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Words that should be added to The Challenge (D)

These itemizations of words should be incorporated into The Challenge to further challenge its participants, and they conveniently encompass a wide assortment of words that range in difficulty.
A, B, C, D, E, F, G-H, I, J-L, M, N-O, P, Q-R, ..., Other
349 words 19 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

  1. daedal
    complex and ingenious in design or function
  2. daguerreotype
    an early type of photograph produced on a silver plate
  3. dale
    an open valley in a hilly area
  4. damnation
    the state of being condemned to eternal punishment in Hell
  5. dander
    particles of animal skin or hair that may be allergenic
  6. dandruff
    a condition in which white scales of dead skin are shed by the scalp
  7. dangling
    the act of suspending something
  8. dapple
    a small contrasting part of something
  9. dark horse
    a racehorse about which little is known
  10. darkness
    absence of light or illumination
  11. darling
    a special loved one
  12. dashboard
    protective covering consisting of a panel to protect people from the splashing water or mud etc.
  13. dashing
    lively and spirited
  14. dastard
    a despicable coward
  15. davenport
    a large sofa usually convertible into a bed
  16. dawdling
    the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working
  17. dazzle
    cause to lose clear vision, especially from intense light
  18. dazzling
    amazingly impressive
  19. deacon
    a cleric ranking just below a priest in Christian churches
  20. deactivate
    remove from active military status or reassign
  21. deadbeat
    someone who fails to meet a financial obligation
  22. deadeye
    a dead shot
  23. dead ringer
    a person who is almost identical to another
  24. deaf
    people who have hearing impairments
  25. deafening
    loud enough to cause temporary hearing loss
  26. death camp
    a concentration camp where prisoners are likely to die
  27. debasement
    mixture with extraneous material resulting in lower value
  28. debility
    the state of being weak in health or body
  29. debunking
    the exposure of falseness or pretensions
  30. decagon
    a closed shape with ten sides and ten angles
  31. decathlon
    an athletic contest consisting of ten different events
  32. decennary
    a period of 10 years
  33. decided
    recognizable; marked
  34. decidedly
    without question and beyond doubt
  35. decimation
    the destruction or killing of a large part of the population
  36. decimeter
    a metric unit of length equal to one tenth of a meter
  37. decisively
    with firmness
  38. deck
    any of various platforms built into a sailing vessel
  39. declarative
    relating to an explicit statement or announcement
  40. declination
    a condition inferior to an earlier condition
  41. decode
    convert something hidden or secretive into ordinary language
  42. decolletage
    a low-cut neckline on a woman's dress
  43. decor
    the style, furnishing, and layout of an interior space
  44. decorated
    decorated or dressed up to be more beautiful or distinct
  45. decoupage
    art produced by decorating a surface with cutouts and then coating it with several layers of varnish or lacquer
  46. deductible
    an amount that can be subtracted, as for tax purposes
  47. de facto
    existing, whether with lawful authority or not
  48. defamatory
    harmful and often untrue; tending to discredit or malign
  49. defeatism
    acceptance of the inevitability of defeat
  50. defecate
    have a bowel movement
  51. defecation
    the elimination of fecal waste through the anus
  52. defective
    having a flaw
  53. defenestrate
    throw through or out of a window
  54. defenestration
    the act of throwing someone or something out of a window
  55. defensive
    an attitude of excessive sensitivity to criticism
  56. deferment
    act of putting off to a future time
  57. defibrillation
    treatment by stopping fibrillation of heart muscles
  58. deflate
    release contained air or gas from
  59. deformity
    an affliction in which some part of the body is misshapen
  60. defraud
    deprive of by deceit
  61. dehumanize
    deprive of the positive qualities of a person
  62. dehumidify
    take the moisture out of the air
  63. dehydration
    the process of extracting moisture
  64. deification
    elevation to the status of a god
  65. deipnosophist
    someone skilled at informal chitchat
  66. deist
    a person who believes that God created the universe and then abandoned it
