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GRE Vocabulary

Terms in this set (206)

etymology - noun

the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history

noisome - adjective

offensive, disgusting; really bad smelling

Pulchritudinous - adjective

one of two or more words spelled and pronounced alike but different in meaning

deviation from the common rule

the quality of sounding good

the study of the sounds used in speech

Music with two or more melodies blended together.

To not do something; refrain

a lack of feeling, emotion, or interest

deviation from what is normal

to make something unpleasant less severe

(adj.) bold, adventurous, recklessly daring, fearless

impulsive and unpredictable; changing one's mind quickly and often

syn: mercurial, fickle

to support with evidence

to dry out thoroughly

to produce, cause, or bring about

a puzzle; a mystery

ephemeral

Her pain relief was ephemeral, lasting only for one day after her procedure.

lasting a very short time

open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous

(adj.) scholarly, learned, bookish, pedantic

burning with enthusiasm or zeal; extremely heated

easily deceived

of the same kind

laconic

She was a LACONIC poet who built her reputation on using words as sparingly as possible

brief and to the point; using few words

worthy of praise

easy to understand, clear; rational, sane

mitigate

A judge may MITIGATE a sentence if she decides that a person committed a crime out of need

make less severe, serious, or painful

opaque

The heavy buildup of dirt and grime on the windows almost made them OPAQUE

(adj.) not letting light through; not clear or lucid; dense, stupid

pedant

The graduate instructor's tedious and excessive commentary on the subject soon gained her a reputation as a PEDANT.

one possessing abundant knowledge of minor, often uninteresting, things

placate

The burglar tried to PLACATE the snarling dog by saying, "Nice doggy," and offering it a treat.

to appease, soothe, pacify

pragmatic

While daydreaming gamblers think they can get rich by frequenting casinos, PRAGMATIC gamblers realize that the odds are heavily stacked against them.

practical, as opposed to idealistic

Tending to emphasize ideals and principles over practical concerns

precipitate

Upon learning that the couple married after knowing each other only tow months, friends and family members expected such PRECIPITATE marriage to end in divorce

to throw violently or bring about abruptly; lacking deliberation

syn: abrupt, induce

prodigal

The PRODIGAL son quickly wasted all of his inheritance on a lavish lifestyle devoted to pleasure

lavish; wasteful

the quality of behaving in a proper manner; obeying rules and customs

to waver; to sway indecisively

volatile

His VOLATILE personality made it difficult to predict his reaction to anything

easily aroused or changeable; lively or explosive

zeal

She brought her typical ZEAL to the project, sparking enthusiasm in the other team members

great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective

abate

As the covid crisis persisted, and Jeshua and Martha were struggling financially. Their apartment offered an ABATEment for their monthly rent in order to lessen their financial burden

to reduce in amount, degree, or severity

abscond

The patron ABSCONDED from the restaurant without paying his bill by sneaking out the back door

to leave secretly

a person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, cause, or activity

abstain

She ABSTAINED from choosing a mouthwatering dessert from the tray

to choose not to do something

abyss

The submarine dove into the abyss to chart the previously unseen depths

an extremely deep hole

advocate

The vegetarian ADVOCATED a diet containing no meat

to speak in favor of

aesthetic

Followers of the AESTHETIC Movement regarded the pursuit of beauty as the only true purpose of art

concerning the appreciation of beauty

aggrandize

The supervisor sought to AGGRANDIZE herself by claiming that the achievements of her staff were actually her own

to increase in power, influence, and reputation

alleviate

Taking aspirin helps to ALLEVIATE a headache

to make more bearable

Amalgamate

Giant Industries AMALGAMATED with Mega Products to form Giant-Mega Products Incorporated

to combine; to mix together

ambiguous

The directions she gave were so AMBIGUOUS that we disagreed on which way to turn

doubtful or uncertain; able to be interpreted several ways

ameliorate

The doctor was able to AMELIORATE the patient's suffering using painkillers

to make better; to improve

anachronism

The aged hippie used ANACHRONISTIC phrases, like "groovy" and "far out," that had not been popular for years

