The Ultimate HSPT Vocabulary List

abdicate

(v.) to give up power

aberration

(n.) something that differs from the norm

abet

(v.) to encourage, assist, aid, support (especially in something wrong or unworthy)

abhor

(v.) regard with disgust and hatred

abnormal

(adj.) not usual, not typical, strange

abode

(n.) a place of residence; a house or home

abrasive

(adj) rough; coarse; harsh

abrupt

(adj.) sudden and unexpected

absolve

(v.) to clear of guilt or blame

abstain

(v.) to not do something; refrain

abstract

(adj.) theoretical; not concrete; nonrepresentational

absurd

(adj.) ridiculous

abundant

(adj.) more than enough; plentiful

accentuate

(v.) to stress, highlight

acclaim

(n.) enthusiastic approval and praise

accolade

(n.) tribute; honor; praise

accumulation

(n.) the acquisition or gradual gathering of something.

acquire

(v.) to gain possession of; to obtain

acquittal

(n.) a judgment of not guilty

acrid

(adj.) having an irritatingly strong and unpleasant taste or smell

acumen

(n.) keen insight; shrewdness

adamant

(adj.) refusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind

adept

(adj.) thoroughly skilled

adequate

(adj.) enough, sufficient

adhere

(v.) to stick to

adjacent

(adj.) near, next to, adjoining

admonish

(v.) warn or reprimand someone firmly

adorn

(v.) to decorate

advent

(n.) an arrival; a coming into place or view

adversary

(n.) an enemy, opponent

adverse

(adj.) not helpful; harmful

advocate

(v.) to recommend; to speak in favor of

(n.) a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy

aesthetic

(adj.) concerning the appreciation of beauty

affluent

(adj.) rich, wealthy

affront

(n.) an action or remark that causes outrage or offense

aggrandize

(v.) to increase in greatness, power, or wealth; to build up or intensify; to make appear greater

aggravate

(v.) to annoy or anger someone; to make worse

aghast

(adj.) filled with amazement, disgust, fear, or terror

agile

(adj.) able to move quickly and easily

agitate

(v.) to disturb or upset

ailment

(n.) an illness, typically a minor one

ajar

(adj.) partially open

allegation

(n.) a formal accusation

alleviate

(v.) to relieve, make more bearable

alliance

(n.) a joining together for some common purpose

allocate

(v.) to distribute

aloof

(adj.) reserved, distant

alter

(v.) to change or modify

altercation

(n.) a heated argument

altruistic

(adj.) unselfish, concerned with the welfare of others

amass

(v.) to bring together, collect, gather, especially for oneself

ambiguous

(adj.) open to more than one interpretation; unclear

ambitious

(adj.) having a powerful desire for success or achievement

ambivalent

(adj.) having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

amiable

(adj.) friendly; good-natured

amicable

(adj.) friendly; agreeable

amiss

(adj.) not quite right; inappropriate or out of place

ample

(adj.) more than enough, large, spacious

anecdote

(n.) a short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person

anguish

(n.) great mental suffering, distress, or pain

(v.) to be deeply tormented by pain or sorrow

animosity

(n.) strong dislike; bitter hostility

annihilate

(v.) to destroy completely

anonymous

(adj.) of an unknown source or unrevealed name

antagonistic

(adj.) opposed; hostile; aggressive

antagonize

(v.) to annoy or provoke to anger

apathetic

(adj.) showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern

apathy

(n.) a lack of feeling, emotion, or interest

apex

(n.) the highest point; peak

appalling

(adj.) inspiring shock, horror, or disgust

apparatus

(n.) the technical equipment or machinery needed for a particular activity or purpose

appease

(v.) to make calm or soothe; to relieve or satisfy

appraisal

(n.) evaluation or estimation of worth

appraise

(v.) to assess the worth or value of

apprehend

(v.) to seize; to arrest

(v.) to grasp the meaning of; to understand

apprehensive

(adj.) fearful or anxious, especially about the future

aptitude

(n.) capacity for learning; natural ability

arbitrary

(adj.) based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system; random

archaic

(adj.) ancient; old-fashioned

ardent

(adj.) enthusiastic or passionate

arduous

(adj.) difficult; requiring much effort

arid

(adj.) extremely dry

aroma

(n.) a smell or odor, especially a pleasant one.

arrogant

(adj.) haughty, too convinced of one's own importance

artificial

(adj.) something made; not occurring naturally

ascend

(v.) to move upward; rise

askew

(adj.) twisted to one side; crooked

asperity

(n.) roughness, severity; bitterness or tartness

aspire

(v.) to have ambitious hopes or plans, strive toward a higher goal

assent

(v.) to express agreement

(n.) agreement

assess

(v.) to evaluate

astute

(adj.) shrewd, crafty, showing practical wisdom

atone

(v.) to make up for; make amends

atrocious

(adj.) horrifyingly wicked

atypical

(adj.) not typical, abnormal

audacious

(adj.) bold, adventurous, recklessly daring

audacity

(n.) excessive boldness, rashness, daring

augment

(v.) to make larger, increase

averse

(adj.) having a deep-seated distaste; opposed, unwilling

avert

(v.) to turn aside, turn away; to prevent, avoid

avid

(adj.) enthusiastic; extremely interested; eager