8th grade challenge words

Natalina M. (United States of America)
70 words 83 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. zeugma
    rhetorical use of a word to govern two or more words
  2. litotes
    understatement for rhetorical effect
  3. esurient
    extremely hungry
  4. embonpoint
    the bodily property of being well rounded
  5. contraband
    distributed or sold illicitly
  6. propaganda
    information that is spread to promote some cause
  7. profane
    grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred
  8. ambivalence
    mixed feelings or emotions
  9. narcissism
    an exceptional interest in and admiration for yourself
  10. nostalgia
    a longing for something past
  11. philosophy
    the rational investigation of existence and knowledge
  12. phenomenon
    any state or process known through the senses
  13. philanthropist
    someone who makes charitable donations
  14. Ph.D.
    a doctorate usually based on at least 3 years graduate study and a dissertation; the highest degree awarded graduate study
  15. phantasm
    something existing in perception only
  16. psychology
    the science of mental life
  17. psychopath
    a person with an antisocial personality disorder
  18. psychedelic
    producing distorted sensory perceptions and feelings
  19. mendacious
    given to lying
  20. mendaciously
    in a mendacious and untruthful manner
  21. mending
    the act of putting something in working order again
  22. effect
    a phenomenon that is caused by some previous phenomenon
  23. affect
    have an influence upon
  24. ambiguous
    having more than one possible meaning
  25. arbitrary
    based on or subject to individual discretion or preference
  26. abashment
    feeling embarrassed due to modesty
  27. abolition
    doing away with a system or practice or institution
  28. abruptness
    the quality of happening without warning
  29. rhetorical
    relating to using language effectively
  30. rheumatism
    any painful disorder of the joints or muscles
  31. haughty
    having or showing arrogant superiority
  32. triumph
    a successful ending of a struggle or contest
  33. transcend
    go beyond the scope or limits of
  34. transcendent
    exceeding or surpassing usual limits
  35. transcendental
    existing outside of or not in accordance with nature
  36. annotate
    add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments
  37. passive
    lacking in energy or will
  38. lethargy
    inactivity; showing an unusual lack of energy
  39. pessimistic
    expecting the worst possible outcome
  40. euphemism
    an inoffensive expression substituted for an offensive one
  41. bureaucracy
    a government administered primarily by nonelective officials
  42. ethics
    motivation based on ideas of right and wrong
  43. ethical
    conforming to accepted standards of social behavior
  44. ethereal
    characterized by lightness and insubstantiality
  45. esoteric
    understandable only by an enlightened inner circle
  46. dormant
    inactive but capable of becoming active
  47. unanimous
    in complete agreement
  48. unaccustomed
    not habituated to; unfamiliar with
  49. unadorned
    not decorated with something to increase its beauty
  50. radical
    far beyond the norm
  51. relevant
    having a bearing on or connection with the subject at issue
  52. pertain
    be relevant to
  53. explicit
    precisely and clearly expressed or readily observable
  54. expedite
    process fast and efficiently
  55. exasperating
    extremely annoying or displeasing
  56. gratitude
    a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation
  57. gratification
    the act or an instance of satisfying
  58. righteous
    morally justified
  59. trance
    a psychological state induced by a magical incantation
  60. tangible
    perceptible by the senses, especially the sense of touch
  61. primal
    having existed from the beginning
  62. exertion
    use of physical or mental energy; hard work
  63. exertion
    use of physical or mental energy; hard work
  64. pusillanimous
    lacking in courage, strength, and resolution
  65. irrefutable
    impossible to deny or disprove
  66. dyspepsia
    a digestive disorder characterized by heartburn or nausea
  67. dystopia
    state in which the conditions of life are extremely bad
  68. iconoclast
    someone who attacks cherished ideas or institutions
  69. transgression
    the violation of a law or a duty or moral principle
  70. heist
    the act of stealing
Created on Thu Aug 29 13:41:51 EDT 2013 (updated Fri Aug 30 10:34:45 EDT 2013)

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