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About This Quiz
In September 2018, the Merriam-Webster dictionary added a slew of new words to its collection. Some of those words were easy to understand, like 'hangry' and 'marg.' Others, however, were more difficult in nature. The word 'haptics' was added, which is the science of touch. 'Biohacking' was also among the more complicated words appended to the dictionary. Biohacking will be used more prevalently in the future, as it's the term used to describe activities like gene editing. Merriam-Webster is constantly examining new potential words and adding them to their lexicon.Â
With the words in the English language expanding every year, it can be hard to keep up! While everyday use might not require the regular use of complex words, things like standardized tests and careers in certain professions call for a more expansive vocabulary. Or perhaps you just like to use complicated sounding words!Â
Whatever your reason is for knowing tricky words, this is the perfect way to put your knowledge to the test! If you know the difference between 'cue' and 'queue,' these questions will be the ideal challenge for you! Let's see if your word knowledge is enough to ace these questions and prove that you have an advanced vocabulary.Â
Persuade
More likely than not, we have all attempted to cajole someone, especially during childhood! During lunch hour, if a child pleads with another to share their dessert by saying, "Pretty please! I'll be your best friend," then they're cajoling the other student.
Escape
Argue
Lie
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Ease
Difficulty
Flamboyance
The word 'panache' has its roots in the Latin word 'pinna,' which means feather. While this may not make much sense, the original definition for panache actually meant a plumage of feathers! The first use of the word to more directly mean flamboyance was recorded in 1898.
Preparedness
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Coincidental
Astounding
Nonplussed
Uncanny
The word 'uncanny' comes from a mix of northern England and Scottish origins. The only thing 'strange and supernatural' about this word is one of its definitions! Uncanny can also be used to describe something mischievous.
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Reassigned
Convinced
Downgraded
When 'relegate' began to be more commonly used beginning in the 1850s, it meant "to exile someone." Obviously, today it takes on a less serious meaning, which is understood to mean being downgraded.
Ordered
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Slow
Dilatory can be described as 'slow to act' or used in a way that means 'to delay.' If a car is driving purposefully below the speed limit on the freeway, this could be described as dilatory driving.
Hurried
Clumsy
Unintelligent
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Oblivious
Unashamed
The term 'abashed' has been used to describe individuals as being embarrassed for hundreds of years. Apparently, people never dealt with not being embarrassed before the 1500s, though, since 'unabased' was not used until later.
Amused
Angry
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Efficiently
Awfully
Sloppily
Tirelessly
'Indefatigable' is quite a mouthful with it being made up of six syllables. However, when it's broken down in to pieces, it begins to make sense. The various parts of the word can be understood to mean "not completely tired."
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Ambrosial
Resplendent
Aberration
While the term 'aberration' can be used in a literary sense, it's also a word found in physics! An aberration in this scientific field is when light is skewed, making an image appear blurry.
Beseeching
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Commend
Acknowledge
Eradicate
Ease
Assuage is the act of making something unpleasant feel less intense. A nurse might assuage a nervous child before a flu shot by offering them a sticker for behaving and being brave.
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Mild
Knowledgeable
Intense
Neil deGrasse Tyson has a fervid passion for astrophysics. He is the current Director of the Hayden Planetarium located in New York City and has published many books on the subject, including "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry."
Uneducated
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Verbose
Laconic
The origin of 'laconic' comes from the geographical location of Laconia, which is a region of Greece. Ancient people of this region were said to be terse and to-the-point when they talked.
Protracted
Recurrent
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Amusement
Empathy
Embarrassment
Disrespect
Despite its length, the term 'irreverence' can be better understood when it is realized that it is made with the shorter word, 'revere,' which is described as admiration. Irreverence is the opposite of admiration.
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Taciturn
Garrulous
Despite his boring character in "Derry Girls," Kevin McAleer is actually an interesting individual. He got his start in the entertainment industry as an Irish stand-up comedian and has some acting roles to his name.
Reticent
Concise
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Insolent
'Insolent' has its roots in late Middle English. It was during this time that it came to describe subjects that go beyond acceptable limits. Umbridge using a Blood Quill on Harry Potter could be described as insolent.
Cordial
Congenial
Inarticulate
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Dyspeptic
Brusque
Phlegmatic
Phlegmatic can be used to describe a certain type of personality that is perceived to be intuitive and calm. Phlegmatic personalities are said to think in webs, making a connection between small bits of information.
