The Shining — Vocabulary
Stephen King
(Auto-generated)

Word Set

Samples

Sort By

Further limit words

by chapter of first use

to Show all

by difficulty

to (9 is most difficult)

by interest

underline any show only

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	8	top 1000
petulantunreasonably annoyed or upset She stomped her foot like a petulant child.more Show sample from book There was nothing of the real Jack in that howling ... petulant voice, though.7 more unreasonably upset Show general definition unreasonably annoyed or upset or: easily annoyed or upset
	9
subconsciousmental activity of which we are not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior In the experiment, the image flashed too quickly to be seen consciously, but it impacted the subconscious.more Show sample from book Danny is doing subconsciously what these so-called mystics and mind readers do quite consciously and cynically.†8 more subconscious → subconsciously:of mental activity of which one is not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior Show general definition mental activity of which one is not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior; or the part of the mind that engages in such activity Show editor's word notes Though commonly used in daily conversation, the word subconscious is not used clinically. Where the layperson says subconscious, psychologists are likely to say unconscious mind.
	6	top 1000
ominousthreatening I'm beginning to hear ominous rumblings of discontent.more Show sample from book She thought that to children adult motives and actions must seem as bulking and ominous as dangerous animals seen in the shadows of a dark forest.†5 more threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come) Show general definition threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
	7	top 2000
chastisechastise → chastising:criticizing She said the United Nations resolution amounted to chastising Israel for wanting to exist.more Show sample from book He would chastise them both, and harshly.†6 more to scold or criticize Show general definition to scold or criticize
	4	top 200
sinisterevil They created a sinister plan to recruit terrorists.more Show sample from book It gave Jack a curious shrinking feeling, as if his life force had dwindled to a mere spark while the hotel and the grounds had suddenly doubled in size and become sinister, dwarfing them with sullen, inanimate power.3 more evil, harmful, or frightening Show general definition evil or harmful; or making an evil or frightening impression
	6	top 1000
recoilrecoil → recoiled:suddenly moved back (away from) She recoiled in horror.more Show sample from book She saw what it really was and recoiled instinctively.†5 more recoil → recoiled:moved back suddenly Show general definition to move backward suddenly (sometimes figuratively) especially: the backward jerk of a gun or cannon when it is fired when a person flinches (suddenly draws back) from someone or something, as with fear, disgust, or pain when a person is emotionally repulsed, as by disgust when something intended to go in one direction figuratively falls back in the opposite direction; for example, a story told to hurt someone that comes back to hurt the teller
	6	top 2000
recurhappen again The infection is less likely to recur if you finish all the recommended antibiotics.more Show sample from book The question recurred: Why had he called Ullman in the first place?†5 more recur → recurred:happened again Show general definition to happen repeatedly or a second time
	5	top 1000
cunningclever and deceitful She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more Show sample from book Daddy, sobered up some (or perhaps only with the stupid cunning of any hardpressed animal), told the doctor she had fallen downstairs.†4 more good at achieving goals through cleverness and deception Show general definition for cunning (as in: a cunning thief) being good at achieving goals through cleverness -- and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
	4	top 500
irrationalunreasonable I have an irrational fear of spiders.more Show sample from book He glanced at the shelves again in wild, irrational hope but the shelves were just as empty as before.†3 more Show general definition not reasonable
	5	top 1000
cynicalsomeone who expects the worst The experience made her overly cynical.more Show sample from book Danny is doing subconsciously what these so-called mystics and mind readers do quite consciously and cynically.†4 more cynical → cynically:someone who expects the worst -- especially of people Show general definition someone who expects the worst -- especially of people (such as expecting them to be selfish and lie)
	6
pallidabnormally pale (lacking healthy skin color) She looked weak and her face was pallid.more Show sample from book Jack sitting at the table, pallid and grizzled, a cigarette jittering between his fingers.†5 more abnormally pale (lacking healthy skin color)… Show general definition abnormally pale (lacking healthy skin color); or anything that lacks energy or liveliness
	6	top 2000
grotesquedistorted or ugly She was wearing a grotesque mask that was quite disturbing.more Show sample from book They were perhaps the final grotesque toy of the unwinding fossil fuel age, given to ten-year-olds for Christmas.†5 more distorted and unnatural in shape or size Show general definition distorted and unnatural in shape or size -- especially in a disturbing way or: ugly, gross, or very wrong
	3	top 100
phenomenonsomething that is of special interest It is a growing social phenomenon on high school campuses.more Show sample from book We have a one-sentence explanation that explains the whole range of such phenomena in children — "He'll grow out of it," Jack said.2 more phenomenon → phenomena:interesting observable things Show general definition something that exists or happened -- especially something of special interest -- sometimes someone or something that is extraordinary Show editor's word notes "Phenomenons" and "phenomena" are both appropriate plural forms of this noun. "Phenomena" is generally used in scientific or philosophical contexts.
	5	top 1000
wanewane → waned:gradually decreased When the headlines moved on to other topics, public interest waned and only the companies being regulated paid attention to what was happening.more Show sample from book They stood side by side for a moment, watching the wax and wane of the coals of the fire.†4 more gradually decrease in strength, intensity, size, or importance Show general definition gradually decrease in strength, intensity, size, or importance -- especially the part of the moon that is visible
	2	top 200
obsoleteno longer in general use because it was replaced by something better My mother still has a twenty-year-old obsolete computer in storage.more Show sample from book He had stuck his hand through some rotted flashing in high summer and that hand and his whole arm had been consumed in holy, righteous fire, destroying conscious thought, making the concept of civilized behavior obsolete.†1 more Show general definition no longer in general use because it was replaced by something better
	4
compulsivedone too much because of an uncontrollable desire She is a compulsive gambler.more Show sample from book There are people who collect insurance as compulsively as others collect coins and stamps, and Mark Torrance had been that type.†3 more compulsive → compulsively:excessively due to an uncontrollable desire Show general definition describing something someone does, as done too much because of an uncontrollable desire -- such as excessive gambling or eating
	2	top 2000
amorphouswithout clearly defined boundaries From month-to-month, the committee's instructions have been amorphous, contradictory, and transitory.†more Show sample from book Now the hedges were buried under amorphous white cloaks.†1 more
	2
menageriecollection of animals The traveling circus included a menagerie of lions, tigers, and exotic birds.more Show sample from book The hedge menagerie was buried up to its haunches; the rabbit, frozen on its hind legs, seemed to be rising from a white pool.†1 more a collection of wild or unusual animals kept for exhibition… Show general definition a collection of wild or unusual animals kept for exhibition; or more generally, a diverse or strange mixture of people or things
	2
pediatricrelated to medical care for children She hopes to become a pediatric nurse and work with young children in a hospital setting.more Show sample from book In the softly filtered glow from the streetlight outside he could see the dark lines on its plastered whiteness where all the doctors and nurses in pediatrics had signed it.†1 more pediatric → pediatrics:the branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of infants and children Show general definition of the branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of infants and children
	2
satirecriticism in a humorous way The play is a sharp satire of celebrity culture, mocking our obsession with fame.more Show sample from book And as she stood there on the landing, wondering what to do next, the singing came up from below, rich, angry, bitterly satiric: "Roll me over In the clo-ho-ver, Roll me over, lay me down and do it again."†1 more satire → satiric:a way of making fun of people or ideas -- often through exaggeration Show general definition for satire (as in: wrote a satire) a way of making fun of people or ideas -- often through exaggeration