30 Words you should only use when playing Scrabble

By Laura Hale Brockway

A few weeks ago, I watched a 30-minute video conference and the word “utilize” was said more than 100 times. I wanted to tear my hair out.
“Utilize” is one of those lazy corporate words that people use because they think it makes them sound more knowledgeable, professional, or formal. They don’t understand the value of using simple words in place of complex ones.
“Utilize” and “use” have similar meanings and there is rarely an occasion to use “utilize” instead of “use.” I’ve even heard it said that the only time it’s acceptable to use “utilize” instead of “use” is when you’re playing Scrabble.

So in the spirit of using simple words instead of complex words, here are 30 words that you should only use when playing scrabble. (Of course, some of these have more than 7 letters, but you get the idea.)

1. amalgamate

2. ambulate

3. ballpark

4. bifurcate

5. cognizant

6. conundrum

7. dearth

8. deleterious

9. dialogue

10. diaphanous

11. efficacious

12. elucidate

13. enervate

14. facile

15. fortuitous

16. implement

17. inimical

18. leverage

19. masticate

20. munificence

21. obdurate

22. orientate

23. penchant

24. prevaricate

25. promulgate

26. recalcitrant

27. sagacious

28. synergy

29. tableau

30. utilize