Becoming Me — Vocabulary
Melody Carlson
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
10 top 2000
abortionintentionally ending pregnancy
Abortion is a tough issue. Some consider it a question of a woman's right to control her body, but others consider it a question of defending the helpless from murder.more
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I mean, both Beanie and I are hugely opposed to abortion (we even participated in a Right to Life parade once in middle school).†9 more
intentionally ending a pregnancy
Show general definition for abortion (as in: have an abortion) intentional ending of pregnancy with medical assistance by removing the fetus or embryo from the body before it is able to survive
Show editor's word notes A spontaneous abortion (more commonly called a miscarriage) is an abortion that happens without medical assistance or intent
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on the other handfrom another point of view
Change can be hard to deal with. On the other hand, it often brings opportunity.more
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But on the other hand, I guess I'd be willing to find out, if I had the chance.†8 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)
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confideconfide → confided:placed trust (in someone) by talking about private things
She confided in me. I won't repeat what was said.more
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But the best part was how Jenny even confided in me about him in the first place.†1 more
Show general definition to place trust (in someone) by talking about private things or telling secrets
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motivereason (for doing something)
She believes the profit motive encourages people to satisfy other people's needs.more
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Anyway, I know I've got all kinds of horribly wrong motives going on here, and the whole guilt thing is starting to get to me a little, but I just can't seem to help myself.†1 more
motive → motives:reasons for doing something
Show general definition for motive (as in: What is her motive?) a reason for doing something
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nonchalantcalm and unconcerned
I could tell she was nervous, but she was trying to look nonchalant.more
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Well, naturally, I just act all nonchalant and cool (the way I'd been acting toward him all week, but usually Jenny is around to sort of buffer things).†1 more
Show general definition calm in manner -- appearing unconcerned
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humiliatehumiliate → humiliated:extremely embarrassed (feeling decreased dignity)
She felt humiliated by his public insults.more
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To think that Belinda and I actually have such a despicable thing in common is truly a shock to the system (not to mention totally humiliating).†2 more
humiliate → humiliating:extremely embarrassing (decreasing dignity)
Show general definition extremely embarrass (decrease dignity, self-respect, or pride -- especially in front of others)
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despisedespise → despises:dislikes strongly and looks down upon
She despises the people he works for.more
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And for that reason I think I'm totally despicable.†2 more
despise → despicable:terrible (vile; disgusting) -- worthy of being strongly disliked and looked down upon
Show context notes The suffix "-able" means able to be. This is the same pattern you see in words like breakable, understandable, and comfortable.
Show general definition to dislike strongly and to look down upon with disrespect
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implyimply → implied:hinted or suggested
She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.more
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It's not like dating is going to lead everyone right into having sex (like my dad used to imply), which, by the way, brings me to a very interesting point.†
suggest (say indirectly)
Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
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attributeattribute → attributed:credited (pointed to as the source of)
She attributed this quotation to Shakespeare.more
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The other kids who were shot have been released from the hospital now and it sounds like they're all making fairly good recoveries—many people attribute this to all the prayers that have been going up all over town (and even across the country!)†
credit (point to as the source of something)
Show general definition for attribute (as in: I attribute it to...) to credit (a source for something)
in two typical senses:
  • "I attribute it to her work." -- to say who or what made something happen
  • "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." -- indicate the source of a quotation or idea
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varybe different
Your mileage may vary.more
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The other wounded kids are in varying conditions, but they say most are out of critical danger by now.†
vary → varying:differing; or changing
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."
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twingea sudden, short-lived feeling of pain
I often feel a twinge at that tooth when I drink something cold.more
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And today, for the first time since Friday, I felt this little twinge of, I don't know, almost like joy—but not real bubbly or anything.†1 more
a sudden, short-lived feeling of pain or emotion
Show general definition a sudden, short-lived feeling of pain or emotion
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conflictstruggle
Violent conflict has broken out again in the Middle East.more
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No big huge conflicts at school.†
conflict → conflicts:struggles or disagreements
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"
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skepticaldoubtful
I am skeptical about her plan.more
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With honest skepticism, I asked her how she could be so sure, and she said that the exact same thing had happened to her parents about a year ago, and that everything worked itself out, and that, by the way, was why her mom got that slick new BMW for Christmas and, of course, why Jenny now has her own car.†
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
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unprecedentednot having happened before
Human impact on the environment is increasing at an unprecedented rate.more
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And so I am going to do something totally unprecedented (at least in my life).†
not having happened before; or nothing similar having happened before
Show general definition not having happened before; or nothing similar having happened before
3
hypocritesomeone who violates claimed moral standards
She calls him a hypocrite for suggesting a green lifestyle except when it is personally inconvenient.more
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What a total hypocrite!†2 more
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sensuouspleasing to the physical senses (sexy)
She claims the tango as the most sensuous of dance forms.more
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And it did hurt my feelings a little that Josh insinuated that I had worn a really sensuous outfit just to torment and tease him—which I did not, by the way!†1 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
2
seminarya school for training ministers, priests, or rabbis
Princeton Theological Seminary has the largest theological library in the United States.more
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And then, with a serious expression, she asked if I was planning to go to seminary and become a lady preacher or something—to which I just laughed.†1 more
a school for training clerics -- usually ministers, priests, or rabbis
Show general definition a school for training clerics -- usually ministers, priests, or rabbis
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initiatebegin the process of
The study concluded that women initiate divorce more frequently than men.more
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I mean, we talk occasionally at track practice, but he's ALWAYS the one who initiates it—just ask anyone on the team.
initiate → initiates:starts
Show general definition for initiate (as in: initiate discussions) to cause (something) to begin
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bolstersupport and strengthen
She visited the troops to bolster morale.more
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I got a few new items of clothing which might help bolster my confidence.†
support or strengthen
Show general definition for bolster (as in: to bolster) support or strengthen
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perturbperturb → perturbed:disturbed
She is not perturbed by attacks from a hostile press.more
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I was glad for Zach (although at the same time slightly perturbed that Beanie was bearing her troubles alone).
Show general definition for perturb (as in: she was perturbed) to disturb in mind or make uneasy