Lone Survivor — Vocabulary
Marcus Luttrell
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	7	top 2000
approachapproach → approaching:getting nearer Winter is approaching.more Show sample from book If a couple of those Taliban came around that corner to my left, the only way to approach me, and they had any form of light, I'd be like a jackrabbit caught in someone's headlights.7 more get near Show general definition for approach (as in: approached the city) to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
	1	top 500
approach#2method (way of doing something) Perhaps I just need to work harder, but I may need an entirely different approach to the problem.more Show sample from book We were on our final approach to the enormous U.S. base at Bagram.7 more route (way to get somewhere) Show general definition for approach (as in: use the best approach) a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
	52	top 2000
directwithout intervention from anything (in this case, not sun that is partially blocked or reflected) This flower does best in direct sunlight.more Show sample from book We made our way in the dark down to a different house and stepped off the trail directly onto the roof.56 more direct → directly:straight (without anything in between) Show general definition for direct (as in: directly above; or buy direct) without anything in between -- whether in time, space, or involvement
	1	top 100
direct#2straightforward I left them with direct instructions.more Show sample from book Their policies concerning human rights were outrageous and brought them into direct conflict with the international community.56 more clear Show general definition for direct (as in: gave a direct answer) straightforward -- often clear, open, or blunt in speech or behavior
	4	top 100
direct#3instruct On the SAT test, some questions direct you to look at an underlined or numbered portion of a passage.more Show sample from book Everything I learned beyond the schoolroom, down from my early years, seems to have directed me to Coronado.56 more direct → directed:guided Show general definition for direct (as in: direct a question; or direct a film) to guide, aim, or manage -- such as actions, attention, speech, a project or company
	3	top 100
establishestablish → established:created Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?more Show sample from book I stand ready to bring the full spectrum of combat power to bear in order to achieve my mission and the goals established by my country.3 more establish → established:set Show general definition for establish (as in: establish a positive tone) create, start, or set in [a] place
	1	top 100
establish#2establish → establishing:showing or demonstrating The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.more Show sample from book Slowly, during the course of the day, we established there was a small American base two miles away.3 more establish → established:learned Show general definition for establish (as in: establish that there is a need) show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
	10	top 500
techniqueway of doing something She developed a new surgical technique that shortens recovery time.more Show sample from book We were perfecting techniques in hydrology, learning tide levels and demographics of the ocean floor.†9 more technique → techniques:ways of doing things Show general definition a way of doing something; or the methods used to do it well
	13
insurgentinsurgent → insurgents:irregular armed forces that fight a stronger force by sabotage and harassment Hundreds of European Muslims journeyed to join the insurgents in Iraq.David Frum's Diary on National Review Online — <span class="__nowrap">http://frum.nationalreview.com/print/</span> <span class="__nowrap">(retrieved Thu Jun 29 2006 00:00:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time)</span>)more Show sample from book That was really where we were blooded for battle, combing those urban streets, flushing out insurgents wherever they hid.†12 more insurgent → insurgents:members of an irregular armed force that fight a stronger force by sabotage and harassment Show general definition a member of an irregular armed force that fights a stronger force by sabotage and harassment
	10	top 1000
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 Nonetheless we had to drive through the city in an unprotected vehicle over another causeway, the Sheik Hamad, named for the emir.†9 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.)
	6	top 200
optimisticexpecting the best I'm optimistic that I'll get into a good college.more Show sample from book His words to us were packed with meaning, edged with menace, but nonetheless optimistic.†5 more expecting the best; OR focusing on the good part of things Show general definition expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
	8	top 1000
remnantremnant → remnants:small amounts that remains after the rest is gone They are working to eliminate remnants of al-Qaeda in that area.more Show sample from book Down we all dropped again and went back to work with the last remnants of our strength, counting the push-ups.†7 more Show general definition a small amount that remains after the rest is gone -- sometimes specifically of cloth
	6	top 500
competentsufficiently capable She is a competent student and I have no doubt she will be a competent lawyer one day.more Show sample from book That second week was very hard for a lot of guys, and my memory is clear: the instructors preached competence in all techniques and exercises.†5 more competent → competence:ability Show general definition capable (able to do something in a generally satisfactory manner) -- sometimes specifically to have legal capability
	8	top 1000
literallyusing the most basic meaning of the words She wasn't literally advocating physical violence.more Show sample from book He was first up, literally dragging me away.8 more actually (not figuratively; not an exaggeration) Show general definition for literally (as in: literally--not figuratively) actually true using the basic meaning of the words (not an exaggeration, metaphor, or other type of figurative speech)
	1	top 2000
literalliteral → literally:word for word When translating English to another language, if you translate an expression like "What's up?" literally, it will completely confuse people learning the language.more Show sample from book The literal translation of lokhay warkawal is "giving of a pot." ... Lokhay means not only providing care and shelter, it means an unbreakable commitment to defend that wounded man to the death.8 more Show general definition for literal (as in: a literal translation) word for word
	9
infidelinfidel → infidels:negative term for people who do not believe in the "right" religion He described the Iraqi police as a tool in the hands of crusaders and infidels.more Show sample from book In the end they assume they will rid their holy Muslim soil of the infidel invaders.†8 more negative term for someone who does not believe in the "right" religion Show general definition a negative term describing someone as not believing in the "right" religion or god
	7
reconnaissancegathering information The scouts conducted a reconnaissance of the area before the main troops moved in.more Show sample from book Our primary mission was special surveillance and reconnaissance, photographing hot spots and danger areas using unbelievable photographic lenses.†6 more the act of exploring or information produced by such exploration Show general definition the act of exploring or information produced by such exploration -- especially for military purposes
	4
coalitionmade up of different political groups working together They formed a coalition government.more Show sample from book I was one of 146,000 American and coalition troops in there, under the command of General Tommy Franks.†3 more a political group made up of different groups working together Show general definition a political group made up of different groups working together
	4
conventionwritten international agreement The European Convention on Human Rights binds about 50 European countries.more Show sample from book By the way, if anyone should dare to utter the words Geneva Convention while I'm writing this, I might more or less lose control.3 more an international agreement Show general definition for convention (as in: The Geneva Convention) a written international agreement
	3
mullaha Muslim religious teacher or leader Do as the mullah says, not as he does.more Show sample from book Their original leader was a village clergyman named Mullah Mohammad Omar, a tough guy who lost his right eye fighting the occupying forces of the Soviet Union in the 1980s.2 more Show general definition a Muslim religious teacher or leader