic literature) -- as in "Nobody at the table would have guessed of her obscure family background."</li></ul>
	8	top 2000
psychoticsomeone who suffers from a psychosis (any severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted) She is borderline psychotic.more Show sample from book But there's a borderline between the lands of manageable and unmanageable psychosis.†7 more psychotic → psychosis:any severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted Show general definition related to psychosis or someone who suffers from a psychosis (any severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted)
	7
obituarya notice of someone's death with a short biography Her eldest daughter wrote an obituary that was published in the local paper and online.more Show sample from book Something has sure changed; there have been no obituaries since, He flicked back to see.†6 more obituary → obituaries:published death notices with short biographies Show general definition a published notice of someone's death -- usually printed in a newspaper with a short biography Show editor's word notes The section of the newspaper that reports deaths is called the "Obituaries".
	6	top 1000
writhewrithe → writhed:moved in a twisting or contorted motion The patient writhed in pain.more Show sample from book Annie was writhing and moaning.†5 more writhe → writhing:moving in a twisting or contorted motion Show general definition to move in a twisting or contorted motion -- often of a person when struggling or in pain
	5	top 1000
rationalrational → rationally:in a reasonable manner It's hard to think rationally when I'm this upset.more Show sample from book He had constantly refused, for no rational reason: it was just that making copies seemed a jinx thing to do.†4 more reasonable Show general definition for rational (as in: rational behavior) reasonable, able to think clearly, or based on logic rather than emotion
	5	top 1000
dismaydismay → dismayed:sad, disappointed, or worried Don't be dismayed. I have a solution.more Show sample from book He should feel angry and dismayed, he supposed.†4 more dismay → dismayed:to feel sadness, disappointment, or worry Show general definition to feel sadness, disappointment, or worry -- typically in response to something surprising
	6
amnesialoss of memory The movie is about a woman who suffers amnesia and doesn't even remember her husband.more Show sample from book Did you all get amnesia?†5 more Show general definition loss of memory (partial or total)
	5	top 2000
melodramaexaggerated drama The show’s final episode was pure melodrama—sudden betrayals, secret siblings, and a wedding interrupted by a long-lost lover.more Show sample from book But it was pretty minor, league stuff; the highest his temperature had ever gone was 100.7, and that wasn't exactly the stuff of which high melodrama was made.†4 more a story or behavior that is overly dramatic Show general definition a story or behavior that is overly dramatic
	3	top 200
coherentsensible and clear She presented a compelling and coherent plan.more Show sample from book the man's deep grief and frequent incoherent cries.2 more coherent → incoherent:not understandable (unclear) Show context notes The prefix "in-" in incoherent means not and reverses the meaning of coherent. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure. Show general definition sensible and clear; or describing parts as fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner
	4	top 1000
clarityclearness (the quality of being clearly expressed) The speaker presented her argument with such clarity that even those unfamiliar with the topic could easily understand her main points.more Show sample from book The counsellor had had a stopwatch, and Paul Sheldon's dozing mind saw it with brilliant clarity, although he had last held its honest silver weight in his hand more than thirty years ago.†3 more seen, expressed, or understood clearly… Show general definition seen, expressed, or understood clearly; or a degree of transparency such as the quality of clear water
	4
limberflexible Yoga has helped me to become more limber.more Show sample from book Her hands had begun to spring limberly open and then snatch closed again, catching air and squashing it.†3 more limber → limberly:of a person's body: flexible (capable of moving, bending, and stretching easily… Show general definition for limber (as in: the gymnast stays limber) of a person's body: flexible (capable of moving, bending, and stretching easily) or: readily adaptable -- especially of someone's mind
	3	top 2000
askewnot straight (not in proper alignment) She came out of the water with her glasses askew but still on her head.more Show sample from book This dragged his left leg slightly askew, and the bolt of pain in his crushed knee was enough to wake him up.†2 more not straight; or not right Show general definition not straight (not in proper alignment) or: (when used figuratively) not right, or not as planned
	3
continuityconsistency Despite maintaining continuity in an alternate world, each episode can stand alone as a complete story.more Show sample from book The continuity drops were annoying but minor.†2 more Show general definition consistency or lacking interruption
	2	top 2000
euphemisma word or phrase that serves as a less harsh way of saying something unpleasant Passed away is a euphemism for died.more Show sample from book If Misery Chastain had been a real person, he knew he might very well have been called upon 'to aid the police in their inquiries', as the euphemism went.†1 more a word or phrase that serves as a less harsh or less offensive way of saying something unpleasant Show general definition a word or phrase that serves as a less harsh or less offensive way of saying something unpleasant -- such as "passed away" rather than "died"
	2	top 2000
hiatusgap in time when activity stopped After a four-month hiatus, Days of Our Lives resumed production.more Show sample from book There was a feeling about her of clots and roadblocks rather than welcoming orifices or even open spaces, areas of hiatus.†1 more gap in time without activity Show general definition a gap in time (when there is no or less activity)
	2	top 2000
stolidemotionless She listened to both arguments thoughtfully, but with a face as stolid as a cow's.more Show sample from book Annie tumbled Bossie in, then stolidly began refilling the hole, a job she hadn't finished until long after dark.†1 more stolid → stolidly:unemotionally Show general definition having or revealing little emotion -- sometimes indicating qualities of not changing or being dependable or (much more rarely): of an object: not interesting -- often large and unmoving