After the First Death — Vocabulary
Robert Cormier
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	17	top 1000
ponderthink about The question the audience is left to ponder is...more Show sample from book She caught her breath, pondering a new thought:16 more ponder → pondering:thinking deeply or carefully Show general definition to think deeply or carefully about something
	8	top 1000
vulnerablevulnerable → vulnerable to:easily hurt by The computers are vulnerable to cyberattacks.more Show sample from book I agree that we appear to be vulnerable.†7 more easily hurt or in need of help; OR easily influenced or subject to temptation Show general definition easily hurt or in need of help; or easily influenced or subject to temptation
	8	top 2000
ravinedeep, narrow, steep-sided valley The car plunged into a 15-foot ravine.more Show sample from book She looked across the ravine to the old pavilion building.†7 more Show general definition a deep, narrow, steep-sided gorge or valley -- especially one formed by running water
	8	top 2000
patheticpitiful (arousing pity) She was pathetic as she tried to salvage her dignity.more Show sample from book He had seduced her with his pathetic tale of wandering through the camps as a child and had somehow enlisted her sympathy.7 more Show general definition for pathetic (as in: Her pathetic look saddened us.) pitiful (arousing pity)
	7	top 1000
futilepointless because it cannot produce anything useful Resistance is futile.more Show sample from book Because I knew a phone call would be useless, a futile gesture.†6 more effort that is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful Show general definition effort that is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful
	5	top 500
ceasestop According to the treaty, all offensive military action will cease at midnight.more Show sample from book As abruptly as the sound and movement began, so did it cease.†4 more stop or discontinue Show general definition to stop or discontinue
	7	top 2000
chasma large, deep, and steep-sided opening on the earth's surface You can't leap a twenty-foot chasm with two 10-foot jumps.more Show sample from book They would also be able to watch the woods on both sides of the chasm for snipers.†6 more a large gap or divide Show general definition a large and deep and steep-sided opening on the earth's surface; or (more rarely) any large gap or: a very large difference -- often of opinion
	7	top 2000
allianceassociation formed to support common interests The Islamic governments formed an alliance to defeat Israel.more Show sample from book Home is a thousand alliances away.†6 more alliance → alliances:associations formed to support common interests Show general definition an association formed to support common interests
	6	top 1000
contemptlack of respect Familiarity breeds contempt.more Show sample from book He felt contempt for the boy.5 more Show general definition for contempt (as in: feels contempt towards her) lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior -- often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust Show editor's word notes A famous saying, "familiarity breeds contempt" comes from Aesop's fable, "The Fox and the Lion". (6th century BC) When first the Fox saw the Lion he was terribly frightened, and ran away and hid himself in the wood. Next time however he came near the King of Beasts he stopped at a safe distance and watched him pass by. The third time they came near one another the Fox went straight up to the Lion and passed the time of day with him, asking him how his family were, and when he should have the pleasure of seeing him again; then turning his tail, he parted from the Lion without much ceremony. The moral is traditionally, "Familiarity breeds contempt"; though an alternative moral is "Acquaintance softens prejudices."
	6	top 1000
persistpersist → persisted:continued The child persisted in asking questions despite my obvious desire to be left alone.more Show sample from book But she had to persist.5 more continue -- often despite difficulty Show general definition to continue -- often despite difficulty or to repeat a question
	6	top 2000
hysteriastate of excessive, uncontrolled emotion We need to get past the hysteria and decide what to do.more Show sample from book It reminded me of old movies on television where someone is screaming hysterically and someone else slaps; the screamer and the hysterics die down.†5 more hysteria → hysterics:a state of excessive, uncontrollable emotion Show general definition a state of excessive, uncontrollable emotion Show editor's word notes In addition to being the adjective form of hysteria, the form hysterical can also indicate that something is exceedingly funny (leading to uncontrollable laughter)
	4	top 500
indifferentwithout interest About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.more Show sample from book His eyes were half closed as he sprawled in the seat, pretending indifference.3 more indifferent → indifference:lack of interest Show general definition without interest in various senses, including: unconcerned -- as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat." unsympathetic -- as in "She is indifferent to his needs." not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) -- as in "an indifferent performance" impartial -- as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
	4	top 500
obscureobscure → obscured:hidden or made less visible The stars are obscured by the clouds.more Show sample from book The snow obscured the footpaths,3 more obscure → obscured:made less visible Show general definition for obscure (as in: it obscured my view) to block from view or make less visible or understandable Show editor's word notes Although this meaning of obscure typically refers to seeing or understanding, it can also refer to situation where something makes something else harder to detect or as when a noise makes another noise difficult to hear. Similarly it can reference something overshadowing something else, as in "Her memory of her dog's death was obscured by her brother's death the next day."
	4	top 1000
languidslow, unhurried No urging could increase his languid pace.more Show sample from book Most of the children were still in a land of half stupor, languid, like limp rags.3 more having little energy and moving slowly Show general definition lacking energy or relaxed or moving slowly
	7	top 2000
docileeasily led or managed It is a gentle old horse, docile and obedient.more Show sample from book The candy had been treated with a tranquilizer, a drug strong enough to render the children docile and passive within a few minutes.†6 more easily led or managed -- perhaps submissive or well-behaved Show general definition easily led or managed -- perhaps submissive or well-behaved
	2	top 500
precedentan example from a prior time that justifies the belief If the looters are not punished, it will set a precedent that others can loot with impunity.more Show sample from book This would set a precedent that could touch off mass hijackings, the way it's happened in other countries.†1 more an example from a prior time Show general definition for precedent (as in: sets a precedent) an example from a prior time -- typically used to justify similar occurrences at a later time (especially a judicial decision)
	4
deducededuce → deduced:concluded by reasoning From the muddy footprints and the open window, she deduced that someone had snuck into the house.more Show sample from book I have deduced, reflecting on the Bus, that this would be the best way to shuffle off this mortal coil.†3 more Show general definition conclude by reasoning -- especially reasoning from the general to the particular
	3	top 2000
eludeelude → eluded:avoided (got away from) The thief eluded the policemore Show sample from book She had been his first target and had eluded him.2 more Show general definition for elude (as in: she eluded the police) to avoid, or get away from in various senses, including: "She eluded the police." "She eluded danger and finally arrived safely at home." "She always messes up, but some how eludes taking responsibility."
	3	top 2000
themean essay written by a student She has us write a 500-word theme every other week.more Show sample from book Someone had written a theme paper on the topic: in school.2 more Show general definition for theme (as in: wrote a 2-page theme on my summer) an essay written by a student (This sense of theme is much rarer in recent decades than in the past.)
	3
impersonallacking warmth or personal connection I don't want to deal with an impersonal corporation.more Show sample from book The voice was impersonal, as if it Issued from a machine and not a person.†2 more Show general definition not influenced by personal feelings -- often indicating a lack of warmth of personal connection