Splenetic
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Brave
Charming
Selfish
Impractical
If someone is described as quixotic, they have the desire to be noble and chivalrous but are often not realistic about their actions. The word's definition is related to the literary character, Don Quixote.
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Informative
Helpful
Accommodating
Meticulous
With more than 150 million users using AirBnb, it's important to make your listing stand out. By being punctilious, one's listing has a better chance of being booked over the 1.9 million listings available worldwide.
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Burned
Dried
There is limited fauna that can survive in the Sahara Desert, due to its lack of rain and extreme heat. These two factors can dessicate any plant that isn't suited for the desert's climate.
Destroyed
Shrunk
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Defeat
Injure
Weaken
Enervate is the term given to someone who is feeling drained of energy. During his career, Ali was in a total of 61 fights, with 56 of those resulting in a win for the heavy-weight champion.
Face
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Cooperative
Truculent
People who are quick to defend themselves often miss the purpose of what the other person is saying. Instead of retaliating, it is beneficial to self-support and self-validate one's self.
Concerted
Disgruntled
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Umbrage
The most common use of 'umbrage' is to describe someone who is offended by something. However, the more archaic use of the word represents a shadow, most often created by a large tree.
Acquiesce
Accost
Cavort
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Quiet
Formidable
Challenging
Outspoken
One key vociferous climate change activist is Greta Thunberg. She has been a part of a number of climate change protests and even spoke in front of politicians about the importance of taking care of the planet.
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Unplanned
Random
Deliberate
Despite sounding like a Chinese dumpling, wanton actually means deliberate. If you're making wonton soup, you'll want to follow the recipe wantonly, to ensure that you add the onions, oyster sauce and chili oil.
Dangerous
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Humorous
Humiliating
Ignominious is a term based off the shorter, similar word "ignominy," which can be understood to mean a public defeat. Ignominy is used in the religious text of Christianity, the Bible.
Motivated
Sarcastic
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Unseemly
Boisterous
Abhorrent
Demure
Demure is a word that means modest, unassuming and quiet. Cinderella is an example of a demure woman because she has all of these qualities, unlike her stepsisters, who are loud and rude.
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Understood
Scientific
Boring
Mysterious
Arcane is a word used to describe things that many people do not understand. M-Theory, or the combination of all plausible versions of superstring theory, could be considered an arcane subject.
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Seize
"Arrogate" can be understood to mean to seize something without justification. The word is also shared with a successful racehorse, Arrogate. Perhaps his owners hoped he would arrogate victories!
Destroy
Succumb
Influence
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Advocate
Erumpent
Minuscule
Misanthrope
A misanthrope is someone who does not like humankind. In Shrek's case, he chooses to dislike humans AND fairy tale creatures. The annoyed ogre just wants two things: solitude and his swamp.
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Disapprove
Swindle
While the term "bilk" is used today to mean "to cheat," its origin word had a different meaning. Coming from English root words, in the 17th century, bilk was used to mean "to spoil an opponent's score."
Disgust
Excessive
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That they ignore laws
That they are aware of the laws
Despite being expected to know the laws inside and out, police officers are simply unable to know the intricacies of every law. There's an estimated range of 15,000 to over 50,000 laws in place in the United States at the federal level alone!
That they make up the laws
That they create the laws
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Disregard
Create
Elaborate
Interpret
Being able to construe the meaning of a word comes in handy when it comes to standardized testing. One can only hope that the 1.9 million students that took the ACT in 2018 used this to their advantage!
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Dirge
A dirge is a form of mournful song that is often played at funerals. One popular dirge is "On Eagle's Wings." It is based on the religious text found in Psalms 91, within the book of Matthew.
Annex
Cajole
Surfeit
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Dissonance
Humility
Ostentation
By announcing that her father invented toaster strudels, one can imply that she may have power and excessive wealth, or ostentation. According to the Mean Girls Wiki page, her father invented them in 1985.
Lethargy
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Encourage
Elaborate
Falsify
Dismiss
She's one of the most famous artists in the world; it's no surprise that Ariana Grande may have rumors she would like to dispel (or eliminate their legitimacy).
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To complain excessively
To gorge oneself
To praise enthusiastically
The 'Good Noodle Board' is used as a way to extol the students in Mrs. Puff's class. At one point, SpongeBob SquarePants' name is followed by 25 'Good Noodle' stars, whereas everyone else in the class only has a few.
To follow orders explicitly
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