Words

Pronunciation

 (part of speech)

Word Charge

Word Group

Hackneyed

\HAK need\ (adj.)

– charge TIME

cliched, worn out by overuse

Despite a hackneyed theme and a predictable storyline, the play went on to rave reviews.

Hallmark

\HAUL mark\ (n.)

+ charge UNUSUAL

specific feature, characteristic

Proper diction, a loud voice, and a compelling style are the hallmarks of a good public speaker.

Harangue

\hu RANG\ (n.)

– charge BOSSY

pompous speech, tirade

Although Richard’s criticism of the company threatened to derail the board meeting, the chairman let him finish his harangue before adjourning.

Harass

\hu RASS\ (v.)

– charge HOSTILE

irritate, torment

Susan wondered whether the department store was trying to harass her since, despite her repeated pleas, it kept sending her catalogue after catalogue.

Haughty

\HAW tee\ (adj.)

– charge PROUD

arrogant and condescending

The teacher’s haughty tone discouraged the student from submitting a short story for review.

Hazardous

\HAZ er duss\ (adj.)

– charge HARMFUL

dangerous, risky, perilous

Though filtering has removed many hazardous toxins from the reservoir, the water may not yet be drinkable.

Heckler

\HEK ler\ (n.)

– charge HOSTILE

someone who tried to embarrass and annoy others

Despite the presence of hecklers in the audience, the comedian maintained his composure and delivered an effective monologue.

Hedonism

\HED oh nizm\ (n.)

– charge LAZY

pursuit of pleasure as a goal

Michelle watched television and ate cookies for the entire afternoon, citing hedonism as her life’s philosophy.

Heed

\HEED\ (v.)

= charge APPROPRIATE

pay attention to

Laura didn’t heed her mother’s advice and went outside without a coat.

Heinous

\HAY nes\ (adj.)

– charge HOSTILE

shocking, wicked, terrible

The heinous crime shocked even the most seasoned officers on the force.

Hesitant

\HEZ ih tent\ (adj.)

– charge INDECISIVE

doubtful, reluctant

Rachelle was hesitant to give her credit information over the phone, preferring to pay by check.

Hierarchy

\HIYR arky\ (n.)

= charge FORMAL

ranking system of authority groups

In the corporate hierarchy, the chairman of the board has more authority than the other board members.

Hindrance

\HIN drens\ (n.)

– charge INTERRUPT

impediment, clog; stumbling block

Not wishing to be a hindrance while his mother was preparing for the party, the children packed a picnic lunch and went to the park.

Hindsight

\HIYND siyt\ (n.)

= charge FOOLISH

perception of events after they happen

In hindsight, of course, I can see that lending her the car was a big mistake.

Hodgepodge

\HOJ poj\ (n.)

= charge COLLECTED

jumble, mixture of assorted objects

Instead of cooking one simple dish, Richard prepared a hodgepodge of different foods for the holiday meal.

Hoist

\HOYST\ (v.)

= charge HELPFUL

lift, raise

Sam backed the pickup truck to the shed and hoisted the wooden crate into the back.

Humane

\hyoo MAYN\ (adj.)

+ charge FRIENDLY

merciful, kindly

A humane man, the camp commander made sure to treat all the prisoners of war fairly.

Hypocrisy

\hih POK rih see\ (n.)

– charge FALSE

the profession of beliefs that one doesn’t really possess

Diane couldn’t believe the hypocrisy of the people who claimed to believe in equal opportunities for men and women yet still refused to hire married women at their own offices.

Hypothesis

\hi POTH a siss\ (n.)

= charge COMMUNICATION

assumption, theory requiring proof

While the board found the researcher’s hypothesis compelling, they simply couldn’t adequately fund the experiment.