GRE Vocabulary Flashcards PDF

gre.magoosh.com/flashcards Common (High-frequency) Words aberrant (adjective): markedly different from an accepted norm When the financial director started screaming and throwing food at his co-workers, the police had to c...

gre.magoosh.com/flashcards Common (High-frequency) Words aberrant (adjective): markedly different from an accepted norm When the financial director started screaming and throwing food at his co-workers, the police had to come in to deal with his aberrant behavior. aberration (noun): a deviation from what is normal or expected Aberrations in climate have become the norm: rarely a week goes by without some meteorological phenomenon making headlines. abstain (verb): choose not to consume or take part in (particularly something enjoyable) Considered a health nut, Jessica abstained from anything containing sugar--even chocolate. abstruse (adjective): difficult to understand; incomprehensible Physics textbooks can seem so abstruse to the uninitiated that readers feel as though they are looking at hieroglyphics. accolade (noun): an award or praise granted as a special honor Jean Paul-Sartre was not a fan of accolades, and as such, he refused to accept the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1964. acerbic (adjective): harsh in tone Most movie critics are acerbic towards summer blockbusters, often referring to them as garbage. acrimony (noun): bitterness and ill will The acrimonious dispute between the president and vice-president sent a clear signal to voters: the health of the current administration was imperiled. adamant (adjective): refusing to change one's mind Civil rights icon Rosa Parks will forever be remembered for adamantly refusing to give up her seat on a public bus--even after the bus driver insisted, she remained rooted in place. admonish (verb): to warn strongly, even to the point of reprimanding Before the concert began, security personel admonished the crowd not to come up on stage during the performance. admonitory (adjective): serving to warn; expressing reproof or reproach especially as a corrective At the assembly, the high school vice-principal gave the students an admonitory speech, warning them of the many risks and dangers of prom night. aesthete (noun): one who professes great sensitivity to the beauty of art and nature A true aesthete, Marty would spend hours at the Guggenheim Museum, staring at the same Picasso.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards aesthetic (adjective): concerned with the appreciation of beauty The director, not known for his aesthetic sensibilities, decided not to use costumes at all, and put on the play in everyday clothing. aesthetic (noun): a set of principles underlying and guiding the work of a particular artist or artistic movement. The artist operated according to a peculiar aesthetic, not considering any photograph to be worth publishing unless it contained a marine mammal. amalgam (noun): a mixture of multiple things The band's music was an amalgam of hip-hop, flamenco and jazz, blending the three styles with surprising results. ambiguous (adjective): open to more than one interpretation The coach told his team, "Move towards that side of the field"; because he did not point, his directions were ambiguous, and the team had no idea to which side he was referring. ambivalent (adjective): mixed or conflicting emotions about something Sam was ambivalent about studying for the exam because doing so ate up a lot of his time, yet he was able to improve his analytical skills. ameliorate (verb): make something bad better Three Cups of Tea tells the story of western man who hopes to ameliorate poverty and the lack of education in Afghanistan. amenable (adjective): easily persuaded Even though she did not like the outdoors, Shirley was generally amenable and so her brother was able to persuade her to go camping. amorphous (adjective): shapeless His study plan for the GRE was at best amorphous; he would do questions from random pages in any one of seven test prep books. anomalous (adjective): not normal According to those who do not believe in climate change, the extreme weather over the last five years is simply anomalous--average temps should return to average, they believe. anomaly (noun): something that is not normal, standard, or expected After finding an anomaly in the data, she knew that she would have to conduct her experiment again. antipathy (noun): an intense feeling of dislike or aversion Maria had an antipathy for tour groups, often bolting to the other side of the museum as soon as she saw a chaperone leading a group of wide-eyed tourists.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards antithetical (adjective): sharply contrasted in character or purpose His deep emotional involvement with these ideas is, in fact, antithetical to the disattachment Buddhism preaches. apathetic (adjective): marked by a lack of interest Mr. Thompson was so talented at teaching math that even normally apathetic students took interest. apathy (noun): an absence of emotion or enthusiasm Widespread apathy among voters led to a very small turnout on election day. apocryphal (adjective): being of questionable authenticity The web is notorious for sandwiching apocryphal stories between actual news. appease (verb): pacify by acceding to the demands of Neville Chamberlain, the British prime minister during WWII, tried to appease Hitler and in doing so sent a clear message: you can walk all over us. arbitrary (adjective): based on a random, groundless decision One of the arbitrary decrees in place during the emperor's rule is that all citizens pay him weekly homage at his palace. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE arcane (adjective): requiring secret or mysterious knowledge Most college fraternities are known for arcane rituals that those hoping to the join the fraterntiy must learn. arduous (adjective): demanding considerable mental effort and skill; testing powers of endurance In order to deal with the arduous cross-country journey, truck drivers often survive on a string of caffeinated drinks, staying awake for up to 30 hours at a time. artful (adjective): exhibiting artistic skill Picasso is generally considered the most artful member of the Cubist movement. artful (adjective): clever in a cunning way Bernie Madoff's artful Ponzi scheme stole billions of dollars from investors and is considered the largest financial fraud in U.S. history. ascetic (adjective): practicing self-denial His ascetic life is the main reason he inspired so many followers, especially since he gave up wealth and power to live in poverty. ascetic (noun): one who practices great self-denial Historically, ascetics like Ghandi are often considered wise men partially because of their restraint.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards askance (adverb): with a look of suspicion or disapproval The old couple looked askance on the teenagers seated next to them, whispering to each other, "They've got rings through their noses and purple hair!" audacious (adjective): willing to be bold in social situations or to take risks As all of the other campers cowered in their tents, Bill, armed only with a flashlight, audaciously tracked down the bear that had raided their food. audacity (noun): aggressive boldness in social situations She surprised her colleagues by having the audacity to publically criticize the findings of an distinguished scientist. auspicious (adjective): favorable, the opposite of sinister Despite an auspicious beginning, Mike's road trip became a series of mishaps, and he was soon stranded and penniless, leaning against his wrecked automobile. austere (adjective): practicing self-denial His lifestyle of revelry and luxurious excess could hardly be called austere. austere (adjective): unadorned in style or appearance Late Soviet architecture, although remaining largely austere, moved into experimental territory that employed previously unused shapes and structures. austere (adjective): harsh in manner of temperament The principal of my elementary school was a cold, austere woman; I could never understand why she chose to work with children. avaricious (adjective): excessively greedy Since avaricious desire is similar to gluttony or lust--sins of excess--it was listed as one of the seven deadly sins by the Catholic church. banal (adjective): repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse The professor used such banal expression that many students in the class either fell asleep from bordeom or stayed awake to complete his sentences and humor friends. banality (noun): a trite or obvious remark Herbert regarded the minister's remark as a mere banality until Sharon pointed out profound implications to the seemingly obvious words. belie (verb): to give a false representation to; misrepresent The smile on her face belies the pain she must feel after the death of her husband.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards belligerent (adjective): characteristic of one eager to fight Tom said that he was arguing the matter purely for philosophical reasons, but his belligerent tone indicated an underlying anger about the issue. betray (verb): to reveal or make known something, usually unintentionally With the gold medal at stake, the gymnast awaited his turn, his quivering lip betraying his intense emotions. blatant (adjective): without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious Allen was often punished in school for blatantly disrespecting teachers. bolster (verb): support and strengthen The case for the suspect's innocence was bolstered considerably by the fact that neither fingerprints nor DNA were found at the scene. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE brazen (adjective): unrestrained by convention or propriety Their large "donations" to the local police department gave the drug cartel the brazen confidence to do their business out in the open. bucolic (adjective): relating to the pleasant aspects of the country The noble families of England once owned vast expanses of beautiful, bucolic land. bumbling (adjective): lacking physical movement skills, especially with the hands Within a week of starting, the bumbling new waiter was unceremoniously fired. burgeon (verb): grow and flourish China's housing market is burgeoning, but some predict that the growth is merely a bubble and will burst much like the U.S. real estate bubble of 2008. calumny (noun): making of a false statement meant to injure a person"s reputation With the presidential primaries well under way, the air is thick with calumny, and the mud already waist- high. capricious (adjective): determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason Nearly every month our capricious CEO had a new plan to turn the company around, and none of them worked because we never gave them the time they needed to succeed. castigate (verb): to reprimand harshly Drill sergeants are known to castigate new recruits so mercilessly that the latter often break down during their first week in training. censure (verb): to express strong disapproval After being caught in bed with a mistress, the mayor was quickly censured by the city council.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards chastise (verb): to reprimand harshly Though chastised for his wanton abuse of the pantry, Lawrence shrugged off his mother's harsh words, and continued to plow through jars of cookies and boxes of donuts. chortle (verb): to chuckle, laugh merrily Walking past the bar, I could hear happy, chortling people and the blast of horns from a jazz band. circumscribe (verb): restrict or confine Their tour of South America was circumscribed so that they saw only popular destinations and avoided the dangerous parts of cities. