The Maze Runner — Vocabulary
James Dashner
(Auto-generated)

Word Set

Samples

Sort By

Further limit words

by chapter of first use

to Show all

by difficulty

to (9 is most difficult)

by interest

underline any show only

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	17	top 100
focusconcentrate I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more Show sample from book Thomas snapped out of his daze and focused on Newt, who'd been talking for who knew how long; Thomas hadn't heard a word of it.p.77.121 more focus → focused:concentrated Show general definition for focus (as in: Turn your focus to question #2.) to direct attention or effort toward a single thing; or the ability to do so without getting distracted
	5	top 2000
focus#2into view (as an area of attention) The bridge collapse brought aging infrastructure into focus as a political issue.more Show sample from book He squinted, trying to make out what was on the other side, then gasped when it came into focus.p.70.121 more view (a state where something can be seen clearly) Show general definition for focus (as in: bring into focus; or out of focus) a state where something has come into view or can be seen clearly; or an adjustment made to permit a clear view
	3	top 200
tracea tiny quantity or indication There was not a trace of the defendant's DNA at the crime scene.more Show sample from book "The code?" Frypan repeated, his voice lighting up with a trace of hope.p.306.47 more small sign or indication Show general definition for trace (as in: found a trace of) a small quantity; or any indication or evidence of The exact meaning of this sense of trace depends upon its context. For example: a small indication that something was present -- as in "The plane disappeared somewhere over the Pacific Ocean without leaving a trace." a very small amount of something -- as in "The blood test showed a trace of steroids." any evidence of something -- as in "We did not find a trace of the gene."
	5	top 1000
trace#2draw (by following the image) She didn't have a camera or a copier, so she used a pencil to trace an outline of the picture on thin paper.more Show sample from book They got to work, tracing from original Maps to wax paper, one by one, trying to keep it clean and correct while hurrying as fast as possible.p.276.17 more trace → tracing:copying Show general definition for trace (as in: trace a picture or outline) copy the lines of an image; or draw an outline; or carefully draw a specific pattern This sense of trace has to do with drawing, but it's specific meaning depends on its context. For example: copying the outline of an image "She used tracing paper to make a copy." -- paper you can see through, so that when it is placed on a picture, you can use a pencil to follow the lines of the image being copied "She projected the image onto the wall, hung a sheet of paper there, and traced the projected image onto the paper." -- followed the lines with her pencil draw an outline or a specific pattern "She used her toe to trace half the fish symbol in the sand." -- draw a simple outline "The child used a stick to trace circles and swirls in the mud." -- draw "She used her finger to trace his name in the sand." -- draw
	14	top 1000
banishbanish → banished:forced to leave He was banished from his own country.more Show sample from book But now he was gone, Banished to the world of the Grievers, taken to wherever they took their prey, victim to whatever was done there.p.96.313 more banish → banished:expelled from the community Show context notes In this book, banished is capitalized and refers to a specific legal penalty, but the underlying meaning is the same. Show general definition to expel or get rid of in various senses, including: to force someone to leave a country as punishment to push an idea from the mind
	3	top 500
resolveresolve → resolved:decided This year I resolved to lose a pound a week for 5 weeks.more Show sample from book The code seemed like their only hope now, and he resolved to focus on that.p.286.95 more Show general definition for resolve (as in: I resolved to stop drinking.) to decide -- typically a firm or formal decision Show editor's word notes In modern writing resolve is typically used to emphasize a firm or formal decision. In classic literature, it is used more frequently and often simply replaces decide or determine.
	3	top 500
resolve#2determination (firmness of purpose) She never waivered in her resolve to attend a good college.more Show sample from book Where this sudden courage and resolve came from, he had no idea.p.16.75 more determination Show general definition for resolve (as in: Her resolve weakened.) firmness of purpose (strong determination to do something)
	1	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 However, if there was one thing his gut told him, it was not to admit to any doubt.p.322.32 more though (used to connect contrasting ideas) 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.
	2	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 He felt the slightest hint of peace, as fleeting as it was, and tried to enjoy it for however long it might last.p.319.92 more however → however long:whatever length of time Show general definition for however (as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
	2	top 2000
