Beastly — Vocabulary
Alex Flinn
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	9	top 2000
operaa classical music play in which most of the dialogue is sung She is a popular opera singer.more Show sample from book He was a murderer who terrorized the opera house for years before kidnapping a young singer and trying to force her to be the love he was denied.8 more (used for) classical music plays in which most of the dialogue is sung Show general definition a form of musical theater with orchestra in which most of the words are sung, often in a classical style and sometimes in a foreign language
	7	top 2000
hideousextremely ugly, offensive, and/or frightening The beast had hideous fangs.more Show sample from book You led me to believe you were hideous, a monster.†6 more
	3	top 100
themean idea that is unifying or recurrent The party had a 1950's theme.more Show sample from book The theme is darkness—people who live in darkness.2 more idea that is unifying or recurrent Show general definition for theme (as in: theme of the novel) a basic idea that underlies what is being said or done -- especially in a literary or artistic work
	5	top 2000
patheticpitiful (arousing pity) She was pathetic as she tried to salvage her dignity.more Show sample from book If she pitied me, she might think that I was some pathetic creature who was going to try to drag her off and force her to be mine, like the Phantom of the Opera.4 more Show general definition for pathetic (as in: Her pathetic look saddened us.) pitiful (arousing pity)
	2	top 200
compensatemake up She uses several techniques to help compensate for her dyslexia.more Show sample from book Could I be getting smarter to compensate for my hideousness?1 more adjust or make up for Show general definition for compensate (as in: she compensates with extra effort) make up for; or adjust for
	1	top 10
contrastnotable difference The contrast in their leadership styles is striking. Olivia motivated people with fear. Isabella motivated them with praise.more Show sample from book A moment later, she's wearing it, and it is exactly as I remember, the cool green satin contrasting with the warm pink of her skin. contrast → contrasting:differing Show general definition for contrast (as in: there is a contrast) a difference -- especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
	2
hybridcar powered by both electricity and gasoline She drives a hybrid that can use electricity or gasoline.more Show sample from book They aren't as detailed as the hybrid tea roses.1 more crossbred (from two other types of roses) Show general definition something made by combining different sources or types in various senses, including: of cars -- powered by both electricity and gasoline in biology -- a plant or animal produced by crossbreeding in linguistics -- a word that is composed of parts from different languages (e.g., monolingual has a Greek prefix and a Latin root)
	2	top 2000
paralysisloss of the ability to move She suffers paralysis of her legs.more Show sample from book It was a little boy, his face paralyzed with fear.1 more paralysis → paralyzed:frozen (unable to move) Show general definition loss of the ability to move the body or a part of it or: inability to act or make a decision
	2	top 2000
twingea sudden, short-lived feeling of pain I often feel a twinge at that tooth when I drink something cold.more Show sample from book I felt a twinge.†1 more a sudden, short-lived feeling of pain or emotion Show general definition a sudden, short-lived feeling of pain or emotion
	1	top 500
confideconfide → confided:placed trust (in someone) by talking about private things She confided in me. I won't repeat what was said.more Show sample from book Your heart is breaking, and you have no one to confide in.† place trust (in someone) by talking about private things Show general definition to place trust (in someone) by talking about private things or telling secrets
	1	top 500
approximateapproximate → approximately:about The state has approximately as many Republicans as Democrats.more Show sample from book It had been my favorite holiday since I was eight years old, and Trey and I had egged Old Man Hinchey's apartment door because he hadn't signed up for building-wide trick or treat—and got away with it because we were two of the approximately two hundred thousand kids in the city dressed as Spider-Man.† approximate → approximately:about (but not exactly) Show general definition almost, but not exact; or similar
	1	top 1000
anonymouslacking individuality or interesting features Mine is the third house on a block of anonymous brick houses.more Show sample from book I wished I had an opera house. I wished I had a cathedral. I wished I could climb to the top of the Empire State Building like King Kong. Instead, I had only books, books and the anonymous streets of New York with their millions of stupid, clueless people. Show general definition for anonymous (as in: an anonymous, uninteresting house) lacking individuality or interesting features
	1	top 1000
subversiongradual destruction The Chinese activist was imprisoned for encouraging subversion of state power.more Show sample from book "He was subversive, though," Will said. "Why? Because he made the priest the bad guy and the ugly guy good?" "That was part of it." subversion → subversive:working to undermine existing institutions Show general definition gradual destruction (of something previously established) -- such as a government, rule, or belief
	1	top 500
virtualvirtual → virtually:almost completely She was virtually broke.more Show sample from book A junkie lay there, virtually indistinguishable from every other homeless person in New York. virtual → virtually:to almost be so, but not so strictly speaking Show general definition for virtual (as in: virtual organization) to almost be something; or to effectively be something without entirely being it in a traditional sense
	2	top 2000
kindredsimilar in quality or character We are kindred spirits.more Show sample from book You seemed kind of like a kindred spirit.†1 more similar in quality or character; OR closely related Show general definition similar in quality or character or: closely related -- such as family or things with shared origin
	1	top 200
inconsistentnot the same at different times Her play is inconsistent. Sometimes she's unbeatable and other times she beats herself.more Show sample from book The Rumpelstiltskin Problem is a book by Vivian Vande Velde, conceived because the author was disturbed, as I was, by inconsistencies in a traditional tale.† inconsistent → inconsistencies:not the same in different parts or at different times… Show general definition not the same in different parts or at different times or: not in agreement [with something else]
	1	top 2000
brazenbold and improper She made a brazen attempt to take credit for her colleague’s work during the meeting.more Show sample from book I'd opened the shutters—brazenly—and the light streamed across her hair, making it gold.† brazen → brazenly:bold and unrestrained by what others consider proper Show general definition bold and unrestrained by what others consider proper
	1
philanthropyhelping others Her primary interests are family and philanthropy.†more Show sample from book When did you get so philanthropic, Kyle? philanthropy → philanthropic:(interested in) helping others Show general definition helping others -- especially donating money to worthy causes; or an organization that does so
	1
stanzapart of a song that has other such parts--each part consisting of a fixed number of lines I love the song, but seldom sing past the first stanza.more Show sample from book I searched my mind for a stanza to recite.† part of a poem or song that has other such parts--each part consisting of a fixed number of lines Show general definition part of a poem or song that has other such parts--each part consisting of a fixed number of lines
	1
instillinstill → instilled:put into one's mind His time in the army instilled him with confidence and discipline.more Show sample from book Time to instill knowledge!† Show general definition to put ideas, principles, or teachings into one's mind -- typically another's mind over time with repetition