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE circumvent (verb): cleverly find a way out of one's duties or obligations One way of circumventing the GRE is to apply to a grad school that does not require GRE scores. commensurate (adjective): to be in proportion or corresponding in degree or amount The convicted felon's life sentence was commensurate to the heinousness of his crime. concede (verb): acknowledge defeat I concede. You win! concede (verb): admit (to a wrongdoing) After a long, stern lecture from her father, Olivia conceded to having broken the window. concede (verb): give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another The Spanish were forced to concede much of the territory they had previously conquered. confound (verb): be confusing or perplexing to Though Harry loved numbers, he found calculus confounding. confound (verb): mistake one thing for another Americans often confound sweet potatoes with yams, and refer to both vegetables by the same name. conspicuous (adjective): without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious American basketball players are always conspicuous when they go abroad--not only are they American, but some are over seven feet tall. constituent (noun): a citizen who is represented in a government by officials for whom he or she votes The mayor's constituents are no longer happy with her performance and plan to vote for another candidate in the upcoming election. constituent (noun): an abstract part of something The constituents of the metal alloy are nickle, copper, and tin.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards construe (verb): interpreted in a particular way The author's inability to take a side on the issue was construed by both his opponents and supporters as a sign of weakness. contingent (noun): a gathering of persons representative of some larger group A small contingent of those loyal to the king have gathered around the castle to defend it. contingent (adjective): possible but not certain to occur Whether the former world champions can win again this year is contingent upon none of its star players getting injured. contrition (noun): the feeling of remorse or guilt that comes from doing something bad Those who show contrition during their prison terms--especially when under review by a parole board-- often get shortened sentences. contrive (verb): to pull off a plan or scheme, usually through skill or trickery Despite a low GPA, he contrived to get into college, going so far as to write his own glowing letters of recommendation. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE copious (adjective): in abundant supply In midsummer, there are copious popiscle stands at the beach; in the winter, there are none. craven (adjective): pathetically cowardly Though the man could have at least alerted the police, he crouched cravenly in the corner as the old woman was mugged. cryptic (adjective): mysterious or vague, usually intentionally Since Sarah did not want her husband to guess the Christmas present she had bought him, she only answered cryptically when he would ask her questions about it. culminate (verb): reach the highest or most decisive point Beethoven's musical genius culminated in the 9th Symphony, which many consider his greatest work. culpability (noun): a state of guilt Since John had left his banana peel at the top of the stairwell, he accepted culpability for Martha's broken leg. decorous (adjective): characterized by good taste in manners and conduct Sally's parties are decorous affairs, and instead of the usual beer and music, there is tea and intellectual conversation. decorum (noun): propriety in manners and conduct  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards You will obey the rules of decorum for this courtroom or spend the night in a jail cell, said the judge to the prosecutor. deferential (adjective): showing respect If you ever have the chance to meet the president, stand up straight and be deferential. deleterious (adjective): harmful to living things The BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was deleterious to the fishing industry in the southern states. delineate (verb): describe in detail After a brief summary of proper swimming technique, the coach delineated the specifics of each stroke, spending 30 minutes alone on the backstroke. demur (verb): to object or show reluctance Wallace disliked the cold, so he demurred when his friends suggested they going skiing in the Alps. denigrate (verb): charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone Count Rumford denigrated the new theory of heat, demonstrating that it was wholly inadequate to explain the observations. denote (verb): be a sign or indication of; have as a meaning Even if the text is not visible, the red octagon denotes "stop" to all motorists in America. derivative (adjective): (or a creative product, e.g. music, writing, etc.) not original but drawing on the work of another person Because the movies were utterly derivative of other popular movies, they did well at the box office. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE derive (verb): come from; be connected by a relationship of blood, for example Many words in the English language are derived from Latin, including the word "derive." derive (verb): reason by deduction; establish by deduction From the multiple set of footprints in the living room, the investigator derived an important clue: Sheila was not alone in the room at the time of the murder. dictatorial (adjective): expecting unquestioning obedience; characteristic of an absolute ruler The coach was dictatorial in his approach: no players could ever argue or question his approach. didactic (adjective): instructive (especially excessively) Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Illyich is a didactic novel, instructing the reader on how to live a good life. diffident (adjective): showing modest reserve; lacking self-confidence As a young girl she was diffident and reserved, but now as an adult, she is confident and assertive.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards dilatory (adjective): wasting time Lawyers use dilatory tactics so that it takes years before the case is actually decided. dilettante (noun): an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge Fred has no formal medical training; while he likes to claim authority on medical issues, he is little more than a dilettante disaffected (adjective): discontented as toward authority After watching his superior take rations from the soliders, he quickly became disaffected and rebeled. discrete (adjective): constituting a separate entity or part What was once known as Czechoslovakia has since split into two discrete, independent nations. disinterested (adjective): unbiased; neutral The potential juror knew the defendant, and therefore could not serve on the jury, which must consist only of disinterested members. dispassionate (adjective): unaffected by strong emotion or prejudice A good scientist should be dispassionate, focusing purely on what the evidence says, without personal attachment. disseminate (verb): cause to become widely known Before the effects of anaethesia were disseminated, patients had to experience the full pain of a surgery. dogmatic (adjective): highly opinionated, not accepting that your belief may not be correct Bryan is dogmatic in his belief that the earth is flat, claiming that all pictures of a spherical earth are computer generated. duress (noun): compulsory force or threat The witness said he signed the contract under duress and argued that the court should cancel the agreement. eclectic (adjective): comprised of a variety of styles Joey was known for his eclectic tastes in music, one moment dancing to disco the next "air conducting" along to Beethoven's 9th symphony. economical (adjective): avoiding waste, efficient Journalists favor an economical style of writing, in which no unnecessary words are used and every sentence is as short as possible. edifying (adjective): enlightening or uplifting so as to encourage intellectual or moral improvement  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards I recently read an article in the Times about whether good literature is edifying or not; specifically, does reading more make a person more moral. efficacious (adjective): producing the intended result Since Maggie's cough syrup, which had expired five years back, was no longer efficacious, she coughed through the night. egregious (adjective): standing out in negative way; shockingly bad The dictator's abuse of human rights was so egregious that many world leaders asked that he be tried in an international court for genocide. elicit (verb): call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses) Just smiling--even if you are depressed--can elicit feelings of pleasure and happiness. elucidate (verb): make clearer and easier to understand Youtube is great place to learn just about anything--an expert elucidates finer points so that even a complete novice can learn. eminent (adjective): standing above others in quality or position Shakespeare is an eminent author in the English language, but I find his writing uninteresting and melodramatic. enervate (verb): to sap energy from John preferred to avoid equatorial countries; the intense sun would always leave him enervated after he'd spent the day sightseeing. engender (verb): give rise to The restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles were so severe that they engendered deep hatred and resentment in the German people. entrenched (adjective): fixed firmly or securely By the time we reach 60-years old, most of our habits are so entrenched that it is difficult for us to change. ephemeral (adjective): lasting a very short time The lifespan of a mayfly is ephemeral, lasting from a few hours to a couple of days. equivocal (adjective): confusing or ambiguous The findings of the study were equivocal--the two researchers had different opinions on what the results signified. eradicate (verb): to completely destroy I tried eradicating the mosquitos in my apartment with a rolled up newspaper, but there were too many  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards of them. erudite (adjective): having or showing profound knowledge Before the Internet, the library was typically were you would find erudite readers. eschew (verb): avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of Politicians are the masters of eschewing morals; academics are the masters of eschewing clarity. esoteric (adjective): confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle Map collecting is an esoteric hobby to most, but to geography geeks it is a highly enjoyable pasttime. espouse (verb): to adopt or support an idea or cause As a college student, Charlie espoused Marxism, growing his beard out and railing against the evils of the free-market. exacerbate (verb): make worse Her sleeplessness exacerbated her cold--when she woke up the next day, her sinuses were completely blocked. exacting (adjective): requiring and demanding accuracy Though his childhood piano teacher was so exacting, Max is thankful now, as a professional pianist. exalt (verb): praise or glorify The teenagers exalted the rock star, covering their bedrooms with posters of him. exonerate (verb): pronounce not guilty of criminal charges The document clearly indicated that Nick was out of the state at the time of the crime, and so served to exonerate him of any charges. expound (verb): add details or explanation; clarify the meaning; state in depth The CEO refused to expound on the decision to merge our department with another one, and so I quit. extant (adjective): the opposite of extinct Despite many bookstores closing, experts predict that some form of book dealing will still be extant generations from now. fallacious (adjective): of a belief that is based on faulty reasoning The widespread belief that Eskimos have forty different words for snow is fallacious, based on one false report. fastidious (adjective): overly concerned with details; fussy Whitney is fastidious about her shoes, arranging them on a shelf in a specific order, each pair evenly spaced.