Eighth Grade Vocab Word List Week 14: Disagreement
Mark Twain, in his novel Pudd’nhead Wilson, comments, “It were not best that we should all think alike; it is
difference of opinion that makes horse races.” Twain seems to indicate that differences of opinion keep life interesting.
Sometimes disagreement may lead to a better understanding or a changed attitude. At other times,
disagreement may result in hurt feelings or a stubborn refusal to listen to another’s point of view. The words in this
lesson describe different aspects and different outcomes of dispute.
Word
Part of Speech
Definition
adversary
noun
an opponent, enemy
aggression
noun
the act of beginning an invasion; a bold, unprovoked attack; hostile action or
behavior
 Related word(s): aggressive (adjective), aggressively (a)dverb
contradict
verb
to express the opposite of; to deny the statement of; to be inconsistent with, be
contrary to
 Related word(s): contradiction (noun), contradictory (adjective)
 See controversy
controversy
noun
a public dispute between sides holding opposite views; argument or debate
 Related word(s): controversial (adjective)
 Memory cue: In a controversy, people contradict each other!
discord
noun
a lack of agreement between or among persons or groups; a combination of
harsh or unpleasant sounds or musical tones, dissonance
 Related word(s): discordant (adjective)
 See skirmish
embroil
verb
to involve in an argument or conflict; to throw into confusion or disorder,
entangle
 Related word(s): embroilment (noun)
haggle
verb
to bargain, as over the price of something; to argue in an attempt to come to
terms
 Related word(s): haggler (noun)
skirmish
noun
a minor battle between small groups of troops, often as part of a larger battle; a
minor or preliminary conflict or disagreement
verb
to engage in a skirmish
 Usage note: A skirmish is a fight, whereas a discord is a lack of agreement
stalemate
noun
a situation in which action or progress has come to a halt, a deadlock; a
situation in chess where neither player can win
strife
noun
bitter conflict, heated and often violent disagreement; a struggle between rivals
Eighth Grade Vocab Assignment Week 14
Your class is working on a debate unit. In preparation for your debate, your teacher has asked you to write a practice
dialogue between two student debaters. Choose a topic that is appropriate for a debate, such as the pros and cons of a
student dress code. Show how each student would present each side of their issue. In your explanation, use 5 of this
week’s words. Write at least 5 unique, complete sentences – one sentence per vocab word you choose – using the word
correctly (part of speech and definition). Always use the words from the far left column – NEVER THE “RELATED”
WORDS. Sentences should be more than just the word and the definition. Sentences should be unique (different from
every other sentence on the page, written by you and you alone). Sentences should be written neatly. The paper
should have a heading and should be neat (no folds, tears, etc.). Underline the vocab words (or circle, highlight, etc. –
just call my attention to the word). Skip a line after every line you’ve written (think of it as double-spacing the whole
page). This is in paragraph form.
FLASHCARDS: Thursday, Jan. 7
SENTENCES DUE: Friday, Jan. 8
Eighth Grade Vocab Word List Week 14: Disagreement
Mark Twain, in his novel Pudd’nhead Wilson, comments, “It were not best that we should all think alike; it is
difference of opinion that makes horse races.” Twain seems to indicate that differences of opinion keep life interesting.
Sometimes disagreement may lead to a better understanding or a changed attitude. At other times,
disagreement may result in hurt feelings or a stubborn refusal to listen to another’s point of view. The words in this
lesson describe different aspects and different outcomes of dispute.
Word
Part of Speech
Definition
1
noun
an opponent, enemy
2
noun
the act of beginning an invasion; a bold, unprovoked attack; hostile action or
behavior
 Related word(s): aggressive (adjective), aggressively (a)dverb
3
verb
to express the opposite of; to deny the statement of; to be inconsistent with, be
contrary to
 Related word(s): contradiction (noun), contradictory (adjective)
 See controversy
4
noun
a public dispute between sides holding opposite views; argument or debate
 Related word(s): controversial (adjective)
 Memory cue: In a controversy, people contradict each other!
5
noun
a lack of agreement between or among persons or groups; a combination of
harsh or unpleasant sounds or musical tones, dissonance
 Related word(s): discordant (adjective)
 See skirmish
6
verb
to involve in an argument or conflict; to throw into confusion or disorder,
entangle
 Related word(s): embroilment (noun)
7
verb
to bargain, as over the price of something; to argue in an attempt to come to
terms
 Related word(s): haggler (noun)
8
noun
a minor battle between small groups of troops, often as part of a larger battle; a
minor or preliminary conflict or disagreement
verb
to engage in a skirmish
 Usage note: A skirmish is a fight, whereas a discord is a lack of agreement
9
noun
a situation in which action or progress has come to a halt, a deadlock; a
situation in chess where neither player can win
10
noun
bitter conflict, heated and often violent disagreement; a struggle between rivals
Eighth Grade Vocab Assignment Week 14
Your class is working on a debate unit. In preparation for your debate, your teacher has asked you to write a practice
dialogue between two student debaters. Choose a topic that is appropriate for a debate, such as the pros and cons of a
student dress code. Show how each student would present each side of their issue. In your explanation, use 5 of this
week’s words. Write at least 5 unique, complete sentences – one sentence per vocab word you choose – using the word
correctly (part of speech and definition). Always use the words from the far left column – NEVER THE “RELATED”
WORDS. Sentences should be more than just the word and the definition. Sentences should be unique (different from
every other sentence on the page, written by you and you alone). Sentences should be written neatly. The paper
should have a heading and should be neat (no folds, tears, etc.). Underline the vocab words (or circle, highlight, etc. –
just call my attention to the word). Skip a line after every line you’ve written (think of it as double-spacing the whole
page). This is in paragraph form.
FLASHCARDS: Thursday, Jan. 7
SENTENCES DUE: Friday, Jan. 8