The Merchant of Death — Vocabulary
D. J. MacHale
(Auto-generated)

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	10	top 2000
on the other handfrom another point of view Change can be hard to deal with. On the other hand, it often brings opportunity.more Show sample from book I, on the other hand, understood nothing.†9 more from another point of view; OR in a way that is different Show general definition from another point of view; or in a way that is different (a phrase used to introduce a different perspective or idea)
	6	top 200
comprehendcomprehend → comprehends:fully understands I don't think she comprehends how dangerous this has become.more Show sample from book I know that's hard to comprehend, but you'll get it.†5 more understand -- especially to understand it completely Show general definition to understand something -- especially to understand it completely
	9	top 2000
soberingmakes one serious about an issue It's sobering to think that more Americans die from opioid abuse than in car accidents.more Show sample from book "Save them and they'll kill you," he said soberly.8 more sobering → soberly:seriously Show general definition for sobering (as in: a sobering thought) serious or calm (not silly or excited); or making one serious or less excited
	5	top 200
conflictstruggle Violent conflict has broken out again in the Middle East.more Show sample from book To say that my mind was a jumble of conflicting thoughts was an understatement.†4 more conflict → conflicting:opposing (struggling against each other) Show general definition a struggle or disagreement in various senses, including: a serious disagreement -- as in "political conflict" the tension from two opposing ideas or feelings -- as in "I'm conflicted about where I should go to college." a violent fight or war -- as in "the Israeli-Palestinian conflict" an idiom that refers to tension between responsibilities to different entities -- "conflict of interest"
	6	top 1000
ominousthreatening I'm beginning to hear ominous rumblings of discontent.more Show sample from book I'm not sure why, but that sounded strange, and a touch ominous.†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
seetheseethe → seething:boiling with unexpressed anger The customer was seething with anger.more Show sample from book Rellin answered with a seething yet controlled tirade that Osa translated for me.†6 more seethe → seething:to be filled with intense but unexpressed emotion, especially anger… Show general definition for seethe (as in: seething with anger) to be filled with intense but unexpressed emotion, especially anger; or to move in a restless, agitated way
	7	top 2000
suburbanin an area located near the outer edge of a city where it isn't so crowded I want a suburban home with a white picket fence and a big yard.more Show sample from book He then kicked the bike into gear, hit the gas, and the two of us flew down the quiet, suburban street that had been my home for fourteen years.†6 more relating to a residential area located near the outer edge of a city where it isn't as crowded Show general definition relating to a residential area located near the outer edge of a city where it isn't as crowded
	7	top 2000
adrenalineadrenaline → adrenaline junkie:“fight or flight” stimulating hormone She's an adrenaline junkie. She loves the rush that comes from roller coasters, skydiving, and big waves.more Show sample from book A surge of adrenaline shot through him and his brain went on full alert.†6 more Show general definition “fight or flight” stimulating hormone secreted by the adrenal gland in response to stress (making the body feel excited and ready for action) Show editor's word notes Doctors are more likely to use the term epinephrine (possibly shortened to epi or EP). Adrenalin as a proper noun without the ending "e" is a trademark name for the same chemical.
	6	top 2000
agonyintense suffering She was in agony from a toothache.more Show sample from book Or would it start at my feet and gradually work its way up my legs, over my body, and zero in right on my head in a brilliant, searing flash of agony before everything went dark?†5 more Show general definition intense feelings of suffering -- can be from mental or physical pain
	3	top 200
ornatehaving lots of decorative detail The hotel is decorated with ornate furniture, lots of carved designs, and gold leaf gilding.more Show sample from book I could make out ornate mosaic tile work on the walls that must have been beautiful when new, but was now a mess of grimy cracks that looked like a giant, dirty spiderweb.†2 more Show general definition highly decorative or elaborate in style — whether in appearance (with lots of detail) or in language that sounds flowery and overly complicated
	5	top 1000
futilepointless because it cannot produce anything useful Resistance is futile.more Show sample from book Mark dug his heels in and pushed his back against the wall behind his bed in the futile hope that he'd crash through and escape out the other side.†4 more effort that is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful Show general definition effort that is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful
	3	top 200
skepticaldoubtful I am skeptical about her plan.more Show sample from book "Why?" asked Courtney, oozing skepticism.†2 more skeptical → skepticism:doubt (that something is true) Show general definition doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile) or more rarely: generally tending to doubt what others believe
	5	top 2000
dumfoundeddumfounded → dumbfounded:too surprised to know what to say or do She was beyond surprised. She was dumbfounded.more Show sample from book Courtney breathed, dumbfounded.†4 more dumfounded → dumbfounded:very surprised -- often too surprised to know what to say or do Show general definition very surprised - often too surprised to know what to say or do
	2	top 200
disdainlack of respect She tries to be polite, but she cannot hide her disdain for authority.more Show sample from book Courtney wheeled back to Mark, throwing him a look of total disdain.†1 more a lack of respect Show general definition to disrespect or reject as unworthy
	2	top 500
diversevaried (in this case, of different ethnic groups and genders) The college wants a diverse student body.more Show sample from book The two would spend hours debating issues as diverse as First Amendment rights and the relative merits of Pamela Anderson before and after cosmetic surgery.†1 more varied; OR (having differences amongst things of the same kind) Show general definition varied or (having differences amongst things of the same kind) -- especially with regard to ideas or members of a population group
	4
kiosksmall retail stand I bought the sunglasses at the kiosk in the mall.more Show sample from book Uncle Press guided the motorcycle toward one of those old-fashioned kiosks that marked the stairs leading down to the subway.†3 more kiosk → kiosks:a very small area used as a store or to dispense information… Show general definition a very small area used as a store or to dispense information; or an interactive computer-driven self-service machine
	3
stupefystupefy → stupefied:completely surprised The lawyer said his client was stupefied by the accusation.more Show sample from book I hoped my mouth wasn't hanging open in stupefied shock.†2 more stupefy → stupefied:made unable to think; or completely surprised Show general definition make one unable to think; or to completely surprise
	2	top 1000
inciteprovoke -- (arouse feelings that will cause) They want to incite a riot.more Show sample from book He is guilty of plotting to destroy the peaceful balance of our society and of inciting the Milago into overthrowing the great reign of our beloved Queen Kagan.†1 more incite → inciting:provoking Show general definition provoke -- (arouse feelings, often leading to action)
	2	top 2000
tiradespeech of angry criticism She unleashed a stunning tirade that could be heard in the next room.more Show sample from book Mark tried to stop her angry tirade, but Courtney was on a roll.†1 more Show general definition a speech of angry criticism
	2
ravenousextremely hungry After a long day of hiking, she was ravenous and couldn’t wait to eat dinner.more Show sample from book My mind quickly flashed back to the quig that Uncle Press nailed with the spear and of how the other ravenous quigs devoured one of their own, ripping its flesh from the bone while it was still alive.†1 more