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards flux (noun): a state of uncertainty about what should be done (usually following some important event) Ever since Elvira resigned as the head of marketing, everything about our sales strategy has been in a state of flux. foment (verb): try to stir up public opinion After having his pay cut, Phil spread vicious rumors about his boss, hoping to foment a general feeling of discontent. forlorn (adjective): marked by or showing hopelessness After her third pet dog died, Marcia was simply forlorn: this time even the possibility of buying a new dog no longer held any joy. forthcoming (adjective): available when required or as promised The President announced that the senators were about to reach a compromise, and that he was eager to read the forthcoming details of the bill. forthcoming (adjective): at ease in talking to others As a husband, Larry was not forthcoming: if Jill didn't demand to know details, Larry would never share them with her. fortuitous (adjective): occurring by happy chance; having no cause or apparent cause While the real objects are vastly different sizes in space, the sun and the moon seem to have the same fortuitous size in the sky. frivolous (adjective): not serious in content or attitude or behavior Compared to Juliet's passionate concern for human rights, Jake's non-stop concern about football seems somewhat frivolous. frugal (adjective): not spending much money (but spending wisely) Monte was no miser, but was simply frugal, wisely spending the little that he earned. frustrate (verb): hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of I thought I would finish writing the paper by lunchtime, but a number of urgent interruptions served to frustrate my plan. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE furtive (adjective): marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed While at work, George and his boss Regina felt the need to be as furtive as possible about their romantic relationship. gainsay (verb): deny or contradict; speak against or oppose I can't gainsay a single piece of evidence James has presented, but I still don't trust his conclusion.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards gall (noun): the trait of being rude and impertinent Even though Carly was only recently hired, she had the gall to question her boss's judgment in front of the office. gall (noun): feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will In an act of gall, Leah sent compromising photos of her ex-boyfriend to all his co-workers and professional contacts. galvanize (verb): to excite or inspire (someone) to action At mile 23 of his first marathon, Kyle had all but given up, until he noticed his friends and family holding a banner that read, "Go Kyle"; galvanized, he broke into a gallop, finishing the last three miles in less than 20 minutes. garrulous (adjective): full of trivial conversation Lynne was garrulous: once, she had a fifteen minute conversation with a stranger before she realized the woman didn't speak English. gauche (adjective): lacking social polish Sylvester says the most gauche things, such as telling a girl he liked that she was much prettier when she wore makeup. germane (adjective): relevant and appropriate The professor wanted to tell the jury in detail about his new book, but the lawyer said it wasn't germane to the charges in the cases. glut (noun): an excessive supply The Internet offers such a glut of news related stories that many find it difficult to know which story to read first. glut (verb): supply with an excess of In the middle of economic crises, hiring managers find their inboxes glutted with resumes. gossamer (adjective): characterized by unusual lightness and delicacy The gossamer wings of a butterfly, which allow it to fly, are also a curse, so delicate that they are often damaged. gregarious (adjective): to be likely to socialize with others Often we think that great leaders are those who are gregarious, always in the middle of a large group of people; yet, as Mahatma Gandhi and many others have shown us, leaders can also be introverted. guileless (adjective): free of deceit At first I thought my niece was guileless, but I then found myself buying her ice cream every time we passed a shop.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards hackneyed (adjective): lacking significance through having been overused Cheryl rolled her eyes when she heard the lecturer's hackneyed advice to "be true to yourself." haphazard (adjective): marked by great carelessness; dependent upon or characterized by chance Many golf courses are designed with great care, but the greens on the county golf course seem entirely haphazard. harangue (noun): a long pompous speech; a tirade Dinner at Billy's was more a punishment than a reward, since anyone who sat at the dinner table would have to listen to Billy's father's interminable harangues against the government. harangue (verb): to deliver a long pompous speech or tirade Tired of his parents haranguing him about his laziness and lack of initiative, Tyler finally moved out of home at the age of thirty-five. harried (adjective): troubled persistently especially with petty annoyances With a team of new hires to train, Martha was constantly harried with little questions and could not focus on her projects. haughty (adjective): having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy The haughty manager didn't believe that any of his subordinates could ever have an insight as brilliant his own. hegemony (adjective): dominance over a certain area Until the Spanish Armada was defeated in 1587, Spain had hegemony over the seas, controlling waters stretching as far as the Americas. heretic (noun): a person who holds unorthodox opinions in any field (not merely religion) Though everybody at the gym told Mikey to do cardio before weights, Mikey was a heretic and always did the reverse. iconoclast (noun): somebody who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions Lady Gaga, in challenging what it means to be clothed, is an iconoclast for wearing a "meat dress" to a prominent awards show. iconoclastic (adjective): defying tradition or convention Jackson Pollack was an iconoclastic artist, totally breaking with tradition by splashing paint on a blank canvas. idiosyncrasy (noun): a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual Peggy's numerous idiosyncrasies include wearing mismatched shoes, laughing loudly to herself, and  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards owning a pet aardvark. ignoble (adjective): dishonorable In the 1920s, the World Series was rigged--an ignoble act which baseball took decades to recover from. ignominious (adjective): (used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame Since the politician preached ethics and morality, his texting of revealing photographs was ignominious, bringing shame on both himself and his party. immutable (adjective): not able to be changed Taxes are one of the immutable laws of the land, so there is no use arguing about paying them. impartial (adjective): free from undue bias or preconceived opinions The judge was not impartial since he had been bribed by the witness's family. impertinent (adjective): being disrespectful; improperly forward or bold Dexter, distraught over losing his pet dachshund, Madeline, found the police officer's questions impertinent--after all, he thought, did she have to pry into such details as to what Madeline's favorite snack was? implacable (adjective): incapable of making less angry or hostile Win or lose, the coach was always implacable, never giving the athletes an easy practice or a break. implausible (adjective): describing a statement that is not believable The teacher found it implausible that the student was late to school because he had been kidnapped by outlaws on horseback. imprudent (adjective): not wise Hitler, like Napoleon, made the imprudent move of invading Russia in winter, suffering even more casualties than Napoleon had. impudent (adjective): improperly forward or bold In an impudent move, the defendant spoke out of order to say terribly insulting things to the judge. incisive (adjective): having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions The lawyer had an incisive mind, able in a flash to dissect a hopelessly tangled issue and isolate the essential laws at play. incongruous (adjective): lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness The vast economic inequality of modern society is incongruous with America's ideals. incorrigible (adjective): impervious to correction by punishment Tom Sawyer seems like an incorrigible youth until Huck Finn enters the novel; even Sawyer can't match  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards his fierce individual spirit. indecorous (adjective): not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society Eating with elbows on the table is considered indecorous in refined circles. indifference (noun): the trait of seeming not to care In an effort to fight indifference, the president of the college introduced a new, stricter grading system. inexorable (adjective): impossible to stop or prevent The rise of the computer was an inexorable shift in technology and culture. ingenuous (adjective): to be naïve and innocent Two-years in Manhattan had changed Jenna from an ingenuous girl from the suburbs to a jaded urbanite, unlikely to fall for any ruse, regardless of how elaborate. ingratiate (verb): gain favor with somebody by deliberate efforts Even though Tom didn't like his new boss, he decided to ingratiate himself to her in order to advance his career. inimical (adjective): hostile (usually describes conditions or environments) Venus, with a surface temperature that would turn rubber to liquid, is inimical to any form of life. innocuous (adjective): harmless and doesn"t produce any ill effects Everyone found Nancy's banter innocuous--except for Mike, who felt like she was intentionally picking on him. inscrutable (adjective): not easily understood; unfathomable His speech was so dense and confusing that many in the audience found it inscrutable. insidious (adjective): working in a subtle but destructive way Plaque is insidious: we cannot see it, but each day it eats away at our enamel, causing cavities and other dental problems. insolent (adjective): rude and arrogant Lilian could not help herself from being insolent, commenting that the Queen's shoes were showing too much toe. intimate (verb): to suggest something subtly At first Manfred's teachers intimated to his parents that he was not suited to skip a grade; when his parents protested, teachers explicitly told them that, notwithstanding the boy's precocity, he was simply too immature to jump to the 6th grade. