The Best of Me — Vocabulary
Nicholas Sparks
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	18	top 100
focusconcentrate I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more Show sample from book He didn't know, but the more he tried to focus on what he'd actually seen, the more it began to slip away.p.149.120 more Show general definition for focus (as in: Turn your focus to question #2.) to direct attention or effort toward a single thing; or the ability to do so without getting distracted
	3	top 2000
focus#2into view (as an area of attention) The bridge collapse brought aging infrastructure into focus as a political issue.more Show sample from book Only slowly did the world come into focus again.p.283.220 more view (a state where something can be seen clearly) Show general definition for focus (as in: bring into focus; or out of focus) a state where something has come into view or can be seen clearly; or an adjustment made to permit a clear view
	6	top 2000
directwithout intervention from anything (in this case, not sun that is partially blocked or reflected) This flower does best in direct sunlight.more Show sample from book But that didn't stop him from making directly for the back room of his shack, where he kept all his weapons.p.205.56 more direct → directly:immediately Show general definition for direct (as in: directly above; or buy direct) without anything in between -- whether in time, space, or involvement
	1	top 100
direct#2straightforward I left them with direct instructions.more Show sample from book He'd said nothing to her directly, but thinking back, she realized that he'd probably had his suspicions.p.36.56 more direct → directly:in a straightforward manner (open and uncomplicated) Show general definition for direct (as in: gave a direct answer) straightforward -- often clear, open, or blunt in speech or behavior
	1	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book Ted started kicking him in the kidneys, yielding bursts of white-hot agony.p.287.21 more yield → yielding:producing Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
	1	top 100
yield#2give in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book The nurse wouldn't answer, and her expression was unyielding.p.297.31 more yield → unyielding:firm Show context notes The prefix "un-" in unyielding means not and reverses the meaning of yielding. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky. Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
	1	top 2000
positivecertain I'm positive I've seen her before.more Show sample from book "You're sure?" "Positive."p.169.81 more Show general definition for positive (as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
	1	top 100
positive#2positive → positively:in a good or beneficial manner Lower interest rates positively affected home sales.†more Show sample from book He sometimes felt guilty about having the Bonners followed, but he had to know whether he'd been able to make even the smallest positive difference in their lives.p.85.21 more good or beneficial Show general definition for positive (as in: had a positive effect) good or beneficial
	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 She evaluated his answer.†p.72.12 more evaluate → evaluated:thought carefully and made a judgment about Show general definition to think carefully and make a judgment about something
	4	top 500
economicsthe study of how limited resources are allocated in an attempt to satisfy unlimited wants I don't know much about economics, but I know her plan doesn't make sense.more Show sample from book Even her fancy economics degree from UNC didn't buy her a pass.†p.94.73 more the study of how limited resources are allocated in an attempt to satisfy unlimi…
	5	top 1000
suppresssuppress → suppressed:kept from spreading She claimed that Facebook suppressed and promoted news that met a political agenda.more Show sample from book "I suppose," he answered, and she had to suppress a smile.†p.68.14 more trying to keep under control Show general definition trying to keep under control The exact meaning of suppress can depend upon its context. For example: "suppressed the revolution" -- to stop others from doing something by force "suppressed a smile" -- kept something from happening "suppressed the story" -- kept news from spreading "suppressed her fear" -- controlled an emotion "suppressed the memory" -- avoided thinking about (perhaps even removed from conscious memory) Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Suppress and repress can be interchanged; though in psychology something that is repressed is done unconsciously while something that is suppressed is done voluntarily.
	4	top 1000
nonethelessin spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas) Sometimes she gets angry and loses her temper, but I love her nonetheless.more Show sample from book Nonetheless, he sounded glad to hear her voice.†p.110.73 more Show general definition in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nevertheless, all the same, still, and however.)
	6
pediatricrelated to medical care for children She hopes to become a pediatric nurse and work with young children in a hospital setting.more Show sample from book Despite her volunteer work at the Pediatric Cancer Center at Duke University Hospital, her life largely revolved around the kids.†p.25.65 more related to the branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of infants and children Show general definition of the branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of infants and children
	3	top 500
precedentan example from a prior time that justifies the belief If the looters are not punished, it will set a precedent that others can loot with impunity.more Show sample from book There was no precedent for a patient like Jared to be added to the waiting list.†p.301.82 more an example from a prior time Show general definition for precedent (as in: sets a precedent) an example from a prior time -- typically used to justify similar occurrences at a later time (especially a judicial decision)
	2	top 500
reminiscerecall fond memories My parents like to reminisce about their college days.more Show sample from book "We talked, we ate, we reminisced," he pointed out.†p.172.11 more reminisce → reminisced:to talk or think fondly about past experiences Show general definition to talk or think fondly about past experiences
	2	top 2000
irrevocableincapable of being undone We agreed not to take any irrevocable action until after the meeting.more Show sample from book And then he was gone, leaving her with the certainty that whatever the consequences, her life had already been irrevocably altered in ways she'd never imagined possible.†p.183.41 more irrevocable → irrevocably:in a manner that cannot be undone
	1	top 100
highlightemphasize (call attention to) The main purpose of this passage is to highlight the degree of income inequality.more Show sample from book The halogen streetlights cast an eerie glow on the macadam, highlighting the route that led to Rick's, taunting him with the possibility that he might never make it there.p.280.3 highlight → highlighting:emphasizing (drawing attention to) Show general definition for highlight (as in: highlight the main findings) emphasize (call attention to something)
	2
intersperseintersperse → interspersed:inserted at irregular intervals She interspersed the lecture with jokes and stories to keep the audience engaged.more Show sample from book On either side of the highway, farmhouses were set back from the road and interspersed with the occasional tobacco barn that had fallen into ruin.†p.41.31 more intersperse → interspersed:to place something at irregular intervals in something else… Show general definition to place something at irregular intervals in something else; or to mix two things irregularly
	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 At first, they clung to the hope that Amanda was simply going through a rebellious phase, and they tried to ignore it.p.18.81 more a stage in 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#2a period of time when someone exhibits unusual behavior When I was three, I went through a phase when I had an imaginary friend.more Show sample from book I saw it when she first came to see me, and I guess I hoped it was a phase, but the more she came to visit, the worse she seemed to be feeling.p.218.41 more Show general definition for phase (as in: she's going through a phase) a period of time when someone exhibits unusual behavior