8th Grade Vocabulary Words - List 14

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Word Definition Practice Sentence Synonyms Antonyms Part of Speech Description
sustenance A means of nourishment or maintenance. Bugs serve as sustenance for many bird species. nutrition, provision, aliment Noun
utilize To make use of or put into action. The company tried to utilize new technology to improve its production process. employ, apply, use Verb
imbued To permeate or inspire with a certain feeling. The movie was imbued with a sense of nostalgia. evoked, elicited, suffused stripped, deprived, emptied Verb
impasse A predicament or situation in which progress is no longer possible. The negotiations reached an impasse, and no agreement was reached. stalemate, deadlock, halt Noun
flouted To openly ignore or disregard. He flouted the rules and did what he wanted. defied, neglected, dismissed accepted, respected, honored Verb
kleptocracy A government or system governed by people who use their status for personal gain at the expense of the governed. The nation was ruled by a kleptocracy, in which the ruling elite embezzled state funds. Noun
kowtow To act in an especially subservient manner usually to gain the approval of someone. He was unwilling to kowtow to his boss for a raise. drool, fawn, truckle despise, defy, scorn Verb
faveolate Having pits or holes similar to a honeycomb. The new building had a faveolate interior with hexagonal shelves splayed across the walls. pitted Adjective
immutable Not capable of being changed or unchanging over time. The laws of physics are immutable and cannot be changed. fixed, unalterable, invariable elastic, flexible, mutable Adjective
torpid Functioning or acting slow or physically inactive. The old man had grown torpid in his old age. sluggish, lethargic, sleepy energetic, active, vigorous Adjective
widening To grow horizontally or increase in width. The widening of the Grand Canyon took thousands of years of erosion. broadening, expanding, enlarging narrowing, constricting, diminishing Verb
temperate Relating to a climate which is moderate and mild in temperature. The midwest of the United States is characterized by temperate climates. equable, clement, balmy severe, inclement, harsh Adjective
lingua franca A language used as a common form of communication among people who speak different languages. English has become a lingua franca of international air traffic control. Noun
desuetude Lack of use or exercise. Despite years of desuetude, the old truck started without fail. disuse, neglect, inactivity use, utilization, employment Noun
zeal To be eager and devoted. She approached the new project with zeal, eager to put her skills to good use. determined, diligent, gusto dull, lazy, inactive Noun

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