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards intransigent (adjective): unwilling to change one's beliefs or course of action Despite many calls for mercy, the judge remained intransigent, citing strict legal precedence. intrepid (adjective): fearless Captain Ahab was an intrepid captain whose reckless and fearless style ultimate leads to his downfall. inveterate (adjective): habitual He is an inveterate smoker and has told his family and friends that there is no way he will ever quit. involved (adjective): complicated, and difficult to comprehend The physics lecture became so involved that the undergraduate's eyes glazed over. irrevocable (adjective): incapable of being retracted or revoked Once you enter your plea to the court, it is irrevocable so think carefully about what you will say. itinerant (adjective): traveling from place to place to work Doctors used to be itinerant, traveling between patients' homes. jingoism (noun): fanatical patriotism North Korea maintains intense control over its population through a combination of jingoism and cult of personality. jovial (adjective): full of or showing high-spirited merriment The political candidate and his supporters were jovial once it was clear that she had won. jubilant (adjective): full of high-spirited delight because of triumph or success My hardwork paid off, and I was jubilant to receive a perfect score on the GRE. juxtapose (verb): place side by side The meaning of her paintings comes from a classical style which juxtaposes modern themes. laconic (adjective): one who says very few words While Martha always swooned over the hunky, laconic types in romantic comedies, her boyfriends inevitably were very talkative--and not very hunky. lambast (verb): criticize severely or angrily Showing no patience, the manager utterly lambasted the sales team that lost the big account. languid (adjective): not inclined towards physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed As the sun beat down and the temperature climbed higher, we spent a languid week lying around the house. largess (noun): extreme generosity and giving  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards Uncle Frank was known for his largess, so his nephew was sad when he did not receive a present for his birthday. laudable (adjective): worthy of high praise To say that Gandhi's actions were laudable is the greatest understatement; he overthrew an empire without violence. lionize (verb): assign great social importance to Students in the U.S. learn to lionize Jefferson, Franklin, and Washington because they are the founding fathers of the nation. magnanimous (adjective): noble and generous in spirit, especially towards a rival or someone less powerful He was a great sportsman: in defeat he was complementary and in victory he was magnanimous. maintain (verb): to assert The scientist maintained that the extinction of dinosaurs was most likely brought about by a drastic change in climate. maladroit (adjective): clumsy As a child she was quite maladroit, but as an adult, she has become an adept dancer. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE maverick (noun): someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action Officer Kelly was a maverick, rarely following police protocols or adopting the conventions for speech common among his fellow officers. mawkish (adjective): overly sentimental to the point that it is disgusting The film was incredibly mawkish, introducing highly likeable characters only to have them succumb to a devastating illnesses by the end of the movie. mendacity (noun): the tendency to be untruthful I can forgive her for her mendacity but only because she is a child and is seeing what she can get away with. mercurial (adjective): (of a person) prone to unexpected and unpredictable changes in mood The fact that Ella's moods were as mercurial as the weather was problematic for her relationships--it didn't help that she lived in Chicago. meticulous (adjective): marked by extreme care in treatment of details The Japanese noodle maker was meticulous in making his noodles and would never let another person take over the task. misconstrue (verb): interpret in the wrong way  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards The politician never trusted journalists because he though that they misconstrue his words and misrepresent his positions. mitigate (verb): make less severe or harsh I can only spend so much time mitigating your disagreements with your wife, and at certain point, you need to do it on your own. mitigate (verb): lessen the severity of an offense If it weren't for the mitigating circumstances, he would have certainly lost his job. mollify (verb): to make someone angry less angry; placate In the morning, Harriat was unable to mollify Harry, if he happened to become angry, unless he had his cup of coffee. mundane (adjective): repetitive and boring; not spiritual Nancy found doing dishes a thorougly mundane task, although Peter found a kind of Zen pleasure in the chore. mundane (adjective): relating to the ordinary world Though we think of the pope as someone always dealing in holy matters, he is also concerned with mundane events, such as deciding when to set his alarm each morning. munificent (adjective): very generous Uncle Charley was known for his munificence, giving all seven of his nephews lavish Christmas presents each year. myopic (adjective): lacking foresight or imagination The company ultimately went out of business because the myopic managers couldn't predict the changes in their industry. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE myriad (noun): a large indefinite number There are a myriad of internet sites hawking pills that claim to boost energy for hours on end. negligible (adjective): so small as to be meaningless; insignificant The GRE tests cumulative knowledge, so if you cram the night before it is, at best, likely to only have a negligible impact on your score. nonplussed (verb): unsure how to act or respond Shirley was totally nonplussed when the angry motorist cut her off and then stuck his finger out the window. nuance (noun): a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude Because of the nuances involved in this case, I hired an outside consultant to advice us and help.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards obscure (verb): make unclear On the Smith's drive through the Grand Canyon, Mr. Smith's big head obscured much of Mrs. Robinson's view, so that she only saw momentary patches of red rock. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE obscure (adjective): known by only a few Many of the biggest movie stars were once obscure actors who got only bit roles in long forgotten films. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE obsequious (adjective): attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner; attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery The obsequious waiter did not give the couple a moment's peace all through the meal, constantly returning to their table to refill their water glasses and to tell them what a handsome pair they made. opaque (adjective): not clearly understood or expressed The meaning of the professor's new research was opaque to most people, so no one asked any questions. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE opulence (noun): wealth as evidenced by sumptuous living Russian oligarchs are famous for their opulence, living in fancy homes and dining on expensive cavier. ostentatious (adjective): intended to attract notice and impress others; tawdry or vulgar Matt wanted to buy stone lions for front of the house, but Cynthia convinced him that such a display would be too ostentatious for a modest house in an unassuming neighborhood. ostracize (verb): exclude from a community or group Later in his life, Leo Tolstoy was ostracized from the Russian Orthodox Church for his writings that contradicted church doctrine. panache (noun): distinctive and stylish elegance Jim, with his typical panache, came to the wedding reception with a top hat, a cane, and a long cape covered in sequins. parochial (adjective): narrowly restricted in scope or outlook Jasmine was sad to admit it, but her fledgling relationship with Jacob did not work out because his culinary tastes were simply too parochial; "After all," she quipped on her blog, "he considered Chef Boyardee ethnic food." parsimonious (adjective): extremely frugal; miserly Katie is so parsimonious that she only buys a pair of socks if all of her other socks have holes in them. pedantic (adjective): marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects Professor Thompson was regarded as an expert in his field, but his lectures were utterly pedantic, focused on rigorous details of the most trivial conventions in the field.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards pedestrian (adjective): lacking imagination While Nan was always engaged in philosophical speculation, her brother was occupied with far more pedestrian concerns: how to earn a salary and run a household. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE pejorative (adjective): expressing disapproval (usu. refers to a term) Most psychologists object to the pejorative term "shrink", believing that they expand the human mind, not limit it. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE perfidy (noun): an act of deliberate betrayal; a breach of a trust The lowest circles in Dante's Inferno were for those who had practiced perfidy, and among these, the very lowest was for those, such as Judas, who had been treacherous to one of their benefactors. pernicious (adjective): exceedingly harmful; working or spreading in a hidden and injurious way The most successful viruses are pernicious: an infected person may feel perfectly healthy for several months while incubating and spreading the virus. petulant (adjective): easily irritated or annoyed When Ed first met Ruth, he didn't realize she was so petulant, but now that they are three months into their relationship, Ed feels a day doesn't go by in which she isn't whining about some minor issue. placate (verb): cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of I was able to placate the angry mob of students by promising to bring cookies on Monday. platitude (noun): a trite or obvious remark The professor argued that many statements regarded as wise in previous times, such as the Golden Rule, are now regarded as mere platitudes. poignant (adjective): emotionally touching After the Montagues and Capulets discover the dead bodies of Romeo and Juliet, in the play's most poignant moment, the two griefstricken familes agree to end their feud once and for all. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE polemic (noun): a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something. The professor launched into a polemic, claiming that Freudian theory was a pack of lies that absolutely destroyed European literary theory. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE posit (verb): assume as fact Initially, Einstein posited a repulsive force to balance Gravity, but then rejected that idea as a blunder. pragmatic (adjective): guided by practical experience and observation rather than theory Rather than make a philosophical appeal to the Congressmen, the Speaker decided to take a far more pragmatic approach, making small side-deals that would add votes to his bill. precipitous (adjective): done with very great haste and without due deliberation  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards He was expecting a precipitous rise in the value of a "hot" tech stock, so he was disappointed when it only inched up a dollar or two each day. preclude (verb): keep from happening or arising; make impossible The manager specified that all other gates be locked, to preclude the possibility of persons without tickets entering the arena undetected. precocious (adjective): characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude) Though only seven years old, she was a precocious chess prodigy, able to beat players twice her age. predilection (noun): a strong liking Monte had a predilection for the fine things in life: Cuban cigars, 200 dollar bottles of wine, and trips to the French Riviera. prescience (noun): the power to foresee the future Baxter's warnings about investing in technology stocks seemed like an act of prescience after the whole market declined significantly. prevaricate (verb): to speak in an evasive way The cynic quipped, "There is not much variance in politicians; they all seem to prevaricate". prodigal (adjective): rashly or wastefully extravagant Successful professional athletes who do not fall prey to prodigality seem to be the exception--most live decadent lives. prodigious (adjective): so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe After the relatively small homerun totals in the "dead ball" era, Babe Ruth's homerun totals were truly prodigious: every year, he set a new all-time record. profligate (adjective): spending money recklessly or wastefully profligate (noun): someone who spends money recklessly or wastefully Most lottery winners go from being conservative, frugal types to outright profligates who blow millions on fast cars, lavish homes, and giant yachts. prolific (adjective): intellectually productive Schubert was the most prolific composer, producing hundreds of hours of music before he died at the age of 31. propitious (adjective): presenting favorable circumstances; likely to result in or show signs of success The child's heartbeat is still weak, but I am seeing many propitious signs and I think that she may be healing.