Hillbilly Elegy — Vocabulary
J. D. Vance
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	6	top 2000
approachapproach → approaching:getting nearer Winter is approaching.more Show sample from book The would-be thief could barely crawl, so Mamaw approached him, raised the business end of her rifle to the man's head, and prepared to finish the job.p.15.67 more approach → approached:moved toward Show general definition for approach (as in: approached the city) to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
	2	top 500
approach#2method (way of doing something) Perhaps I just need to work harder, but I may need an entirely different approach to the problem.more Show sample from book I saw him during visitations before the adoption, I would hide under the bed for the first few hours, fearful that he would kidnap me and never let me see Mamaw again. Seeing his son in such a frightened state led him to reconsider his approach.p.94.87 more technique (way of doing something) Show general definition for approach (as in: use the best approach) a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
	1	top 1000
environmentthe natural world She made the environment the top concern in her speech and warned against spoiling the earth.more Show sample from book It is unquestionably beautiful, but its beauty is obscured by the environmental waste and loose trash that scatters the countryside.p.21.17 more environment → environmental:relating to the natural world Show general definition for environment (as in: the environmental movement) the natural world (life, air, water, land...) -- often used in reference to the impact of human technology
	7	top 1000
environment#2surrounding conditions Cactus survives in the harsh desert environment.more Show sample from book But I was so impressed by the environment that "being myself" meant staring slack-jawed at the fineries of the restaurant and wondering how much they cost.p.211.87 more Show general definition for environment (as in: her family environment) surrounding conditions in various senses, including: conditions in a location or geographic area -- as in "the desert environment" conditions that affect a particular activity -- as in "the learning environment" conditions that create a certain mood -- as in "a competitive environment," or "a romantic environment," conditions that impact a particular computer system, subsystem, or program -- as in "the Windows environment"
	2	top 2000
positivecertain I'm positive I've seen her before.more Show sample from book But I began to put on weight, and I was positively chubby by the time I started the fifth grade.p.72.75 more positive → positively:absolutely (used for emphasis) Show general definition for positive (as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
	4	top 100
positive#2positive → positively:in a good or beneficial manner Lower interest rates positively affected home sales.†more Show sample from book Reams of social science attest to the positive effect of a loving and stable home.p.149.85 more good or beneficial Show general definition for positive (as in: had a positive effect) good or beneficial
	13	top 1000
migratemove from one place to another The birds migrate in the Winter.more Show sample from book As millions migrated north to factory jobs, the communities that sprouted up around those factories were vibrant but fragile: When the factories shut their doors, the people left behind were trapped in towns and cities that could no longer support such large populations with high-quality work.p.144.212 more migrate → migrated:moved Show general definition move from one place to another -- sometimes seasonally
	9	top 200
domesticrelated to the home or family The shelter helps victims of domestic violence find safe housing and support.more Show sample from book Still, shopping for low-income kids reminds me of my childhood and of the ways that Christmas gifts can serve as domestic land mines.p.250.78 more relating to a home or family Show general definition for domestic (as in: domestic happiness) relating to a home or family
	9	top 1000
interveneget involved They do not like America to intervene in the Middle East.more Show sample from book So I didn't miss the irony of lying to a therapist (to protect Mom) lest I ignite another intervention by the county children's services.p.121.68 more intervene → intervention:involvement Show general definition for intervene (as in: intervened in the war) the process of getting involved to influence an outcome The exact meaning of intervention can depend upon its context. For example: "intervention program for at-risk youth" -- a process of trying to influence the direction of someone's life "medical intervention" -- action taken to improve a medical outcome "military intervention" -- interference by a government in affairs of another government (in this case to interfere militarily) "had a family intervention" -- an organized meeting of family members to encourage someone (who is often surprised) to recognize and work at solving a problem such as substance abuse
