Words for the High School Graduate

This list of 75 words includes many you probably learned before or during high school. Quiz yourself and see how you do!

This list is sampled from The Vocabulary.com Top 1000.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. connotation
    an idea that is implied or suggested
    In Arabic, the word “bayt” translates literally as house, but its connotations resonate beyond rooms and walls, summoning longings gathered about family and home. New York Times (Feb 18, 2012)
  2. unassuming
    not arrogant
    Parr's conduct after his most heroic actions was thoroughly modest and unassuming. Greely, Adolphus W.
  3. avocation
    an auxiliary activity
    Unlike many retired doctors, whom he says often have no life outside their profession, he always knew sailing would become his avocation. Newsweek (Nov 17, 2010)
  4. omniscient
    knowing, seeing, or understanding everything
    Robbe-Grillet responds that his work is in fact far less objective than the godlike, omniscient narrator who presides over so many traditional novels.
  5. delve
    turn up, loosen, or remove earth
    So she did what any reporter would do: she delved into the scientific literature and talked to investigators. New York Times (Dec 27, 2010)
  6. platitude
    a trite or obvious remark
    But details are fuzzy and rebel leaders often resort to platitudes when dismissing suggestions of discord, saying simply that "Libya is one tribe." Wall Street Journal (Jun 20, 2011)
  7. blatant
    without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious
    There was no blatant display of wealth, and every article of furniture bore signs of long though careful use. Bull, Charles Livingston
  8. idiosyncrasy
    a behavioral attribute peculiar to an individual
    One of his well-known idiosyncrasies was that he would never allow himself to be photographed. Le Queux, William
  9. inclusive
    encompassing much or everything
    We are going to adhere to our basic programing strategy of nonpartisan information inclusive of all different points of view.
  10. urbane
    showing a high degree of refinement
    Polished, urbane and gentlemanly—his manners were calculated to refine all around him. Judson, L. Carroll
  11. clandestine
    conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
    For Jordan, this is a clandestine relationship it would much prefer to have kept secret. BBC (Jan 5, 2010)
  12. discriminating
    showing or indicating careful judgment and discernment
    Jobs’ Apple specializes in delighting the most discriminating, hard-to-please customers. Forbes (Oct 12, 2011)
  13. faction
    a dissenting clique
    One faction declared it would begin an armed struggle against the government of the United States. Slate (Feb 29, 2012)
  14. partisan
    devoted to a cause or political group
    But given the bitter partisan divide in an election year, Democrats said they would never be able to get such legislation passed. Chicago Tribune (Mar 30, 2012)
  15. objective
    the goal intended to be attained
    The objective was to mobilize students from 18 high schools across the city to provide community services and inspire others. New York Times (Feb 5, 2012)
  16. entreat
    ask for or request earnestly
    "Let me go now, please," she entreated, her eyes unable to meet his any longer. Hope, Anthony
  17. illustrious
    widely known and esteemed
    She will be joining an illustrious list of recipients that include Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Pope John Paul II and Princess Diana.
  18. frustrate
    hinder or prevent, as an effort, plan, or desire
    Frustrated after two years of missed budget targets, finance chiefs demanded Greek officials put their verbal commitments into law.
  19. philosophical
    relating to the investigation of existence and knowledge
    His arguments, like Einstein’s, were qualitative, verging on highly philosophical. Scientific American (Jan 30, 2012)
  20. vacate
    leave behind empty; move out of
    Their number diminished sharply after Villaraigosa announced last week that he wanted protesters to vacate the grounds by Monday or be forcibly removed. Chicago Tribune (Nov 30, 2011)
  21. latitude
    freedom from normal restraints in conduct
    Great employees often get more latitude to bring up controversial subjects in a group setting because their performance allows greater freedom.
  22. indication
    something that serves to suggest
    Authorities said an autopsy found no indications of foul play or obvious signs of trauma on Houston. Seattle Times (Feb 15, 2012)
  23. intrigue
    cause to be interested or curious
    Designing and building models that intrigue and educate without overwhelming has been challenging. Science Magazine (Nov 24, 2011)
  24. satire
    witty language used to convey insults or scorn
    There’s plenty of humor on Russian television, though not much political satire; Mr. Putin put a stop to that long ago. New York Times (Feb 13, 2012)
  25. muse
    reflect deeply on a subject
    Musing about the Big Picture may be a lot more gratifying than focusing on the details of the specific policies that aren’t working.
