Perfect Chemistry — Vocabulary
Simone Elkeles
(Auto-generated)

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	10	top 1000
vulnerablevulnerable → vulnerable to:easily hurt by The computers are vulnerable to cyberattacks.more Show sample from book Although I caught her at a time when she's vulnerable and still shaking from seeing my blood.†9 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
	7	top 500
warydistrustful She was taught to be wary of strangers.more Show sample from book My dad smiled, talked, and was shocked and nervous when the gun was pulled on him. Shouldn't he have been wary all along?6 more careful or distrustful Show general definition careful or nervous about something
	7	top 1000
principalmost important The principal idea is that decisions should be made by the people who are most knowledgeable about specific circumstances that impact the decision.more Show sample from book I knew I'd be called into the new principal's office at some point during the year, but I didn't expect it to be on the first day of school.†6 more most important; or person that is most important Show general definition most important; or person who is most important The exact meaning of principal can depend upon its context. For example: "the principal idea" or "the principal performer" -- the most important "the principal of the school" -- the person in charge "a principal of a company" -- an owner or person with controlling authority "the principal in a transaction" (as contrasted to the agent) -- the person on whose behalf an agent acts
	6	top 500
contemplatethink deeply about After the meeting, she needed some time alone to contemplate her next move.more Show sample from book As Paco and Jorge contemplate what Elena will make him do to erase the bad luck, I take Brittany's hand and lead her outside.†5 more consider or ponder Show general definition consider or ponder
	7	top 1000
confrontdeal directly with an unpleasant situation You must confront your problems.more Show sample from book I'm going to her house, to confront her on why she ditched me.6 more Show general definition to deal directly with an unpleasant situation or person or: to challenge someone -- often by presenting evidence
	7	top 1000
laboratorya workplace where people do scientific or medical research We've had success in the laboratory, but are a long way from treating patients.more Show sample from book While I silently curse Mrs. P. for not having a lab day with experiments so we can talk, I glance over at my partner.†6 more laboratory → lab:a workplace where people do scientific or medical research, or produce drugs or chemicals (also used figuratively) OR (as an adjective) related to such a place Show general definition a workplace where people do scientific or medical research, or produce drugs or chemicals or (as an adjective): related to such a place
	5	top 500
initiateinitiate → initiated:accepted into the group in a special ceremony The photo is from the ceremony when she was initiated into the sorority.more Show sample from book Well, that was until he called and said all the pledges in the fraternity had to sleep at the frat house for some crazy initiation thing.4 more initiate → initiation:ceremony to accept someone's membership into an organization Show general definition for initiate (as in: initiate into the fraternity) to accept someone's membership into an organization -- typically in a ceremony -- sometimes including a period of instruction and/or test
	5	top 1000
interveneget involved They do not like America to intervene in the Middle East.more Show sample from book I wish my dad was here to intervene. But he went directly to his study to check his e-mails right after coming home. I wish he'd act as a referee instead of sitting on the sidelines.4 more Show general definition for intervene (as in: intervened in the war) the process of getting involved to influence an outcome The exact meaning of intervention can depend upon its context. For example: "intervention program for at-risk youth" -- a process of trying to influence the direction of someone's life "medical intervention" -- action taken to improve a medical outcome "military intervention" -- interference by a government in affairs of another government (in this case to interfere militarily) "had a family intervention" -- an organized meeting of family members to encourage someone (who is often surprised) to recognize and work at solving a problem such as substance abuse
	3	top 200
inevitablecertain to happen It is as inevitable as death and taxes.more Show sample from book There's no use in delaying the inevitable.2 more what is certain to happen Show general definition certain to happen (even if one tried to prevent it)
	5	top 1000
intimidateintimidate → intimidated:made afraid (of being inadequate) I was intimidated on my first day at the job, but I'm comfortable now.more Show sample from book His eyes focus on me, trying to intimidate.4 more threaten; or make fearful of inadequacy Show general definition to cause fear, nervousness, or a sense of inadequacy
	4	top 1000
commotiondisturbance I looked up to see what caused the commotion.more Show sample from book Throwing the covers back, I rush out of bed and run down the stairs to see what the commotion is all about.†3 more noisy disturbance Show general definition a disturbance -- typically noisy
	2	top 100
adaptadapt → adapted:changed (to fit this situation) Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.more Show sample from book You adapt to your environment, I adapt to mine.† change to fit a different situation; or make suitable Show general definition for adapt (as in: adapted to the new rules) changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
	5	top 2000
harassharass → harasses:persistently bothers This man harasses his female co-workersmore Show sample from book But I heard about you harassing a female student in the parking lot today.4 more harass → harassing:persistently annoying Show general definition to repeatedly bother or attack
	5	top 2000
suburbanin an area located near the outer edge of a city where it isn't so crowded I want a suburban home with a white picket fence and a big yard.more Show sample from book You suburban gangstas are too soft.4 more relating to a residential area located near the outer edge of a city where it isn't so crowded Show general definition relating to a residential area located near the outer edge of a city where it isn't as crowded
	6
solar systeman area that includes a star and everything that revolves around it Our solar system includes the Sun, eight planets, their moons, and many smaller objects like asteroids.more Show sample from book You two have to date or the solar system would go out of alignment.5 more the sun with the planets and other astronomical objects that revolve around it Show general definition the area that includes the sun (or any star) and everything that revolves around it
	3
neutralwith the gears unengaged Put the car in neutral and we'll push it.more Show sample from book You didn't put it in neutral.2 more so the gears are unengaged Show general definition for neutral (as in: Put the car in neutral.) gears are not engaged; or (metaphorically) nothing is happening
	3
short-livedlasting a short time The band's initial success was short-lived, and they faded from the charts within a year.more Show sample from book Enjoying the music is short-lived, though, when I feel my phone vibrate.†2 more
	2	top 2000
goadgoad → goaded:provoked (angered or annoyed) She goaded him into an argument.more Show sample from book Paco wiggles the offending taco, goading me.1 more goad → goading:provoking (making angry) Show general definition to provoke or annoy someone into doing something—often something unwise or: to prod an animal to move, or the stick used to do so
	1	top 100
omitomit → omitted:left out She recounted the whole story except that she omitted names.more Show sample from book "Okay," I say, omitting the fact that I got stuck with Alex as a partner.† omit → omitting:to exclude or neglect something Show general definition to exclude or neglect something
	2
sensualrelating to pleasing the body's senses The novel described the scene with sensual detail, focusing on textures and scents.more Show sample from book "Nice," I say, thinking about how sensual it was.†1 more Show general definition relating to pleasing the body's senses (in contrast to the intellect)