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards provincial (adjective): characteristic of the a limited perspective; not fashionable or sophisticated Maggie's enthusiasm about her high school teams seemed provincial to her college classmates, all of whom were following a nationally ranked college team. pundit (noun): someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field Steven Pinker's credentials are unquestioned as a pundit; he has taught at MIT and Stanford, teaches at Harvard, and has published a number of influential books on cognition, language, and psychology. qualify (adjective): to be legally competent or capable If James had made more than $50,000 last year, then he wouldn't have qualified for the low-income scholarship. qualify (verb): to make less severe; to limit (a statement) Chris qualified his love for San Francisco, adding that he didn't like the weather as much as the weather in Los Angeles. querulous (adjective): habitually complaining The querulous old woman was begining to wear down even the happier members of the staff with her ceaseless complaining. quotidian (adjective): found in the ordinary course of events Phil gets so involved thinking about Aristotle's arguments that he totally forgets quotidian concerns, such as exercising and eating regularly. ravenous (adjective): extremely hungry; devouring or craving food in great quantities John didn't each much at all during the week he had the flu, so now that he is regaining his health, it's not surpring that he has a ravenous appetite. rebuke (verb): criticize severely or angrily; censure The police chief rebuked the two officers whose irresponsible decisions almost led to the deaths of seven innocent by-standers. reconcile (verb): make (one thing) compatible with (another) Peggy was unable to reconcile her kind friend Jane with the cruel and merciless character Jane played on television. recondite (adjective): difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge I found Ulysses recondite and never finished the book, waiting instead to read it with someone else so we could penetrate its meaning together. refractory (adjective): stubbornly resistant to authority or control  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards Used to studious high school students, Martha was unprepared for the refractory Kindgergarteners who neither sat still nor listened to a single word she said. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE refute (verb): prove to be false or incorrect No one could refute his theories or propositions, and that is why he was esteemed by all his colleagues in the philosophy department. reproach (verb): to express criticism towards At first, Sarah was going to yell at the boy, but she didn't want to reproach him for telling the truth about the situation. repudiate (verb): reject as untrue or unfounded Many in the public believed the rumors of a UFO crash outside town, so the chief of police did everything he could to repudiate the rumors. rescind (verb): cancel officially The man's driver's license was rescinded after his tenth car accident, which meant he would never be allowed to legally drive again. restive (adjective): restless The crowd grew restive as the comedian's opening jokes fell flat. resurgent (adjective): rising again as to new life and vigor The team sank to fourth place in June, but is now resurgent and about to win the division. reticent (adjective): reluctant to draw attention to yourself; temperamentally disinclined to talk When asked about her father, Helen lost her outward enthusiasm and became rather reticent. reverent (adjective): feeling or showing profound respect or veneration The professor could speak objectively about the other composers, but he always lectured about Brahms with a particularly reverent air, unable to offer a single criticism of his compositions. rudimentary (adjective): being in the earliest stages of development; being or involving basic facts or principles I would love to be able to present a fully polished proposal to the board, but right now, our plans for the product are still in the most rudimentary stages. rustic (adjective): characteristic of rural life; awkwardly simple and provincial The vacation cabin had no electricity and no indoor plumbing, but despite these inconveniences, Nigel adored its rustic charm. sanction (verb): give authority or permission to The authorities have sanctioned the use of the wilderness reserve for public use; many expect to see  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards hikers an campers enjoying the park in the coming months. sanction (noun): a legal penalty for a forbidden action International sanctions have been placed on certain shipping lanes that were thought to be involved in human trafficking. scrupulous (adjective): characterized by extreme care and great effort Because of his scrupulous nature, Mary put him in charge of numbering and cataloging the entire collection of rare stamps. scrupulous (adjective): having a sense of right and wrong; principled Everyone trusted what he said and followed his example because he was scrupulous and honest. soporific (adjective): inducing mental lethargy; sleep inducing Although the professor is brilliant, his bland monotone gives his lectures a soporific effect. specious (adjective): based on pretense; deceptively pleasing Almost every image on TV is specious and not to be trusted. specious (adjective): plausible but false He made a career out of specious arguments and fictional lab results, but lost his job and reputation when his lies were exposed by an article in The New York Times. sporadic (adjective): recurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instances The signals were at first sporadic, but now we detect a clear, consistent pattern of electromagnetic radiation eminating from deep space. spurious (adjective): plausible but false When listening to a politician speak, it is hard to distinguish the spurious claims from the authentic ones. staunch (adjective): firm and dependable especially in loyalty No longer a staunch supporter of the movement, Todd now will openly question whether its goals are worthwhile. stringent (adjective): demanding strict attention to rules and procedures Most of the students disliked the teacher because of his stringent homework policy, but many students would later thank him for demanding so much from them. subsume (verb): contain or include The rogue wave quickly subsumed the pier and boardwalk, destroying everything in its path. subsume (verb): consider (an instance of something) as part of a general rule or principle Don Quixote of La Mancha subsumes all other modern novels, demonstrating modern literary devices  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards and predating even the idea of a postmodern, metanarrative. subversive (adjective): in opposition to a civil authority or government The ruling political party has begun a campaign to shut down subversive websites that it deems as a threat to "national safety." sullen (adjective): showing a brooding ill humor Herbert took board games too seriously, often appearing sullen after losing. superfluous (adjective): serving no useful purpose How can we hope to stay open if we don't eliminate all superfluous spending, like catered meetings and free acupucture Tuesday? superfluous (adjective): more than is needed, desired, or required Everything in this closet is superfluous and can be given to charity. supplant (verb): take the place or move into the position of For many, a cell phone has supplanted a traditional phone; in fact, most 20-somethings don't even have a traditional phone anymore. sycophant (noun): a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage The CEO was unaware of the damaging consequences of his choices, largely because he surrounded himself with sycophants who would never dare criticize him. taciturn (adjective): habitually reserved and uncommunicative While the CEO enthusiastically shares his plans and agenda with all who will listen, the CFO is far more taciturn, rarely revealing his perspective. tantamount (adjective): being essentially equal to something In many situations, remaining silent is tantamount to admitting guilt, so speak to prove your innocence. temperance (noun): the trait of avoiding excesses Welles wasn't known for his temperance--he usually ate enough for two and drank enough for three. tempered (adjective): moderated in effect The wide-eyed optimism of her youth was now tempered after she had worked many years in the criminal justice system. tenacious (adjective): stubbornly unyielding Even the most tenacious advocates for gun ownership must admit some of the dangers that firearms present. timorous (adjective): timid by nature or revealing fear and nervousness  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards Since this was her first time debating on stage and before an audience, Di's voice was timorous and quiet for the first 10 minutes. torpor (noun): inactivity resulting from lethargy and lack of vigor or energy After work, I was expecting my colleagues to be enthusiastic about the outing, but I found them in a state of complete torpor. tortuous (adjective): marked by repeated turns and bends; not straightforward Because the logic behind McMahon's side of the debate was so tortuous, his audience came out either completely confused or, worse, feeling they'd been tricked. tractable (adjective): readily reacting to suggestions and influences; easily managed (controlled or taught or molded) Compared to middle school students, who have an untamed wildness about them, high school students are somewhat more tractable. transient (adjective): lasting a very short time The unpredictable and transient nature of deja vu makes it a very difficult phenomenon to study properly. travesty (noun): an absurd presentation of something; a mockery What I expected to be an intelligent, nuanced historical documentary turned out to be a poorly-produced travesty of the form. treacherous (adjective): tending to betray Even though Jesse James was an outlaw, his killer, Robert Ford, is remembered more for his treacherous actions than for eliminating a criminal and murder. treacherous (adjective): dangerously unstable and unpredictable The bridge built from twine and vine is treacherous to walk across, and so I think I will stay put right here. trite (adjective): repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse Many style guides recommend not using idioms in writing because these trite expressions are uninteresting and show a lack of imagination on the part of the writer. truncate (verb): reduce the length of something The soccer game was truncated when the monsoon rain began to fall. undermine (adjective): to weaken (usually paired with an abstract term) The student undermined the teacher's authority by questioning the teacher's judgment on numerous occasions.