Conflict and Relationships
Clutch (V)
To hold something tightly or suddenly.
She clutched her phone when she got the bad news.
Recognition
The act of noticing or appreciating someone’s efforts or qualities.
He received recognition for helping his classmates.
Varnish
To cover something with a shiny protective layer; or to make something look better than it really is.
She varnished her fingernails to make them shine.
Quest
A search or pursuit to achieve or find something; to go on such a search.
Her quest to run a 5K motivated her to wake up at dawn for daily training.
Havoc
Widespread destruction, chaos, or disorder.
High levels of stress can wreak havoc on a teenager’s brain development.
Assert
To state something strongly or clearly, especially in a confident way.
He asserted that he had the right to speak.
Intently
With strong focus or attention.
She listened intently to her coach's advice.
Prattle
To talk in a silly or meaningless way, especially for a long time.
At the school café, friends often prattle about the latest TikTok trends for hours on end.
Conventional
Following accepted customs, traditions, or standards; ordinary and not new.
Instead of sticking to conventional cardio routines, he added plyometric drills to boost his agility.
Robust
Strong, healthy, or able to withstand difficult conditions.
Regular physical activity helps build a robust cardiovascular system.
Aggravated
More serious or worse; also means very annoyed.
His loud chewing aggravated her.
Gratification
A feeling of pleasure or satisfaction.
Helping others gave her a deep sense of gratification.
Disproportionately
Too much or too little in comparison to something else.
Social media feedback can disproportionately affect a teenager’s self-esteem.
Synthetic
Made by chemical or industrial processes (not natural); a substance produced this way.
Many gym-goers prefer synthetic protein powders to help repair muscle fibers after intense lifting sessions.
Ingest
To take food, drink, or another substance into the body.
Teens should be mindful of what they ingest, since sugary drinks and caffeine can disrupt sleep and impair cognitive performance.
Despair
A strong feeling of hopelessness.
She felt deep despair after losing her best friend.
Sacred
Highly respected or important; often connected to spiritual value.
He believes that trust is sacred in any relationship.
Fortitude
Courage and strength in difficult situations.
It takes real fortitude for a teen to resist peer pressure and stay true to their own style.
Harrassment
Unwanted behavior or actions that disturb, trouble, or threaten someone.
The academy launched an investigation after several athletes reported harassment by staff in the training facility.
Inevitably
In a way that cannot be avoided; certain to happen.
As hormone levels shift during puberty, mood swings will inevitably occur.
Plagued (V)
To be constantly troubled or affected by something.
Their friendship was plagued by jealousy and arguments.
Tenuous
Weak or uncertain; not strong or solid.
His role as a leader was based on a tenuous trust.
Navel-gazing
Too much thinking or talking about yourself, especially in a self-obsessed way.
Too much navel-gazing on personal blogs can isolate teens instead of helping them connect with others.
Culpable
Deserving blame or held responsible for wrongdoing or failure.
The trainer felt culpable when a client strained their back attempting a weight he hadn’t properly demonstrated.
Attenuate
To reduce the force, effect, or value of something.
Practicing deep breathing or meditation can attenuate feelings of anxiety, helping a teenager’s mind stay calm under pressure.