positivecertain I'm positive I've seen her before.more Show sample from book He was almost positive the smell would bring back some sort of pleasant memory, but nothing came.p.64.92 more Show general definition for positive (as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
	1	top 100
positive#2positive → positively:in a good or beneficial manner Lower interest rates positively affected home sales.†more Show sample from book Thomas waited, hoping that Newt or Alby would have a positive reaction to the news, maybe even have further information to shed light on the mystery.p.230.92 more good Show general definition for positive (as in: had a positive effect) good or beneficial
	9	top 1000
suppresssuppress → suppressed:kept from spreading She claimed that Facebook suppressed and promoted news that met a political agenda.more Show sample from book Chuck suppressed a laugh by putting his hand over his mouth.p.31.18 more suppress → suppressed:stopped Show general definition trying to keep under control The exact meaning of suppress can depend upon its context. For example: "suppressed the revolution" -- to stop others from doing something by force "suppressed a smile" -- kept something from happening "suppressed the story" -- kept news from spreading "suppressed her fear" -- controlled an emotion "suppressed the memory" -- avoided thinking about (perhaps even removed from conscious memory) Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Suppress and repress can be interchanged; though in psychology something that is repressed is done unconsciously while something that is suppressed is done voluntarily.
	6	top 200
mockmock → mocked:made fun of She was upset when he mocked her.more Show sample from book And then, as if his brain were mocking him, trying to make it worse, he had a thought.p.75.45 more mock → mocking:making fun of Show general definition for mock (as in: don't mock me) make fun of (ridicule--sometimes by imitating in an exaggerated manner) or (more rarely): just to make fun or to be ridiculous without targeting anyone as a victim Show editor's word notes These senses of mockery come together when a comedian pokes fun at a politician by pretending to be the politician and saying ridiculous things.
	5	top 100
analyzeexamine in detail to better understand Analyze the situation and tell me what you think we should do.more Show sample from book Buy time to analyze the Maze.p.244.64 more examine to better understand Show general definition to examine and consider something in detail to better understand it
	8	top 1000
variablechangeable The weather in this region is highly variable, shifting from sunshine to thunderstorms within hours.more Show context notes The suffix "-able" in variable means able to be. This is the same pattern you see in words like breakable, understandable, and comfortable. Note that when "-able" is placed at the end of a word that ends in "Y", the "Y" is often replaced with "I" as in enviable and deniable. Show sample from book Like I said, they wanted to test us, see how we'd react to what they call the Variables, and to a problem that has no solution.†p.304.67 more variable → variables:things that are able to change Show general definition able to change, or something that is able to change Show editor's word notes A variable in mathematics refers more specifically to a symbol that represents a value or a set of values.
	4
telepathycommunication from one mind to another without using the known senses My dog is so good at knowing what I'm thinking, you'd think she had canine telepathy.more Show sample from book I think someone altered our brains, put something in there so we could do this telepathy thing.p.283.53 more communication without using the known senses Show general definition communication from one mind to another without using the known senses (often used in fiction but not scientifically supported as real)
	3	top 2000
palpablesubstantial The tension in the room was palpable.more Show sample from book Everyone immediately ran forward, forming a packed crowd around her, a palpable excitement hovering in the air.†p.55.32 more very apparent Show general definition very apparent (so strong, it almost seems to take a material form that can be touched) Show editor's word notes "Palpable" is frequently used to describe the intensity of an emotion shared between people who can see each other. The implication is that the emotion is so strong, it almost takes a material form that can be touched.
	3	top 2000
psychoticsomeone who suffers from a psychosis (any severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted) She is borderline psychotic.more Show sample from book And what if he became as psychotic as Ben?p.146.22 more like someone who has lost contact with reality Show general definition related to psychosis or someone who suffers from a psychosis (any severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted)
	2	top 2000
stupora state in which there is little ability to think Someone stole her purse while she was in a drunken stupor.more Show sample from book More pain snapped Thomas out of his stupor.p.346.71 more Show general definition a state in which there is little ability to think -- as from being very sleepy, drunk, or stunned
	2	top 2000
trepidationnervousness She began her first day at the new school with some trepidation.more Show sample from book Thomas felt one final moment of trepidation, a quick slice of fear through his body, and then it vanished.p.29.31 more Show general definition nervousness (fear or anxiety about what will happen)