something out of place in time

analogous

In the Newtonian construct for explaining the existence of God, the universe is ANALOGOUS to a mechanical timepiece, the creation of a divinely intelligent "clockmaker"

similar or alike in some way; equivalent to

deviation from what is normal

to annoy or provoke to anger

extreme dislike

lack of interest or emotion

to judge a dispute between two opposing parties

ancient, old-fashioned

intense and passionate feeling

able to speak clearly and expressively

to reduce in force or degree; to weaken

severe or stern in appearance; undecorated

predictable, cliched, boring

to support; to prop up

pompous in speech and manner

overly self-important in speech and manner; arrogant

harsh, jarring noise

impartial and honest in speech; truthful and straightforward; frank

to punish or criticize harshly

something that brings about a change in something else

biting in with; sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way

great disorder or confusion

someone prejudiced in favor of a group to which he or she belongs

deception by means of craft or guile

sly or cunning intelligence

convincing and well reasoned

to find not guilty of a fault or crime

to overlook, pardon, or disregard

intricate and complicated

too trusting; gullible

steadily increasing volume or force

appropriateness of behavior or conduct; propriety

respect, courtesy

to speak of or treat with contempt; to mock

the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn.

to dry out thoroughly

jumping from one thing to another; disconnected

an abusive, condemnatory speech

a cause of great trouble or suffering

lacking self-confidence

to make larger; to expand

intended to delay

someone with an amateurish and superficial interest in a topic

a funeral hymn or mournful speech

to set right; to free from error

to perceive; to recognize

to lower in character, quality, or value

fundamentally different; entirely unlike

to present a false appearance; to disguise one's real intentions or character

a harsh and disagreeable combination, often of sounds

a firmly held opinion, often a religious belief

dictatorial in one's opinions

to deceive; a person who is easily deceived

selecting from or made up from a variety of sources

a sorrowful poem or speech

persuasive and moving, especially in speech

to copy; to try to equal or excel

to reduce in strength

to count, list, or itemize

to use expressions of double meaning in order to mislead

wandering and unpredictable

known or understood by only a few

speech in praise of someone

use of an inoffensive word or phrase in place of a more distasteful one

to clear from blame; prove innocent

urgent; requiring immediate action

to clear of blame

clearly stated or shown; forthright in expression

acting excessively enthusiastic; filled with extreme, unquestioned devotion

excessively decorated or embellished; fancy

to arouse or incite

a tendency to be thrifty or cheap

Garrulous

The GARRULOUS parakeet distracted its owner with its continuous talking

tending to talk a lot

Gregarious

She was so GREGARIOUS that when she found herself alone, she felt quite sad

outgoing, sociable

Guile

Since he was not fast enough to catch the roadrunner on foot, the coyote resorted to GUILE in an effort to trap his enemy

deceit or trickery

easily deceived

Iconoclast

His lack of regard for traditional beliefs soon established him as an ICONOCLAST

one who opposes established beliefs, customs, and institutions

imperturbable

The counselor had so much experience dealing with distraught children that she seemed IMPERTURBABLE, even when faced with the wildest tantrums.

not capable of being disturbed

impervious

A good raincoat with be IMPERVIOUS to moisture

impossible to penetrate; incapable of being affected

impetuous

It is not good for an investment broker to be IMPETUOUS, since much thought should be given to all the possible options

quick to act without thinking

syn: impulsive, rash, hasty

implacable

His rage at the betrayal was so great that he remained IMPLACABLE for weeks.

unable to be calmed down or made peaceful

syn: unforgiving, unappeasable

inchoate

The ideas expressed in Nietzsche's mature work also appear in an INCHOATE form in his earliest writing

not fully formed; disorganized

syn: immature

ingenuous

She was so INGENUOUS that her friends feared that her innocence and trustfulness would be exploited when she visited the big city

showing innocence or childlike simplicity

inimical

Even though the children had grown up together, they were INIMICAL to each other at school.

