The Longest Ride — Vocabulary
Nicholas Sparks
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	11	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 had to admit he was nervous at the prospect of her visit.†p.104.410 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.)
	10	top 2000
agonyintense suffering She was in agony from a toothache.more Show sample from book Though it sends up flares of agony, I try the windshield wipers, expecting nothing, but a moment later they push at the snow, leaving a thin layer of ice in their wake.†p.9.49 more Show general definition intense feelings of suffering -- can be from mental or physical pain
	5	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, remembering that he'd said the same thing last night—when he'd won.†p.122.44 more evaluate → evaluated:thought carefully and made a judgment about Show general definition to think carefully and make a judgment about something
	5	top 200
skepticaldoubtful I am skeptical about her plan.more Show sample from book Sophia made a skeptical face from her bed, where she was halfheartedly reviewing some Renaissance history notes.†p.23.34 more doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile); OR more rarely:… Show general definition doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile) or more rarely: generally tending to doubt what others believe
	3	top 10
implyimply → implied:hinted or suggested She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.more Show sample from book Why do I get the sense that you're a lot better than you're implying?†p.122.52 more imply → implying:suggesting (saying indirectly) Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
	5	top 1000
naivenaive → naïve:lacking the understanding or sophistication that comes from experience She criticized America's naïve foreign policy.more Show sample from book He wasn't naive, though.†p.2.94 more lacking experience or sophistication, and the understanding that comes from them Show general definition lacking experience or sophistication, and the understanding that comes from them -- often too trusting or optimistic
	4	top 500
earnestearnest → in earnest:in a serious manner I began training in earnest the summer before high school.more Show sample from book Marcia fixed her with an earnest expression.†p.25.23 more sincere or serious Show general definition characterized by sincere belief or: intensely or excessively serious or determined
	4	top 500
scrutinyscrutiny → scrutinized:looked very carefully at She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.more Show context notes The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize. Show sample from book But as far as she could tell, their scrutiny had no effect on him.†p.153.13 more careful look or inspection Show general definition careful examination of something
	4	top 500
exasperatedgreatly annoyed She was exasperated by his teasing.more Show sample from book She couldn't hide her exasperation.†p.290.83 more exasperated → exasperation:great annoyance
	3	top 200
subsequentfollowing Her guess was proven right by subsequent developments.more Show sample from book He'd heard the announcer talking about his injury and subsequent hiatus as he was getting ready in the chute.†p.51.12 more following something else Show general definition following something else
	4	top 500
acquireobtain (get) Children acquire language at an amazing rate.more Show sample from book Her voice was starting to acquire a bitter edge.†p.102.43 more obtain (come into the possession of something) Show general definition obtain (come into the possession of something)
	5	top 1000
recedediminish (decrease) Interest in the story is beginning to recede.more Show sample from book I breathe evenly, trying to keep the tears at bay, and when it finally recedes, I feel exhausted.†p.9.84 more recede → recedes:moves away or diminishes (becomes less) Show general definition to move away or diminish (become less) The exact meaning of recede depends upon its context. For example: "We can't move back in until the floodwaters recede." -- diminish and move away "Her fear receded." -- diminished "The waves first advance and then recede." -- move away "The news story receded into the background as it was replaced by new stories." -- received diminished attention "a receding hairline" -- diminished hair (each year the line where hair stops growing is higher on the forehead) "She has a receding chin." -- sloping back (as contrasted to sticking out)
	4	top 1000
accumulategradually increase Greenhouse gas continues to accumulate in the atmosphere.more Show sample from book I flew my first solo there, and within three months I had accumulated enough hours in the air to move to the next stage of training at Gardner Field in Taft.†p.131.83 more accumulate → accumulated:collected or gradually increased Show general definition to collect or gradually increase
	4	top 200
functionwork or operate I don't function well on less than six hours of sleep a night; and I do best on nine.more Show sample from book The room was functional and unpretentious, devoid of trophies or awards or laminated articles.p.216.74 more function → functional:useful for its purpose Show general definition for function (as in: can't function well without sleep) work or operate -- sometimes to work or operate normally or in a particular way
	1
function#2result Their success is a function of their teamwork and practice.more Show sample from book The fact that he didn't win in Macon wasn't a reflection of how well he rode, but rather a function of the quality of the bulls.p.371.14 more Show general definition for function (as in: oxygen is a function of altitude) saying one results from another; or saying that the amount of one thing is dependent upon the value of another. Show editor's word notes If x is a function of y, then x results from y; or the amount of x can be calculated based on the amount of y.
	12
synagoguesynagogue → synagogues:Jewish houses of worship They were arrested for planning to bomb a series of synagogues.more Show sample from book He began to attend synagogue regularly with my mother—I'll get to her later—and offered financial support to numerous Jewish causes.†p.3.411 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
	2	top 200
ambivalentwith mixed feelings Polling indicates the public is ambivalent on the subject. Their opinions change depending upon the latest headlines.more Show sample from book At the time, I felt ambivalent about this.†p.81.81 more Show general definition having mixed feelings about something -- such as when part of you wants to do something and part of you does not
	2	top 500
replenishreplace what was used up The recent storms helped replenish the city's water supply.more Show sample from book After breakfast, Luke chopped wood for an hour and a half, replenishing the pile on the side of his mom's house.†p.102.91 more replenish → replenishing:replacing what was used up; or restoring to a previous condition Show general definition replace what was used up; or restore to a previous condition
	3	top 2000
liltaccent (or way of speaking) She has an appealing Irish lilt.more Show sample from book "Yes," she says, a mischievous lilt in her voice.p.22.82 more pleasing way of speaking Show general definition for lilt (as in: an Irish lilt) a way of speaking, singing, or making music -- typically cheerful, lively or pleasing -- sometimes with the pitch of the voice rising and falling
	2	top 1000
calibratecalibrate → calibrated:made fine adjustments She calibrated the oscilloscope for better measurement.more Show sample from book His dad had calibrated the machine for these longer rides, saying that it would make the live rides easier by comparison.†p.329.81 more calibrate → calibrated:make fine adjustments or measurements… Show general definition make fine adjustments or measurements; or divide into marked intervals for optimal measuring;