  67. de jure
    by right; according to law
  68. delay
    time during which some action is awaited
  69. delicately
    in a careful and gentle manner
  70. delimit
    set, mark, or draw the boundaries of something
  71. delineated
    represented accurately or precisely
  72. deliverer
    a person who rescues you from harm or danger
  73. dell
    a small wooded hollow
  74. deluxe
    rich and superior in quality
  75. demagoguery
    political rhetoric appealing to popular prejudice or emotion
  76. demarcate
    set, mark, or draw the boundaries of something
  77. demerit
    a quality or feature deserving censure
  78. demesne
    territory over which rule or control is exercised
  79. demigod
    a person who is part mortal and part divine
  80. demiurge
    a subordinate deity, in some philosophies the creator of the universe
  81. demo
    a visual presentation showing how something works
  82. democrat
    an advocate of rule by and for the people
  83. demography
    the study of the characteristics of human populations
  84. demonic
    extremely evil or cruel
  85. demoralizing
    causing a loss of self-confidence or hope
  86. demote
    assign to a lower position; reduce in rank
  87. demotic
    of or for the common people
  88. demotion
    act of lowering in rank or position
  89. denature
    modify (as a native protein) especially by heat, acid, alkali, or ultraviolet radiation so that all of the original properties are removed or diminished
  90. dendroid
    resembling a tree in form and branching structure
  91. denominational
    relating to or characteristic of a particular religious denomination
  92. de novo
    from the beginning
  93. denseness
    the quality of being mentally slow and limited
  94. dentifrice
    a substance for cleaning the teeth
  95. denture
    a medical appliance that artificially replaces missing teeth
  96. departed
    well in the past; former
  97. department
    a specialized division of a large organization
  98. dependent variable
    a quantity whose value depends on another quantity
  99. depletion
    the state of being used up
  100. deployment
    the distribution of forces in preparation for battle or work
  101. deponent
    a person who testifies or gives a deposition
  102. deportation
    the expulsion of a non-citizen from a country
  103. depository
    a facility for storage or safekeeping
  104. deprecating
    tending to diminish or disparage
  105. deprecation
    a prayer to avert or remove some evil or disaster
  106. deputy
    a person appointed to represent or act on behalf of others
  107. deracinate
    pull up by or as if by the roots
  108. derail
    run off or leave the tracks
  109. dereliction
    willful negligence
  110. de rigueur
    required by etiquette, custom, or fashion
  111. derisively
    in a disrespectful and mocking manner
  112. dermatology
    the branch of medicine dealing with the skin
  113. derring-do
    brave and heroic action
  114. derringer
    a pocket pistol of large caliber with a short barrel
  115. desalination
    the removal of salt
  116. desensitize
    cause to be less responsive to or affected by something
  117. desertification
    a gradual transformation into arid, uninhabitable land
  118. desiccant
    a substance that promotes drying
  119. desideratum
    something sought after as a necessity
  120. despairingly
    with desperation
  121. despite
    contemptuous disregard
  122. despondently
    with desperation
  123. destine
    decree or designate beforehand
  124. destitution
    a state without money or prospects
  125. detachment
    lack of emotion or interest
  126. detail
    a small part considered separately from the whole
  127. determinant
    a causal element or factor
  128. determinism
    (philosophy) a philosophical theory holding that all events are inevitable consequences of antecedent sufficient causes; often understood as denying the possibility of free will
  129. deterministic
    following inevitably from previous causes or actions
  130. detestable
    offensive to the mind
  131. detour
    a roundabout road or route
  132. detoxify
    remove poison from
  133. detractor
    one who disparages or belittles the worth of something
  134. deus ex machina
    an agent who appears unexpectedly to solve a difficulty
  135. deviance
    a state or condition markedly different from the norm
  136. devices
    an inclination or desire
  137. devilish
    mischievous in an appealingly bold way
  138. devil-may-care
    marked by a carefree unconventionality or disreputableness
