Divergent — Vocabulary
Veronica Roth
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
184 top 1000
factionsub-group of people (in this novel, 1 of 5 groups into which people are divided)
And tomorrow, at the Choosing Ceremony, I will decide on a faction; I will decide the rest of my life; I will decide to stay with my family or abandon them.p.2.6183 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
It was a fight between the moderate and progressive factions of the Democratic Party.more
faction → factions:sub-groups
Show general definition a sub-group with some interests not shared by the entire group
368 top 2000
dauntdaunt → dauntless:in this novel, the group of people who most prize bravery
In front of it is a large metal sculpture that the Dauntless climb after school, daring each other to go higher and higher.p.5.1367 more
Show context notes The suffix "-less" in dauntless means without. This is the same pattern you see in words like fearless, homeless, and endless.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
It is a challenge that would daunt a lesser diplomat.more
discourage or intimidate
Show general definition to discourage or intimidate
163
abnegateabnegate → abnegation:in this novel, the group of people that practice self-denial
But she must hide that beauty in Abnegation.p.3.1162 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The monk chose to abnegate all worldly pleasures to focus entirely on spiritual growth.more
give up
Show general definition to renounce or reject -- often self-denial of luxuries
The exact meaning of abnegate can depend upon its context. For example:
  • "to abnegate his responsibilities as a father" -- to reject or ignore a duty
  • "to practice self-abnegation" -- to deny oneself (voluntarily give something up such as a luxury)
  • "to abnegate her faith" -- to reject a belief
  • "to abnegate her legal rights" -- to give up a claim, title, or position of power
117 top 2000
eruditein this novel, the group of people who most prize deep scholarly knowledge
At another set of tables, the Erudite chatter over books and newspapers, in constant pursuit of knowledge.p.9.2116 more
Show context notes Outside of this novel, erudite is not capitalized and describes someone as "having or showing deep scholarly knowledge".
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She is an erudite professor.more
very knowledgeable in an academic way
Show general definition having or showing deep scholarly knowledge
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candidcandid → candor:in this novel, the group of people who most highly value honesty and directness
And there your insistence upon dishonesty ruled out Candor.p.21.660 more
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Don't worry about my feelings. I'd like your candid opinion.more
honest and direct
Show general definition for candid (as in: your candid opinion) honest and direct
33
amityin this novel, the group of people to whom it is most important to be friendly and live in peace
A group of Amity girls in yellow and red sit in a circle on the cafeteria floor, playing some kind of hand-slapping game involving a rhyming song.p.9.232 more
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If we cannot be close friends, we can at least live in amity.more
a state of friendly relations
Show general definition a state of friendly relations
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divergediverge → divergent:different
...and my mother warned me about, the danger of being Divergent.p.23.749 more
Show context notes In this novel, Divergent is capitalized and refers to "people who are different because they don't fit neatly into any of the five groups of people into which the population is divided." Outside the novel, divergent is not capitalized and means "different". It is more commonly encountered as the verb diverge--meaning "to move apart or become different."
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The two paths diverge here.more
move apart
Show general definition to move apart; or be or become different
115 top 500
simulatesimulate → simulation:something that is not real, but is made to imitate or behave like something that is
I feel Tobias brushing my hair back before the first simulation. I hear him telling me to be brave. I hear my mother telling me to be brave. … I am brave.p.444.7114 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
A computer model is used to simulate the effects of wind.more
imitate or represent
Show general definition make an imitation or representation of
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accompanyaccompany → accompanied:escorted (in the company of)
"You are only permitted to leave the compound when accompanied by a Dauntless," Eric adds.p.70.82 more
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The nurse accompanies the old woman everywhere.more
accompany → accompanies:travels with
Show general definition for accompany (as in: accompany on the journey) to travel along with
2 top 100
accompany#2accompany → accompanied:went with
I shake my head. Courageous? Courageous would have been admitting weakness and leaving Dauntless, no matter what shame accompanied it.p.308.92 more
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The trend is easily seen in the accompanying graph.more
accompany → accompanying:provided together
Show general definition for accompany (as in: the accompanying chart) to be present with at the same time and/or location -- sometimes provided to make something more complete or better
6 top 500
warycautious (with a tendency to avoid it)
My parents love each other, but they rarely show affection like this in front of us. They taught us that physical contact is powerful, so I have been wary of it since I was young.p.32.95 more
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She was taught to be wary of strangers.more
distrustful
Show general definition careful or nervous about something
7 top 1000
beckonbeckon → beckons:calls (to come nearer by using a hand gesture or a nod)
When Christina catches my eye, she beckons to me, smiling, so my mother and I cross the Pit floor.p.183.16 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
With a nod of her head, she beckoned me to join them.more
beckon → beckoned:called
Show general definition to call -- typically to ask or tell someone to come nearer by using a hand gesture or a nod of the head
8 top 1000
determinedfirm in purpose
More than that, I want to remember why I came here, and why I was so determined to stay here that I would jump off a building for it, even before I knew what being Dauntless was.p.262.916 more
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I'm determined to become a lawyer.more
firmly planning
6 top 10
determinedetermine → determined:decided (after investigation)
Decades ago our ancestors realized that it is not political ideology, religious belief, race, or nationalism that is to blame for a warring world. Rather, they determined that it was the fault of human personality—of humankind's inclination toward evil, in whatever form that is.p.42.416 more
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They are working to determine the cause of the accident.more
learn or discover
Show general definition for determine (as in: determined she is guilty) to learn, discover, or decide
3 top 500
determine#2determine → determines:controls
That will be your final test, which determines your ranking for stage three.p.297.816 more
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The research paper determines 50% of the class grade.more
Show general definition for determine (as in: this game determines the champion) to control (how something will turn out)
5 top 1000
tauntintentionally upset
If Peter tries to taunt me, she will defend me.p.124.14 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She used Twitter to taunt the opposing candidate.more
intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone
Show general definition to intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone -- especially by mocking them or hurling insults

or (as a noun): an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone
48 top 500
initiateinitiate → initiation:the process of being accepted into an organization
...and we will become members if we complete initiation.p.39.9165 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The photo is from the ceremony when she was initiated into the sorority.more
initiate → initiated:accepted into the group in a special ceremony
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
118
initiate#2initiate → initiates:potential new members
We are not called members yet; our decisions today will make us initiates,p.39.9165 more
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Initiates will be formally accepted and presented at the ceremony on Friday.more
initiate → initiates:new members
Show general definition for initiate (as in: She is a new initiate.) someone who has formally started in an organization, or been introduced to or attained some expertise in a particular field
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aptitudenatural ability
Today is the day of the aptitude test that will show me which of the five factions I belong in.p.2.534 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She took an online career aptitude test and then a career interest test.more
1
sustenanceessential support
I do not know what life will be like, separated from a faction—it feels disengaged, like a leaf divided from the tree that gives it sustenance.p.487.7
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The farmers relied on the fertile land for their daily sustenance.more
food
Show general definition food or something else that supports or strengthens the body or spirit; or the support provided