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards underscore (verb): give extra weight to (a communication) While the hiking instructor agreed that carrying a first aid kit could be a good idea under certain circumstances, he underscored the importance of carrying enough water. unequivocal (adjective): admitting of no doubt or misunderstanding; having only one meaning or interpretation and leading to only one conclusion The President's first statement on the subject was vague and open to competing interpretations, so when he spoke to Congress about the same subject later, he was cafeful to make his position completely unequivocal. unscrupulous (adjective): without scruples or principles In the courtroom, the lawyer was unscrupulous, using every manner of deceit and manipulation to secure a victory for himself. upbraid (verb): to reproach; to scold Bob took a risk walking into the "Students Barbershop"--in the end he had to upbraid the apparently drunk barber for giving him an uneven bowl cut. vacillate (verb): be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action Some students vacillate between schools when deciding which to attend, while others focus only on one school. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE vehement (adjective): marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions While the other employees responded to the bad news in a measured way, Andrew responded in a vehement manner, tipping over his desk and shouting at the top of his lungs. venality (noun): the condition of being susceptible to bribes or corruption Even some of the most sacrosanct sporting events are not immune to venality, as many of the officials have received substantial bribes to make biased calls. venerate (verb): to respect deeply The professor, despite his soporific lectures, was venerated amongst his colleagues, publishing more papers yearly than all of his peers combined. veracious (adjective): truthful While we elect our leaders in the hope that every word they speak will be veracious, history has shown that such a hope is naive. vilify (verb): spread negative information about Todd was noble after the divorce, choosing to say only complimentary things about Barbara, but Barbara did not hesitate to vilify Todd.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards vindicate (verb): to clear of accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with supporting arguments or proof Even seven Tour de France wins cannot vindicate Lance Armstrong in the eyes of the public--that the athlete used performance enhancing drugs invalidates all those wins. vociferous (adjective): conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry In giving Marcia a particular vociferous response, Paul caused people at every other table in the restaurant to turn around an look at them angrily. volubility (noun): the quality of talking or writing easily and continuously The professor's volubility knows no bounds; he could talk through a hurricane and elaborate a point from one St. Patrick's Day to the next. wanting (adjective): lacking She did not think her vocabulary was wanting, yet there were so many words that inevitably she found a few she didn't know. winsome (adjective): charming in a childlike or naive way She was winsome by nature, and many people were drawn to this free and playful spirit.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards Basic Words aboveboard (adjective): open and honest The mayor, despite his avuncular face plastered about the city, was hardly aboveboard -- some concluded that it was his ingratiating smile that allowed him to engage in corrupt behavior and get away with it. abysmal (adjective): extremely bad Coach Ramsey took his newest player off the field after watching a few painful minutes of her abysmal performance. acme (noun): the highest point of achievement The new Cessna airplanes will be the acme of comfort, offering reclining seats and ample legroom. advocate (verb): speak, plead, or argue in favor of While the senator privately approved of gay marriage, he was unwilling to advocate for the cause in a public venue. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE advocate (noun): a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea Martin Luther King Jr. was a tireless advocate for the rights of African-Americans in the United States. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE affable (adjective): likeable; easy to talk to For all his surface affability, Marco was remarkably glum when he wasn't around other people. affluent (adjective): wealthy The center of the city had sadly become a pit of penury, while, only five miles away, multi-million dollar homes spoke of affluence. altruism (noun): the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others Albert Schweitzer spent most of his life doing missionary work as a doctor in Africa, seeking no reward, apparently motivated only by altruism. amiable (adjective): friendly Amy's name was very apt: she was so amiable that she was twice voted class president. amply (adverb): more than is adequate The boat was amply supplied for its year at sea--no man would go hungry or thirst. amuck (adverb): in a frenzied or uncontrolled state Wherever the bowl haircut teen-idol went, his legions of screaming fans ran through the streets amuck, hoping for a glance at his boyish face. analogous (adjective): similar in some respects but otherwise different  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards In many ways, the Internet's transformative effect on society has been analogous to that of the printing press. animosity (noun): intense hostility The governor's animosity toward his rival was only inflamed when the latter spread false lies regarding the governor's first term. antedated (verb): precede in time Harry was so unknowledgable that he was unaware the Egyptian pharaohs antedated the American Revolution. antiquated (adjective): old-fashioned; belonging to an earlier period in time Aunt Betty had antiquated notions about marriage, believing that a man should court a woman for at least a year before receiving a kiss. apex (noun): the highest point The Ivy League is considered the apex of the secondary education system. aphorism (noun): a short instructive saying about a general truth Nietzsche was known for using aphorisms, sometimes encapsulating a complex philosophical thought in a mere sentence. aphoristic (adjective): something that is a concise and instructive of a general truth or principle Sometimes I can't stand Nathan because he tries to impress everyone by being aphoristic, but he just states the obvious. appreciable (adjective): large enough to be noticed (usu. refers to an amount) There is an appreciable difference between those who say they can get the job done and those who actually get the job done. apprehension (noun): fearful expectation Test day can be one of pure apprehension, as many students worry about their test scores. archaic (adjective): so old as to appear to belong to a different period Hoping to sound intelligent, Mary spoke in archaic English that was right out of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice--needless to say, she didn't have many friends. ascendancy (noun): the state that exists when one person or group has power over another The ascendancy of the Carlsbad water polo team is clear--they have a decade of championships behind them. ascribe (verb): attribute or credit to History ascribes The Odyssey and The Illiad to Homer, but scholars now debate whether he was a  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards historical figure or a fictitious name. assail (verb): attack in speech or writing In the weekly paper, the editor assailed the governor for wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars in public projects that quickly failed. assuage (verb): make something intense less severe Her fear that the new college would be filled with unknown faces was assuaged when she recognized her childhood friend standing in line. augment (verb): enlarge or increase; improve Ideally, the restaurant's augmented menu will expand its clientele and increase its profits. autonomously (adverb): In an autonomous or self-governing manner. Many of the factory workers are worried about being replaced by machines and computers that will work completely autonomously. avarice (noun): greed (one of the seven deadly sins) The Spanish conquistadors were known for their avarice, plundering Incan land and stealing Incan gold. avert (verb): turn away Afraid to see the aftermath of the car crash, I averted my eyes as we drove by. avert (verb): ward off or prevent The struggling videogame company put all of its finances into one final, desperate project to avert bankrupcy. avid (adjective): marked by active interest and enthusiasm Martin is an avid birdwatcher, often taking long hikes into remote mountains to see some rare eagle. badger (verb): to pester Badgered by his parents to find a job, the 30-year-old loafer instead joined a gang of itinerant musicians. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE balk (verb): refuse to comply The students were willing to clean up the broken glass, but when the teacher asked them to mop the entire floor, they balked, citing reasons why they needed to leave. banish (verb): expel from a community, residence, or location; drive away The most difficult part of the fast was banishing thoughts of food. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE beatific (adjective): blissfully happy Often we imagine all monks to wear the beatific smile of the Buddha, but, like any of us, a monk can have a bad day and not look very happy.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards becoming (adjective): appropriate, and matches nicely Her dress was becoming and made her look even more beautiful. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE begrudge (verb): to envy someone for possessing or enjoying something Sitting all alone in his room, Harvey begrudged the happiness of the other children playing outside his window. begrudge (verb): to give reluctantly We never begrudge money spent on ourselves. behooves (verb): to be one's duty or obligation The teacher looked down at the student and said, "It would behoove you to be in class on time and complete your homework, so that you don't repeat freshman English for a third straight year." belittle (verb): lessen the importance, dignity, or reputation of A good teacher will never belittle his students, but will instead empower them. bellicose (adjective): warlike; inclined to quarrel Known for their bellicose ways, the Spartans were once the most feared people from Peloponnesus to Persia. benign (adjective): kind I remember my grandfather's face was wrinkled, benign, and calm. benign (adjective): (medicine) not dangerous to health; not recurrent or progressive The tumor located in your ear lobe seems to be benign and should not cause you any trouble. besiege (verb): harass, as with questions or requests; cause to feel distressed or worried After discovering a priceless artifact in her backyard, Jane was besieged by phone calls, emails, and reporters all trying to buy, hold or see the rare piece of history. besmirch (verb): damage the good name and reputation of someone The prince's distasteful choice of words besmirched not only his own name, but the reputation of the entire royal family. bleak (adjective): having a depressing or gloomy outlook Unremitting overcast skies tend to lead people to create bleak literature and lugubrious music -- compare England's band Radiohead to any band from Southern California. boon (noun): a desirable state Modern technology has been a boon to the travel industry.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards boon (adjective): very close and convivial He was a boon companion to many, and will be sadly missed. boorish (adjective): ill-mannered and coarse or contemptible in behavior or appearance Bukowski was known for being a boorish drunk and alienating close friends and family. brusquely (adverb): in a blunt, direct manner Not one for social pleasantries, the Chief of Staff would brusquely ask his subordinates anything he wanted, even coffee. buck (verb): resist The profits at our firm bucked the general downturn that effected the real estate industry. