The Wedding — Vocabulary
Nicholas Sparks
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
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nonethelessin spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Sometimes she gets angry and loses her temper, but I love her nonetheless.more
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Even though I realized that it might be only temporary, it nonetheless stoked the small flame of hope I had begun to nurture in secret.†8 more
Show general definition in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nevertheless, all the same, still,  and however.)
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attributeattribute → attributes:characteristics
The spreadsheet has a column to describe the breed of dog and then ten additional columns to indicate attributes of the breeds. For example, the second column has the average full-grown weight.more
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I remember marveling at her animated features as she recounted the details of her life growing up in New Bern, and it was the first time I sensed the attributes I would always cherish: her intelligence and passion, her charm, the carefree way she seemed to view the world.†1 more
attribute → attributes:characteristics (of something or someone)
Show general definition for attribute (as in: It is an attribute of...) a characteristic or feature (of something or someone)
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attribute#2attribute → attributed:credited (pointed to as the source of)
She attributed this quotation to Shakespeare.more
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Her siblings are the same way, and I attribute that to Noah and Allie.†1 more
credit (point to as the source of something)
Show general definition for attribute (as in: I attribute it to...) to credit (a source for something)
in two typical senses:
  • "I attribute it to her work." -- to say who or what made something happen
  • "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." -- indicate the source of a quotation or idea
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skepticaldoubtful
I am skeptical about her plan.more
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She eyed me skeptically.†3 more
skeptical → skeptically:in a doubtful manner (regarding the truth of something)
Show general definition doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile)

or more rarely:

generally tending to doubt what others believe
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mischievousplayfully causing minor trouble
The mischievous puppy kept stealing socks and hiding them under the couch.more
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Then, with a mischievous grin: "Could be worse, though, too."†5 more
playfully causing minor trouble; OR  describing the smile of someone doing so
Show general definition playfully causing minor trouble; or describing the smile of someone doing so
Show editor's word notes Much less commonly, mischievous can reference real harm without any sense of fun. But in modern writing, that usage has largely shifted to other words like malicious, destructive, or damaging.
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scrutinyscrutiny → scrutinized:looked very carefully at
She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.more
Show context notes The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.
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She tilted her head, scrutinizing me.†3 more
scrutiny → scrutinizing:looking at very carefully
Show context notes The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.
Show general definition careful examination of something
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nonchalantcalm and unconcerned
I could tell she was nervous, but she was trying to look nonchalant.more
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"Sounds like it'll be fun," I called out with what I hoped sounded like nonchalance.†3 more
nonchalant → nonchalance:calmness and lack of concern
Show general definition calm in manner -- appearing unconcerned
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implyimply → implied:hinted or suggested
She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.more
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I hesitated, aware there was more to her question than its innocence implied.†1 more
imply → implied:suggested (said indirectly)
Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
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adaptadapt → adapted:changed (to fit this situation)
Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.more
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Originally from Pollocksville—a small hamlet twelve miles south of New Bern—he'd attended East Carolina University, and during my first year at the firm, he often asked me how I was adapting to life in a small town.†1 more
adapt → adapting:changing to fit a different situation
Show general definition for adapt (as in: adapted to the new rules) changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
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evaluateevaluate → evaluating:thinking carefully and making a judgment about
I'm evaluating colleges and deciding which I want to apply to.more
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Jane was the oldest of her siblings—only seven years separated the four of them—and I could tell from their faces when we arrived that they were still evaluating me.†1 more
Show general definition to think carefully and make a judgment about something
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earnestearnest → in earnest:in a serious manner
I began training in earnest the summer before high school.more
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I sat in silence as the negotiations began in earnest.†2 more
earnest → in earnest:serious; or in a serious manner
Show general definition characterized by sincere belief

or:

intensely or excessively serious or determined
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spontaneoussudden and unplanned
Her spontaneous decision to take a road trip led to one of the best weekends of her life.more
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We've made love infrequently these last few years, and when we did, it lacked the spontaneity and excitement we'd enjoyed in the past.†2 more
spontaneous → spontaneity:behavior or action that happens naturally without planning or external force
Show general definition happening naturally, suddenly, or without outside planning or action
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deludedelude → deluded:with a false belief
She is a sincere but deluded idealist.more
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Noah once told me why the swan never left, and his explanation was one of the reasons the doctors thought him delusional.†4 more
delude → delusional:out of touch with reality (having false beliefs)
Show general definition deceive (convince to have a false belief)
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adamantdetermined not to change a decision
Despite her friends’ attempts to persuade her, Jane remained adamant in her decision to pursue a career in the arts.more
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I would have tried, but he was so adamant.†2 more
determined not to change a decision or belief
Show general definition determined not to change a decision or belief
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anecdoteanecdote → anecdotes:short true stories
Her autobiography is sprinkled with amusing anecdotes.more
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No, my sin was a small one in the grand scheme of things, an incident that under different circumstances might have been the subject of a humorous anecdote in later years.†2 more
a short story that is true -- often told for amusement or to make a point
Show general definition a short story that is true -- often told for amusement or to make a point
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reticentreluctant to speak
She was reticent initially, but eventually she opened up.more
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While he was growing up, I thought him quiet, yet his reticence, like Anna's, seemed directed at me in particular.†2 more
reticent → reticence:reluctance -- usually to speak freely
Show general definition reluctant -- especially to speak freely
Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice):

Consider using taciturn rather than reticent when the reluctance to speak is a general disposition rather than a short-term situation brought about by particular circumstance.
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inferfigure out or guess by reasoning
Which of the following facts can you infer from the first paragraph?more
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Logic seemed to infer it was the latter, yet it nonetheless pained me to realize that her levity would be gone the moment she hung up the phone.†
conclude or guess by reasoning
Show general definition to figure out or guess by reasoning
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credulousgullible (being too willing to believe)
The trick would fool none but the most credulous.more
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"Hello, Noah," I said, but instead of responding with his usual greeting, he turned toward me with a look of incredulity.†1 more
credulous → incredulity:a state of not believing
Show context notes The prefix "in-" in incredulity means not and reverses the meaning of credulity. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.
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perfunctorydone without much interest or effort
She gave us menus and a perfunctory smile.more
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"Next time we will," I agreed in a perfunctory way.†1 more
Show general definition done without much interest or effort -- especially as when dispensing with a formality
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omitomit → omitted:left out
She recounted the whole story except that she omitted names.more
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More often than I would ever have believed possible, I've been pulled aside by a husband asking whether he was legally obligated to leave something to his wife or whether he could omit her entirely in favor of his mistress.†
to exclude or neglect something
Show general definition to exclude or neglect something