8th Grade Vocabulary Words - List 17

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Word Definition Practice Sentence Synonyms Antonyms Part of Speech Description
viable Something that can be done or usable. The plan was not viable in the long term. feasible, possible, doable unachievable, unpractical, unreasonable Adjective
spurned To refuse or reject something or someone. She spurned the job offer due to its low pay. denied, dismissed, rebuffed approve, admire, accept Verb
jocularity Acting or speaking in a funny or humorous way. The jocularity of his tone put everyone at ease. comical, ridiculous, witty dullness, sadness, gloom Noun
denigrate To be critical or to deride others. She was quick to denigrate anyone who disagreed with her opinion. slander, reproach, reprimand praise, congratulate, flatter Verb
sympathetic Feeling or showing compassion. She was so sympathetic to his plight that she offered to help him. caring, sensitive, supportive insensitive, callous, uncaring Adjective
observe To see or detect. The scientist will observe the cells under the microscope. study, view, monitor overlook, disregard, ignore Verb
squandered To waste in a careless manner. He squandered his inheritance on frivolous purchases. misspend, consume, misuse save, gather, collect Verb
intractable Something difficult to deal with. The problem was intractable and couldn't be solved. unmanageable, uncontrollable, uncooperative manageable, controllable Adjective
refurbish To revamp or renovate. They decided to refurbish the old building. modernize, recondition, remodel destroy, damage, ruin Verb
cajole To coax or persuade someone. She tried to cajole her boss into giving her a raise. convince, entice, spur dissuade, discourage, repel Verb
venal Dishonest or immoral. He was known to have a venal attitude towards money. corrupt, crooked, unethical trustworthy, upright, truthful Adjective
diversion An activity for amusement. I went to the park for a diversion from my daily routine. distraction, fun, pastime chore, work, task Noun
encapsulate Enclose or summarize. She tried to encapsulate all of her feelings in the letter. boil down, outline, generalize expand, extend, increase Verb
waning To slowly decrease. The moon's brightness was waning. abating, ebbing, lessening waxing Adjective
venerate To respect and look up to. I venerate my grandparents for all the hard work they have done over the years. honor, revere, look up to disregard, scorn, spurn Verb

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