Asylum — Vocabulary
Madeleine Roux
(Auto-generated)

Word Set

Samples

Sort By

Further limit words

by chapter of first use

to Show all

by difficulty

to (9 is most difficult)

by interest

underline any show only

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	15	top 2000
coincidencea situation where things happened at the same time by chance even though it was unlikely It was a pure coincidence that both got sick the same weekend.more Show sample from book Jordan had a point about how impossible the coincidence was, but Abby wasn't the sort to mess with them for kicks.†p.143.814 more Show general definition a situation where two things happened at the same time or in the same way by chance even though it was unlikely
	6	top 500
legacya gift left in a will She left her vacation home as a legacy for her family.more Show sample from book This was a minor setback, he'd give them that, but his work would live on. His legacy. His life.p.296.95 more something left behind after one is gone Show general definition coming from the past or left to the future in various senses including: in law -- a gift given through a will -- "She left a legacy of $10,000 to her niece." of a situation -- resulting from the past -- "Today's debt problem is a legacy of profligate spending by prior administrations." of culture -- a practice passed from one generation to the next -- "The city has along legacy of bribes and corruption." of technology -- something that still uses old technology -- "We're using a legacy software that only the old-timers know how to update." of a member or potential member of an organization -- the child of a previous member -- "She is a legacy candidate."
	3	top 200
skepticaldoubtful I am skeptical about her plan.more Show sample from book To kill the patrons of an entire bar and then wait among the dead for hours ...I admit, even I was skeptical that treatment could help a man so deeply, deeply troubled.†p.218.82 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 500
earnestearnest → in earnest:in a serious manner I began training in earnest the summer before high school.more Show sample from book She pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, easing into her next words with that delicate earnestness that Dan found so endearing.†p.230.32 more earnest → earnestness:sincerity or seriousness Show general definition characterized by sincere belief or: intensely or excessively serious or determined
	2	top 100
contradictdisagree with Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more Show sample from book He wondered if everyone at this program would be so full of contradictions.†p.20.31 more contradict → contradictions:things that disagree with themselves; or (more rarely) acts of disagreeing 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."
	2	top 200
sinisterevil They created a sinister plan to recruit terrorists.more Show sample from book This was something a little more sinister.p.119.11 more evil, harmful, or frightening Show general definition evil or harmful; or making an evil or frightening impression
	2	top 200
coherentsensible and clear She presented a compelling and coherent plan.more Show sample from book Dan stared at his roommate, trying to add up all the things he'd just learned about him into one coherent person.†p.20.31 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
	2	top 500
inquiryinvestigation The school launched an official inquiry into the allegations of cheating.more Show sample from book Dan clicked on the folder, catching a subject line that read "RE: Your inquiry regarding patient 361"—but then his in-box minimized and an error message popped up midscreen.†p.82.31 more questioning or investigating Show general definition a question or investigation -- especially one meant to gather information or find out the truth
	2	top 1000
ominousthreatening I'm beginning to hear ominous rumblings of discontent.more Show sample from book Whoever had put it in his mailbox had already left one ominous note on his desk.†p.170.11 more threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come) Show general definition threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
	2	top 1000
pristineunspoiled The lake was pristine, its surface reflecting the clear blue sky.more Show sample from book He wasn't actually sure how he knew the way—he hadn't looked up directions ahead of time—but there was something about that pristine little church that stirred a memory, and if not a memory, a gut instinct.†p.10.71 more unspoiled or immaculately clean Show general definition unspoiled or immaculately clean
	2	top 1000
demeanormanner of behavior His calm demeanor reassured everyone during the crisis.more Show sample from book The pastor's demeanor had turned solemn, almost icy.†p.267.91 more the manner in which a person behaves Show general definition the manner in which a person behaves
	2	top 500
techniqueway of doing something She developed a new surgical technique that shortens recovery time.more Show sample from book Yeah, the studio classes here are supposed to be great, so I felt like it was a good chance to work on my technique before portfolios are due for college apps.†p.23.61 more Show general definition a way of doing something; or the methods used to do it well
	2	top 1000
commotiondisturbance I looked up to see what caused the commotion.more Show sample from book The woman's hair had gotten ruffled in the commotion, and now, with her bangs swept aside, the scar on her forehead was plainly visible.†p.302.81 more noisy disturbance Show general definition a disturbance -- typically noisy
	2	top 1000
rationalrational → rationally:in a reasonable manner It's hard to think rationally when I'm this upset.more Show sample from book Were just trying to tell you that if you want to leave, we think that would be a good, rational decision.†p.208.61 more reasonable Show general definition for rational (as in: rational behavior) reasonable, able to think clearly, or based on logic rather than emotion
	2
congregategather together The planned demonstration never materialized because a heavy presence of police and soldiers made it impossible for protesters to congregate.more Show sample from book She hit the salad bar and grabbed a glass of orange juice, but instead of joining them, she took a detour to a nearby table where the art kids congregated.†p.154.81 more congregate → congregated:came together Show general definition come together as a group
	2
placatecalm or satisfy She's trying to walk a line that will placate both farmers and environmentalists.†more Show sample from book "I trust you," Dan said in a placating murmur.†p.146.21 more placate → placating:calming someone who is or may become angry or concerned Show general definition calm someone who is or may become angry or concerned
	2
short-livedlasting a short time The band's initial success was short-lived, and they faded from the charts within a year.more Show sample from book Dan's euphoria was short-lived.†p.190.21 more
	2
sedativea drug that calms or puts to sleep She gave him a sedative to help him sleep.more Show sample from book Had he not given him a high enough dose of sedative?†p.296.61 more a drug that calms or puts to sleep; or describing something as calming Show general definition a drug that calms or puts to sleep; or describing something as calming
	1	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 Not an average life, not even a normal one—a life in which genius is not an anomaly but an expectation.†p.118.3 Show general definition something outside of the range of what is normally expected
	1	top 500
controversialtends to arouse strong disagreement The issue of the death penalty is highly controversial in some states.more Show sample from book By far the most controversial of Brookline's patients was the serial killer Dennis Heimline, known more commonly as the Sculptor.†p.48.1 tending to arouse strong disagreement Show general definition tending to arouse strong disagreement