Grendel — Vocabulary
John Gardner
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	10	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book Though I scorned them, sometimes hated them, there had been something between myself and men when we could fight.9 more scorn → scorned:disrespected Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	11	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 They watch with mindless, indifferent eyes,10 more unconcerned and uninterested 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 100
howeverdespite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas) Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.more Show sample from book Meaningless, however.†4 more a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using "though", "in spite of that", "in contrast", "nevertheless", etc. Show general definition for however (as in: However, complications may...) though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas) 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 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
	1	top 2000
however#2no matter how (how much/how hard/how long…) However hard she tried, she couldn't do it.more Show sample from book The easy and absolute certainty that whatever the danger, however terrible the odds, you'll stand firm, behave with the dignity of a hero, yea, even to the grave!4 more regardless of how Show general definition for however (as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
	7	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 whispered crossly—but I couldn't go on, too conscious all at once of my whispering, my eternal posturing, always transforming the world with words—changing nothing.†6 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.
	8	top 1000
cunningclever and deceitful She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more Show sample from book He got a cunning look, as if getting ready to offer a deal—the look men have when they fight with men instead of poor stupid animals.7 more clever and deceptive Show general definition for cunning (as in: a cunning thief) being good at achieving goals through cleverness -- and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
	7	top 1000
peasantpeasant → peasants:an historical term describing people of low income, education, and social standing Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.more Show sample from book ...he said angrily (unaware of the irony that he, a prince, had a right to anger, and the old man, a peasant, did not).6 more used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing Show general definition used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing -- especially one who raises crops or livestock
	4	top 200
novelnew and original We're looking for novel marketing ideas.more Show sample from book And yet in its refusal, it passes toward novel order as a primary requisite for important experience.3 more Show general definition for novel (as in: a novel situation) new and original -- typically something considered good
	6	top 2000
tormenttorment → tormenting:causing great mental or physical suffering She enjoys tormenting others.†more Show sample from book Flattering me into tormenting them because he ... loved viciousness.5 more torment → tormenting:causing great suffering (in) Show general definition to cause or to experience great mental or physical suffering
	2	top 10
implyimply → implied:hinted or suggested She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.more Show sample from book So his name implies.†1 more imply → implies:suggests (says indirectly) Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
	2	top 10
relevantimportant (related in a meaningful way) Shannon tells an interesting story, but it's not relevant to the decision we have to make.more Show sample from book Apart from Him, there can be no relevant novelty.†1 more relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question Show general definition relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
	4	top 1000
ominousthreatening I'm beginning to hear ominous rumblings of discontent.more Show sample from book He and his company went on, their weapons clinking, chain-mail jangling, solemn and ominous as drums.3 more threatening or suggestive of bad things to come Show general definition threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
	5
trifletrifle → trifling:unimportant We all agree with the goal, but how to achieve it is not a trifling matter.more Show sample from book Not just a trifle evil. Monstrously evil.4 more little (in amount) Show general definition for trifle (as in: a trifling matter) something of small importance; or a small quantity
	4	top 1000
democracya system of government in which citizens have power with equal votes The United States has a representative democracy.more Show sample from book This jug is an absolute democracy of atoms.†3 more
	5
pyrepyre → pyres:piles of wood or other burnable materials While cremation is not uncommon in the western world, open air funeral pyres are typically illegal.more Show sample from book They throw up a mound for the funeral pyre, for whatever arms or legs or heads my haste has left behind.†4 more a pile of wood or other burnable material Show general definition a pile of wood or other burnable material -- especially to burn a dead body as in a funeral rite
	2	top 1000
petulantunreasonably annoyed or upset She stomped her foot like a petulant child.more Show sample from book "Go ahead, scoff," he said, petulant.1 more Show general definition unreasonably annoyed or upset or: easily annoyed or upset
	2	top 2000
credulousgullible (being too willing to believe) The trick would fool none but the most credulous.more Show sample from book In some way that I couldn't explain, I knew that his scorn of my childish credulity was right.1 more credulous → credulity:gullibility (the trait of being too willing to believe)
	2	top 2000
vanquishvanquish → vanquished:completely defeated The team vanquished all competition.more Show sample from book The Shaper talked of how God had vanquished their enemies and filled up their houses with precious treasure, how they were the richest, most powerful people on earth, how here and here alone in all the world men were free and heroes were brave and virgins were virgins.†1 more Show general definition to defeat completely
	2
senile(into) mental weakness caused by old age Her memory is getting worse and she's afraid of going senile.more Show sample from book I've been telling you the old fool's gone senile.†1 more mental weakness caused by old age; or describing a medical condition as caused by old age Show general definition weakness from old age (especially mental weakness); or describing a medical condition as caused by old age
	1	top 500
omnipotentall powerful When I was young, I believed in the myth of omnipotent science, technology and logic.more Show sample from book My wickedness five years ago, or six, or twelve, has no existence except as now, mumbling, mumbling, sacrificing the slain world to the omnipotence of words, I strain my memory to regain it. omnipotent → omnipotence:all powerful nature Show general definition all powerful Show editor's word notes note: "omni" means "all". It is often said that God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent (all powerful, all knowing, and all present; i.e., present everywhere)