hostile, unfriendly

innocuous

Some snakes are poisonous, but most species are INNOCUOUS and pose no danger to humans

insipid

The critic claimed that the painting was INSIPID, containing no interesting qualities

lacking interest or flavor

intransigent

The professor was INTRANSIGENT on the deadline, insisting that everyone turn the assignment in at the same time

uncompromising, refusing to be reconciled

syn: inflexible

inundate

The tidal wave INUNDATED Atlantis, which was lost beneath the water

to overwhelm, to cover with water

irascible

Attila the Hun's IRASCIBLE and violent nature made all who dealt with him fear for their lives

easily made angry

syn: irritable

lament

The children continued to LAMENT the death of the goldfish weeks after its demise

to express sorrow; to grieve

laud

Parades and fireworks were staged to LAUD the success of the rebels

to give praise; to glorify

lavish

She LAVISHED the puppy with so many treats that it soon became overweight and spoiled

to give unsparingly(v.); extremely generous or extravagant (adj.)

lethargic

The clerk was so LETHARGIC that, even when the store was slow, he always had a long line in front of him

acting in an indifferent or slow, sluggish manner

loquacious (laquisha LOL)

She was naturally LOQUACIOUS, which was a problem in situations in which listening was more important than talking

luminous

The park was bathed in LUMINOUS sunshine, which warmed the bodies and the souls of the visitors

bright, brilliant, glowing

malinger

A common way to avoid the draft was by MALINGERING - pretending to be mentally or physically ill so as to avoid being taken by the Army.

to evade responsibility by pretending to be ill

malleable

Gold is the most MALLEABLE of precious metals; it can easily be formed into almost any shape

capable of being shaped

syn: ductile, pliable, impressionable

metaphor

The METAPHOR "a sea of troubles" suggests a lot of troubles by comparing their number to the vastness of the sea

a figure of speech comparing two different things; a symbol

meticulous

To find all the clues at the crime scene, the investigators METICULOUSLY examined every inch of the are

extremely careful about details

syn: diligent, fastidious

misanthrope

The character Scrooge in A Christmas Carol is such a MISANTHROPE that even the sight of children singing makes him angry

a person who dislikes others

mollify

Their argument was so intense that it was difficult to believe any compromise would MOLLIFY them

to calm or make less severe

monotony

The MONOTONY of the sound of the dripping faucet almost drove the research assistant crazy

lack of variation

naive

Having never traveled before, the elementary school students were more NAIVE than their high school counterparts on the field trip

lacking sophistication or experience

obdurate

The president was completely OBDURATE on the issue, and no amount of persuasion would change his mind

(think about: "duro" = hard in spanish)

hardened in feeling; resistant to persuasion

syn: stubborn

obsequious

The OBSEQUIOUS new associate made sure to compliment her supervisor's tie and agree with him on every issue

overly submissive and eager to please (kiss@$*)

syn: fawning

obstinate

The OBSTINATE child could not be made to eat any food that he disliked

stubborn, unyielding

obviate

The river was shallow enough to wade across at many points, which OBVIATED the need for a bridge

to prevent; to make unnecessary

occlude

A shadow is thrown across the earth's surface during a solar eclipse, when the light from the sun is OCCLUDED by the moon

to stop up; to prevent the passage of

syn: block

onerous

The assignment was so extensive and difficult to manage that it proved ONEROUS to the team in charge of it

troublesome and oppressive; burdensome

opprobrium

After the scheme to embezzle the elderly was made public, the treasurer resigned in utter OPPROBRIUM

public disgrace

syn: humiliation, shame

ostentation

The OSTENTATION of the Sun King's court is evident in the lavish decoration and luxuriousness of his palace at Versailles

excessive showiness

paradox

It is a PARADOX that those most in need of medical attention are often those least able to obtain it

a contradiction or dilema

paragon

She is the PARAGON of what a judge should be: honest, intelligent, hardworking and just.

model of excellence or perfection

perfidious

The actress's PERFIDIOUS companion revealed all of her intimate secrets to the gossip columnist.

willing to betray one's trust

syn: disloyal, treacherous

perfunctory

The machinelike bank teller processed the transaction and gave the waiting customer a PERFUNCTORY smile

done in a routine way; indifferent

permeate

This miraculous new cleaning fluid is able to PERMEATE stains and dissolve them in minutes!

