This I Believe — Vocabulary
Jay Allison, et al.
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	8	top 1000
endureendure → endured:suffered through I endured insult and injury without complaint.more Show sample from book By eight o'clock on a Tuesday night, you will experience the ecstasy of victory or you will endure the agony of defeat.9 more suffer through Show general definition for endure (as in: endured the pain) to suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant)
	2	top 1000
endure#2continue to exist She is gone, but her teachings endure through the ages.more Show sample from book the human body as transitory and fragile and, by contrast, the soul as enduring.9 more endure → enduring:continuing to exist Show general definition for endure (as in: endure through the ages) to continue to exist
	7	top 500
despaira feeling of hopelessness Don't give in to despair.more Show sample from book I was convinced we must care about people; we must reach out to help them in their despair.7 more feeling of hopelessness or distress Show general definition for despair (as in: she felt despair) hopelessness; or distress (such as extreme worry or sadness from feeling powerless to change a bad situation)
	1	top 500
despair#2lose hope Don't despair. Next year will be better.more Show sample from book Sometimes, I despair.7 more lose hope or feel distress Show general definition for despair (as in: do not despair) lose hope or feel distress
	6	top 500
sustainsustain → sustained:supported We sustained ourselves on bread and water.more Show sample from book I've come to appreciate once again that communal reflection about life's deeper matters is sustaining and uplifting and provides a consistent nudge in worthy directions.6 more sustain → sustaining:supportive Show general definition for sustain (as in: sustained by her faith) provide support or necessities
	1	top 100
sustain#2sustain → sustained:maintained through time For twenty years, the company has sustained its leading position in creating special effects for films.more Show sample from book though totalitarianism or technocratic government can obtain some swift successes, in the end, only a democracy can enlist a people's energies on a sustained and renewable basis.6 more sustain → sustained:continuing through time Show general definition for sustain (as in: sustained through the ages) to continue through time
	10	top 500
empathythe understanding and sharing of others' feelings She lacks empathy and is very selfish.more Show sample from book Whenever I think of the word "empathy," I think of a small boy named Huckleberry Finn contemplating his friend and runaway slave, Jim.9 more the ability or tendency to understand or share in others' feelings Show general definition the ability, tendency, or act of understanding and sharing another's emotional state
	3	top 100
alternativealternative → alternatives:possibilities Let's think of at least three alternatives before we decide what to do.more Show sample from book Let's consider the alternatives.3 more Show general definition for alternative (as in: an alternative plan) a different choice or possibility, or describing something that offers a different choice or possibility
	1	top 200
alternative#2non-standard I'm taking the pills the doctor prescribed, but I'm also looking into alternative medicine such as acupuncture.more Show sample from book Through imagination and our desire for rapport, we transcend our limitations, freshen our eyes, and are able to look at ourselves and the world through a new and alternative lens.3 more non-traditional or non-standard Show general definition for alternative (as in: alternative medicine) non-traditional or non-standard
	3	top 100
advocateadvocate → advocates:publicly supports She advocates stricter gun control.more Show sample from book Sullivan addresses political and social issues and advocates for gay rights.3 more Show general definition for advocate (as in: to advocate) to recommend or publicly support (someone or something)
	1	top 100
advocate#2a person who publicly supports and works to advance a cause She is a passionate advocate for children's welfare.more Show sample from book I moved to Washington to work as an advocate.3 more spokesperson (supporter of a cause) Show general definition for advocate (as in: an advocate supporting) a person who publicly supports and works to advance a cause or more rarely: someone acting in the role of a defense lawyer in England's past and in some jurisdictions today
	10	top 1000
compassionsympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help If I see one hungry child, I feel compassion, but when I hear of a million hungry children, I'm overwhelmed and turn my mind to other things.more Show sample from book like me, the lady next door who scowls on her way to the mailbox, or the kids who strut down the street, or my atheist friend who enjoys a good conversation, each bear an undying soul and deserve compassion.9 more Show general definition sympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help
	6	top 1000
manifestshow (make itself known) Domestic violence doesn't always manifest as physical abuse.more Show sample from book discovering his compassion so deep it manifests even in his kindness to snails,6 more manifest → manifests:demonstrates itself Show general definition for manifest (as in: manifest destiny) obvious; or to make obvious; or to show or demonstrate
	1	top 2000
manifest#2document listing contents being transported The inspector asked to see the ship's manifest.more Show sample from book I will be participating in a ceremony at Ellis Island, where I will receive copies of the ship manifest and the immigration documents that record the arrival in America of my mother,6 more a document listing contents and passengers being transported Show general definition for manifest (as in: ship's manifest) an official document listing contents being transported
	8
transitorylasting a short time Do not be concerned about mild, transitory symptoms.more Show sample from book Instead, I discovered in a more profound way the human body as transitory and fragile and, by contrast, the soul as enduring.†7 more
	1
iconidol (someone who is an object of fanatical devotion) Rosa Parks became an icon of the civil rights movement.more Show sample from book The first twenty programs in the series included essays from a senator, several business leaders, a labor leader, two college presidents, a movie producer, a philosophy professor, a baseball umpire, and two certified national icons: Helen Keller and Eleanor Roosevelt.1 more icon → icons:people widely recognized as symbols Show general definition for icon (as in: pop culture icon) a person or thing that is widely recognized as a symbol of something — often admired
	1
correspondencedone from afar via written communication She took a correspondence course while she was in prison.more Show sample from book She sang all the way through her home correspondence courses in floral design and interior decorating.†1 more done from afar Show general definition for correspondence (as in: a correspondence course) done from afar Show editor's word notes For example, a corresponding member or a correspondence course. This sense of corresponding arose because people who lived in distant cities and could not be present for meetings, could communicate by sending written communications.
	1
correspondentreporter Let's get a report from our correspondent in Mexico City.more Show sample from book He has been a reporter for the Chicago Tribune and the Washington Post, and a national correspondent for the New York Times, Fountain wrote True Vine: A Young Black Man's Journey of Faith, Hope, and Clarity.†1 more Show general definition for correspondent (as in: foreign correspondent of the paper) a reporter or other representative -- typically from a foreign country or with a particular expertise
	3	top 500
acclaimacclaim → acclaimed:popularly and enthusiastically praised It's a critically acclaimed movie.more Show sample from book Buckley is also the author of the acclaimed series of Blackford Oakes spy novels.†2 more Show general definition to praise enthusiastically and publicly -- sometimes choosing without opposition or a formal vote
	2	top 200
critiqueanalyze and judge Please critique the performance.more Show sample from book Nobel Prize—winning author THOMAS MANN was noted for his examination and critique of the European and German soul in the first half of the twentieth century.†1 more an examination and judgment of something Show general definition an examination and judgment of something