The Contender — Vocabulary
Robert Lipsyte
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
2 top 500
congregationpeople who worship together in the same building
It's a casual congregation where many people wander into services late.more
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The other members of the congregation turned to watch her, as they always did, and most of them were smiling.1 more
Show general definition for congregation (as in: the congregation voted) people who worship together in the same building
2 top 1000
sereneserene → serenely:calmly and peacefully
While I lie awake worrying, she sleeps serenely.more
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The serene look on Aunt Pearl's face calmed him at first, then made him angrier. Sometimes you'd think she was deaf, dumb, and blind, he thought.1 more
calm and untroubled
Show general definition calm and untroubled
1 top 100
positivepositive → positively:in a good or beneficial manner
Lower interest rates positively affected home sales.†more
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Now if I really want to do something positive, I can do it right here in this country.†
good or beneficial
Show general definition for positive (as in: had a positive effect) good or beneficial
2 top 2000
probationperiod of being watched closely
After breaking school rules, she was put on disciplinary probation for the rest of the semester.more
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I'm on probation, they'll send me away this time.1 more
a period during which a criminal does not have to be in prison as long as they demonstrate good behavior and obey special restrictions
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
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twilightthe light from the sky in the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise)
It is a beautiful picture taken in twilight.more
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He waited on the stoop until twilight, pretending to watch the sun melt into the dirty gray Harlem sky.1 more
the time of day between daylight and darkness
Show general definition for twilight (as in: pink clouds in a twilight sky) the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise); or the light from the sky at that time
1 top 200
mockmock → mocked:made fun of
She was upset when he mocked her.more
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Angel's face, framed in the headguard, bobbed up, mocking him.
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.
1 top 500
perpetualcontinuing forever
A perpetual flame burns beside the grave of John F. Kennedy.more
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Henry limped down into the clubroom, dragging his crippled left leg, the perpetual grin spread across his skinny face.
occurring so frequently it seems continual (always there)
Show general definition continuing forever without change; or occurring so frequently it seems constant
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contracta written agreement that is enforceable by law
She signed the contract.more
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Couldn't sign a contract because I was underage, and my momma, your grandma, wouldn't sign for me.
Show general definition for contract (as in: legal contract) an agreement - typically written and enforceable by law
1 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
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He would be Mrs. McCormick, their public school principal, pressing his lips together until they almost disappeared, fluttering his eyelids.†
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
1 top 1000
gauntvery thin
She looked gaunt from the chemotherapy.more
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Bud's gaunt face seemed to get blacker.
very thin and bony
Show general definition very thin and bony -- often from hunger or as though having been worn to the bone
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sullenunhappy and withdrawn
She changed from a happy, outgoing child to sullen teenager.more
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Willie Streeter came back to the gym, sullen and overweight.
Show general definition for sullen (as in: a sullen mood) being unhappy (and often withdrawn)
1 top 2000
righteousrighteous → righteousness:moral correctness
The extremism is fed by unquestioned belief in the righteousness of their cause.more
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Has Alfred strayed from the path of righteousness?
righteous → righteousness:morally correct behavior
Show general definition for righteous (as in: a righteous cause) morally correct; or morally justified

or:

acting or feeling morally superior -- especially when it isn't true (this meaning is more typically seen as a compound word "self-righteous")
1 top 2000
tingedtinged → tinge:slight amount
I could hear a tinge of regret in his voice.more
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The last time he looked at the clock it was quarter to four, and the faintest tinge of pink was brushing the window.†
tinged → tinge:a slight amount; or to contain a slight amount
Show general definition with a slight amount

(If an amount of what is not clear from context, it is typically of color.)
1 top 2000
probeinvestigation
There was a congressional probe into the scandal.more
Show sample from book
Fingers probed.
probe → probed:pushed against or into to investigate
Show general definition to investigate closely; or a tool or device used to explore, examine, or gather information
8 top 2000
swaggerswagger → swaggered:walked and behaved in a highly confident manner
The team swaggered onto the court--full of confidence.more
Show sample from book
Major swaggered across the room, the metal tips on his pointed shoes clicking on the concrete floor.†7 more
swagger → swaggered:walked or behaved in a highly confident manner
Show general definition walk or behave in a highly confident or proud manner -- often arrogant and sometimes to impress or intimidate others
Show editor's word notes Swagger is often used to imply that someone moves or behaves as though they are so strong and capable as to be above physical fear. Such people are often portrayed on television as gang members or cowboys.
2
synagoguesynagogue → synagogues:Jewish houses of worship
They were arrested for planning to bomb a series of synagogues.more
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They close early on Friday to go to synagogue.1 more
a place of worship for a people of the Jewish faith
Show general definition a place of worship for a people of the Jewish faith
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unanimouswith everyone in complete agreement
It was a unanimous decision.more
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The bell rang, but neither of them heard it, grunting, straining, slugging, and then everyone was in the ring pulling them apart, grabbing their gloves....by unanimous decision ....Elston Hubbard.†
with everyone in agreement
Show general definition with everyone in agreement
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listlesslacking energy and normal enthusiasm
She was listless and bored.more
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The nationalist on the stepladder, his quick hands slashing through the air, was whipping his growing audience out of its morning listlessness.
listless → listlessness:lack of energy and normal enthusiasm
1
antiseptica substance used to clean wounds because it prevents infection by killing harmful micro-organisms such as bacteria
I washed the wound and then used alcohol as an antiseptic.more
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A quivering chill ran up his legs, and his teeth began to grind and a ball of ice formed in the pit of his stomach and he took a breath and plunged through the door, into the darkness, a choking, musty darkness that stank of stale wine and antiseptic and sweat and urine and liniment.†
a substance that prevents infection by killing harmful micro-organisms;…
Show general definition a substance that prevents infection by killing harmful micro-organisms; or (as an adjective) describing something very clean and free of germs
2
The Hudsonmajor river in eastern New York that flows south past New York City
The Hudson flows past the Statue of Liberty before reaching the Atlantic Ocean.more
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Off to the right, the Hudson River lay blue-green and quiet, glinting under the sun.†1 more
Show general definition 315-mile river that flows from the Adirondacks in upstate New York to Upper New York Bay on the west side of New York City