Name_________________________________________Date___________________Period__________A
Divergent Vocabulary
In the “word” column, highlight words you already know. In the “sentences” column, underline words that give
context to help you infer the meaning of the word. In the “definition” column, write the meaning of the word IN
YOUR OWN WORDS.
Chapter 1
Word
surly
virtue
resonating
Sentence
He gave his seat to a surly Candor man on the
bus without a second thought. p. 3
I should wonder what courage—which is the
virtue they most value—has to do with a
metal ring through your nostril. p. 7
The train whistle blares, the sound resonating
in my chest. p. 7
Chapter 2
supersede
duress
Faction customs dictate even idle behavior
and supersede individual preference. p. 9
My biology textbook said that dogs can smell
fear because of a chemical secreted by
human glands in a state of duress, the same
chemical a dog’s prey secretes. p. 14
Chapter 3
precariously
acrid
We don’t need stoplights, either, but in some
places they dangle precariously over the road
like they might crash down any minute. p. 24
I smell something acrid and unpleasant on his
breath. p. 26
Chapter 4
disdain
impeccable
fortitude
The reason for the simplicity isn’t disdain for
uniqueness, as the other factions have
sometimes interpreted it. p. 27
Our leaders are selected by their peers for
their impeccable character, moral fortitude,
and leadership skills. p. 33
Our leaders are selected by their peers for
their impeccable character, moral fortitude,
and leadership skills. p. 33
Definition
Power Word
Latin Root
Definition
RESONATE
son=sound
to echo, to ring with sound (re-sound)
Related Words
consonant, sonorous, supersonic, unison, song (songbook, songbird), sonogram, sonar
SUPERSEDE
sed=to sit
To cause to be set aside; especially, to displace
someone or something as inferior Literally, "to sit over
or above"
Related words
sedentary, sediment
APPREHEND
prehend, prehense =
To grasp mentally, understand
to clasp, seize, reach, attain,
hold
Related words
comprehend, apprehension, comprehension, reprieve
DUPLICITY
duo, du=double, two
deceitfulness in speech or conduct, as by speaking or
acting in two different ways to different people
concerning the same matter; double-dealing.
Related words
duplex, duplication, duplicate, dubious, duel, duet, indubitably
FORTITUDE
for, forc - brave; power,
strength, strong
Related words
comfort, force, enforce, reinforce, fortify, fortress
strength, firmness, courage
Name_________________________________________Date___________________Period__________A
Divergent Vocabulary
In the “word” column, highlight words you already know. In the “sentences” column, underline words that give
context to help you infer the meaning of the word. In the “definition column, write the meaning of the word IN
YOUR OWN WORDS.
Chapter 5
Word
subsume
dissipates
Sentence
I could be subsumed into Abnegation’s hive
mind, projecting always outward. p. 39
My confusion dissipates as I run. p. 50
Chapter 7
placid
He seemed placid to me on the platform, but
something about that stillness makes me wary
now. p. 63
Chapter 8
eradicates
We believe that preparation eradicates
cowardice, which we define as the failure to
act in the midst of fear. p. 77
Chapter 9
reprieve
concede
The knot in my stomach unravels. A reprieve.
p. 91
“According to Dauntless rules,” Four says,
“one of you could also concede.” p. 95
Chapter 12
ruthless
dejected
wafts
Eric is more ruthless than Four, but Four is
smarter. p. 135
Their chests and backs are splattered with
blue and pink paint, and they look dejected. p.