	4	top 1000
bondconnection They've had a close bond since childhood.more Show sample from book Mom and I bonded over other things, especially our favorite sport: football.p.64.14 more bond → bonded:connected (emotionally) Show general definition for bond (as in: a close bond) a close connection; or to form such a connection; or something that holds things together (creates a connection)
	1	top 100
accompanyaccompany → accompanies:travels with The nurse accompanies the old woman everywhere.more Show sample from book I had tried to help manage her drug problem, read those stupid books about addiction, and accompanied her to N.A. meetings.p.171.81 more accompany → accompanied:travelling with Show general definition for accompany (as in: accompany on the journey) to travel along with
	1	top 100
accompany#2accompany → accompanying:provided together The trend is easily seen in the accompanying graph.more Show sample from book Papaw quit drinking in 1983, a decision accompanied by no medical intervention and not much fanfare.p.46.61 more accompany → accompanied:joined at the same time Show general definition for accompany (as in: the accompanying chart) to be present with at the same time and/or location -- sometimes provided to make something more complete or better
	4	top 1000
staunchfirm and dependable She is a staunch defender of free speech.more Show sample from book I had the meanest old hillbilly staunchly in my corner, even if she was hundreds of miles away.p.162.13 more staunch → staunchly:firmly Show general definition for staunch (as in: a staunch ally) firm and dependable especially in loyalty
	1
progressivegradually getting more severe It is a progressive disease.more Show sample from book Mom became progressively angrier and then snapped.p.84.81 more progressive → progressively:increasingly Show general definition for progressive (as in: progressive decline) gradually advancing or becoming more severe
	1
progressive#2favoring liberal political change or ideas The school is known for its progressive views.more Show sample from book We called ourselves the island of misfit toys, as there was no real unifying force to our team—a conservative hillbilly from Appalachia, the supersmart daughter of Indian immigrants, a black Canadian with decades' worth of street smarts, a neuroscientist from Phoenix, an aspiring civil rights attorney born a few minutes from Yale's campus, and an extremely progressive lesbian with a fantastic sense of humor, among others—but we became excellent friends.p.201.11 more favoring liberal political change Show general definition for progressive (as in: progressive ideas) supporting new ideas and reforms, especially in politics, and less concerned about unintended consequences of changing evolved institutions
	5
strifeviolent conflict The region suffers from violent religious strife.†more Show sample from book He had no problem with Armco, but he and everyone like him hated the coal companies in Kentucky thanks to a long history of labor strife.†p.35.84 more violent conflict or angry disagreement Show general definition violent conflict or angry disagreement
	2	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 In 2009, ABC News ran a news report about Appalachian America, highlighting a phenomenon known locally as "Mountain Dew mouth": painful dental problems in young children, generally caused by too much sugary soda.p.19.71 more highlight → highlighting:emphasizing (drawing attention to) Show general definition for highlight (as in: highlight the main findings) emphasize (call attention to something)
	4	top 2000
mediocreabout average The caliber of the students has gone from mediocre to above averagemore Show sample from book When I first ran three miles, mildly impressed with my mediocre twenty-five-minute time, a terrifying senior drill instructor greeted me at the finish line: "If you're not puking, you're lazy!"p.177.13 more Show general definition average or a bit below average in quality
	1	top 1000
deductionamount subtracted from another amount There was a 10 point deduction because the paper was late.more Show sample from book Every two weeks, I'd get a small paycheck and notice the line where federal and state income taxes were deducted from my wages.p.139.91 more deduction → deducted:subtracted Show general definition for deduction (as in: deduction from the bill) an amount subtracted from another amount
	1	top 1000
deduction#2reasoning to reach a logical conclusion Through careful deduction, the detective was able to piece together the events leading up to the crime.more Show sample from book But I used my powers of deduction to determine that those were two separate kinds of white wine.p.211.51 more logical reasoning Show general definition for deduction (as in: logical deduction) reasoning to reach a logical conclusion; or a conclusion reached with logic