Pushing the Limits — Vocabulary
Katie McGarry
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	8	top 2000
physicsthe science of matter and energy In physics class, we learned how gravity affects falling objects.more Show sample from book Echo shrugged, taking her physics book out of her pack and then placing the pack on the floor next to me.†p.157.97 more Show general definition the science of matter and energy and their interactions
	5	top 200
coherentsensible and clear She presented a compelling and coherent plan.more Show sample from book We stared at each other for a second, both searching for a topic of conversation or, heck, a coherent sentence.†p.213.84 more sensible and clear; or describing parts as fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner Show general definition sensible and clear; or describing parts as fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner
	6	top 1000
mischievousplayfully causing minor trouble The mischievous puppy kept stealing socks and hiding them under the couch.more Show sample from book Noah shot me his mischievous grin.†p.254.15 more playfully causing minor trouble; OR describing the smile of someone doing so 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.
	5	top 1000
simultaneousat the same time On Super Tuesday a large number of states have simultaneous primary elections.more Show sample from book I shrugged and yawned simultaneously, preparing for the just-say-no-to-drugs-sex-and-alcohol lecture.†p.72.34 more Show general definition at the same time
	6	top 2000
embeddedfirmly stuck into or enclosed within The archaeologists found an ancient coin embedded in the clay.more Show sample from book Every large chunk embedded in my muscles sliced like hot coals and every tiny shard knifed its edges into my skin.†p.245.95 more firmly within; or placed firmly within Show general definition firmly within; or placed within in various senses, including: firmly stuck into -- as a thorn into a finger enclosed within -- as a fossil within a rock implanted as a part -- sometimes specifically of a reporter integrated in hardware -- as of a computer chip firmly set within -- as of a character trait
	4	top 500
assessevaluate Your job is to assess the situation and make recommendations.more Show sample from book He stood and assessed me—the way Isaiah did when he decided whether or not he was going to take a swing.p.342.13 more assess → assessed:considered and evaluated Show general definition for assess (as in: assess the situation) to evaluate (consider something and make one or more judgements)
	2	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 Going out implied serious feelings and the only thing I felt seriously about right now was I didn't want him in my room, specifically on my bed.†p.143.11 more imply → implied:suggested (said indirectly) Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
	3	top 200
optimisticexpecting the best I'm optimistic that I'll get into a good college.more Show sample from book I forced optimism into my voice.†p.319.92 more optimistic → optimism:a tendency to expect and see the best in all things Show general definition expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
	4	top 1000
habitathabitat → habitats:the type of environment in which an organism or group normally lives They are endangered due to destruction of their rainforest habitats.more Show sample from book I'd taken it after Mom and Dad handed over the key to the first resident of the Habitat neighborhood.†p.390.43 more Show general definition the type of environment in which an organism or group normally lives
	4	top 1000
fleetinglasting a short time Her moments of happiness were few and fleeting.more Show sample from book I had the fleeting thought that I should thank my gym teacher, Mr. Graves, for the three weeks of football instruction.†p.122.83 more Show general definition lasting a short time
	2	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 Echo, your social worker extended your therapy until graduation because of your teacher evaluations.†p.16.91 more evaluate → evaluations:to think carefully and make a judgment about something Show general definition to think carefully and make a judgment about something
	3	top 500
nonchalantcalm and unconcerned I could tell she was nervous, but she was trying to look nonchalant.more Show sample from book I stirred my water with my straw, focusing on sounding nonchalant while the images of war tortured my mind.†p.131.52 more Show general definition calm in manner -- appearing unconcerned
	3	top 500
spontaneoussudden and unplanned Her spontaneous decision to take a road trip led to one of the best weekends of her life.more Show sample from book My best friend, Lila McCormick, took her first breath since I'd given her the rundown on my counseling session and the tutoring job Mrs. Collins spontaneously created.†p.24.92 more spontaneous → spontaneously:happening in a natural manner without planning or external force Show general definition happening naturally, suddenly, or without outside planning or action
	5	top 2000
entwinedinterconnected or twisted together Our lives are entwined.more Show sample from book I entwined my fingers in his hair and pulled his head back to mine, but the second his hand touched the waist of my jeans, my heart shook and my hands snapped out to stop him.†p.233.64 more interconnected (not easily separated) or twisted together Show general definition interconnected (not easily separated) or twisted together
	2	top 500
copiousa lot of She took copious notes.†more Show sample from book Thanks to her copious note taking, my three-inch file had grown to four.†p.163.51 more abundant (large in quantity or number) Show general definition abundant (large in quantity or number)
	2
liabilitynegative trait Her temper is her main liability. She hasn't learned to control angry attacks at anyone who disagrees with her.more Show sample from book I'm a liability.p.302.61 more someone who creates a problem Show general definition for liability (as in: she is a liability to our cause) any negative trait or thing that creates a problem
	2
peruseread or examine Please peruse this report at your leisure.more Show sample from book Mrs. Collins perused my file.†p.11.41 more peruse → perused:read or examined Show general definition to read or examine
	2
tantalizetantalize → tantalizing:making someone excited about getting something -- especially something they can't get I have to walk past the bakery with its tantalizing aromas.more Show sample from book The anger in his voice hinted that he couldn't believe I'd told the therapist this tantalizing tidbit.†p.15.11 more tantalize → tantalizing:making someone excited about getting something Show general definition to make someone excited about getting something -- often something they cannot get Show editor's word notes The word, tantalize, comes from a Greek mythological story about the eternal punishment of someone named Tantulus. He was made to stand in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree. But when he reached up for the fruit, it withdrew just out of his reach. And when he bent down to drink, the water receded before his lips could reach it.
	2
monologuemonologue → monologues:a long speech by one person In books we find monologues from the greatest minds. And where those books disagree, it is up to the reader to create a dialogue.more Show sample from book Not like long monologues or anything, but enough that I've been able to create a picture in my head.†p.292.41 more monologue → monologues:long uninterrupted speeches Show general definition a long speech by one person, whether it's a dramatic speech in a play, a run-on talk that keeps others from getting a word in, or a comedian's continuous stream of jokes and stories delivered alone Show editor's word notes Although less frequently used, "monolog" is also a correct spelling in the United States.
	1	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 Her red curls shone in the street light and her spaghetti-strapped tank top dipped just low enough that my mind already wondered how I could get her to deviate from the plan of driving at least six hours tonight before setting up the tent.†p.390.7 differ or change Show general definition for deviate (as in: deviate from the course) differ or change