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE buttress (verb): make stronger or defensible China's economy has been buttressed by a global demand for the electronic parts the country manufactures. cadaverous (adjective): emaciated; gaunt Some actors take challenging roles in which they have to lose so much weight that they appear cadaverous. candid (adjective): a straightforward and honest look at something Even with a perfect stranger, Charles was always candid and would rarely hold anything back. candidness (noun): the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech Although I was unhappy that the relationship ended, I appreciated her candidness about why she was ready to move on from the relationship. cardinal (adjective): of primary importance; fundamental Most cultures consider gambling a cardinal sin and thus have outlawed its practice. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE carping (adjective): persistently petty and unjustified criticism What seemed like incessant nagging and carping about my behavior from my mother turned out to be wise and useful advice that has served me well. catalyst (noun): something that speeds up an event Rosa Park's refusal to give up her bus seat acted as a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement, setting into motion historic changes for African-Americans. cavalier (adjective): given to haughty disregard of others Percy dismissed the issue with a cavalier wave of his hand. censor (verb): to examine and remove objectionable material  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards Every fall, high school English teachers are inundated by requests to censor their curriculum by removing The Catcher in the Rye and Scarlet Letter from their reading lists. cerebral (adjective): involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct A cerebral analysis of most pop music finds it to be simple and childish, but that ignores the point--the music's effect on the listener. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE champion (verb): protect or fight for as a champion Martin Luther King Jr. championed civil rights fiercely throughout his short life. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE chauvinist (noun): a person who believes in the superiority of their group The chauvinist lives on both sides of the political spectrum, outright shunning anybody whose ideas are not consistent with his own. check (verb): to limit (usually modifying the growth of something) Deserted for six months, the property began to look more like a jungle and less like a residence--weeds grew unchecked in the front yard This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE check (noun): the condition of being held back or limited When government abuses are not kept in check, that government is likely to become autocratic. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE checkered (adjective): one that is marked by disreputable happenings One by one, the presidential candidates dropped out of the race, their respective checkered pasts-- from embezzlement to infidelity--sabotaging their campaigns. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE chivalrous (adjective): being attentive to women like an ideal knight Marco's chivalrous ways, like opening doors and pulling out chairs, was much appreciated by his date. clemency (noun): leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice In the final moments of the trial, during his closing speech, Phillips was nearly begging the judge for clemency. coalesce (verb): fuse or cause to grow together Over time, the various tribes coalesced into a single common culture with one universal language. cogent (adjective): clear and persuasive A cogent argument will change the minds of even the most skeptical audience. cohesive (adjective): well integrated, forming a united whole A well-written, cohesive essay will keep on topic at all times, never losing sight of the main argument. collusion (noun): agreement on a secret plot  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards Many have argued that Lee Harvey Oswald, JFK's assassin, was in collusion with other criminals; others maintain that Oswald was a lone gunman. colossal (adjective): so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe Few appreciate the colossal scale of the sun: if hollow, it could contain a million Earths. commendable (adjective): worthy of high praise The efforts of the firefighters running into the burning building were commendable. complacent (adjective): contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions After the water polo team won their sixth championship, they became complacent and didn't even make it to the playoffs the next year. complementary (adjective): enhancing each other's qualities (for two things or more). The head waiter was careful to tell the amateur diners that red wine was complementary with beef, each bringing out subtle taste notes in the other. compound (verb): make more intense, stronger, or more marked Her headache was compounded by the construction crew outside, which had six jackhammers going at the same time. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE conducive (adjective): making a situation or outcome more likely to happen Studying in a quiet room is conducive to learning; studying in a noisy environment makes learning more difficult. conniving (verb): taking part in immoral and unethical plots The queen was so conniving that, with the help of the prince, she tried to overthrow the king. consecrate (verb): to make holy or set apart for a high purpose At the church of Notre Dame in France, the new High Altar was consecrated in 1182. constraint (noun): something that limits or restricts He found pop music a constraint on his ability to learn and preferred to listen to classical musical while studying. consummate (adjective): having or revealing supreme mastery or skill Tyler was the consummate musician: he was able to play the guitar, harmonica, and the drum at the same time. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE consummate (verb): to make perfect and complete in every respect The restoration of the ancient church was only consummated after a twenty years of labor. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE contemptuous (adjective): scornful, looking down at others with a sneering attitude  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards Always on the forefront of fashion, Vanessa looked contemptuously at anyone wearing dated clothing. contrite (adjective): to be remorseful Though he stole his little sister's licorice stick with malevolent glee, Chucky soon became contrite when his sister wouldn't stop crying. conundrum (noun): a difficult problem Computers have helped solve some of the mathematical conundrums which have puzzled man for many centuries. convivial (adjective): describing a lively atmosphere The wedding reception was convivial; friends who hadn't seen each other for ages drank and ate together before heading to the dance floor. convoluted (adjective): highly complex or intricate Instead of solving the math problem in three simple steps, Kumar used a convoluted solution requiring fifteen steps. cornucopia (noun): an abundant supply of something good The International Food Expo was a cornucopia of culinary delights: gourmet foods from every continent were under one roof. corroborate (verb): to confirm or lend support to (usually an idea or claim) Her claim that frog populations were falling precipitously in Central America was corroborated by locals, who reported that many species of frogs had seemingly vanished overnight. cosmopolitan (adjective): comprising many cultures; global in reach and outlook There are few cities in the world as diverse and cosmopolitan as New York. credence (noun): belief in something He placed no credence in psychics, claiming that they offered no special powers beyond the ability to make people part with their money. creditable (adjective): deserving of praise but not that amazing Critics agreed the movie was creditable, but few gave it more than three out of five stars. credulity (noun): tendency to believe readily Virginia's wide-eyed credulity as a five-year old was replaced by suspicion after she learned that Santa Claus didn't really exist. cumbersome (adjective): difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight Only ten years ago, being an avid reader and a traveler meant carrying a cumbersome backpack stuffed with books--these days we need only an e-reader.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards dearth (noun): a lack or shortage I am surprised by the dearth of fast food chains; this is America and I assumed they were on every street. debase (verb): reduce the quality or value of something The third-rate script so debased the film that not even the flawless acting could save it from being a flop. debunk (verb): expose as false ideas and claims, especially while ridiculing Richard Dawkins tries to debunk religious belief, but his ridicule tends to push people away from his points rather than convince them. decimation (noun): destroying or killing a large part of the population The decimation after atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is incomprehensible. degrade (verb): reduce in worth or character, usually verbally Jesse had mockingly pointed out all of Nancy's faults in front of their friends, publicly degrading the poor girl. delegate (verb): give an assignment to (a person) Since the senior manager had to go on many international business trips, she was forced to delegate many of her responsibilities to two lower-level managers. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE deliberate (verb): think about carefully; weigh the pros and cons of an issue Emergency situations such as this call for immediate action and leave no room to deliberate over options. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE demean (verb): to insult; to cause someone to lose dignity or respect At first the soccer players bantered back and forth, but as soon as one of the players became demeaning, calling the other's mother a water buffalo, the ref whipped out a red card. demure (adjective): to be modest and shy The portrait of her in a simple white blouse was sweet and demure. deride (verb): treat or speak of with contempt The nun derided the students for trying to sneak insects and worms into the classroom. derisive (adjective): abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule I was surprised by her derisive tone; usually, she is sweet, soft spoken, and congenial. derogative (adjective): expressed as worthless or in negative terms Never before have we seen a debate between two political candidates that was so derogative and filthy. desecrate (verb): to willfully violate or destroy a sacred place  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards After desecrating the pharaoh's tomb, the archaeologist soon fell victim to a horrible illness. destitute (adjective): poor enough to need help from others Jean Valjean, is at first destitute, but through the grace of a priest, he makes something of his life. destitute (adjective): completely wanting or lacking (usually "destitute of") Now that the mine is closed, the town is destitute of any economic activity. deter (verb): turn away from by persuasion His mother tried to deter him from joing the army, but he was too intoxicated with the idea of war to listen. deter (verb): try to prevent; show opposition to The government's primary job should invlove deterring paths to war, not finding ways to start them. detrimental (adjective): (sometimes followed by "to") causing harm or injury Many know that smoking is detrimental to your health, but processed sugar in large quantities is equally bad. devolve (verb): pass on or delegate to another The company was full of managers known for devolving tasks to lower management, but never doing much work themselves. devolve (verb): grow worse (usually "devolve into") The dialogue between the two academics devolved into a downright bitter argument. diabolical (adjective): to be extremely wicked like the devil The conspirators, willing to dispatch anyone who stood in their way, hatched a diabolical plan to take over the city. differentiate (verb): be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait (sometimes in positive sense) Mozart's long melodic lines differentiate his compositions from other works of late 18th century music. differentiate (verb): evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way most suited to the environment Animals on Madagascar differentiated from other similar animal species due to many years of isolation on the island. dilapidated (adjective): in terrible condition The main house has been restored but the gazebo is still dilapidated and unuseable. diligent (adjective): characterized by care and perseverance in carrying out tasks Michael was a diligent gardener, never leaving a leaf on the ground and regularly watering each plant.