Hole in My Life — Vocabulary
Jack Gantos
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	14	top 2000
paroleconditional early release from imprisonment Being home by 10 pm is one of the conditions of my parole.more Show sample from book It means you can do anywhere from sixty days to six years, depending on your behavior and what the parole board thinks.13 more parole → parole board:group of people responsible for determining if early release from prison is permitted and if so, what conditions should be required of the prisoner Show general definition for parole (as in: released on parole) conditional early release from imprisonment in which a person is required to comply with special conditions
	7	top 2000
conspiracysecret plot She discovered a conspiracy to overthrow the government.more Show sample from book We plead guilty to one charge of conspiracy to distribute and they drop the rest.†6 more a secret agreement or plot Show general definition a secret agreement or plot -- especially to do something illegal or harmful
	2	top 10
illustratemake clear Pictures of flooding help to illustrate the problem of global warming.more Show sample from book At that moment he picked up a Yellow Pages from the stage and, to illustrate what the bullies did to him and his anger problem, ripped the book clean in half, tossing the two pieces over his shoulders.1 more help make clear Show general definition for illustrate (as in: as illustrated by this example) to help make clear -- typically by example
	3	top 500
motivationreason for doing something A generous commission structure provides motivation to our salespeople.more Show sample from book The first and most obvious was my daily entry section, which I filled with a wild stream of thoughts in a conscious effort to capture my honest feelings, true motivations, and crazed activities of each day.†2 more Show general definition the reason for doing something; or the level of desire to do something
	5	top 2000
probationperiod of being watched closely After breaking school rules, she was put on disciplinary probation for the rest of the semester.more Show sample from book Besides, there's a good chance you'll just get five years' probation.†4 more a period of testing Show general definition a period of time when a person is being tested or watched to see if they meet certain expectations or follow rules
	3	top 1000
remorseregret for doing something wrong There was no sign of remorse until the police caught her.more Show sample from book Ironically, in spite of all the fear and remorse and self-loathing, being locked up in prison is where I fully realized I had to change my life for the better, and in one significant way I did.†2 more deep regret for doing something that was wrong Show general definition a feeling of deep regret for doing something that was wrong Show editor's word notes Synonym comparison (if you're into word choice): Many consider the word remorse stronger than the word regret. Also, it is more personal. One might regret that their team lost the game, but feel remorse that they missed the bus and weren't there to help the team.
	2	top 1000
perilperil → perils:dangers The mountaineers faced many perils on their ascent to the summit, including treacherous icefalls and avalanches.more Show sample from book Their lives are ruined, but they have volunteered to speak with you all today about the perils of a criminal life.†1 more Show general definition danger
	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 I sat at the bar and read A Moveable Feast and cried with a kind of jealous disappointment because that beautiful time in history had passed me by and the contrast between the lush enchantment of Europe and my welfare-motel life was suddenly very sad indeed.† 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	top 1000
nurturehelp to develop We want older employees to help nurture the talents of new employees.more Show sample from book I just didn't have the confidence and determination to sit still and nurture them properly.†1 more help develop or grow Show general definition help develop or grow Show editor's word notes A particular sense of nurture is often contrasted with a particular sense of nature. In the comparison, nurture refers to external influences on a person's development such as being loved, cared for, and taught. Nature in contrast refers to the inherent genetic influences on a person's development. Studies of identical twins who grew up in different homes are used to better understand the influences of each.
	2	top 1000
frauddeception to get something illegally She was arrested for committing credit card fraud after using someone else’s account to buy expensive electronics.more Show sample from book I felt like a fraud.†1 more the act of deceiving someone for personal gain… Show general definition the act of deceiving someone for personal gain; or a person or thing that is not what it pretends or appears to be
	2	top 2000
incarcerateincarcerate → incarcerated:in prison or jail About 7 out each 1,000 Americans is incarcerated.more Show sample from book Earlier in their prison lives they had spent some time incarcerated where we were now going to school.†1 more incarcerate → incarcerated:put in prison, or otherwise confine Show general definition put in prison, or otherwise confine
	2	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 Plus, the lobby seemed a spiderweb of trapped psychotic poets and artists.†1 more related to psychosis or someone who suffers from a psychosis (any severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted) 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
omena sign of what would happen The sudden appearance of a black cat was considered an omen of bad luck by the superstitious villagers.more Show sample from book I never would have guessed that the visit from the prison alumni I laughed at in high school had been an omen of my future.†1 more sign of something about to happen Show general definition a sign of something about to happen
	1	top 200
sinisterevil They created a sinister plan to recruit terrorists.more Show sample from book The cadet laughed through the bullhorn, which made him seem as sinister as Poseidon was with Odysseus when he kept foiling his attempts to get home to Ithaca. evil, harmful, or frightening Show general definition evil or harmful; or making an evil or frightening impression
	2	top 2000
mediocreabout average The caliber of the students has gone from mediocre to above averagemore Show sample from book My grades had always been mediocre, and given that I had never finished eleventh grade, the private schools in San Juan wouldn't accept me as a senior.†1 more average or a bit below average in quality Show general definition average or a bit below average in quality
	2
furloughfurlough → furloughed:ordered not do come to work If a budget is not approved, non-essential Federal employees will be furloughed.more Show sample from book Other guys would get furloughs and not return—but were eventually caught.1 more furlough → furloughs:temporary releases from prison Show general definition a temporary leave from work, duty, or confinement, usually granted by an employer, the military, or an institution Show editor's word notes Furloughs are often without pay in private companies, but government workers are sometimes furloughed with pay, especially during shutdowns. A prison furlough is a temporary release from prison, usually for a specific reason, like visiting family or attending a funeral.
	2
exodusdeparture by a lot of people She refers to the departure of domestic migrants form California as the California exodus.more Show sample from book The white exodus was even more frantic now.1 more Show general definition a departure by a lot of people Show editor's word notes When used as a proper noun (capitalized), "Exodus" typically references the second book of the Old Testament or the story it includes about the departure of the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.
	1	top 200
ambivalentwith mixed feelings Polling indicates the public is ambivalent on the subject. Their opinions change depending upon the latest headlines.more Show sample from book I found myself crying, laughing, numb with depression, nervous and pacing, ambivalent, angry, and filled with self-loathing.† Show general definition having mixed feelings about something -- such as when part of you wants to do something and part of you does not
	1	top 1000
causticcapable of damaging or eating away (such as a strong acid) Don't get it on your skin. It's caustic.more Show sample from book But then I remembered the chair at Hemingway's house had been lodged in a manchineel tree and must have been coated with a little bit of the tree's caustic sap. damaging Show general definition for caustic (as in: a caustic chemical) damaging or harsh -- often of a corrosive chemical like a strong acid
	1	top 2000
tiradespeech of angry criticism She unleashed a stunning tirade that could be heard in the next room.more Show sample from book Parents made sure the kids were inside and the doors locked during these tirades.† tirade → tirades:speeches of angry criticism Show general definition a speech of angry criticism