The Chrysalids — Vocabulary
John Wyndham
(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
	23	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 ...there was just a chance that one might encounter some kind of wild dog or cat. However, and as usual, the only creatures I heard were small ones, hurriedly making off.26 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.
	4	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 Sometimes he is clever enough to make a nearly-perfect imitation, so we have always to be on the look-out for the mistake he has made, however small, and when we see one it must be reported at once.26 more regardless of how Show general definition for however (as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
	30	top 2000
inquireask about or look into Students should contact our office to inquire about scholarship opportunities.more Show sample from book 'Feeling lonely?' he inquired.29 more inquire → inquired:asked Show general definition to ask about or look into something
	6	top 100
consequenceconsequence → consequences:results Your decision will have three major consequences.more Show sample from book Our district, and, consequently, our house as the first there, was called Waknuk because of a tradition that there had been a place of that name there, or thereabouts, long, long ago, in the time of the Old People.6 more consequence → consequently:resultantly (as a result) Show general definition for consequence (as in: a direct consequence of) a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
	1	top 1000
consequence#2consequence → consequential:important Think carefully. This is a consequential decision.more Show sample from book My father was a man of local consequence.6 more importance Show general definition for consequence (as in: of little consequence) importance or relevance
	7	top 2000
approachapproach → approaching:getting nearer Winter is approaching.more Show sample from book For a long time I sat on a stool, pressing my back against the wall so that nothing should approach me unaware.8 more come near Show general definition for approach (as in: approached the city) to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
	2	top 500
approach#2method (way of doing something) Perhaps I just need to work harder, but I may need an entirely different approach to the problem.more Show sample from book In faith father and son were at one; the difference between them was only in approach; the evangelical flash did not appear in my father's eye; his virtue was more legalistic.8 more technique (way of doing something) Show general definition for approach (as in: use the best approach) a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
	10	top 1000
incredulousdifficult to believe I find it incredulous that you believe she is sincere.more Show sample from book His eyes had become less incredulous, more accusing.9 more unbelieving Show general definition unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
	1	top 2000
positivecertain I'm positive I've seen her before.more Show sample from book It was odd, I felt, how many people seemed to have positive, if conflicting, information upon God's views.3 more Show general definition for positive (as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
	3	top 100
positive#2positive → positively:in a good or beneficial manner Lower interest rates positively affected home sales.†more Show sample from book As far as I was concerned a firm grasp of the negative in the cause of survival had been quite enough to occupy me; I was only just beginning to perceive the vacancy left by the absent positive.3 more good to do Show general definition for positive (as in: had a positive effect) good or beneficial
	8	top 500
inquiryinvestigation The school launched an official inquiry into the allegations of cheating.more Show sample from book It's part of the inspector's job to keep watch and call an inquiry if the information he gets seems to warrant it.'†7 more questioning or investigating Show general definition a question or investigation -- especially one meant to gather information or find out the truth
	2	top 100
negativenegative → negatively:in a bad or harmful manner Higher interest rates negatively affected home sales.more Show sample from book As far as I was concerned a firm grasp of the negative in the cause of survival had been quite enough to occupy me; I was only just beginning to perceive the vacancy left by the absent positive.2 more bad or harmful Show general definition for negative (as in: had a negative effect) bad or harmful
	1	top 100
negative#2indicated criticism or disagreement The responses to my plan were negative.more Show sample from book We did not, and because we did not, we had no positive — we were condemned to negatives, to not revealing ourselves, to not speaking when we would, to not using what we knew, to not being found out — to a life of perpetual deception, concealment, and lying.2 more negative → negatives:focusing on things not done--rather than on things done Show general definition for negative (as in: negative feedback from customers) to express criticism or disagreement, or (especially when talking over a radio or in a military setting) to say "no"
	6	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book Nevertheless, the question of Offences was not always as simple as one might think, and when there was disagreement the district's inspector could be sent for.†5 more Show general definition despite that 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 was just stated, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
	51	top 1000
deviatedeviate → deviated:strayed (changed) She never deviated from her goal of getting a good education and becoming a teacher.†more Show sample from book 'How long have you known that Sophie deviates?†50 more deviate → deviates:changes or differs Show general definition for deviate (as in: deviate from the course) differ or change
	11	top 2000
blasphemydisrespect of something considered sacred The government of the Muslim nation monitors major websites for blasphemy.more Show sample from book It is a blasphemy against the true Image of God, and hateful in the sight of God.10 more disrespectful of something considered sacred Show general definition something said or done that is disrespectful of something considered sacred -- especially God or religion
	5
ponderouslarge and not elegant (unwieldy or boring) The findings were presented in a ponderous three-volume report.†more Show sample from book We sat there with the whole heap quivering beneath us as the engine chugged ponderously on.†4 more ponderous → ponderously:large or of great weight; OR slow and unwieldy Show general definition large or of great weight; or slow and unwieldy -- especially because of size or boring -- especially because of length
	5
penancean act seeking forgiveness In some traditions, saying a prayer or performing a good deed can serve as penance for a sin.more Show sample from book Such penances had been sent before: the expulsion from Eden, the Flood, pestilences, the destruction of the Cities of the Plain, the Captivity.†4 more penance → penances:an act that shows sorrow for wrongdoing Show general definition an act that shows sorrow for wrongdoing -- such as expressing regret, asking for forgiveness, or trying to make up for the harm done
	4	top 2000
reprovereprove → reproves:criticizes She's the kind of boss who reproves in private and praises in public.more Show sample from book She perceived our confusion, and shook her head reprovingly.3 more reprove → reprovingly:in a critical manner Show general definition express disapproval or criticism -- typically in a mild manner & sometimes even in a friendly manner
	1	top 10
inferfigure out or guess by reasoning Which of the following facts can you infer from the first paragraph?more Show sample from book We've been wondering if anybody knows......You see, if they found out about him —' I let him draw the inference himself.† infer → inference:conclusion (reached by reasoning) Show general definition to figure out or guess by reasoning