  26. gale
    a strong wind moving 34–40 knots
    The gale was accompanied, as usual, by incessant rain and thick weather, and a heavy confused sea kept our decks always flooded. Fitzroy, Robert
  27. suffrage
    a legal right to vote
    There has been a great deal said in this country of late in regard to giving the right of suffrage to women. Ingersoll, Robert Green
  28. humiliate
    cause to feel shame
    The letter claims pensioners are too often patronised, humiliated, denied privacy or even medical treatment.
  29. imposed
    set forth authoritatively as obligatory
    The Arab League has already suspended Syria and imposed economic sanctions.
  30. kindle
    catch fire
    Then a match was kindled and fire applied. Warner, Susan
  31. exertion
    use of physical or mental energy; hard work
    One day overcome by exertion, she fainted in the street. Ingersoll, Robert Green
  32. exploit
    draw from; make good use of
    As humans increasingly exploit the deep seas for fish, oil and mining, understanding how species are dispersed is crucial, Copley said. Scientific American (Jan 3, 2012)
  33. venerate
    regard with feelings of respect and reverence
    He venerated me like a being descended from an upper world. Blasco Ib??ez, Vicente
  34. throng
    press tightly together or cram
    Deafening cheers rent the air as he landed; hundreds thronged around him to clasp his hand. Strang, Herbert
  35. extravagant
    recklessly wasteful
    Advisers say new millionaires are prone to mistakes, like making extravagant purchases or risky deals with friends.
  36. malice
    the desire to see others suffer
    He viewed the moths with malice, their fluttering wings fanning his resentment. Lyman, Olin L.
  37. proceeding
    a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
    Chu attended the special court-martial proceeding on Monday in Hawaii, Hill said.
  38. sanction
    give authority or permission to
    The Securities and Exchange Commission said last year it had sanctioned 39 senior officers for conduct related to the housing market meltdown.
  39. conspicuous
    obvious to the eye or mind
    Its bright scarlet fruits are conspicuous in late autumn. Anonymous
  40. suspended
    supported or kept from sinking or falling by buoyancy
    Frustrating enough at ground level, but can you imagine the agony about a stranded, ever-soggier Oreo being suspended 11 feet above the ground? Washington Post (Feb 21, 2012)
  41. gravity
    the force of attraction between all masses in the universe
    Once captured, the combined object will have a new center of gravity and may be spinning in an uncontrolled way.
  42. vex
    disturb, especially by minor irritations
    There are vexing problems slowing the growth and the practical implementation of big data technologies. Forbes (Oct 21, 2011)
  43. pious
    having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity
    Mother, you see, is a very pious woman, and she attributes it all to Providence, saying that it was the Divine interference in her behalf. Various
  44. ordain
    invest with ministerial or priestly authority
    One of the present bishops was consecrated when quite a young boy, and deacons are often ordained at sixteen, and even much earlier. Bird, Isabella L. (Isabella Lucy)
  45. flourish
    grow vigorously
    His business had been all along steadily flourishing, his patrons had been of high social position, some most illustrious, others actually royal. Petherick, Horace William
  46. afflict
    cause physical pain or suffering in
    Melanoma globally afflicts nearly 160,000 new people each year.
  47. dense
    permitting little if any light to pass through
    Dense black smoke rose in the distance as demonstrators burned tires in Shiite villages.
  48. rider
    a traveler who actively sits and travels on an animal
    In horseback riding, a rider will give commands by squeezing or lengthening the reins and altering the position of his legs.
  49. sob
    weep convulsively
    He cried and trembled, sobbing, while they spoke, like the child he was. Weyman, Stanley J.
  50. warrant
    show to be reasonable or provide adequate ground for
    In the United Kingdom and Europe the devices are not used unless the need is warranted by the patient's medical condition.