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards discord (noun): lack of agreement or harmony Despite all their talented players, the team was filled with discord--some players refused to talk to others--and lost most of their games. discreet (adjective): careful to protect one's speech or actions in order to avoid offense or gain an advantage The professor thought that he was discreet, subtly wiping the stain off of his shirt, but as soon as he stepped off the podium a member of the audience pointed out the large ketchup stain. discriminate (verb): recognize or perceive the difference Sarah couldn't discriminate between a good wine and a bad wine, so she avoided wine tastings. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE disenfranchise (verb): deprive of voting rights The U.S. Constitution disenfranchised women until 1920 when they were given the right to vote. disheartened (adjective): made less hopeful or enthusiastic After the visiting team scored nine times, the home team's fans were disheartened, some leaving the game early. disparate (adjective): two things are fundamentally different With the advent of machines capable of looking inside the brain, fields as disparate as religion and biology have been brought together by scientists trying to understand what happens in the brain when people have a religious experience. dispatch (noun): the property of being prompt and efficient She finished her thesis with dispatch, amazing her advisors who couldn't believe she hadn't written 60 scholarly pages so quickly. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE dispatch (verb): dispose of rapidly and without delay and efficiently As soon as the angry peasants stormed the castle, they caught the king and swiftly dispatched him. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE docile (adjective): easily handled or managed; willing to be taught or led or supervised or directed Barnyard animals are considerably more docile than the wild animals. dog (verb): to pursue relentlessly; to hound Throughout his life, he was dogged by insecurities that inhibited personal growth. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE dupe (verb): to trick or swindle Once again a get-rich-fast Internt scheme had duped Harold into submitting a $5,000 check to a sham operation. dupe (noun): a person who is easily tricked or swindled  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards The charlatan mistook the crowd for a bunch of dupes, but the crowd was quickly on to him and decried his bald-faced attempt to bilk them. eccentric (adjective): highly unconventional or usual (usually describes a person) Mozart was well-known for his eccentricities, often speaking words backward to confuse those around him. egotist (noun): a conceited and self-centered person An egotist, Natasha had few friends because of her inability to talk about anything except her dream of becoming the next American Idol. eke (verb): To live off meager resources, to scrape by Stranded in a cabin over the winter, Terry was able to eke out an existence on canned food. elaborate (adjective): marked by complexity and richness of detail Thomas, on returning from Morocco, replaced his dirty gray carpet with an elaborate one he'd brought back with him. elaborate (verb): explain in more detail Most high school physics teachers find themselves elaborating the same point over and over again, since many concepts confuse students. elude (verb): escape understanding Even a basic understanding of physics can elude most high schools students. elusive (adjective): difficult to capture or difficult to remember Many first time skydivers say that describing the act of falling from the sky is elusive. embellish (verb): make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.; make more beautiful McCartney would write relatively straightforward lyrics, and Lennon would embellish them with puns and poetic images. embroiled (adjective): involved in argument or contention These days we are never short of a D.C. politician embroiled in scandal--a welcome phenomenon for those who, having barely finished feasting on the sordid details of one imbroglio, can sink their teeth into a fresh one. empathetic (adjective): showing understanding and ready comprehension of other peoples' states and emotions Most discrimination and hatred is based on a lack of empathetic awareness of people that have the same aspitations and fears. emulate (verb): strive to equal or match, especially by imitating; compete with successfully  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards To really become fluent in a new language, emulate the speech patterns and intonation of people who speak the language. endemic (adjective): native; originating where it is found Irish cuisine makes great use of potatoes, but ironically, the potato is not endemic to Ireland. enmity (noun): a state of deep-seated ill-will Charles rude remark toward Sarah yesterday was due to his illness, not due to any real enmity toward Sarah. entice (verb): get someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises Harold enticed his wife, Maude, to go on a vacation to Hawaii, with promises of luaus on the beach and all-you-can-eat seafood buffets. enumerate (verb): determine the number or amount of The survey enumerates the number of happy workers and the number of unhappy workers. enumerate (verb): specify individually, one by one I sat and listened as she enumerated all of the things she did not like about the past three months. err (verb): to make an error He erred in thinking that "indigent" and "indignant" were synonyms. errant (adjective): to be wandering; not sticking to a circumscribed path Unlike his peers, who spent their hours studying in the library, Matthew preferred errant walks through the university campus. erratic (adjective): unpredictable; strange and unconventional It came as no surprise to pundits that the President's attempt at re-election floundered; even during his term, support for his policies was erratic, with an approval rating jumping anywhere from 30 to 60 percent. euphoria (noun): a feeling of great (usually exaggerated) elation The euphoria of winning her first gold medal in the 100 meter dash overwhelmed Shelly-Ann Fraser and she wept tears of immense joy. evasive (adjective): avoiding or escaping from difficulty or danger or commitment His responses were clearly evasive; he obviously did not want to take on any responsibility or any new work. evasive (adjective): deliberately vague or ambiguous Every time I call the bank, I receive the same evasive answers about our mortgage and never get a clear response.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards evenhanded (adjective): without partiality Teachers often have trouble being evenhanded to all of their varied students. exasperate (verb): to irritate intensely As a child, I exasperated my mother with strings of never-ending questions. excruciating (adjective): extremely painful After the boulder rolled a couple of feet, pinning my friend's arm, he experienced excruciating pain. exemplify (verb): be characteristic of Lincoln exemplified the best of not only America, but also the potential greatness that exists within each person. exemplify (verb): clarify by giving an example of Please present some case studies that exemplify the results that you claim in your paper. exhort (verb): to strongly urge on; encourage Nelson's parents exhorted him to study medicine, urging him to choose a respectable profession; intransigent, Nelson left home to become a graffiti artist. extenuating (adjective): making less guilty or more forgivable The jury was hardly moved by the man's plea that his loneliness was an extenuating factor in his crime of dognapping a prized pooch. facetious (adjective): cleverly amusing in tone Facetious behavior will not be tolerated during sex eduation class; it's time for all of you to treat these matters like mature adults. fawn (verb): try to gain favor by extreme flattery The media fawned over the handsome new CEO, praising his impeccable sense of style instead of asking more pointed questions. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE ferret (verb): to search for something persistently Ever the resourceful lexicographer, Fenton was able to ferret out the word origin of highly obscure words. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE fete (verb): to celebrate a person After World War II, war heroes were feted at first but quickly forgotten. fickle (adjective): liable to sudden unpredictable change, esp. in affections or attachments She was so fickle in her politics, it was hard to pinpoint her beliefs; one week she would embrace a side, and the next week she would denounce it.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards finagle (verb): achieve something by means of trickery or devious methods Steven was able to finagle one of the last seats on the train by convincing the conductor that his torn stub was actually a valid ticket. fledgling (adjective): young and inexperienced; describing any new participant in some activity Murray has years of experience in family practice, but he is just a fledgling in surgery. fleece (verb): to deceive Many people have been fleeced by Internet scams and never received their money back. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE flounder (verb): behave awkwardly; have difficulties Sylvia has excelled at advanced calculus, but ironically, when she has deal with taxes, she flounders. flush (adjective): to be in abundance The exam's passage is flush with difficult words, words that you may have learned only yesterday. foible (noun): a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual When their new roommate sat staring at an oak tree for an hour, Marcia thought it indicated a mental problem, but Jeff assured her it was a harmless foible. foolhardy (adjective): marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences The police regularly face dangerous situations, so for a police officer not to wear his bullet-proof vest is foolhardy. forthright (adjective): characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion I did not expect the insurance agent to give us any straight answers, but I was pleasent surprised by how forthright he was. futile (adjective): producing no result or effect; unproductive of success I thought I could repair the car myself, but after two days of work with no success, I have to admit that my efforts were futile. genial (adjective): agreeable, conducive to comfort Betty is a genial young woman: everyone she meets is put at ease by her elegance and grace. genteel (adjective): marked by refinement in taste and manners A live string quartet would provide a more genteel air to the wedding than would a folk singer. glean (verb): collect information bit by bit Herb has given us no formal statement about his background, but from various hints, I have gleaned that he grew up in difficult circumstances.  gre.magoosh.com/flashcards glib (adjective): (of a p