A Man Named Dave — Vocabulary
Dave Pelzer
(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
	13	top 2000
probeinvestigation There was a congressional probe into the scandal.more Show sample from book In all the years I had known him, Harold had never asked such a probing question.†p.179.112 more probe → probing:investigating Show general definition to investigate closely; or a tool or device used to explore, examine, or gather information
	9	top 1000
adamantdetermined not to change a decision Despite her friends’ attempts to persuade her, Jane remained adamant in her decision to pursue a career in the arts.more Show sample from book "No one," Steve adamantly stated.†p.71.58 more adamant → adamantly:with determination not to change a decision or belief Show general definition determined not to change a decision or belief
	8	top 1000
intimidateintimidate → intimidated:made afraid (of being inadequate) I was intimidated on my first day at the job, but I'm comfortable now.more Show sample from book Part of the reason was that I felt enormously intimidated in front of other people.†p.61.27 more intimidate → intimidated:fearful or threatened Show general definition to cause fear, nervousness, or a sense of inadequacy
	6	top 1000
compassionsympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help If I see one hungry child, I feel compassion, but when I hear of a million hungry children, I'm overwhelmed and turn my mind to other things.more Show sample from book Steve paused, then switched the focus off of Mother's total lack of compassion.†p.72.15 more Show general definition sympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help
	6	top 1000
dismaydismay → dismayed:sad, disappointed, or worried Don't be dismayed. I have a solution.more Show sample from book On the lighter side, they were dismayed at my naivete and ignorance.†p.30.65 more dismay → dismayed:to feel sadness, disappointment, or worry Show general definition to feel sadness, disappointment, or worry -- typically in response to something surprising
	7	top 2000
deployplace They will probably deploy troops along the eastern border.more Show sample from book We'll make it a no-notice deployment.†p.198.16 more deploy → deployment:placing or activating Show general definition to place or activate a resource
	4	top 200
comprehendcomprehend → comprehends:fully understands I don't think she comprehends how dangerous this has become.more Show sample from book It took me more than half a dozen tries to comprehend the contents of the letter.†p.55.13 more understand -- especially to understand it completely Show general definition to understand something -- especially to understand it completely
	6	top 1000
elatedhappy and excited I felt elated the first day of summer break.more Show sample from book As elated as I was, I sensed that my freedom was a hollow victory.†p.29.25 more had a feeling of happiness and excitement Show general definition full of happiness and excitement
	4	top 200
enableenable → enables:makes possible The test enables earlier identification of autism.more Show sample from book After more than two years of being a field cook, I was reassigned to the training section of the squadron, enabling me to work a basic eight-to-five schedule.†p.127.73 more enable → enabling:making possible Show general definition to make possible in various senses, including: to give someone the ability, knowledge, or authority to do something -- as in "The study will enable an informed discussion." to activate a computer system for use -- as in "You can enable the feature in the Settings Page." to permit someone to repeat bad behavior, so they reinforce the bad pattern -- as in "I don't want to enable her drug addiction."
	5	top 1000
sereneserene → serenely:calmly and peacefully While I lie awake worrying, she sleeps serenely.more Show sample from book The more I stared through the Plexiglas, the more the faces and serenity of my parents faded away.†p.43.84 more serene → serenity:untroubled calm Show general definition calm and untroubled
	3	top 100
evaluateevaluate → evaluating:thinking carefully and making a judgment about I'm evaluating colleges and deciding which I want to apply to.more Show sample from book If you continue on your present course, I will have no alternative but to have you undergo psychiatric evaluation for possible medical discharge.†p.47.12 more evaluate → evaluation:the process of thinking carefully and making a judgment about something Show general definition to think carefully and make a judgment about something
	10	top 1000
vindictiveinclined to seek revenge or desirous of hurting others Not being vindictive by nature, Grant did what he could to see that the Confederate prisoners were treated well.more Show sample from book As a child, I lived with Mother for only twelve years, while my brothers had to endure her vindictiveness until they were at least eighteen.†p.131.29 more vindictive → vindictiveness:desirous of seeking revenge or wanting to hurt someone Show general definition desirous of seeking revenge or wanting to hurt someone
	1	top 2000
vengeancerevenge Most Americans wanted vengeance after the 9-11 attacks.more Show sample from book If I could just strip through the layers of vengeance ... With true sincerity, I gently probed, "What happened?"†p.211.61 more the act of taking revenge Show general definition for vengeance (as in: vengeance is mine) the act of taking revenge (Revenge means to harm someone to get them back for something harmful that they have done.)
	1
with a vengeancewith intensity I thought I was getting over my cold and went to work, but it came back with a vengeance.more Show sample from book By the evil smile I knew The Mother had returned with a vengeance.†p.86.71 more Show general definition for with a vengeance (as in: with a vengeance) with intensity
	5
berateberate → berating:criticizing severely or angrily Nobody likes to work with her. She is always berating her colleagues.more Show sample from book However, as much as I tried, it seemed that I could do nothing right for my two hard-nosed supervisors, who berated me every minute of the day.†p.59.34 more berate → berated:criticized severely or angrily Show general definition criticize severely or angrily
	2	top 500
camaraderieclose friendship amongst a group of people Basketball encourages teamwork and camaraderie.more Show sample from book He seemed proud to join the elite force, and I felt that its camaraderie and values of duty and honor would serve Russell well.†p.132.71 more
	3	top 2000
appeasesatisfy or pacify (bring peace and calm among) The President is thought to have made the statement to appease the party faithful.more Show sample from book Mother seemed to attempt to appease Grandmother but only to a limit.†p.123.32 more satisfy or pacify (make less angry or upset) Show general definition satisfy or pacify (make less angry or upset) -- typically by giving something wanted Show editor's word notes For example, a salesperson might give a discount coupon to appease an angry customer; or you might grab a quick snack to appease your hunger.
	3	top 2000
eulogyformal speech praising someone at their funeral She gave the eulogy at his funeral.more Show sample from book As I bowed my head, I realized: That was my father's entire eulogy.†p.107.52 more formal expression of praise -- typically speeches delivered at someone's funeral Show general definition a formal expression of praise -- typically a speech given at someone's funeral Show editor's word notes A eulogy almost always refers to someone who has recently died, but it is also used under other circumstances. A related word, eulogize (to speak or write a eulogy praising someone or something), may be even more commonly used in non-death circumstances than in circumstances of death.
	1	top 1000
phasephase → phases:periods of time or stages during the development of something It is a planned community that will be built in 5 phases.more Show sample from book By mid-January 1991, as the air force generals briefed us on the probable losses during the initial phase of the air campaign, the possibility of losing every third person opened my eyes.p.247.11 more stage (of the development of something) Show general definition for phase (as in: a critical phase) a period of time or a stage during the development of something
	1	top 1000
phase#2phase → phased:gradually [added] The increase in electricity rates will be phased in over the next two years.more Show sample from book For almost a year as the SR-71 was being phased out, I had signed paperwork swearing to absolute secrecy about my involvement with the Stealth program, even though the aircraft had already been revealed to the public.p.239.21 more phase → phased:gradually eliminated Show general definition for phase (as in: phased out over three years) make a change gradually (phase in = gradually add; phase out = gradually removed)