Strength in What Remains — Vocabulary
Tracy Kidder
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	51	top 2000
refugeerefugee → refugees:people who fled their homeland to getaway from a dangerous or difficult situation We're asking for humanitarian aid to assist and resettle the refugees.more Show sample from book Hutu refugees were returning, some with their Ten Commandments memorized, many with bitter, horrifying memories of 1972 preserved.†50 more refugee → refugees:people who fled their homeland Show general definition someone who has fled their homeland to getaway from a dangerous or difficult situation; or related to such people
	5	top 1000
discriminateunfairly treat of different groups of people differently We do not discriminate based on race, nationality, social status, age, gender, religion, or sexual preference.more Show sample from book There was also blatant discrimination against Hutus in all aspects of education,7 more discriminate → discrimination:unfair treatment due to race Show general definition for discriminate (as in: suffered discrimination) to treat people of different groups differently -- especially unfair treatment due to race, religion or gender
	3	top 1000
discriminate#2discriminate → discriminating:recognizing fine distinctions It costs more, but is worth it to people with discriminating taste.†more Show sample from book She didn't discriminate among the needy people who arrived at the door,7 more recognize differences Show general definition for discriminate (as in: discriminating taste) to recognize or perceive differences -- especially fine distinctions
	18	top 2000
massacrecrushing defeat Her team lost 12–0 in what can only be described as a complete massacre on the field.more Show sample from book Deo happened to be at home on Runda when the massacres in the north began.†17 more massacre → massacres:crushing defeat or brutal, overwhelming attack Show general definition crushing defeat or brutal, overwhelming attack — used figuratively in competition and literally for violent killings
	11	top 1000
peasantpeasant → peasants:an historical term describing people of low income, education, and social standing Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.more Show sample from book Deo had grown up barefoot in Burundi, but for a peasant boy he had done well.†10 more used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of l… Show general definition used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing -- especially one who raises crops or livestock
	8	top 1000
rationalrational → rationally:in a reasonable manner It's hard to think rationally when I'm this upset.more Show sample from book He had known cows and he had known militiamen, and for rationality he thought he'd take cows any day.†7 more rational → rationality:use of reason Show general definition for rational (as in: rational behavior) reasonable, able to think clearly, or based on logic rather than emotion
	7	top 1000
factionfaction → factions:sub-groups It was a fight between the moderate and progressive factions of the Democratic Party.more Show sample from book For about a month, she and Charlie had been obliged to stay in safe houses, because of eruptions of factional violence near the university in Yola: some two thousand people had been killed.†6 more faction → factional:a sub-group with some interests not shared by the entire group Show general definition a sub-group with some interests not shared by the entire group
	8	top 1000
prejudiceunreasonable and unfair belief or feeling The group works to eliminate racial prejudice.more Show sample from book For this, anti-Tutsi prejudice was essential.†7 more bias that prevents objective consideration Show general definition bias that prevents objective consideration -- especially an unreasonable belief that is unfair to members of a race, religion, or other group
	8	top 2000
refugesafe place The park serves as a refuge for wildlife.more Show sample from book The apartment of the Senegalese would still be a refuge, with a shower and a functioning toilet that Deo could use.†7 more something giving protection or comfort -- especially a safe place Show general definition something giving protection or comfort -- especially a safe place
	7	top 2000
displacedisplace → displaced:forced to move (in this case, out of their old jobs) It is a much better way to manufacture the product, but many workers will be displaced by the new technology.more Show sample from book The beggars you saw in cities like Bujumbura were mainly displaced country people who had lost their pride.†6 more displace → displaced:forced to move Show general definition force to move; or to take the place of
	4	top 100
varybe different Your mileage may vary.more Show sample from book Punishments were at least as varied as infractions.†3 more vary → varied:differed; or changed Show general definition to be different, or to change Show editor's word notes Vary is often used to describe small differences or changes--especially about things of the same type. It would be more common to say "The weight of full-grown elephants varies depending upon diet and other factors," than to say "The weight of elephants varies from that of mice."
	5	top 500
adjacentside-x-side (very near) We stayed in adjacent hotel rooms.more Show sample from book At night the adjacent rooms filled up with other squatters.†4 more nearby Show general definition very near -- often directly beside
	4	top 2000
euphemisma word or phrase that serves as a less harsh way of saying something unpleasant Passed away is a euphemism for died.more Show sample from book There was a lot of traffic, and there were roadblocks, and he could hear the joyous singing of the militiamen, almost as terrible as the actual killing it euphemistically described.†3 more euphemism → euphemistically:said in a manner that is less harsh or less offensive than stating something directly Show general definition a word or phrase that serves as a less harsh or less offensive way of saying something unpleasant -- such as "passed away" rather than "died"
	2	top 200
critiqueanalyze and judge Please critique the performance.more Show sample from book Deo had supplied me with the most stinging critique that I'd read, by a Belgian law professor and student of the country named Filip Reyntjens.†1 more an examination and judgment of something Show general definition an examination and judgment of something
	4
squattersquatter → squatters:people who live in an unoccupied place without the legal right She estimates that there are over a billion squatters in the world.more Show sample from book At night the adjacent rooms filled up with other squatters.†3 more Show general definition someone who lives in an unoccupied place without the legal right Show editor's word notes In most countries, if squatters are able to stay long enough, they will acquire legal title.
	2	top 500
ubiquitousfound everywhere all the time We are all familiar with the company's ubiquitous advertisements.more Show sample from book Infectious and parasitic illnesses were ubiquitous, and there was no public health system to measure their extent or even to identify them, let alone a clinic in the area to cure them.†1 more being present everywhere or all the time Show general definition being present everywhere or all the time
	3	top 2000
antagonismhostility There is skepticism, if not antagonism, between the two groups.more Show sample from book Ethnic antagonism, the bishop warned, had become "extremely acute."†2 more hostility or opposition Show general definition hostility, opposition, or tension between opposing forces or ideas
	3	top 2000
gistmain point(s) Just tell me the gist of the matter.more Show sample from book The gist seemed to be that she didn't believe he loved New York, and she wasn't sure if this would really help him.†2 more the main point(s) of a more detailed matter Show general definition the main point(s) of a more detailed matter
	1	top 100
explicitprecisely and clearly expressed She gave us explicit instructions.more Show sample from book But the banner carried essentially the same message, a more explicit version of "Never Again." Deo translated for me: "Never forget the genocide and the people who were slaughtered here."1 more clear and detailed Show general definition for explicit (as in: explicit instructions) clear and with enough detail so there is no confusion Show editor's word notes Shared information is often divided into two categories: explicit and implicit
	1
explicit#2expressing or displaying sexual activity or nudity in a manner that leaves little to the imagination The computer has a filter that blocks explicit photos and pornography.more Show sample from book He had studied the graffiti on the outer walls of subway cars, noting especially the crude, sexually explicit drawings and the vulgar words that his dictionary did contain.1 more expressed in a detailed manner that many would consider offensive Show general definition for explicit (as in: explicit photos and pornography) expressing or displaying sexual activity or violence in a detailed manner