Endothelial Lipase (EL) inhibitors and methods of using such inhibitors for treating conditions implicating EL are provided herein. The present invention meets the needs in the field by providing small molecule inhibitors of EL function that can be used therapeutically to raise HDL cholesterol levels in blood, and can be used in the prevention and/or treatment of cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism disorders, including, but not limited to, familial hypercholesterolemia, atherogenic dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, and, more generally, cardiovascular disease (CVD).