Here are some of the words that tripped up contestants in the 2011 Berks County Spelling Bee:

maraca, a South American musical instrument.

filibuster, a legislative tactic.

pitchblende, a brown glossy mineral.

convoluted, extremely complex.

empanada, a meat-filled turnover.

doctrinaire, seeking to impose a political doctrine.

mikado, a Japanese emperor.

deleterious, hurtful or destructive.

synchronous, coinciding in time, simultaneous.

asado, South American barbecue techniques.

decrement, reduction or diminution.

Source: Local spelling bee list, Scripps National Spelling Bee

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