155
The smell of fish oil wafts through the train
car. p. 156
Chapter 13
compliance
This time Al sets his wide jaw. He’s reached
the limits of his compliance. p. 160
Definition
Chapter 14
disparity
Though they are the two best fighters, the
disparity between them is noticeable. p. 171
Power Word
Latin Root
Definition
CONCEDE
cede, ceed, cess, cease
to surrender, accept defeat
to go, to go away, to yield,
to give up, to withdraw
Related words
Accessible, accessory, exceed, intercede, precede, proceed, recede, succeed, recess
DEJECTED
ject= throw, send, fling, hurl
low in spirits, depressed
Related words
rejected, injected, projectile, trajectory, eject, interject, jettison, subject
ERADICATE
radic=root
to remove utterly (pull up by the roots)
Related words
radical, radish
PLACID
plac, placi, plais=
Pleasantly calm or peaceful; unruffled; tranquil;
to please, to satisfy; peace,
calm serenely quiet or undisturbed.
Related words
complacent, placebo
Name_________________________________________Date___________________Period__________A
Divergent Vocabulary
In the “word” column, highlight words you already know. In the “sentences” column, underline words that give
context to help you infer the meaning of the word. In the “definition column, write the meaning of the word IN
YOUR OWN WORDS.
Chapter 16
Word
depravity
Sentence
Despite the depravity I see in Dauntless,
though, I could not leave it. p. 207
Chapter 18
visceral
I shouldn’t be afraid of them, but my reaction
is visceral. p. 230
Chapter 21
conspicuously Peter is second, but when I look at the time
listed by his name, I realize that the margin
between us is conspicuously wide. pp. 266-7
wry
Probably exhausted from resenting me so
much, I think with a wry smile. p. 276
Chapter 22
infirmary
“I deposited Drew at the infirmary a half hour
ago,” he says. p. 283
Chapter 23
cowering
A few steps in, I remember I’m supposed to
look like I’m cowering, so I slow my pace and
hug the wall, keeping my head down. p. 291
Chapter 24
morbid
somber
potently
Don’t be morbid. Could have been an
accident. p. 303
At home, a funeral is a somber occasion. p.
304
All the people that were milling around
earlier are gathered by the ledge now, and
the air smells potently of alcohol. pp. 305-6
Definition
primal
viable
They chant until his name no longer sounds
like his name. It sounds like the primal
scream of an ancient race.” p. 308
It’s about everyone watching! Everyone who
now sees hurling themselves into the chasm
as a viable option. p. 310
Chapter 25
malice
He takes the next report and tears it to
shreds. The pieces float into the river. He
does it without Christine’s malice. p. 317
Power Word
Latin Root
Definition
POTENT
poten=power, strength,
powerful, mighty
ability,able; having authority
Related words
potential, impotent, omnipotent
PRIMAL
prim-, primi-, primo=
first, original, primeval
first, chief, foremost; of first rank)
Related words
primary, primate, primitive, prime
VIABLE
viva-, vivi-, vivo-, viv=
physically fit to live, practical, workable
life, alive
Related words
revive, vital, vivacious, survivor, revitalize, vivid, vivisection, survival, vitality, vitamin
MALICE
mal-bad, wrong, evil
desire to inflict injury, harm, or suffering
Related words
dismal, malady, malaria, malefactor, malevolent, malfeasance, malignant, malnourished, malodorous
Name_________________________________________Date___________________Period__________A
Divergent Vocabulary
In the “word” column, highlight words you already know. In the “sentences” column, underline words that give
context to help you infer the meaning of the word. In the “definition column, write the meaning of the word IN
YOUR OWN WORDS.
Chapter 26
Word
Sentence
insurmountable He smiles at me. “Yes, that whopping twoyear gap really is insurmountable, isn’t it?”
