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English Vocabulary · Grade 8 Live Review Preview

8th Grade Vocabulary Words

Eighth-grade readers move toward high-school-level analysis across literature, argument, research, physical and life science, algebra, economics, history, and civics. This level strengthens precise Tier II and cross-curricular vocabulary while emphasizing context, analogy, word relationships, Greek and Latin roots, multiple meanings, source judgment, and evidence-based communication.

This independently authored 500-word beta curriculum is arranged in twenty pages of twenty-five words each. Words 1–300 include five cloze questions per page; words 301–500 remain fully visible and editable as list pages while the expanded practice layer is developed. Each row includes a subject-field label and an editable word-study note about a transparent affix, compound structure, capitalization, or dictionary base form. The cited Grade 8 resources calibrate difficulty and vocabulary-study skills only; all learner-facing definitions, examples, quizzes, and descriptions are original KSSR copy.

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500 words
Words 401–425 of 500
#WordDetailsMeaningSample sentence
401mercantilismnoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Suffix focus: -ism often names a belief, system, movement, or practice.

an economic policy that seeks national wealth through controlled trade and accumulated resourcesEuropean mercantilism encouraged colonies to supply raw materials to the ruling country.
402triangular-tradenoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Term structure: triangular + trade. Study the complete expression as one field-specific unit.

a historical trading pattern connecting Europe, Africa, and the AmericasThe triangular-trade carried manufactured goods, enslaved people, and colonial products along different routes.
403transatlanticadjective
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Prefix focus: trans- means across, through, or beyond.

crossing or connecting the Atlantic OceanThe transatlantic voyage took several weeks under sail.
404declarationnoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Suffix focus: -ation commonly forms a noun naming an action, process, or result.

a formal public or official statementThe delegates issued a declaration explaining their decision to seek independence.
405federalismnoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Suffix focus: -ism often names a belief, system, movement, or practice.

a system that divides governing authority between a central government and regional governmentsUnder federalism, national and state governments exercise different powers.
406separation-of-powersnoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Term structure: separation + of + powers. Study the complete expression as one field-specific unit.

the division of government responsibilities among distinct branchesSeparation-of-powers prevents one branch from performing every government function.
407checks-and-balancesnoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Term structure: checks + and + balances. Study the complete expression as one field-specific unit.

a system allowing branches of government to limit one another's powerA presidential veto is part of the checks-and-balances system.
408ratificationnoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Suffix focus: -ation commonly forms a noun naming an action, process, or result.

formal approval that makes an agreement or constitution validThe treaty required ratification by the legislature.
409tyrannynoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Base-form focus: tyranny is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

cruel or unjust rule through excessive powerThe pamphlet warned that unchecked authority could become tyranny.
410judicial-reviewnoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Term structure: judicial + review. Study the complete expression as one field-specific unit.

the power of courts to determine whether government actions follow a constitutionThrough judicial-review, a court may invalidate an unconstitutional law.
411due-processnoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Term structure: due + process. Study the complete expression as one field-specific unit.

fair legal procedures that government must follow before depriving a person of rightsDue-process requires notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard.
412equal-protectionnoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Term structure: equal + protection. Study the complete expression as one field-specific unit.

the constitutional principle that laws must protect people without unjust discriminationThe plaintiffs argued that the policy violated equal-protection.
413civil-libertynoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Term structure: civil + liberty. Study the complete expression as one field-specific unit.

a basic freedom protected from unreasonable government interferenceFreedom of speech is a civil-liberty.
414civil-rightnoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Term structure: civil + right. Study the complete expression as one field-specific unit.

a legal protection ensuring equal participation and treatment in societyThe right to vote without racial discrimination is a civil-right.
415abolitionismnoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Suffix focus: -ism often names a belief, system, movement, or practice.

the movement to end slaveryAbolitionism grew through speeches, newspapers, petitions, and resistance.
416Manifest Destinyproper noun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Term structure: Manifest + Destiny. Study the complete expression as one field-specific unit.

the nineteenth-century belief that United States expansion across North America was justified or inevitableSupporters used Manifest Destiny to defend westward territorial expansion.
417westward-expansionnoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Term structure: westward + expansion. Study the complete expression as one field-specific unit.

the movement of settlers and United States control toward western North AmericaWestward-expansion displaced many Indigenous communities.
418annexationnoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Suffix focus: -ation commonly forms a noun naming an action, process, or result.

the act of adding territory to an existing political unitThe annexation of the region intensified a national dispute.
419homesteadnoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Base-form focus: homestead is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

land granted or settled as a family home and farmThe family built a cabin on its prairie homestead.
420reservationnoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Suffix focus: -ation commonly forms a noun naming an action, process, or result.

land legally designated for a particular group, especially an Indigenous nationFederal policy forced many Native communities onto a reservation.
421removalnoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Base-form focus: removal is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

the forced relocation of people from their home or landThe removal of Indigenous nations caused widespread suffering and death.
422secessionnoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Suffix focus: -sion commonly forms a noun naming an action, process, or result.

the formal withdrawal of a region or state from a political unionThe state's secession deepened the constitutional crisis.
423unionnoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Base-form focus: union is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

a political whole formed by states or regions joined under one governmentLeaders debated how to preserve the union.
424confederacynoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Base-form focus: confederacy is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

a league of states or groups that retain substantial independent authorityThe southern confederacy formed after several states seceded.
425colonialismnoun
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Field: Grade 8 history, civics, and social science word

Word study: Suffix focus: -ism often names a belief, system, movement, or practice.

control of another territory and its people for political or economic advantageColonialism redirected local resources toward the ruling empire.

Vocabulary chart page

This page focuses on the word chart. Reading passages appear once in each three-page group, while cloze quizzes remain in the established enhanced range for this level.

Sources and curriculum references

These references guide selection and calibration. Definitions, sample sentences, readings, questions, and teaching notes are independently written and reviewed.