An American Tragedy — Vocabulary
Theodore Dreiser
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	56	top 100
consequenceconsequence → consequences:results Your decision will have three major consequences.more Show sample from book "Don't know or don't care anything about that," replied Griffiths senior, feeling that his son was a little jealous and in consequence disposed to be unfair to Clyde.62 more result Show general definition for consequence (as in: a direct consequence of) a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
	7	top 1000
consequence#2consequence → consequential:important Think carefully. This is a consequential decision.more Show sample from book ...he was a person of consequence, just the same.62 more importance Show general definition for consequence (as in: of little consequence) importance or relevance
	55	top 200
inclinedhave a tendency; or an attitude or mood that favors something I'm inclined to believe him.more Show sample from book ...[a] man inclined to favor conservative procedure in all things,55 more with a tendency Show general definition for inclined (as in: I'm inclined to) a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
	1	top 200
inclinesomething sloping upward (such as a hill) It is a steep incline.more Show sample from book His head ... appeared chronically to incline forward,55 more angle or bend Show general definition for incline (as in: on an incline or incline his head) to be at an angle or to bend
	92	top 1000
compelforce Does our DNA compel us to act as we do?more Show sample from book I am sorry, Madam, but I am compelled to ask you to show us his room.91 more compel → compelled:forced Show general definition to force someone to do something or more rarely: to convince someone to do something Show editor's word notes Most typically, compel describes an external influence forcing someone to do something, but it can also describe being driven by an internal desire.
	58	top 200
dubiousquestionable or unreliable The theory is based on dubious evidence that hasn’t been verified.more Show sample from book At once Dr. Glenn became dubious again, though he gave her no sign.57 more doubtful or suspicious Show general definition doubtful, questionable, or suspicious -- especially in a way that makes something seem unreliable, improper, or uncertain doubtful in various senses, including: questionable or doubtful that something should be relied upon -- as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption." suspicious or doubtful that something is morally proper -- as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors." bad or of questionable value -- as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes." uncertain or doubtful -- as in "She is dubious about making the change."
	23	top 100
establishestablish → established:created Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?more Show sample from book Mrs. Griffiths sighed; for after all, in a place like Lycurgus and established as they were, any one related to them and having their name ought to be most circumspect and have careful manners and taste and judgment.24 more establish → established:set with a good reputation Show general definition for establish (as in: establish a positive tone) create, start, or set in [a] place
	2	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 And at once Mason replied: "Well, it won't take long to establish the fact."†24 more show, determine, or understand Show general definition for establish (as in: establish that there is a need) show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
	4	top 2000
evadeevade → evaded:got away from The robber evaded the police and blended into the crowd.more Show sample from book ...suddenly he caught her face between his two hands and kissed her, before really she could evade him.40 more get away from Show general definition for evade (as in: evade the enemy) physically avoid or get away from; or said of something that is hard to obtain
	37	top 1000
evade#2evade → evaded:avoided answering She evaded his question by asking one of her own.†more Show sample from book ...he found Kemerer as respectful and evasive as ever.40 more evade → evasive:avoiding telling the whole truth Show general definition for evade (as in: evade the question) to avoid or try to avoid either a responsibility or telling the whole truth
	22	top 100
conveycommunicate or express She dresses to convey a sense of a successful, no-nonsense woman.more Show sample from book And to emphasize her own thoughts and convey to him what she really meant, she allowed her eyes to grow soft and swimming and to dwell on him promisingly—a bit of romantic acting which caused him to become weak and nervous.†22 more Show general definition for convey (as in: convey her thoughts) communicate or express
	1	top 2000
convey#2transport I was ordered to convey her to London.more Show sample from book And finding him—for which he was most deeply grateful—wholly unaware of what had occurred, since no news of any kind was conveyed to any condemned man until the warrant for his execution had arrived.†22 more convey → conveyed:transported Show general definition for convey (as in: convey her safely to) transport Show editor's word notes Today, this sense of convey is seldom seen outside of historic literature.
	64	top 1000
sparsenot dense The grass was sparse in the dry field, with patches of dirt showing everywhere.more Show sample from book She went to a small shabby desk, which was a part of the sparse and colorless equipment of the room.63 more Show general definition not dense; or few in number and spread out
	30
forthwithimmediately The judge ordered her release "forthwith."more Show sample from book Mr. Rubenstein's head forthwith began to wag a solemn negative.†29 more Show general definition immediately -- (most typically seen in legal documents, formal use, or classic literature)
	5
trifletrifle → trifling:unimportant We all agree with the goal, but how to achieve it is not a trifling matter.more Show sample from book And Bella, his cousin, trifling around with these girls in the beautiful homes of this street, while he was shunted away in a small third-floor room at Mrs. Cuppy's with no place to go.†7 more trifle → trifling:something of small importance; OR a small quantity Show general definition for trifle (as in: a trifling matter) something of small importance; or a small quantity
	3
trifle withtreat thoughtlessly or without respect She is not a woman to trifle with or ignore.more Show sample from book Plead as he might, her case, as she saw it, was at last critical and no longer to be trifled with in any way.†7 more trifle with → trifled with:treated thoughtlessly or without respect Show general definition for trifle with (as in: trifle with her affections) to treat somebody or something thoughtlessly or without respect
	10	top 2000
tenetprinciple belief Freedom of speech is a particularly American tenet.more Show sample from book You can address me, if you will, as HARRY TENET, General Delivery, Chicago I'll call for it in a few days.†9 more an important belief that is part of a larger framework of beliefs Show general definition an important belief that is part of a larger framework of beliefs
	11
sensuouspleasing to the physical senses (sexy) She claims the tango as the most sensuous of dance forms.more Show sample from book If only he could have a girl as pretty as this Hortense Briggs, with her small, sensuous mouth and her bright hard eyes.†10 more relating to pleasure from the body's senses rather than from the intellect Show general definition relating to pleasure from the body's senses rather than from the intellect
	8	top 1000
allayreduce the intensity of They have tried to allay fears by saying their weapons are of a defensive nature.more Show sample from book And for the moment her thoughts were allayed and modified by the beauty of his head and arms and the tousled hair that now fell over his eyes.†7 more allay → allayed:reduced the intensity of or calmed Show general definition reduce the intensity of; or calm
	9
grand jurya group of citizens who decide whether or not there is enough evidence to formally accuse someone of a crime During his testimony before the grand jury, she repeatedly said she had no memory of such a conversation.more Show sample from book For with this granted, he would be able to impanel a grand jury and in the event of a true bill being returned against Clyde, then within a month or six weeks, proceed to trial.†8 more a group of citizens who decide whether there is enough evidence to formally accuse someone of a crime Show general definition a group of citizens who decide if there is enough evidence to formally accuse someone of a crime