  139. devilry
    wicked and cruel behavior
  140. devil's advocate
    someone who takes the worse side just for the sake of argument
  141. devoir
    formal expression of respect
  142. devolution
    the process of declining from a higher to a lower level
  143. dextral
    preferring to use right foot or hand or eye
  144. diacritic
    a mark added to a letter to indicate a special pronunciation
  145. diacritical
    capable of distinguishing
  146. diametric
    characterized by opposite extremes; completely opposed
  147. diametrically
    in a contrasting or opposing manner
  148. diaspora
    the dispersion of something that was originally localized
  149. dicey
    of uncertain outcome; fraught with risk
  150. dichotomous
    divided into two sharply distinguished parts
  151. dictatorial
    characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule
  152. diehard
    one who adheres to traditional views
  153. diesel
    an internal-combustion engine that burns heavy oil
  154. dietary
    a regulated daily food allowance
  155. dietician
    a specialist in the study of food, nourishment, and health
  156. differential
    a quality that distinguishes between similar things
  157. diffusely
    in a diffuse manner
  158. digestion
    the process by which the body breaks down food
  159. digestive
    a substance that aids the process of breaking down food
  160. dignify
    confer honor upon
  161. digressive
    (of e.g. speech and writing) tending to depart from the main point or cover a wide range of subjects
  162. dike
    a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water
  163. dilapidation
    the process of becoming dilapidated
  164. dilation
    the act of making an opening wider
  165. dilution
    a solution reduced in strength or concentration
  166. dim
    lacking in light; not bright or harsh
  167. diminuendo
    a gradual decrease in loudness
  168. dint
    force or effort
  169. diocese
    a district that is under the jurisdiction of a bishop
  170. diphthong
    a sound that glides between two vowels in a single syllable
  171. dipsomaniac
    a person who drinks alcohol to excess habitually
  172. direct
    proceeding without interruption
  173. directly
    without turning aside from your course
  174. directory
    an alphabetical list of names and contact information
  175. dirigible
    a steerable self-propelled aircraft
  176. disable
    injure permanently
  177. disaffection
    the feeling of being alienated from other people
  178. disagreeable
    not being in accord with your tastes or expectations
  179. disagreement
    a conflict of people's opinions or actions or characters
  180. disambiguation
    clarification that follows from the removal of confusion
  181. disappearance
    the event of passing out of sight
  182. disapproval
    an inclination to withhold approval from some person or group
  183. disarm
    take away the weapons from; render harmless
  184. disarmament
    the act or process of reducing or depriving of weapons
  185. disassemble
    take apart
  186. disbar
    expel from the practice of law by official action
  187. disbarment
    the act of expelling a lawyer from the practice of law
  188. disbelieve
    reject as false; refuse to accept
  189. disbursal
    the act of spending or distributing money
  190. disbursement
    the act of spending or distributing money
  191. disc
    a flat circular plate
  192. discernable
    able to be perceived by the senses or intellect
  193. disciplinarian
    someone who demands and enforces strict conformity to rules
  194. disciplinary
    relating to discipline in behavior
  195. disciplined
    exhibiting self-control and obeying the rules
  196. disclaimer
    a voluntary repudiation of legal claim to something
  197. discography
    a complete collection of recordings by a musician or band
  198. discolor
    cause to lose or change hue
  199. discoloration
    the act of changing something by making it duller or dingier
  200. disconsolately
    in grief-stricken loneliness
  201. discontented
    showing or experiencing dissatisfaction or restless longing
  202. discontinue
    put an end to a state or an activity
  203. discountenance
    look with disfavor on
  204. discouragement
    the expression of opposition and disapproval
  205. discourteous
    showing no politeness
  206. discourtesy
    a lack of politeness
  207. discredited
    being unjustly brought into disrepute
  208. discreetly
    with subtle care, avoiding attention or noticeable actions
  209. discriminatory
