ACT Vocabulary Crossword Puzzles

ACT Vocabulary Crossword Puzzles Printable

ACT Vocabulary Crossword Puzzles

Preparing for the ACT is a significant milestone for students aiming to pursue higher education. This comprehensive exam assesses a wide range of skills across multiple subject areas, including English, mathematics, reading, science, and writing. While the ACT does not have a dedicated vocabulary section like the SAT, a strong command of vocabulary is still crucial for success, particularly in the English and reading sections. To excel on the ACT, students should focus on mastering crucial vocabulary, and one effective method for achieving this is by completing ACT Vocabulary Crossword Puzzles.

The Role of Vocabulary on the ACT:

While the ACT does not explicitly test vocabulary in isolation, it does include vocabulary-related questions in its English and reading sections. These questions may assess a student’s ability to understand word meanings in context, identify synonyms and antonyms, and recognize the connotations of words. Additionally, a robust vocabulary is essential for comprehending complex passages and answering questions accurately in the reading section. Therefore, developing a strong vocabulary is integral to performing well across all sections of the ACT.

MASTER 180 KEY ACT VOCABULARY WORDS!

Interactive Flashcards

ACT Vocabulary Interactive Flashcards

abate
To reduce in amount, degree, or intensity.
aberration
A departure from what is normal or expected.
abhor
To regard with disgust or hatred.
abstain
To choose not to do or have something.
acumen
Keen insight or sharpness in judgment.
adept
Highly skilled or proficient.
adulation
Excessive admiration or praise.
adversity
Difficulties or misfortune.
aesthetic
Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty.
altruistic
Showing selfless concern for the well-being of others.
amicable
Friendly and without conflict.
anachronistic
Belonging to a different time period.
anecdote
A short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident.
antagonist
A person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone.
arid
Extremely dry or lacking in interest.
assiduous
Showing great care and perseverance.
asylum
A place of protection or safety.
belligerent
Hostile and aggressive.
benevolent
Well-meaning and kindly.
bias
Prejudice in favor of or against one thing.
boisterous
Noisy, energetic, and cheerful.
brazen
Bold and without shame.
camaraderie
Mutual trust and friendship.
canny
Having good judgment, especially in money or business matters.
capacious
Having a lot of space.
capitulate
To surrender or give in.
candor
The quality of being honest and straightforward.
circuitous
Longer than the most direct way.
circumspect
Cautious and unwilling to take risks.
clairvoyant
Having the ability to perceive things beyond normal senses.
coalesce
To come together to form one whole.
collaborate
To work together.
colloquial
Informal speech.
compassion
Sympathy and concern for others.
compromise
To settle a dispute by mutual agreement.
condescending
Having an attitude of superiority.
conditional
Subject to one or more requirements being met.
conformist
A person who follows accepted behavior or practices.
conundrum
A confusing problem or question.
convergence
The process of coming together.
copious
Abundant in quantity.
corroborate
To confirm or give support to.
credible
Believable or convincing.
credulous
Too ready to believe things.
culpable
Deserving blame.
curtail
To reduce or limit.
daunt
To make someone feel intimidated.
dearth
A scarcity or lack.
debilitate
To weaken.
deleterious
Harmful or damaging.
demagogue
A leader who seeks support by appealing to desires rather than reason.
desecrate
To treat a sacred place with disrespect.
detrimental
Causing harm.
diligent
Hardworking and careful.
discredit
To harm someone’s reputation.
disdain
To regard with scorn.
disparage
To belittle or speak negatively about someone or something.
disparate
Very different.
disseminate
To spread widely.
divergent
Different or developing in different directions.
dogmatic
Expressing personal opinions as if they are facts.
dubious
Doubtful or suspicious.
ebullience
Enthusiastic expression.
ebullient
Cheerful and full of energy.
