A Bend in the Road — 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
Show sample from book
Though the gardens were between seasons, she'd nonetheless left the palace wanting to live within walking distance so she could pass its gates each day.†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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testifytestify → testified:provided oral evidence in court
She testified against the robber.more
Show sample from book
I don't testify, and I remain anonymous.8 more
provide oral evidence in court
Show general definition provide evidence of something -- especially to say something under oath in a court of law
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obliviousunaware of
She is oblivious to the dangers.more
Show sample from book
Jonah and Mark raced by again, oblivious to their presence.7 more
Show general definition unaware of
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suppresssuppress → suppressed:kept from spreading
She claimed that Facebook suppressed and promoted news that met a political agenda.more
Show sample from book
Miles's face began to twitch with barely suppressed rage.5 more
suppress → suppressed:kept under control
Show general definition trying to keep under control
The exact meaning of suppress can depend upon its context. For example:
  • "suppressed the revolution" -- to stop others from doing something by force
  • "suppressed a smile" -- kept something from happening
  • "suppressed the story" -- kept news from spreading
  • "suppressed her fear" -- controlled an emotion
  • "suppressed the memory" -- avoided thinking about (perhaps even removed from conscious memory)
Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice):

Suppress and repress can be interchanged; though in psychology something that is repressed is done unconsciously while something that is suppressed is done voluntarily.
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ominousthreatening
I'm beginning to hear ominous rumblings of discontent.more
Show sample from book
Her voice took on a more ominous tone.3 more
Show general definition threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
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naivenaive → naïve:lacking the understanding or sophistication that comes from experience
She criticized America's naïve foreign policy.more
Show sample from book
Perhaps naively, she had imagined that they would be a couple forever.†3 more
naive → naively:lacking experience or sophistication, and the understanding that comes from them
Show general definition lacking experience or sophistication, and the understanding that comes from them -- often too trusting or optimistic
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commotiondisturbance
I looked up to see what caused the commotion.more
Show sample from book
Miles stopped and visited with some of them, waiting until the commotion outside finally began to die down.†3 more
noisy disturbance
Show general definition a disturbance -- typically noisy
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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
Show sample from book
Over the next month, the highway patrol interviewed everyone in the area; they searched for any evidence that might provide a lead, poking through bushes, evaluating the evidence at the scene, visiting local bars and restaurants, asking if any customers had seemed intoxicated and had left around that time.†1 more
Show general definition to think carefully and make a judgment about something
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contextcontext → out of context:in a misleading manner (because the quote left out additional words that changed the meaning of what was quoted)
She said she was quoted out of context and that anyone who read her full speech would know it.more
Show context notes When someone is quoted "out of context" it means that selected words were quoted that misrepresent the meaning of all their words.

For example, if you said "I admire their effort, but they are dead wrong if they think this will work," and someone implied that you supported their plan by quoting you as only saying, "I admire their effort," they would be quoting you out of context.
Show sample from book
Nor did Sarah, though in an entirely different context.†1 more
the setting or situation in which something occurs
Show general definition the setting or situation in which something occurs
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comprehendcomprehend → comprehends:fully understands
I don't think she comprehends how dangerous this has become.more
Show sample from book
Miles looked across the table, and Charlie feigned a look of sudden comprehension.†1 more
comprehend → comprehension:the understanding of something
Show general definition to understand something -- especially to understand it completely
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skepticaldoubtful
I am skeptical about her plan.more
Show sample from book
Sarah raised a skeptical eyebrow.1 more
doubtful (that something is true)
Show general definition doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile)

or more rarely:

generally tending to doubt what others believe
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feignedpretended to
She feigned sleep.more
Show sample from book
"I don't knoweverything, " Brenda said, feigning indignation.†2 more
feigned → feigning:pretending (making a pretense of)
Show general definition pretended -- usually pretending to feel something
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implicationsomething implied (said indirectly)
I object to her implication that my work was sub-standard.more
Show sample from book
The tone he used and the obvious implications made the hairs on the back of Miles's neck suddenly stand on end.1 more
implication → implications:things suggested indirectly or that logically follow
Show general definition for implication (as in: the implication is that...) Something that follows from something else.
The thing that follows could be:
  • something suggested indirectly (not said directly)
  • something that can be concluded (often a logical consequence)
  • something that results from something else
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confideconfide → confided:placed trust (in someone) by talking about private things
She confided in me. I won't repeat what was said.more
Show sample from book
In the first two years of their marriage, everything seemed perfect: She and Michael spent hours in bed on the weekends, talking and making love, and he confided in her his dreams of entering politics one day.†1 more
Show general definition to place trust (in someone) by talking about private things or telling secrets
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compulsionurge, desire, or need
She has a deep compulsion to make herself the center of attention.more
Show sample from book
With the compulsion gone, I thought I had put the nightmare behind me.5 more
a strong (possibly uncontrollable) urge to do something
Show general definition a strong (possibly uncontrollable) urge to do something; or a force or a requirement that forces an action
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corroboratesupport
The detectives looked for evidence to corroborate her story.more
Show sample from book
If he corroborates the story, we could cut a deal so he testifies.3 more
corroborate → corroborates:supports (tells a story consistent with)
Show general definition to support an opinion -- typically with additional evidence or testimony
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dormantnot active, but capable of activity in the future
We hiked on a dormant volcano.more
Show sample from book
Instead they had simply gone dormant, like a bear hibernating in the winter, feeding on its own tissue, waiting for the season yet to come.†1 more
not active or growing, but capable of doing so in the future
Show general definition not active or growing, but capable of doing so in the future
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irrevocableincapable of being undone
We agreed not to take any irrevocable action until after the meeting.more
Show sample from book
In listening to their wishes, Harris Presser irrevocably sealed his fate.†1 more
irrevocable → irrevocably:in a manner that cannot be undone
2
evictioneviction → evicted:forced someone to leave their home
The owner evicted the tenants because they didn't pay their rent.more
Show sample from book
Except for eviction notices, my jurisdiction ends at the town limits.†1 more
the process of forcing someone to leave a place
Show general definition the process of forcing someone to leave a place -- typically from a home due to non-payment
2
premonitiona feeling, not based on reason, that something will happen
She had a premonition that her child would be hurt.more
Show sample from book
In that instant, no shivers pricked the hairs on the back of his neck, no premonitions burst forth like exploding fireworks; he felt no sense of foreboding at all, and looking back—considering all that was to come—he was always amazed by that.†1 more
premonition → premonitions:feelings, not based on reason, that things will happen
Show general definition a feeling, not based on reason, that something will happen -- especially something bad