Looking for Alaska — Vocabulary
John Green
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	18	top 1000
expelexpel → expulsion:the act of forcing out (in this case, kicking someone out of school) Her records show expulsion from two schools.more Show sample from book She was stupid; she got caught; she got expelled; it's over.†p.42.917 more expel → expelled:forced out Show general definition force out especially in 2 primary senses: kicking someone out of an organization -- such as a school or country squeezing something to eliminate a liquid or gas
	7	top 500
condescendingacting superior She gave me that condescending look as though I wasn't worthy to ask her a question.more Show sample from book "He has no right to condescend to us is all I'm saying," Alaska said, continuing her conversation with the Colonel.†p.42.56 more condescending → condescend:to treat others as inferior; or to do something considered beneath one's position or dignity Show general definition treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
	4	top 1000
haphazardwithout pattern or planning She seemed to have a most haphazard system of record keeping.more Show sample from book Her library filled her bookshelves and then overflowed into waist-high stacks of books everywhere, piled haphazardly against the walls.†p.15.43 more Show general definition without pattern or planning
	3	top 500
monopolycomplete control of a product The company was accused of trying to create a monopoly by buying out all its competitors.more Show sample from book I stared at him for a moment, and then said, "I kissed her that night, and I've got a monopoly on that."†p.185.22 more complete control over a product, service, or resource Show general definition complete control over a product, service, or resource -- usually by a single person, company, or group
	2	top 100
primarilymainly Did the author mention multiple companies primarily to demonstrate diversity of solutions or to show that interest in the industry is widespread?more Show sample from book Primarily because I towered over the rest of the players, I nearly made it onto the T-ball all-star team that year.†p.45.51 more Show general definition mainly (most importantly)
	3	top 1000
subversiongradual destruction The Chinese activist was imprisoned for encouraging subversion of state power.more Show sample from book Well, it is certainly important to subvert the patriarchal paradigm, and I suppose this is a way.†p.208.72 more subversion → subvert:to gradually destroy or change the purpose of something -- such as a government, institution, or rule Show general definition gradual destruction (of something previously established) -- such as a government, rule, or belief
	2	top 200
malicemalice → malicious:evil; or made with the intent to make others suffer I am not interested in hearing malicious gossip.more Show sample from book And then he stared at me in a manner that was either serious or seriously malicious.†p.21.91 more malice → malicious:the intention or desire to see others suffer Show general definition the intention or desire to see others suffer
	2	top 200
plausiblesounding reasonable She offered a plausible excuse.more Show sample from book For the first time, the Colonel's theory seemed plausible.†p.162.91 more apparently reasonable, but unproven Show general definition apparently reasonable, but unproven
	3	top 1000
albeitalthough (used to introduce a phrase that reduces or modifies the effect of what preceded it) She is just a person, albeit a very powerful person.more Show sample from book I don't know whether it was the general anxiety of being on a date (albeit one with my would-be date sitting five people away from me) or the specific anxiety of having the Beast stare in my direction, but for some reason, I took off running after Takumi.†p.63.22 more Show general definition although (used to introduce a phrase that reduces or modifies the effect of what preceded it)
	3	top 1000
endeavorendeavor → endeavored:tried or attempted I endeavored to get both sides to agree to a compromise.more Show sample from book She had the kind of eyes that predisposed you to supporting her every endeavor.†p.19.42 more to attempt; OR a project or activity attempted Show general definition to attempt; or a project or activity attempted
	2	top 500
ambiguousunclear because it could be interpreted in different ways The detective found the suspect’s statement ambiguous, unsure whether it was a confession or a denial.more Show sample from book And I vaguely remember Lara smiling at me from the doorway, the glittering ambiguity of a girl's smile, which seems to promise an answer to the question but never gives it.†p.64.91 more ambiguous → ambiguity:lack of clarity -- unclear because there could be two or more interpretations Show general definition unclear -- because there could be two or more interpretations
	2	top 500
nonchalantcalm and unconcerned I could tell she was nervous, but she was trying to look nonchalant.more Show sample from book "Yeah, but he doesn't really go into blitzkrieg mode until classes start," Chip said nonchalantly.†p.17.11 more nonchalant → nonchalantly:calmly (appearing unconcerned) Show general definition calm in manner -- appearing unconcerned
	2	top 500
perpetualcontinuing forever A perpetual flame burns beside the grave of John F. Kennedy.more Show sample from book By the third day, I abandoned my umbrella entirely and walked around in a perpetual state of wetness.†p.67.71 more continuing forever without change; OR occurring so frequently it seems constant Show general definition continuing forever without change; or occurring so frequently it seems constant
	4	top 2000
invincibleimpossible to defeat They believe their army is invincible.more Show sample from book The Great Perhaps was upon us, and we were invincible.†p.103.83 more impossible to defeat or overcome Show general definition impossible to defeat or overcome
	4	top 1000
paradigmparadigm → paradigms:conceptual models They are analyzing the problem with incompatible paradigms.more Show sample from book Well, it is certainly important to subvert the patriarchal paradigm, and I suppose this is a way.p.208.73 more way of looking at things Show general definition a conceptual model
	3	top 2000
euphemisma word or phrase that serves as a less harsh way of saying something unpleasant Passed away is a euphemism for died.more Show sample from book It hurt, and that is not a euphemism.†p.151.22 more a word or phrase that serves as a less harsh or less offensive way of saying something unpleasant Show general definition a word or phrase that serves as a less harsh or less offensive way of saying something unpleasant -- such as "passed away" rather than "died"
	2
cessationending The Security Council called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.more Show sample from book The Buddha said that suffering was caused by desire, we'd learned, and that the cessation of desire meant the cessation of suffering.†p.196.5 a stopping Show general definition a stopping
	2
epiphanysudden realization The struggle led to an epiphany.more Show sample from book I had an epiphany.p.69.11 more Show general definition a sudden realization -- especially one of importance Show editor's word notes James Joyce coined common use of the term from Christianity where it refers to the moment it was realized that Jesus was divine. When capitalized, "Epiphany" references that day twelve days after Christmas -- January 6th. The term was widely used by James Joyce in his critical writings, and the stories in Joyce's Dubliners are commonly called "epiphanies."
	2
veritableused for emphasis to introduce a dramatic metaphor All the pictures make the living room look like a veritable shrine to her children.more Show sample from book He was a veritable existential identity crisis, a male stripper with more aliases than a covert CIA agent.†p.203.91 more Show general definition used for emphasis: to describe one thing as almost like another (more intense) thing
	2
obligatoryrequired Attendance is obligatory.more Show sample from book I made the obligatory joke: "Don't grab my boob."†p.16.11 more Show general definition required (by rule, law, or expectation)