8th Grade Weekly Words

2024-2025

Muster

(v.) to gather or summon; to summon to, collect; (n.) a formal gathering of troops, especially for inspection, display or exercise

Belittle

(v.) to make (someone or something) seem unimportant

Instigates

(v.) to cause something to happen or begin

Copious

(adj.) large in quantity or number

Imperative

(adj.) absolutely necessary or required

Pivotal

(adj.) of vital or crucial importance

Chronic

(adj.) continuing a long time or recurring frequently; constant

Rebuff

(v.) to refuse in a rude way (n.) an abrupt or ungracious refusal or rejection

Steadfast

(adj.) very devoted or loyal to a person, belief, or cause; firm; unwavering

Voracious

(adj.) exceedingly eager or avid

Awry

(adj., adv.) away from the expected or proper direction; amiss; wrong

Banter

(n., v.) an exchange of light playful teasing remarks

Affinity

(n.) A natural liking for or attraction to a person, thing, idea, etc.

Ebb

(v., n.) To lessen, reduce, decline; to reach a low point or condition (tide water); to move away from land, recede/retreat

The movement of the tide out to sea

Foreboding

(n., adj.) A prediction; inner feeling of future misfortune

Implying that something bad will happen

Catalyst

(n.) Something that quickly causes change or action

Facetious

(adj.) Treating serious with deliberately inappropriate humor

Serene

(adj.) Calm and peaceful

Trepidation

(n.) A feeling of fear that causes you to hesitate because you think something bad or unexpected is going to happen; fearful hesitation

Animosity

(n.) A feeling of strong dislike or hatred

Lethargic

(adj.) Feeling a lack of energy or interest in doing something

Commiserate

(v.) To express sympathy for someone who has experienced something unpleasant

Forlorn

(adj.) Sad and lonely

Profound

(adj.) Very great or intense; having or showing great knowledge or understanding

Reiterate

(v.) To say or do again; repeat

Meticulous

(adj.) Taking or showing extreme care about details

Frivolous

(adj.) Not important; not deserving of serious attention; silly

Acquiesce

(v.) To accept, agree, or allow, something to happen by staying silent or not arguing

Obsolete

(adj.) No longer used because something better exists

Remorse

(n.) A strong feeling of guilt

Delve

(v.) To search for something; dig for something

Engross

(v.) To occupy completely; absorb all the attention of

Indifferent

(adj.) Without interest or concern

Scruntinize

(v.) To examine in detail with careful/critical attention

Tedious

(adj.) Too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous

Assert

(v.) To state with assurance, confidence, or force; to state strongly or positively

Stance

(n.) A mental or emotional position adopted with respect to something; the way someone stands

Wavered

(v.) To sway to and fro (not always physically, but mentally)

Pragmatic

(adj.) Dealing with things sensibly and realistically; practically

Pertinent

(adj.) Relating to the matter at hand; relevant

Colloquial

(adj.) Characteristics of a familiar conversation; informal speech

Fervor

(n.) Intense and passionate feeling

Proclaim

(v.) To declare

Aloof

(adj.) Reserved; indifferent; disinterested

Mitigate

(v.) To make less severe

Falter

(v.) To hesitate or waver in action, purpose, or intent, to lose strength/momentum

Negate

(v.) (with object) To deny the existence, evidence or truth of; to make ineffective

Bolster

(v.) (with object) to add support of uphold; to strengthen;

(n.) long supportive pillow

Haughty

(adj.) Arrogant

Elusive

(adj.) Cleverly evasive; hard to find

Scapegoat

(n.) A person made to bear the blame for others or to suffer in the their place

Ambivalent

(adj.) Having mixed feelings about someone/something

Perturbed

(v.) To disturb; bother; agitate

Qualms

(n.) An uneasy feeling, doubt, worry, or fear

Alleviate

(v.) To make easier, to endure; lessen; mitigate

Veritable

(adj.) Real; true; genuine

Capricious

(adj.) Indicative of a sudden or unpredictable change; erratic

Caustic

(adj.) corrosive; sarcastic (in a scathing/biting way)

Fastidious

(adj.) Particular, critical, hard, to please

Myriad

(n.) A large/great number of things
(adj.) Extremely great in number/countless

Gallant

(adj.) Brave, spirited, noble-minded, or chivalrous

Admonish

(v.) To caution, advise, or counsel against

Impending

(adj.) About to happen

Euphemism

(n.) A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt

Objective

(adj.) (Of a person or judgment) Not influenced by personal feeling or opinions in considering the facts

(n.) A thing aimed at or sought; a goal

Subjective

(adj.) Influenced by person feeling or opinions

Exacerbate

(v.) Make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse

Ostracize

(v.) To exclude from society, friendship, conversation, etc.; To banish

Innocuous

(adj.) Harmless; not irritating or offensive; not interesting or significant

Taciturn

(adj.) Temporarily disinclined to talk

Imprudent

(adj.) To act in a rash and unwise manner