The Border Legion — Vocabulary
Zane Grey
(Auto-generated)

Word Set

Samples

Sort By

Further limit words

by chapter of first use

to Show all

by difficulty

to (9 is most difficult)

by interest

underline any show only

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	20	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book She lifted her chin scornfully and remained silent.†19 more scorn → scornfully:in a disrespectful or rejecting manner Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	20	top 1000
manifestshow (make itself known) Domestic violence doesn't always manifest as physical abuse.more Show sample from book There was just a flickering of life in him, manifest only in his slow, faint heart-beats.19 more shown Show general definition for manifest (as in: manifest destiny) obvious; or to make obvious; or to show or demonstrate
	12	top 200
sinisterevil They created a sinister plan to recruit terrorists.more Show sample from book Silhouetted against the red of the sunset they made dark and sinister figures.11 more evil, harmful, or frightening Show general definition evil or harmful; or making an evil or frightening impression
	15	top 1000
cunningclever and deceitful She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more Show sample from book In the silence that ensued Pearce's spirit dominated the moment with its cunning, hate, and violence.†14 more good at achieving goals through cleverness and deception Show general definition for cunning (as in: a cunning thief) being good at achieving goals through cleverness -- and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
	15	top 1000
somberserious and cheerless Before she said anything, I knew it was bad news from her somber face.more Show sample from book "We'd better run for it at the first chance," he said, somberly.14 more somber → somberly:solemnly (in a manner that is serious--not cheerful or lighthearted) Show general definition for somber (as in: a somber mood) serious (without cheer or lightheartedness); or sad
	17	top 2000
amiablefriendly and likable She seemed an ideal candidate--attractive, amiable, intelligent, and energetic.more Show sample from book He seemed to have a preoccupied air that somehow did not fit the amiableness of his face.†16 more amiable → amiableness:friendliness and agreeableness Show general definition friendly, agreeable, and likable
	15	top 2000
rouserouse → roused:awakened A persistent knocking at the door finally roused her from her dreams.more Show sample from book The snort and tramp of horses roused her, and upon sitting up she saw the men about to pack and saddle again.†14 more rouse → roused:to awaken, make more active, or excite Show general definition to awaken, make more active, or excite
	12	top 1000
perilperil → perils:dangers The mountaineers faced many perils on their ascent to the summit, including treacherous icefalls and avalanches.more Show sample from book How strange to hear this bandit warn her of peril the like of which she had encountered through him!†11 more danger Show general definition danger
	7	top 10
contrastnotable difference The contrast in their leadership styles is striking. Olivia motivated people with fear. Isabella motivated them with praise.more Show sample from book Gulden alone presented a contrast and a problem.6 more something notably different Show general definition for contrast (as in: there is a contrast) a difference -- especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
	9	top 500
motivereason (for doing something) She believes the profit motive encourages people to satisfy other people's needs.more Show sample from book Joan's intuition convinced her that if Gulden had any motive at all in gambling it was only an antagonism to men of his breed.†8 more Show general definition for motive (as in: What is her motive?) a reason for doing something
	7	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book Nevertheless, resignation would not come to her and her hope began to flag.†6 more Show general definition despite that Show editor's word notes Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 was just stated, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
	11	top 1000
remorseregret for doing something wrong There was no sign of remorse until the police caught her.more Show sample from book Her remorse and dread increased.†10 more deep regret for doing something that was wrong Show general definition a feeling of deep regret for doing something that was wrong Show editor's word notes Synonym comparison (if you're into word choice): Many consider the word remorse stronger than the word regret. Also, it is more personal. One might regret that their team lost the game, but feel remorse that they missed the bus and weren't there to help the team.
	7	top 100
yieldgive in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book It appeared to be her skill, rather than her willingness, that he yielded to.6 more yield → yielded:gave in, gave way, or gave up Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
	8	top 500
intuitionintuition → intuitive:able to understand things from feeling or instinct rather than conscious reasoning They were perfect partners--one highly intuitive and the other highly analytical.more Show sample from book She grasped the fact intuitively, and then she verified it by proof.†7 more intuition → intuitively:known instinctively rather than through reasoning Show general definition something known based on feeling or instinct rather than conscious reasoning; or the ability to know things in such a manner
	20	top 2000
divinefigure out He tried to divine her true feelings from the way she avoided eye contact.more Show sample from book ...he would divine the truth in the flash of an eye.19 more discover through intuition Show general definition for divine (as in: divined through intuition) to discover or guess something -- usually through intuition or reflection
	3	top 10
inferfigure out or guess by reasoning Which of the following facts can you infer from the first paragraph?more Show sample from book She was quick to divine from that the inference in his words—he suspected her of flirting with those ruffians, perhaps to escape him through them.†2 more infer → inference:conclusion (reached by reasoning) Show general definition to figure out or guess by reasoning
	6	top 2000
implacableunyielding Despite his apologies, she remained implacable and refused to forgive him.more Show sample from book Evil power stood out in the lines, in the strange eyes, stranger then ever, now in shadow; and it seemed once more the face of an alert, listening, implacable man, with wild projects in mind, driving him to the doom he meant for others.†5 more Show general definition unyielding -- often in remaining angry
	5	top 2000
intangibleexisting but not able to be touched Happiness is an intangible feeling that can’t be measured or weighed.more Show sample from book But there was something strange, intangible, immense about him.†4 more unable to be physically touched (existing but not material or concrete)… Show general definition unable to be physically touched (existing but not material or concrete); or something that is hard to identify
	4	top 2000
augmentenlarge or increase Our school hired a new counselor to augment our college counseling service.more Show sample from book The murmuring of insects seemed augmented into a roar; the mourn of wolf and scream of cougar made her start; the rising wind moaned like a lost spirit.†3 more augment → augmented:enlarged or increased
	4	top 2000
stolidemotionless She listened to both arguments thoughtfully, but with a face as stolid as a cow's.more Show sample from book Gulden, huge, stolid, gloomy, was entering the cabin.†3 more having or revealing little emotion Show general definition having or revealing little emotion -- sometimes indicating qualities of not changing or being dependable or (much more rarely): of an object: not interesting -- often large and unmoving