eclectic
Deriving ideas or style from a diverse range of sources.
eccentric
Unconventional and slightly strange.
efface
To erase or remove.
efficacious
Effective.
egregious
Outstandingly bad.
elated
Overjoyed or extremely happy.
elucidate
To explain clearly.
emphatic
Expressing something forcibly.
emulate
To imitate with the intent of equaling or surpassing.
enervating
Causing one to feel drained or weakened.
enhance
To improve or increase.
entrenched
Firmly established.
ephemeral
Lasting a very short time.
epitome
A perfect example of something.
equanimity
Mental calmness and composure.
equivocal
Open to multiple interpretations.
esoteric
Intended to be understood by a small, specialized audience.
euphemism
A mild or indirect way of saying something harsh.
evanescent
Quickly fading or disappearing.
exacerbate
To make a problem worse.
exalt
To glorify or praise highly.
exemplary
Serving as a desirable model.
exemplify
To serve as a perfect example of something.
exorbitant
Unreasonably high in price.
expedite
To speed up a process.
expunge
To remove completely.
extenuating
Making an offense seem less serious.
fallacious
Based on a mistaken belief.
fastidious
Very concerned about details.
fickle
Changing frequently.
florid
Elaborately or excessively intricate.
fluctuate
To rise and fall irregularly.
forbearance
Patient self-control.
fortitude
Courage in facing difficulties.
foster
To encourage or promote.
garrulous
Excessively talkative.
grandiose
Impressive but exaggerated.
gratuitous
Unnecessary or unwarranted.
gregarious
Sociable and outgoing.
guile
Sly intelligence.
hackneyed
Overused and lacking originality.
haughty
Arrogantly superior.
hedonist
Someone who seeks pleasure.
hinder
To create difficulties.
homogeneous
Of the same kind.
hypothesis
A proposed explanation based on limited evidence.
idiosyncratic
Peculiar to an individual.
ignominious
Deserving public shame.
impassive
Showing no emotion.
impetuous
Acting suddenly without thought.
impute
To attribute to someone.
inconsequential
Unimportant.
ineffable
Too great to describe.
inevitable
Certain to happen.
innate
Existing from birth.
insatiable
Impossible to satisfy.
intrepid
Fearless and adventurous.
jargon
Specialized language.
jubilant
Feeling or expressing great joy.
juxtapose
To place side by side for contrast.
lackadaisical
Lacking enthusiasm.
lament
To express sorrow.
laud
To praise.
lethargic
Lacking energy.
loquacious
Very talkative.
ludicrous
Ridiculous.
magnanimous
Generous and forgiving, especially toward a rival or less powerful person.
mediocre
Of moderate or low quality.
meticulous
Very careful and precise.
misanthrope
A person who dislikes others.
mitigate
To make less severe.
mundane
Lacking excitement.
nefarious
Wicked or criminal.
nonchalant
Calm and relaxed.
notorious
Famous for something bad.
novice
A beginner.
obfuscate
To make something unclear or difficult to understand.
oblivious
Unaware.
obscure
Not well known.
opulent
Rich and luxurious.
orator
A skilled public speaker.
ostentatious
Designed to impress or attract notice.
parched
Extremely dry.
perfidious
Deceitful and untrustworthy.
placate
To calm or pacify someone by making concessions.
pragmatic
Practical.
precocious
Showing early development.
pretentious
Trying to impress.
procrastinate
To delay.
prosperity
Wealth or success.
provocative
Causing a strong reaction.
querulous
Complaining.
quixotic
Unrealistically optimistic.
rancorous
Bitter and resentful.
reclusive
Avoiding company.
reconciliation
Restoring friendly relations.
redundant
Unnecessarily repetitive.
renovation
The act of improving or renewing.
resilient
Able to recover quickly.
sagacity
Wisdom.
scrutinize
To examine closely.
spontaneity
Impulsive action.
soporific
Tending to induce sleep or drowsiness.
submissive
Ready to conform.
subtle
Delicate or precise.
superficial
On the surface.
surreptitious
Kept secret.
taciturn
Reserved or saying little in conversation.
tenacious
Holding firmly.
transient
Temporary.
ubiquitous
Present or found everywhere.
venerable
Respected.
vex
To annoy, frustrate, or worry someone.
vindicate
To clear from blame.
wary
Cautious.
wistful
Feeling a sense of longing or nostalgia.
zealous
Passionate.

 

Why ACT Vocabulary Crossword Puzzles?

