Nation — Vocabulary
Terry Pratchett
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	4	top 200
tactthe ability and tendency to say or handle things in such a way that others feel good about them She has the tact of a politician or diplomat.more Show sample from book They would be elegant and tactful.†3 more tact → tactful:to say or handle things in a way that makes others feel good about them Show general definition the ability or act of saying or handling things in such a way that others feel good about them
	3	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book Nevertheless, I forbid—†2 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.
	4	top 1000
debrispieces of something that has been destroyed; or trash that is lying around She swept up the debris.more Show sample from book At first they were hard to see, tangled as they were with debris and as gray as the ashen mud.†3 more Show general definition pieces of something that has been destroyed; or trash that is lying around
	4	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 "Oh hear us when we cry to Thee, For those in peril on the sea," he finished, and stopped and stared ahead.†3 more danger Show general definition danger
	5	top 2000
wretchedmiserable The children were taken into protective custody due to their wretched living conditions.more Show sample from book My mother made me a little shepherdess outfit, and I looked so sweet it would make you sick, and the wretched creature used to take every opportunity to butt me in the—to butt me.†4 more miserable or very bad Show general definition very bad in various senses, including: unfortunate or miserable -- as in "wretched prisoners sleeping on the cold floor" of poor quality -- as in "wretched roads" morally bad -- as in "The wretched woman stole his wallet."
	2	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book You scorned them and spurned them, but the faster you ran from them, the closer you came to them.†1 more scorn → scorned:disrespected or rejected Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	4
heathenheathen → heathens:people who do not believe in Christianity The crusaders called them heathens and they called the crusaders infidels.more Show sample from book "Are you a heathen god of some sort?" she asked.†3 more someone who is not civilized or not moral OR an offensive term for a person who does not believe in a preferred religion Show general definition an often offensive (sometimes humorous) word for someone seen as uncivilized or immoral, especially because she does not share the speaker’s religion or comes from a culture unfamiliar with it Show editor's word notes This word is usually judgmental or insulting, so today it is used mostly in joking contexts or when describing older attitudes.
	2	top 1000
doctrineprinciple She argues that the action is protected under the separation-of-powers doctrine that is fundamental to the US Constitution.more Show sample from book "And someone, please, to teach us doctrine," Mau added.†1 more a belief (or system of beliefs or principles) accepted as authoritative by some … Show general definition a belief (or system of beliefs or principles) accepted as authoritative by some group
	2	top 1000
zealactive interest and enthusiasm She attacks each challenge with zeal.more Show sample from book But Cookie said that in his opinion Roberts knew all about Cox and had been filled with missionary zeal at the chance to save such a big ripe sinner from the Pit of Damnation.†1 more Show general definition active interest and enthusiasm
	2	top 1000
banishbanish → banished:forced to leave He was banished from his own country.more Show sample from book "But the ghost girl is already banished," Mau pointed out.†1 more banish → banished:expelled or gotten rid of Show general definition to expel or get rid of in various senses, including: to force someone to leave a country as punishment to push an idea from the mind
	2	top 1000
arrogantwith an excessive sense of superiority She is rude and arrogant.more Show sample from book It was all so...arrogant.†1 more having an excessive sense of superiority Show general definition having an excessive sense of superiority
	2	top 1000
clamorloud noise and/or persistent demands She ignored the clamor of the crowd.more Show sample from book He closed his eyes and tried to force the clamoring memories away, into the dark.†1 more clamor → clamoring:demanding loudly and/or persistently Show general definition loud noise and/or persistent demands -- especially from human voice
	2	top 1000
cowercower → cowered:showed fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit She cowered in fear.more Show sample from book But they'll catch fish to put on the stones, and cower!†1 more show fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit Show general definition show fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
	1	top 100
accompanyaccompany → accompanies:travels with The nurse accompanies the old woman everywhere.more Show sample from book I myself was privileged to accompany Sir Patrick Moore and Professor Richard Feynman when they were up here together.1 more join (travel with) Show general definition for accompany (as in: accompany on the journey) to travel along with
	1	top 100
accompany#2perform with Who can accompany me on the piano?more Show sample from book An interesting little fact is that my father accompanied him on the drum, and the effect was considered…unusual.1 more accompany → accompanied:performed with Show general definition for accompany (as in: accompanied her in the performance) to perform with
	7
mutinyrebellion against authority The tank battalion's mutiny was put down.more Show sample from book He knew every hymn in The Antique and Contemporary Hymn Book, and sang his way through them loudly and joyously when he was on watch, which had been one of the reasons for the mutiny.†6 more open rebellion against authority Show general definition open rebellion against authority -- especially by seamen or soldiers against their officers
	3
ratifyratify → ratifies:approves The President already signed the treaty, but it won't take effect unless the Senate ratifies it.more Show sample from book We may declare the succession overseas—even crown the man if necessary—but his presence will be required on English soil within the time period for full ratification.2 more ratify → ratification:formal approval Show general definition to approve -- typically the formal approval of an agreement by an organization
	3
oblongan elongated shape The artist carefully painted an oblong shape on the canvas, using broad strokes to create a sense of movement.more Show sample from book A white oblong had been wedged in a piece of broken wood, and there were toeless footprints in the sand.†2 more an elongated shape (having more length than width) Show general definition an elongated shape (having more length than width) -- typically of a stretched circle that is longer than an oval, but occasionally used to describe a rectangle
	2	top 2000
blasphemydisrespect of something considered sacred The government of the Muslim nation monitors major websites for blasphemy.more Show sample from book Perhaps they see a use for your sorrowful blasphemy.†1 more disrespectful of something considered sacred Show general definition something said or done that is disrespectful of something considered sacred -- especially God or religion
	2	top 2000
wilyclever and good at tricking others Don't underestimate her. She is a wily campaigner.more Show sample from book It would have been so easy to heed the wily words of Locaha and sink into the blackness, but that would have drowned her, too.†1 more clever Show general definition clever and good at tricking others to achieve a goal