p. 337
self“I’m not trying to be self-deprecating,” I say,
deprecating
“I just don’t get it. I’m younger. I’m not
pretty…” p. 337
Chapter 27
incredulous
“’Why?’ I ask. The question comes out too
incredulous. p 341
Chapter 28
lackeys
sadist
flippantly
dissension
coerce
meticulous
One of Jeanine’s lackeys, a man in a blue
collared shirt and sunglasses, drives me back
to the Dauntless compound in a sleek silver
car, the likes of which I have never seen
before. pp. 360-1
For the first time, I recognize Eric for what
he is: an Erudite disguised as a Dauntless, a
genius as well as a sadist, a hunter of the
Divergent. p. 362
“You can be either cruel instructor or
concerned boyfriend.” I tense up at the
word ‘boyfriend’ I didn’t mean to use it so
flippantly, but it’s too late now.” pp. 365-6
All those reports are supposed to stir up
dissension against Abnegation. p. 376
I told Caleb that the Erudite know how to
manipulate people. They could coerce some
of us into fighting with misinformation, or by
appealing to greed—any number of ways.
pp. 376-7
But the Erudite are as meticulous as they are
manipulative, so they wouldn’t leave it up to
chance. p. 377
Definition
Chapter 29
wake
I am too short to see above anyone’s head,
so I stare at Will’s back and walk in his wake.
p. 380
Chapter 30
contempt
duress
My eyes skip from my brother to my father.
The last time I saw him, he gave me a look of
contempt, but now his eyes are wide and
soft. p. 395
What if I can’t break the glass unless I’m
under duress? p. 386
Chapter 31
masochism
suffice
I can’t imagine going through my fear
landscape in my spare time, like Tobias
does. It seemed like bravery to me before,
but now it seems more like masochism. p.
397
“Well, seven fears isn’t as impressive as
four,” I reply, “but it will suffice.” p. 399
Power Word
Latin Root
Definition
INCREDULOUS
cred-believe
doubting unwilling, or unable to believe
Related words
credible, incredible, creditor, accreditation, credulous, creed, credential, credit, discredit
Name_________________________________________Date___________________Period__________A
Divergent Vocabulary
In the “word” column, highlight words you already know. In the “sentences” column, underline words that give
context to help you infer the meaning of the word. In the “definition column, write the meaning of the word IN
YOUR OWN WORDS.
Chapter 34
Word
Sentence
pliable
I know what that means—she wants to
control them, too. She wants everyone to be
pliable and easy to control. p. 430
Send him to the control room. We’ll want a
sentient being there to monitor things and,
as I understand it, he used to work there. p.
435
sentient
Chapter 35
dank
dismantled
My mother has worked there for as long as I
can remember, so I’m not surprised when
she leads me down a few dark hallways, up a
dank staircase, and into daylight again
without interference. p. 440
Pain stabs through me as everything I am
made of collapses, my entire world
dismantled in a moment. p. 444
Chapter 36
unison
averting
They run in unison. p. 445
My father looks momentarily stricken and
then recovers himself, averting his glistening
eyes and nodding. p. 451
Chapter 37
ethics
chiding
synchronicity
“Now isn’t the time for debates about
ethics,” I say. p. 466
“Please stop fighting,” Caleb interrupts, his
voice chiding. p. 466
Judging by the synchronicity of their
footsteps, they are controlled by the
stimulation. p. 470
Chapter 39
tersely
“Tobias,” I say tersely. “Now!” p. 479
Definition
Power Word
Latin Root
Definition
SENTIENT
senso-, sens-, sensi-, sensori-, sent-
capable of feeling; conscious.
feeling, sensation, to be aware,
perception through the senses
Related words
desensitize, sensor, sensitive, insentient, sensational, senseless, sentimental
UNISON
uni=one son=sound
said or sung together
Related words
union, unite, unity, unique, unit, unanimous, uniform, universal
AVERTING
vers-, vert-, -verse, -version, -version,
to turn away or aside, avoid
-versation, -versal, -versary, -vert, vort-,
vors=bend, turn
Related words
anniversary, conversation, convert, diversify, diversion, extrovert, introvert, invert, revert, subvert, aversion,
controversial, divert, reversal, subvert, versatile,vertigo
SYNCHRONICITY
chron, chrono=time
the phenomenon of events which coincide in
time and appear meaningfully related but have
no discoverable causal connection.
Related words
anachronism, chronic, chronicle, synchronize