  51. cite
    make reference to
    The Federal Reserve has pledged low interest rates until late 2014, citing in part the weakness of the job market.
  52. facile
    arrived at without due care or effort; lacking depth
    As one teacher remarks about a troubled student, “There is no facile solution.” New York Times (Oct 11, 2011)
  53. substantial
    real; having a material or factual existence
    Defence lawyers said the large number of forensic tests which had been carried out had failed to find any substantial evidence linked to the accused.
  54. elaborate
    marked by complexity and richness of detail
    But the tobacco industry and owners of other convenience stores say tribal cigarette manufacturing is just an elaborate form of tax evasion. New York Times (Feb 22, 2012)
  55. derived
    formed or developed from something else; not original
    Modern kale, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi are all members of the same species, derived from a single prehistoric plant variety. Slate (Feb 21, 2012)
  56. contrive
    make or work out a plan for; devise
    The wily Roc, never taken much by surprise, contrived to escape, but old Tributor and his men were all captured. Thornbury, Walter
  57. decree
    a legally binding command or decision
    While the decree takes effect immediately, it requires Parliament’s approval within 60 days to remain in force.
  58. perpetual
    continuing forever or indefinitely
    The river is a perpetual enjoyment, always something going on. Waddington, Mary King
  59. cede
    relinquish possession or control over
    Some militia chiefs say they will only cede command of their fighters once an organized military and security apparatus is in place.
  60. fare
    proceed, get along, or succeed
    A recent study breaks down how graduates with various college degrees are faring in today’s difficult job market. Washington Post (Feb 17, 2012)
  61. ascertain
    learn or discover with confidence
    Health care providers and manufacturers can ascertain alternative treatment more effectively by tackling predicted drug shortage incidences early in the process. Forbes (Feb 13, 2012)
  62. tread
    a step in walking or running
    The farmer went down, his clumsy boots making no sound on the uncarpeted stairway, so careful was his tread. Woolson, Constance Fenimore
  63. provoke
    provide the needed stimulus for
    It provoked a bigger reaction than we could ever have anticipated.
  64. credible
    appearing to merit belief or acceptance
    Mike Mullen, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has acknowledged receiving the memo but said he ignored it as not credible. New York Times (Dec 19, 2011)
  65. partial
    being or affecting only a segment
    Generalizations of this sweeping order are apt to contain only partial truth. Clarke, Helen Archibald
  66. modest
    not large but sufficient in size or amount
    A healthy person living in an unfashionable city with no student loans to pay off can get by on a fairly modest income. Slate (Feb 17, 2012)
  67. heed
    pay close attention to
    But Cain was already too far gone to heed the warning voice. Adler, Felix
  68. steep
    having a sharp inclination
    It was narrow and very steep, and had precipices in all parts, so that they could not mount upward except one at a time. Various
  69. multitude
    a large indefinite number
    Department store chains in general have been strained in recent years as a "multitude" of alternatives has emerged, all competing for customers. Chicago Tribune (Dec 28, 2011)
  70. lofty
    of imposing height; especially standing out above others
    He found himself in an enormous hall with a lofty ceiling. Blasco Ib??ez, Vicente
  71. device
    an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose
    You’ve probably also noticed that the telephone and computer are no longer the only devices on your employees’ desks. Forbes (Feb 26, 2012)
  72. boast
    talk about oneself with excessive pride or self-regard
    Mr. Estes was also well connected politically, boasting that the president of the United States took his calls. New York Times (Dec 10, 2011)
  73. rail
    complain bitterly
    Mr. Gray railed against lengthy stage directions, saying he crossed them out in scripts before he would begin rehearsals with his actors. New York Times (Feb 7, 2012)
  74. perish
    pass from physical life
    Simon Wiesenthal's parents are long since deceased, with his father dying in World War I and his mother perishing in the Holocaust.
  75. toil
    work hard
    He toiled in the sweat of his brow, tilling the stubborn ground, taking out stones, building fences. Adler, Felix
Created on Thu May 19 10:45:34 EDT 2011 (updated Mon Jun 02 11:38:19 EDT 2014)

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