Philanthropy

New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art owes much of its collection to the PHILANTHROPY of private collectors who willed their estates to the museum

charity; a desire or effort to promote goodness

Plastic

The new material was very PLASTIC and could be formed into products of vastly different shapes

able to be molded, altered, or bent

plethora

Assuming that more was better, the defendant offered the judge a PLETHORA of excuses.

prevaricate

Rather than admit that he had overslept again, the employee PREVARICATED and claimed that heavy traffic had prevented him from arrive at work on time

to lie or deviate from the truth

pristine

Since concerted measures had been taken to prevent looting, the archeological site was still PRISTINE when researchers arrived

fresh and clean; uncorrupted

proliferate

Although she only kept two guinea pigs initially, the PROLIFERATED to such an extent that she soon had dozens

to increase in number quickly

propitiate

The management PROPITIATED the irate union by agreeing to raise wages for its members

to conciliate, to appease

propriety

The aristocracy maintained a high level of PROPRIETY, adhering to even the most minor social rules.

correct behavior; obedience to rules and customs

prudence

The college student exhibited PRUDENCE by obtaining practical experience along with her studies, which greatly strengthened her resume

wisdom, caution, or restraint

syn: sagacity

pungent

The smoke from the burning tires was extremely PUNGENT.

sharp and irritating to the senses

quiescent

Many animals are QUIESCENT over winter months, minimizing activity in order to conserve energy

rarefy

Since the atmosphere RAREFIES as altitudes increase, the air at the top of very tall mountains is too thin to breathe

to make thinner or sparser

repudiate

The old woman's claim that she was Russian royalty was REPUDIATED when DNA tests showed she was of no relation to them

to reject the validity of

syn: disclaim, reject, disprove

reticent

Physically small and RETICENT in her speech, Joan Didion often went unnoticed by those upon whom she was reporting

silent, reserved

rhetoric

Lincoln's talent for RHETORIC was evident in his beautifully expressed Gettysburg Address

effective writing or speaking

satiate

His desire for power was so great that nothing less than complete control of the country could SATIATE it

to satisfy fully or overindulge

soporific

The movie proved to be so SOPORIFIC that soon loud snores were heard throughout the theater

causing sleep or lethargy

specious

The student's SPECIOUS excuse for being late sounded legitimate but was proved otherwise when her teacher called her home

deceptively attractive; seemingly plausible but fallacious

syn: deceptive, misleading

stigma

In the Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne was required to wear the letter A on her clothes as a public STIGMA for her adultery

a mark of shame or discredit

stolid

The prisoner appeared STOLID and unaffected by the judge's harsh sentence

unemotional; lacking sensitivity

sublime

The music was so SUBLIME that it transformed the rude surroundings into a special place

tacit

Although not a word had been said, everyone in the room knew that a TACIT agreement had been made about which course of action to take

done without using words

taciturn

The clerk's TACITURN nature earned him the nickname "Silent Bob"

silent, not talkative

tirade

Observers were shocked at the manager's TIRADE over such a minor mistake

long, harsh speech or verbal attack

torpor

After surgery, the patient experienced TORPOR until the anesthesia wore off.

extreme mental and physical sluggishness

transitory

The reporter lived a TRANSITORY life, staying in one place only long enough to cover the current story

temporary, lasting a brief time

vacillate

The customer held up the line as he VACILLATED between ordering chocolate chip or rocky road ice cream

to sway physically; to be indecisive

venerate

In a traditional Confucian society, the young VENERATE their elders, deferring to the elders' wisdom and experience

to respect deeply

veracity

She had a reputation for VERACITY, so everyone trusted her descriptions of events

truthfulness; accuracy

verbose

The professor's answer was so VERBOSE that his student forgot what the original question had been

vex

The old man who loved his peace and quiet was VEXED by his neighbor's loud music

waver

If you WAVER too long before making a decision about which testing site to register for, you may not get your first choice

to fluctuate between choices

whimsical

The ballet was WHIMSICAL, delighting the children with its imaginative characters and unpredictable sets

acting in a fanciful or capricious manner; unpredictable

syn: imaginative, fanciful,

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