    capable of making fine distinctions
  210. discus
    an athletic competition in which a circular object is thrown
  211. disembodied
    not having a material form
  212. disenchanted
    disappointed or let down
  213. disgraceful
    deserving or bringing disgrace or shame
  214. disgruntle
    put into a bad mood or into bad humour
  215. disharmony
    a lack of harmony
  216. dishonesty
    the quality of being deceitful
  217. dishonorable
    lacking integrity; not deserving of respect
  218. disinfect
    destroy microorganisms or pathogens by cleansing
  219. disinherit
    prevent deliberately (as by making a will) from receiving
  220. disintegration
    separation into component parts
  221. disjunctive
    serving or tending to divide or separate
  222. dislocate
    put out of its usual place, position, or relationship
  223. disloyalty
    the quality of being disloyal
  224. dismissal
    the sending away of someone
  225. disown
    cast off
  226. dispirit
    lower someone's spirits; make downhearted
  227. dispiriting
    destructive of morale and self-reliance
  228. displeased
    not pleased; experiencing or manifesting displeasure
  229. disputation
    a formal debate
  230. disqualify
    make unfit or unsuitable
  231. disquieting
    causing mental discomfort
  232. disrepair
    the state of being in poor or damaged condition
  233. disrobe
    get undressed
  234. disruptive
    characterized by unrest or disorder or insubordination
  235. dissatisfaction
    the feeling of being displeased and discontent
  236. dissatisfied
    in a state of sulky dissatisfaction
  237. dissenter
    a person who objects to some established policy
  238. disservice
    an act intended to help that turns out badly
  239. dissociate
    break away from; stop having a relationship with
  240. dissociation
    the act of removing from association
  241. dissociative
    tending to produce dissociation
  242. dissuasion
    a communication that dissuades you
  243. dissuasive
    deterring from action
  244. distal
    situated farthest from point of attachment or origin, as of a limb or bone
  245. distrain
    levy a distress on
  246. distrust
    doubt about someone's honesty
  247. dithyramb
    a passionate hymn, usually in honor of Dionysus
  248. ditto
    a mark used to indicate the word above it should be repeated
  249. diuretic
    any substance that tends to increase the flow of urine
  250. divan
    a long backless sofa, usually with pillows
  251. diverting
    providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
  252. divestiture
    the partial or full sale of a company's division or assets
  253. divinatory
    resembling or characteristic of a prophet or prophecy
  254. diviner
    someone who claims to discover hidden knowledge with the aid of supernatural powers
  255. divisible
    capable of being or liable to be divided or separated
  256. divisional
    serving to divide or marking a division
  257. docent
    a lecturer or teacher at some universities
  258. doctor
    a person who holds Ph.D. degree from an academic institution
  259. doctorate
    one of the highest earned degrees conferred by a university
  260. documental
    relating to or consisting of or derived from documents
  261. dodecagon
    a twelve-sided polygon
  262. dogmatism
    arrogant or stubborn insistence that one's views are correct
  263. dolce
    gently and sweetly
  264. dole
    a share of money or necessities donated by charity
  265. dolefully
    with sadness; in a sorrowful manner
  266. dollop
    a soft lump or portion of something, especially food
  267. dolor
    (poetry) painful grief
  268. domestication
    adaptation to close association with human beings
  269. domesticity
    the quality of being domestic or domesticated
  270. dominated
    controlled or ruled by superior authority or power
  271. domino
    a small rectangular block used in playing a game
  272. domino effect
    the consequence of one event setting off a chain of similar events (like a falling domino causing a whole row of upended dominos to fall)
  273. donjon
    the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress
  274. doomsday
    (New Testament) day at the end of time following Armageddon when God will decree the fates of all individual humans according to the good and evil of their earthly lives
  275. doppelganger
    a person who is almost identical to another
  276. dormancy
    a state of quiet (but possibly temporary) inaction
  277. dory
    a marine fish with an oval body and spiny fins
  278. dose
    a measured portion of medicine taken at any one time