  1. Targeted Preparation: ACT Vocabulary Crossword Puzzles are specifically designed to help students familiarize themselves with the types of words commonly found on the ACT. By focusing on ACT-specific vocabulary, these puzzles ensure that students are dedicating their time and effort to mastering the words most relevant to the exam.
  2. Interactive Engagement: Crossword puzzles offer an engaging and interactive way to learn new vocabulary. By actively participating in the puzzle-solving process, students can reinforce their understanding of words and concepts, making learning more enjoyable and effective.
  3. Critical Thinking Skills: Solving crossword puzzles requires students to think critically and analytically as they decipher clues and fill in the grid. This process not only strengthens vocabulary retention but also enhances problem-solving skills—essential attributes for success on the ACT and beyond.

Strategies for Success:

  1. Consistent Practice: Set aside dedicated time each day or week to work on ACT Crossword Puzzles. Consistent practice is key to reinforcing vocabulary learning and improving retention over time.
  2. Gradual Progression: Start with easier puzzles and gradually progress to more challenging ones as your vocabulary skills improve. This approach allows students to build confidence while gradually expanding their vocabulary repertoire.
  3. Thematic Focus: Consider selecting crossword puzzles that focus on specific thematic areas or subject domains commonly tested on the ACT, such as literature, science, history, and mathematics. This targeted approach ensures comprehensive coverage of relevant vocabulary.
  4. Review and Reflection: After completing a puzzle, take time to review any unfamiliar words and their definitions. Reflect on how these words are used in the context of the puzzle and consider how you might encounter them on the ACT.
  5. Use Resources Wisely: In addition to crossword puzzles, leverage other vocabulary-building resources such as word lists, online quizzes, and reading materials. Variety in study methods can help reinforce learning and prevent monotony.
  6. Collaborative Learning: If possible, work with a tutor, teacher, or study group to review completed puzzles and discuss any challenging words or concepts. Collaborative learning can provide valuable insights and support, helping you to strengthen your vocabulary skills more effectively.

Beyond Crossword Puzzles:

While ACT Vocabulary Crossword Puzzles are an excellent tool for vocabulary development, it’s essential to supplement this practice with other strategies for comprehensive ACT preparation:

  1. Reading Widely: Exposure to a variety of texts, including literature, newspapers, magazines, and academic journals, is one of the best ways to expand your vocabulary. Make a habit of reading regularly and pay attention to unfamiliar words, looking up their meanings and incorporating them into your vocabulary.
  2. Contextual Learning: When encountering new words, pay attention to the context in which they are used. Try to infer the meaning of unfamiliar words based on surrounding text or clues, and practice using them in your own writing and speech.
  3. Practice Under Timed Conditions: To simulate test conditions, time yourself as you work through crossword puzzles and other vocabulary exercises. This will help build speed and accuracy, which are crucial skills for standardized testing.

Mastering crucial vocabulary is an essential aspect of ACT preparation, and completing ACT Vocabulary Crossword Puzzles offers a fun and effective way to achieve this goal. By incorporating these puzzles into your study routine and supplementing them with other vocabulary-building strategies, you can enhance your vocabulary skills and increase your chances of success on the ACT. So, grab a pencil, sharpen your wits, and start solving your way to ACT success!

These ACT Vocabulary Crossword Puzzles are printable, free, and come with corresponding printable solution pages.

Printable ACT Vocabulary Crossword Puzzles
Study Sheet 1
ACT Vocab CW 1
ACT Vocab CW 1 Answers
ACT Vocabulary Study Sheet 2
ACT Vocab CW 2
ACT Vocab CW 2 Answers
Study Sheet 3
ACT Vocab CW 3
ACT Vocab CW 3 Answers
Study Sheet 4
ACT Vocab CW 4
ACT Vocab CW 4 Answers
Study Sheet 5
ACT Vocab CW 5
ACT Vocab CW 5 Answers
Study Sheet 6
ACT Vocab CW 6
ACT Vocab CW 6 Answers

MAST 180 Key ACT Words with Interactive Matching Game!

Master 400 Key SAT Words with Interactive Matching Game!

Master 120 Key PSAT Words with Interactive Matching Game!

Go to PSAT Vocabulary Crossword Puzzles
Go to SAT Vocabulary Crossword Puzzles

Go to AP US History Crosswords
Go to AP World History Crosswords
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Go to AP Biology Terms Quizzes
Go to AP US Government Crosswords
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Go to Chemistry Terms Crosswords
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Go to High School Crosswords

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