Black Like Me — Vocabulary
John Howard Griffin
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	1	top 1000
profounddeep or far-reaching in intellect or consequence She shared a profound way of thinking about the problem.more Show sample from book "Maritain has some profound things to say about the religion of racists," he said, leafing the book.11 more deep or far-reaching in intellect or insight
	11	top 500
profound#2intense (of great emotional depth) Her apology was heartfelt--expressing profound sorrow and regret.more Show sample from book I could only conclude that his attitude came from an overwhelming love for his child, so profound it spilled over to all humanity.11 more of greatest intensity or emotional depth Show general definition for profound (as in: profound sadness) of greatest intensity or emotional depth
	16	top 1000
discriminateunfairly treat of different groups of people differently We do not discriminate based on race, nationality, social status, age, gender, religion, or sexual preference.more Show sample from book I have learned that men in uniform, particularly officers, rarely descend to show discrimination, perhaps because of the integration of the armed forces.15 more discriminate → discrimination:unfair treatment of different groups of people differently Show general definition for discriminate (as in: suffered discrimination) to treat people of different groups differently -- especially unfair treatment due to race, religion or gender
	2	top 200
subtlesubtle → subtly:working in a way that is hard to see She is working subtly against us.more Show sample from book Some were shamelessly open, some shamelessly subtle.6 more working in an indirect or hidden way Show general definition for subtle (as in: a subtle poison) working in an indirect or hidden way
	5	top 200
subtle#2making use of slight distinctions She used subtle reasoning to expose the absurdity of his argument.more Show sample from book The experience had subtler points that did not escape Rutledge.6 more subtle → subtler:harder to notice or understand Show general definition for subtle (as in: a subtle difference or thinker) not obvious, but noticeable with enough insight and knowledge or: able to notice or understand things that require insight and sensitivity
	13	top 1000
prejudiceunreasonable and unfair belief or feeling The group works to eliminate racial prejudice.more Show sample from book And in the midst of it, the picture of the prejudice and bigotry from which I had just come flashed into my mind,12 more Show general definition bias that prevents objective consideration -- especially an unreasonable belief that is unfair to members of a race, religion, or other group
	12	top 1000
deprivedeprive → deprived:left without a basic comfort The storm deprived the town of electricity.more Show sample from book Deprive a man of any contact with the pleasures of the spirit and he'll fall completely into those of the flesh.†11 more to take away or keep from having Show general definition to take away or keep from having
	13	top 2000
communisman economic system that abolishes private ownership of property with the goal of a classless society A challenge with communism is that it is harder to know how to allocate capital when prices are subjective rather than the product of individual valuations.†more Show sample from book And had I discovered if there were any communists behind the disruptions?12 more communism → communists:people who support an economic system that abolishes private ownership of property with the goal of a classless society
	7	top 100
advocateadvocate → advocates:publicly supports She advocates stricter gun control.more Show sample from book We were advocating only that this country live up to its promises to all citizens.6 more advocate → advocating:recommending Show general definition for advocate (as in: to advocate) to recommend or publicly support (someone or something)
	6	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 Each time they refused me, they implied clearly that I had probably come by these checks dishonestly and they wanted nothing to do with them or me.5 more imply → implied:suggested (said indirectly) Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
	9	top 1000
contemptlack of respect Familiarity breeds contempt.more Show sample from book By the very tone of his question he revealed his contempt for us.8 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."
	9	top 2000
inferiorof lower quality Nazis believed other races were inferior.more Show sample from book I could have been a Jew in Germany, a Mexican in a number of states, or a member of any "inferior" group.†8 more (adjective) of low quality, or of lower quality or rank than something else OR (more rarely as a noun) a person of lower rank or status Show general definition of low quality, or of lower quality or rank than something else -- sometimes used as a noun to refer to a person of lower rank or status
	5	top 1000
cordialfriendly The countries share a long border and have cordial relations.more Show sample from book They took photos and treated me with great cordiality.†4 more cordial → cordiality:friendliness Show general definition for cordial (as in: a cordial reception) friendly -- usually warm and heartfelt, but possibly only polite
	4	top 1000
condoneapprove of Such behavior is permitted, but we certainly don't condone it.more Show sample from book Did their silence condone the lynching?3 more allow (bad behavior) without taking a stand against it Show general definition accept without criticism; or approve of
	5
bigotryintolerance and prejudice It's a difficult subject due to her bigotry.more Show sample from book I knew that he had no prejudices, but I nevertheless did not want to involve him in any way, since reprisals might be taken against him by bigots or by his associates, who might resent his role as my host once my story became known.†4 more bigotry → bigots:people who are intolerant and prejudiced
	4	top 2000
reticentreluctant to speak She was reticent initially, but eventually she opened up.more Show sample from book The youth knew me and had no reticence in talking...3 more reticent → reticence:reluctance Show general definition reluctant -- especially to speak freely Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Consider using taciturn rather than reticent when the reluctance to speak is a general disposition rather than a short-term situation brought about by particular circumstance.
	4	top 2000
squalorextremely dirty and unpleasant living conditions To meet her today, you would never guess she lived in squalor as a child.more Show sample from book They provided us deep pleasure, an anodyne to the squalor and clutter of the street.†3 more Show general definition (describing a place) extremely dirty and unpleasant -- typically due to poverty
	4
grand jurya group of citizens who decide whether or not there is enough evidence to formally accuse someone of a crime During his testimony before the grand jury, she repeatedly said she had no memory of such a conversation.more Show sample from book The lynching and the callous decision of the Pearl River County Grand Jury were surely on all their minds.†3 more a group of citizens who decide whether there is enough evidence to formally accuse someone of a crime Show general definition a group of citizens who decide if there is enough evidence to formally accuse someone of a crime
	3	top 1000
prevailingmost common In the afternoon, the meadow enjoys prevailing winds from the west.more Show sample from book They lean with the prevailing winds and employ every fallacy of logic in order to editorialize harmoniously with popular prejudices.3 more most common or influential Show general definition for prevailing (as in: prevailing attitude) most common, powerful, or influential
	1	top 1000
prevailprevail → prevailing:in effect As good conversation was already prevailing, I just listened and enjoyed the evening.more Show sample from book Though segregation and discrimination still prevail and still work a hardship, great strides have been made—strides that must give hope to every observer of the South.3 more have an influence Show general definition for prevail (as in: rare, but still prevails) to be in force; or to have some power or influence