Hard mode for experienced groups
Once a group has played a few rounds with food or animals, the game gets predictable: everyone says “yellow” for banana. The Hard words pack switches to 45 abstract words (feelings, ideas, science and modern life) where the first clue takes real thought. Everything here is set for it: no help for the imposter, 6 players and a five-minute timer, because hard words lead to longer arguments.
How to clue an abstract word
For a word like “Shadow”, a clue such as “sundial” or “puppet” proves you know it. “Dark” is too easy and helps the imposter. Good clues for abstract words are examples or situations rather than definitions: for “Patience”, try “waiting room”; for “Irony”, try “fire station burns down”. Keep clues to one word or a very short phrase.
For the imposter
With no hint, listen before you speak. Abstract words collect very different clues, so a clue that links two earlier ones (“feeling” after “memories” and “old photos”) sounds convincing. If you’re caught, play the house rule: one guess at the word to steal the round.
Make it harder still
- Add a second imposter with 8 or more players.
- Shorten the timer to 2 minutes.
- Ban clues that are part of the word’s definition.
All 45 words in the Hard words pack
Each word with the hint the imposter sees when “Imposter sees” is set to “A hint word”. Reading the list spoils the game for whoever reads it, so let the person who reads it sit out the first round, or add your own words.
Show the word list
| Secret word | Imposter's hint |
|---|---|
| Echo | sound |
| Shadow | light |
| Silence | quiet |
| Gravity | force |
| Nostalgia | memories |
| Déjà vu | repeat |
| Jealousy | feeling |
| Patience | wait |
| Luck | chance |
| Rumor | whisper |
| Secret | hidden |
| Habit | routine |
| Mystery | unknown |
| Balance | steady |
| Reflection | surface |
| Dream | sleep |
| Memory | brain |
| Curiosity | question |
| Time travel | future |
| Inflation | prices |
| Democracy | vote |
| Oxygen | air |
| Electricity | power |
| Magnetism | attract |
| Evolution | change |
| Infinity | endless |
| Horizon | edge |
| Eclipse | dark |
| Camouflage | blend |
| Hibernation | winter |
| Migration | journey |
| Fossil | ancient |
| Algorithm | steps |
| Password | login |
| Wi-Fi | signal |
| Podcast | listen |
| Meme | internet |
| Procrastination | later |
| Sarcasm | tone |
| Irony | opposite |
| Paradox | contradiction |
| Tradition | generations |
| Compass | direction |
| Origami | fold |
| Sculpture | carve |