The Heir — Vocabulary
Kiera Cass
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Exemplary sample Uses Broad Use
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varybe different
Your mileage may vary.more
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He knew he had to make it varied enough to seem legit, so there were three Fives thrown into the mix but nothing below that.†p.50.92 more
vary → varied:differed; or changed
Show general definition to be different, or to change
Show editor's word notes Vary is often used to describe small differences or changes--especially about things of the same type. It would be more common to say "The weight of full-grown elephants varies depending upon diet and other factors," than to say "The weight of elephants varies from that of mice."
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waverwaver → wavered:faltered (stopped being strong)
Through good times and bad her love for him has never wavered.more
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Henri got down on one knee, trying to hit anything that came near us, and Hale guarded me without wavering, even though I heard him grunt and felt him clench up when he was hit with something heavy.†p.86.83 more
waver → wavering:moving back and forth; or being unsure or weak
Show general definition to move back and forth (shake or quiver)

or:

to change, be unsure, or weak
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techniqueway of doing something
She developed a new surgical technique that shortens recovery time.more
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Years of lessons on how to address an audience had drilled the proper technique into me, and I knew I was hitting every last point I was meant to as I delivered my announcement.†p.33.73 more
Show general definition a way of doing something; or the methods used to do it well
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suppresssuppress → suppressed:kept from spreading
She claimed that Facebook suppressed and promoted news that met a political agenda.more
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I noted the camera coming to hover behind him, trying to capture my expression, and I shook my head at him, suppressing a smirk.†p.97.14 more
suppress → suppressing: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.
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intimidateintimidate → intimidated:made afraid (of being inadequate)
I was intimidated on my first day at the job, but I'm comfortable now.more
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I could be intimidating when I needed to be or find ways to make the palace a very unwelcoming environment.†p.29.64 more
intimidate → intimidating:making fearful
Show general definition to cause fear, nervousness, or a sense of inadequacy
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skepticaldoubtful
I am skeptical about her plan.more
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"And that's what Dad's trying to figure out now?" he asked, skeptical.†p.21.92 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
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lamentlament → lamented:expressed grief about
She lamented the loss.more
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He'd gone to Fennley to enroll in some accelerated course, and his mother had been lamenting his absence ever since the day he left.†p.24.92 more
lament → lamenting:expressing grief or regret
Show general definition to express grief or regret
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contradictdisagree with
Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more
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"You have," she contradicted.†p.147.61 more
contradict → contradicted:disagreed
Show general definition disagree
in various senses, including:
  • to say something is not true -- as in "She contradicted his testimony."
  • to say something else is true when both can't be true -- as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened."
  • to be in conflict with -- as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
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indulgeindulge → indulges:allows them to get their way
She indulges her children more than is good for them.more
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Thank you all for indulging me this morning, and I will keep this information in mind as I continue to narrow down suitors in the next few weeks.†p.198.82 more
indulge → indulging:enjoying to excess
Show general definition to give in to a desire or allow someone to enjoy or experience something -- especially something pleasurable
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obnoxiousvery rude or unpleasant
An obnoxious woman was making a scene.more
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No matter how romantic he thought this was, all I could think of were the thirty-five loud, obnoxious, weird-smelling boys who were about to invade my home.†p.29.24 more
rude or unpleasant
8
monarchya government ruled by a king of queen
The monarchy is over three hundred years old, but it was forced to share power and adopt a constitution during the last century.more
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I pulled on my outfit and brushed out my hair, preparing for another day as the future face of the monarchy.†p.4.87 more
a government, country, or ruling family of a country ruled by a king of queen
Show general definition a government, country, or ruling family of a country ruled by a king of queen
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candidunposed
A photographer will take traditional wedding pictures. I'm just going to get some candid shots.more
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Several candid shots, like a kiss or a smile, had been blown up and changed to black-and-white, making them seem more classic than casual.p.338.32 more
Show general definition for candid (as in: a candid photograph) unposed -- typically said of a photograph
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immaculateperfect
Check her record. You will see that it is immaculate.more
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She held me for a moment, then pulled away, smoothing my dress to make sure I was still immaculate before she went to find Dad.p.31.32 more
perfect (without fault or error)
Show general definition for immaculate (as in: immaculate timing) perfect (without fault or error)
3
inconspicuousnot attracting attention
She chose an inconspicuous spot in the corner so she could observe without being noticed.more
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I stood there alone, trying to be inconspicuous as I scanned the room.†p.107.62 more
not very noticeable
Show general definition not easily seen, noticed, or attracting attention
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blatant(of bad behavior) obvious  without any attempt at hiding it
She demonstrated blatant disregard of the rules.more
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There was one who was sweating so much I had to call over a butler to give me a towel for my hand once he left, and the one after him blatantly stared at my chest for the entirety of our meeting.†p.74.31 more
blatant → blatantly:in an obvious manner
Show general definition obvious -- often without any attempt to hide bad behavior
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fawnfawn → fawns:shows excessive flattery or affection
She fawns all over her children.more
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I kept the people I love close, and they have fawned over you since the moment they knew you were coming.†p.284.11 more
fawn → fawned:showed excessive flattery or affection
Show general definition for fawn (as in: fawned all over her) showing excessive flattery or affection
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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
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I hadn't thought about that, how he'd seen me go through the many phases of growing up, both on and off screen.p.109.71 more
phase → phases:stages (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
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phase#2phase → phased:gradually [added]
The increase in electricity rates will be phased in over the next two years.more
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Twenty years ago, Dad's first act as king was to dissolve the castes, and the old system had been phased out slowly over my lifetime.p.2.41 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)
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decisivedetermining an outcome
She cast the decisive vote.more
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I'd taken a decisive step, and Dad could rest easy now, knowing the Selection was properly under way and that I wouldn't let him down.p.97.71 more
conclusive in settling a matter
Show general definition for decisive (as in: a decisive defeat) determining an outcome; or ending question
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decisive#2makes quick decisions and sticks by them
She is a decisive leader.more
Show sample from book
You need to be strong, decisive.p.6.41 more
making quick decisions and sticking by them
Show general definition for decisive (as in: a decisive decision maker) making quick decisions and sticking by them; or describing an action as firm or without hesitation