  279. dosser
    someone who sleeps in any convenient place
  280. dotard
    someone whose age has impaired his or her intellect
  281. doting
    extravagantly or foolishly loving and indulgent
  282. double entendre
    a word or phrase with two meanings, one of which is indecent
  283. double jeopardy
    prosecution of the same crime twice
  284. double standard
    a code applying more strictly to one group than to another
  285. doubly
    twice the degree
  286. doubter
    someone who habitually doubts accepted beliefs
  287. dovecote
    a birdhouse for pigeons
  288. dovetail
    a mortise joint formed by interlocking parts
  289. dowager
    a widow holding property received from her deceased husband
  290. downdraft
    a strong downward air current
  291. downfall
    a sudden decline in strength or number or importance
  292. download
    transfer a file or program to a smaller computer
  293. down pat
    understood perfectly
  294. downpour
    a heavy rain
  295. downright
    complete and without restriction or qualification
  296. down-to-earth
    sensible and practical
  297. downtrodden
    abused or oppressed by people in power
  298. downwind
    towards the side away from the wind
  299. downy
    soft and fluffy, like small feathers
  300. doxology
    a hymn or verse in Christian liturgy glorifying God
  301. Draconian
    imposing a harsh code of laws
  302. draftsman
    an artist skilled at drawing
  303. dragoon
    compel by coercion, threats, or crude means
  304. drake
    adult male of a wild or domestic duck
  305. dramatic irony
    when the audience understands something the characters don't
  306. drastically
    in a drastic manner
  307. draw
    cause to move by pulling
  308. draw a bead on
    aim with a gun
  309. drawl
    a slow speech pattern with prolonged vowels
  310. dreadnought
    battleship that has big guns all of the same caliber
  311. dream
    a series of images and emotions occurring during sleep
  312. dreariness
    extreme dullness; lacking spirit or interest
  313. dress rehearsal
    a full uninterrupted rehearsal in costumes shortly before the first performance
  314. dribble
    flowing in drops
  315. drip
    flowing in drops
  316. drive
    operate or control a vehicle
  317. drub
    beat thoroughly and conclusively in a competition or fight
  318. druggist
    a health professional who prepares and dispenses drugs
  319. druthers
    the right or chance to choose
  320. dryad
    a deity or nymph of the woods
  321. dualism
    doctrine that reality consists of two opposing elements
  322. dualistic
    of or relating to the philosophical doctrine of dualism
  323. duality
    a classification into two opposed parts or subclasses
  324. dubiety
    the state of being unsure of something
  325. duct
    an enclosed conduit for a fluid
  326. dudgeon
    a feeling of intense righteous anger
  327. due process
    administration of justice according to rules and principles
  328. duffer
    an incompetent or clumsy person
  329. dullard
    a person who is not very bright or interesting
  330. dumbstruck
    so surprised or shocked as to be unable to speak
  331. dummy
    a figure representing the human form
  332. dun
    a color or pigment varying around a light grey-brown color
  333. dune
    a ridge of sand created by the wind
  334. dungaree
    a coarse durable cotton fabric used to make jeans
  335. duplex
    a house with two units sharing a common wall
  336. durability
    permanence by virtue of the power to resist stress or force
  337. durian
    tree of southeast Asia having fruit with a hard spiny rind
  338. dust devil
    a miniature whirlwind strong enough to whip dust and leaves and litter into the air
  339. dustup
    an angry dispute
  340. duteous
    willingly obedient out of a sense of respect
  341. duty
    the social force that obliges you to behave in a certain way
  342. dwarf
    a person who is markedly small
  343. dwindling
    a becoming gradually less
  344. dynamo
    a coil that rotates between the poles of an electromagnet
  345. dysentery
    an infection of the intestines marked by severe diarrhea
  346. dysgraphia
    a condition characterized by impaired ability to write
  347. dysphemism
    an offensive or disparaging expression that is substituted for an inoffensive one
  348. dysphoria
    abnormal depression and discontent
  349. dysphoric
    generalized feeling of distress
Created on Sun Dec 16 15:23:22 EST 2012 (updated Fri Feb 28 09:27:45 EST 2014)

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