Matched — Vocabulary
Ally Condie
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	7	top 500
simulateimitate or represent A computer model is used to simulate the effects of wind.more Show sample from book There's a rise in the curve on the tracker screen: a simulated hill.†p.113.76 more simulate → simulated:made an imitation or representation of Show general definition make an imitation or representation of
	2	top 10
contrastpoint to differences between Contrast winter in Panama with winter in Alaska.more Show sample from book In contrast, my mother looks flushed and angry.p.110.11 more contrast → in contrast:in a comparison that shows differences Show general definition for contrast (as in: contrast their writing styles) point to differences between; or compare to show differences
	5	top 1000
mischievousplayfully causing minor trouble The mischievous puppy kept stealing socks and hiding them under the couch.more Show sample from book Bram grins mischievously at me, still wearing his sleep-clothes.†p.23.94 more mischievous → mischievously:in a manner that playfully causes minor trouble Show general definition playfully causing minor trouble; or describing the smile of someone doing so Show editor's word notes Much less commonly, mischievous can reference real harm without any sense of fun. But in modern writing, that usage has largely shifted to other words like malicious, destructive, or damaging.
	4	top 1000
vulnerablevulnerable → vulnerable to:easily hurt by The computers are vulnerable to cyberattacks.more Show sample from book I don't know what made me do it now; perhaps Grandfather's death and what I've read in the woods have left me on edge and vulnerable.†p.100.23 more easily hurt or in need of help; OR easily influenced or subject to temptation Show general definition easily hurt or in need of help; or easily influenced or subject to temptation
	2	top 100
adaptadapt → adapted:changed (to fit this situation) Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.more Show sample from book The system tracks how soon we notice the changes and how quickly we adapt our sorts.†p.32.61 more change to fit a different situation; or make suitable Show general definition for adapt (as in: adapted to the new rules) changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
	3	top 500
empathythe understanding and sharing of others' feelings She lacks empathy and is very selfish.more Show sample from book "Her nephew," my mother said, her voice filled with empathy.†p.57.62 more the ability or tendency to understand or share in others' feelings Show general definition the ability, tendency, or act of understanding and sharing another's emotional state
	2	top 100
factorthing (that influenced a result) Cost was an important factor in our decision.more Show sample from book Coming across an unknown factor in the middle of an otherwise straightforward sort just when you thought you were done.p.287.41 more thing that affects a result or outcome Show general definition for factor (as in: It was the deciding factor.) something that affects a result or outcome Show editor's word notes You also may encounter x-factor or x factor--meaning "the most important thing that influences a result or outcome."
	3	top 1000
variablechangeable The weather in this region is highly variable, shifting from sunshine to thunderstorms within hours.more Show context notes The suffix "-able" in variable means able to be. This is the same pattern you see in words like breakable, understandable, and comfortable. Note that when "-able" is placed at the end of a word that ends in "Y", the "Y" is often replaced with "I" as in enviable and deniable. Show sample from book It was so intriguing; we could control so many variables.†p.342.72 more variable → variables:things that are able to change Show general definition able to change, or something that is able to change Show editor's word notes A variable in mathematics refers more specifically to a symbol that represents a value or a set of values.
	2	top 500
lamentlament → lamented:expressed grief about She lamented the loss.more Show sample from book My mother always laments the waste, since decayed leaves can be good fertilizer, just as my father laments the waste of the paper that could be recycled when he has to incinerate a library.†p.127.4 lament → laments:expresses grief or regret Show general definition to express grief or regret
	3	top 1000
reproachreproach → reproached:criticized and expressed disappointment She reproached him for treating his sister so thoughtlessly.more Show sample from book "Xander," his mother says next to him, amusement mingled with reproach in her voice.†p.6.72 more a criticism; or to express criticism Show general definition a criticism; or to express criticism or disappointment -- especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame Show editor's word notes The expression "beyond reproach" is often used to indicate that one must not only be careful to do everything right, but must be careful not to do anything that might make people suspect they did something wrong. For example, politicians often need to behave in a manner that is beyond reproach. "Beyond reproach" can also suggest that something is perfect. More rarely, it can also be used to suggest that someone is too powerful or too well-connected to criticize.
