The Outsiders: Chapters 4–6

by S.E. Hinton
In the 1960s, tensions between two rival gangs separated along economic lines reach a violent breaking point.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–3, Chapters 4–6, Chapters 7–12
15 words 77142 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. smoldering
    showing scarcely suppressed anger
    Johnnycake made a kind of gasp and his eyes were smoldering.
  2. unceasingly
    without stopping
    My teeth chattered unceasingly and I couldn’t stop them.
  3. apprehensive
    mentally upset over possible misfortune or danger
    He was pretty well crocked, which made me apprehensive. If Dally was drunk and in a dangerous mood....
  4. defiance
    intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude
    Yet in his hard face there was character, pride, and a savage defiance of the world. He could never love Cherry Valance back. It would be a miracle if Dally loved anything.
  5. contemptuously
    without respect; in a disdainful manner
    “Oh, shoot, kid” — Dally glanced contemptuously over his shoulder — “I was in the bedroom.”
  6. ruefully
    in a manner expressing pain or sorrow
    “Me and Shepard had a run-in and I cracked some ribs. I just needed a place to lay over.” He rubbed his side ruefully.
  7. sheepish
    showing a sense of shame
    “Yessir.” I managed to look sheepish. “We’re playing army and I’m supposed to report to headquarters there.”
  8. premonition
    a feeling of evil to come
    But this church gave me a kind of creepy feeling. What do you call it? Premonition?
  9. imploringly
    in a pleading manner
    I looked at Johnny imploringly.
  10. sullenly
    in a manner showing a brooding ill humor
    I leaned back next to him sullenly.
  11. elude
    escape, either physically or mentally
    I was trying to find the meaning the poet had in mind, but it eluded me.
  12. indignant
    angered at something unjust or wrong
    “You’re starved?” Johnny was so indignant he nearly squeaked.
  13. wistfully
    in a pensively sad manner
    “Gee,” Johnny said wistfully, “it sure will be good to get into a car again.”
  14. doggedly
    with obstinate determination
    “My parents,” Johnny repeated doggedly, “did they ask about me?”
  15. conviction
    an unshakable belief in something without need for proof
    “I was scared,” Johnny said with conviction.
Created on Mon Jun 09 21:25:18 EDT 2014 (updated Mon Jun 23 11:11:07 EDT 2025)

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