Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? — Vocabulary
Edward Albee
Revised by Albee for 2005 Broadway Revival
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	7	top 1000
incredulousdifficult to believe I find it incredulous that you believe she is sincere.more Show sample from book GEORGE (Incredulous): You're amused?6 more unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected Show general definition unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
	9	top 2000
preoccupiedbusy (doing or thinking about other things) She got no help from her husband who was preoccupied with the children.more Show sample from book GEORGE (Seemingly relaxed and preoccupied, never looking): Oh, that's nice.8 more took up the attention of Show general definition busy thinking about or doing something so that other things are not noticed or done
	5	top 1000
feignedpretended to She feigned sleep.more Show sample from book GEORGE (Feigned awe): Very good!4 more pretending to feel Show general definition pretended -- usually pretending to feel something
	3	top 200
disdainlack of respect She tries to be polite, but she cannot hide her disdain for authority.more Show sample from book NICK (With great disdain): I just don't see why you feel you have to subject other people to it.2 more Show general definition to disrespect or reject as unworthy
	3	top 200
pragmaticpractical She is a pragmatic problem solver.more Show sample from book a pragmatic extension of the big dream2 more practical -- especially where results triumph over ideal theory Show general definition concerned with practical matters -- especially where quick results and/or practical experience triumph over theory
	4	top 2000
deridederide → derides:criticizes with strong disrespect She relentlessly mocks and derides the younger students.more Show sample from book . . . the one thing I've tried to carry pure and unscathed through the sewer of this marriage; through the sick nights, and the pathetic, stupid days, through the derision and the laughter . . .3 more deride → derision:critical disrespect -- typically while laughing at or making fun of Show general definition to criticize with strong disrespect -- often with humor
	4	top 1000
motivatemake someone want to do something We pay low salary, but high commission to motivate our salespeople to work hard and smart.more Show sample from book GEORGE: You just finished saying that the things that motivated you were the same things that motivated me.†3 more motivate → motivated:wanting to do something; or made someone want to do something Show general definition to make someone want to do something
	4	top 2000
patheticpitiful (arousing pity) She was pathetic as she tried to salvage her dignity.more Show sample from book GEORGE (To NICK): Let her go. (MARTHA slumps to the floor in a sitting position) She'll be all right now. MARTHA (Pathetic): No; no, he is not dead; he is not dead.3 more Show general definition for pathetic (as in: Her pathetic look saddened us.) pitiful (arousing pity)
	2	top 500
condescendingacting superior She gave me that condescending look as though I wasn't worthy to ask her a question.more Show sample from book GEORGE: Don't you condescend to me!1 more condescending → condescend:to treat others as inferior Show general definition treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
	2	top 1000
vehementforceful or intense She was vehement in her defense of her friend, insisting that he was innocent.more Show sample from book (With sudden vehemence) UP YOURS†1 more vehement → vehemence:marked by extreme intensity -- especially emotion such as anger Show general definition marked by extreme intensity -- especially emotion such as anger
	2	top 1000
loathehate I make New Year's resolutions every year and then loathe myself for breaking them.more Show sample from book GEORGE: (Swings around to face her ....says, with great loathing) No ....show him, Martha ....he hasn't seen it.†1 more loathe → loathing:disgust or intense dislike Show general definition hate, detest, or intensely dislike Show editor's word notes Word Confusion: Do not confuse loathe with loath which sounds very similar or the same. Loathe is a verb while loath is an adjective describing "reluctance or unwillingness to do something." Note that loathing and loathsome are forms of the verb loathe even though both word forms lack the "e". Occasionally, you will see loath spelled as loathe even in a published book, but it is rare enough that it is generally considered an error rather than a non-standard spelling.
	2	top 1000
resignation(accepted) something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils It wasn't her first choice, but she accepted it with resignation.more Show sample from book GEORGE (Resignedly): Yes, Martha.1 more resignation → resignedly:in a manner indicating that he has accepted something undesired as unavoidable Show general definition for resignation (as in: accepted it with resignation) acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
	3	top 2000
sulkto overly indulge in being unhappy and unsociable She was disappointed and retreated to her room to sulk.more Show sample from book Let me see ....are you sulking?†2 more sulk → sulking:overly unhappy and unsociable Show general definition to be overly unhappy and unsociable -- often due to disappointment or a sense of not getting what was deserved
	1	top 200
abstractof a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance We all agree that we want what's "best for the country", but that is an abstract concept, and we cannot agree on which specific laws should be passed.more Show sample from book MARTHA: [comparing the subject of biology to that of math] ... Biology's even better. It's less . . . abstruse. GEORGE: Abstract. MARTHA: ABSTRUSE! In the sense of recondite. (Sticks her tongue out at GEORGE) Don't you tell me words.1 more Show general definition for abstract (as in: abstract thought) of a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
	1	top 200
abstract#2not imitating objects of nature She is an abstract painter.more Show sample from book NICK: (Indicating the abstract painting) Who . . . who did the . . . ?1 more not imitating external reality or objects of nature Show general definition for abstract (as in: abstract art) not imitating external reality or the objects of nature
	1	top 200
malleableflexible or easily influenced The mind is malleable -- especially while young.more Show sample from book Accommodation, malleability, adjustment . . . those do seem to be in the order of things, don't they? malleable → malleability:to be easily influenced to fit in with surroundings Show general definition of people: flexible or easily influenced of materials: capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
	1	top 500
disparagedisparage → disparaging:criticizing or making seem less important She has a reputation for disparaging the efforts of her co-workers.more Show sample from book MARTHA: George talks disparagingly about the little bugger because . . . well, because he has problems. disparage → disparagingly:with criticism or in a manner to make the child seem less important Show general definition to criticize or make seem less important -- especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
	1	top 500
antagonistenemy or opponent In the movie, Star Wars, Darth Vader is the antagonist to Luke Skywalker.more Show sample from book NICK (Antagonistic) No ....I don't.† antagonist → antagonistic:with opposition or hostility Show general definition for antagonist (as in: the antagonist in the film) someone who offers opposition or is hostile
	1	top 1000
deductionamount subtracted from another amount There was a 10 point deduction because the paper was late.more Show sample from book What will become of the tax deduction. amount subtracted Show general definition for deduction (as in: deduction from the bill) an amount subtracted from another amount
	1	top 1000
propensitytendency or inclination She has a propensity for getting into trouble, always finding herself in the wrong place at the wrong time.more Show sample from book All imbalances will be corrected, sifted out ....propensity for various diseases will be gone, longevity assured.†