	2	top 500
irrationalunreasonable I have an irrational fear of spiders.more Show sample from book Suddenly and irrationally I am tempted to lie.†p.44.91 more irrational → irrationally:in a manner that is not reasonable Show general definition not reasonable
	2	top 1000
distortalter in an unnatural or untrue way These sunglasses distort my vision.more Show sample from book The rounded lid of the compact distorts my features a little, but it's still me.†p.7.31 more distort → distorts:to alter something in an unnatural or untrue way Show general definition to alter something in an unnatural or untrue way
	2	top 1000
impendingabout to happen She plans to spend more time on that after her impending retirement.more Show sample from book My father glances once at the sky, aware of the impending thunderstorm.†p.126.51 more Show general definition about to happen -- especially of something unpleasant or feared
	1	top 100
citecite → cited:quoted She cited census statistics to prove her point.more Show sample from book The Official sees the twist of my lips and launches into a list of examples, of ways I've broken with the Society's rules in the past two months—and she doesn't even know the worst of them—but she doesn't cite a single example from all the years before.p.341.69 more list Show general definition for cite (as in: cited from the President's speech) to mention something or quote someone (to make a point)
	9	top 2000
cite#2cite → cited:charged (with breaking the law) She was cited for speeding.more Show sample from book Obviously, when you talk to your grandfather, you will tell him that he will be cited if he mentions this to anyone else.p.48.89 more Show general definition for cite (as in: cited for speeding) to officially mention someone in a legal matter - especially to charge someone with breaking the law or to demand they appear in court
	10	top 200
anomalysomething outside of the range of what is normally expected They rate a nuclear event from 1 (an anomaly) to 7 (a major accident).more Show sample from book Aberrations live among us; they're not dangerous like Anomalies, who have to be separated from Society.†p.46.69 more anomaly → anomalies:things falling outside of what is normally expected
	8
optimalmost desirable possible Delivering the drug intravenously assures an optimal concentration of the drug.more Show sample from book I smile back at him and give him the best greeting we have in the Society "I wish you optimal results," I tell Xander.†p.8.57 more Show general definition most desirable possible -- often given the circumstances
	2	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 The Officials don't often allow a deviation from the usual free-rec options; but on the eve of someone's Final Banquet, visiting is encouraged and permitted.†p.26.81 more deviate → deviation:difference Show general definition for deviate (as in: deviate from the course) differ or change
	2	top 1000
transparenteasily observable They promised a transparent budgetary process.more Show sample from book If these walls weren't so thin and my life weren't so transparent, I could throw the glass against the wall, smash it with a rock, destroy with abandon and noise.p.309.71 more Show general definition for transparent (as in: transparent decision making) easily observable or understood
	1	top 100
correlatecorrelate → correlation:a relationship between two things so that one can be predicted from the other My opponent is confusing correlation with causation. Just because kids who play violent video games are also more likely to behave violently, doesn't mean the video games cause the violence.more Show context notes Just because you can guess 'A' from 'B' doesn’t mean 'A' changes 'B.' Something else, like 'C,' might affect both, and that’s why 'A' can be guessed from 'B.' For example, children with larger shoe sizes are likely to know more math. It's not that shoe size helps with math, it's that older children tend to have larger feet and know more math. Show sample from book The Officials in our new village checked my data; it correlated with my parents' statement.p.363.8 correlate → correlated:agreed or matched Show context notes Just because you can guess 'A' from 'B' doesn’t mean 'A' changes 'B.' Something else, like 'C,' might affect both, and that’s why 'A' can be guessed from 'B.' For example, children with larger shoe sizes are likely to know more math. It's not that shoe size helps with math, it's that older children tend to have larger feet and know more math. Show general definition to find or have a connection or relationship between two things, such that a change in one helps predict a change in the other Show editor's word notes Just because you can guess 'A' from 'B' doesn’t mean 'A' changes 'B.' Something else, like 'C,' might affect both, and that’s why 'A' can be guessed from 'B.' For example, children with larger shoe sizes are likely to know more math. It's not that shoe size helps with math, it's that older children tend to have larger feet and know more math.