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GRE Vocab > Basic > Flashcards

Basic Flashcards

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1
Q

acme

A

the highest point of achievement

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2
Q

affable

A

likable; easy to talk to

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3
Q

affluent

A

wealthy

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4
Q

amiable

A

friendly

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5
Q

bleak

A

having a depressed or gloomy outlook

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6
Q

candid

A

straightforward and honest

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7
Q

censor

A

(v) to examine and remove objectionable material (n) an official who censors

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8
Q

demean

A

to insult; cause someone to lose dignity

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9
Q

demure

A

modest and shy

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10
Q

diabolical

A

to be extremely evil like the devil

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11
Q

dog

A

to pursue relentlessly; to hound

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12
Q

dupe

A

to trick or swindle OR (n) a person who is easily tricked or swindled

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13
Q

embroil

A

involve (someone) in an argument, conflict, or situation

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14
Q

err

A

to make an error

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15
Q

erratic

A

not even or regular in pattern or movement; unpredictable.

“her breathing was erratic”

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16
Q

hound

A

to pursue relentlessly

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17
Q

indict

A

to formally charge or accuse or wrongdoing

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18
Q

indigenous

A

originating in a certain area

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19
Q

indignant

A

feeling anger over a perceived injustice

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20
Q

inflammatory

A

extremely controversial, incendiary

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21
Q

insolvent

A

unable to pay one’s bills; bankrupt

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22
Q

inundate

A

to flood or overwhelm

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23
Q

macabre

A

suggesting the horror of death and decay; gruesome

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24
Q

mesmerize

A

to spellbind or enthrall

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25
Q

miser

A

a person who doesn’t like to spend money (because they are greedy)

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26
Q

peruse

A

to read very carefully

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27
Q

pine

A

to yearn for

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28
Q

pinnacle

A

the highest point

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29
Q

profuse

A

plentiful; pouring out in abundance

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30
Q

remiss

A

to be negligent in one’s duty

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31
Q

reprobate

A

a person without morals who is disapproved of

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32
Q

retiring

A

to be shy and to be inclined to retract from company

“a gentle, retiring person who avoided conflict”

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33
Q

screed

A

an abusive rant (often tedious)

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34
Q

serendipity

A

the instance in which an accidental, fortunate discovery is made

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35
Q

slapdash

A

carelessly and hastily put together

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36
Q

spendthrift

A

one who spends money extravagantly

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37
Q

stipend

A

a regular allowance (of money)

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38
Q

summit

A

the peak or highest point OR a meeting of high-level leaders

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39
Q

telling

A

significant and revealing of another factor

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40
Q

telltale

A

revealing

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41
Q

tender

A

(v) offer up something formally

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42
Q

thoroughgoing

A

very thorough; complete

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43
Q

thrifty

A

spending money wisely

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44
Q

tirade

A

an angry speech

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45
Q

underwrite

A

to support financially

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46
Q

unnerve

A

to make nervous or upset

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47
Q

variance

A

the quality of being different

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48
Q

vindictive

A

having a strong desire for revenge

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49
Q

voracious

A

very hungry; approaching an activity with gusto

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50
Q

zenith

A

the highest point; culmination

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51
Q

aboveboard

A

open and honest

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52
Q

amok

A

in a frenzied or uncontrolled state

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53
Q

animosity

A

intense hostility

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54
Q

apex

A

the highest point

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55
Q

avarice

A

greed

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56
Q

badger

A

to pester

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57
Q

beatific

A

blissfully happy

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58
Q

becoming

A

appropriate and matches nicely

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59
Q

bellicose

A

warlike; inclined to fight

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60
Q

cadaverous

A

emaciated; gaunt

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61
Q

cardinal

A

of primary importance; fundamental

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62
Q

catalyst

A

something that speeds up an event

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63
Q

chauvanist

A

a person who believes in the superiority of their group

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64
Q

check

A

(v) to limit (usually modifying the growth of something) OR (n) the condition of being held back or limited

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65
Q

checkered

A

marked by disreputable or unfortunate happenings

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66
Q

cogent

A

clear and persuasive

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67
Q

contrite

A

remorseful

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68
Q

corroborate

A

to confirm or lend support to (usually an idea or a claim)

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69
Q

desecrate

A

to willfully violate or destroy a sacred place

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70
Q

disparate

A

two things that are fundamentally different

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71
Q

errant

A

to be wandering; not sticking to a circumscribed path

“he could never forgive his daughter’s errant ways”

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72
Q

exhort

A

strongly urge; encourage

“Come on, you guys,” exhorted Linda

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73
Q

extenuating

A

making less guilty or more forgivable

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74
Q

ferret

A

to search for something persistently

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75
Q

fleece

A

to deceive (to pull the wool over one’s eyes)

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76
Q

flush

A

to be in abundance

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77
Q

heyday

A

the pinnacle or top of a time period or career

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78
Q

hodgepodge

A

a confusing mixture or jumble

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79
Q

immaterial

A

not relevant

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80
Q

imponderable

A

impossible to estimate or figure out

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81
Q

junta

A

an aggressive takeover by a group (usually military); OR the group that executes such a takeover

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82
Q

lassitude

A

extreme tiredness, either mental or physical

“she was overcome by lassitude and retired to bed”

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83
Q

melee

A

a wild, confusing fight or struggle

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84
Q

misanthrope

A

a hater of mankind (eg. Holden Caulfield)

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85
Q

moment

A

significant and important in value

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86
Q

paucity

A

the lack of something

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87
Q

pittance

A

a small amount (of money)

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88
Q

preemptive

A

done before someone else can do it

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89
Q

pugnacious

A

eager to fight or argue; verbally combative

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90
Q

raft

A

a large number of something

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91
Q

replete

A

completely stocked or furnished with something

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92
Q

sanctimonious

A

making a show of being pious; holier-than-thou

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93
Q

sanguine

A

cheerful; optimistic OR blood-red

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94
Q

scintillating

A

(of a person) brilliant and lively; (of a thing) sparkling or shining brightly.

“the audience loved his scintillating wit”

“the scintillating sun”

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95
Q

start

A

to suddenly move in a particular direction

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96
Q

stem

A

to hold back or limit the growth of something

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97
Q

unconscionable

A

unreasonable; unscrupulous; excessive

“the unconscionable conduct of his son”

“shareholders have had to wait an unconscionable time for the facts to be established”

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98
Q

vicarious

A

felt or undergone as if one were taking part in the experience or feelings of another

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99
Q

virago

A

an ill-tempered or violent woman

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100
Q

wax

A

to gradually increase in size or intensity

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101
Q

advocate

A

speak plead, or argue in favor of OR a person to pleads for a cause

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102
Q

appreciable

A

large enough to be noticed

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103
Q

apprehension

A

fearful expectation

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104
Q

archaic

A

so old as to appear to belong to another period

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105
Q

ascendancy

A

the state that exists when one person or group has power over another

“the ascendancy of good over evil”

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106
Q

autonomously

A

adv. acting independently; self governing (as a country)

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107
Q

avid

A

marked by active interest and enthusiasm

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108
Q

boon

A

(n) a thing that is helpful or beneficial OR (adj) (of a person/friend) very close and cheerful

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109
Q

consummate

A

(adj) having or revealing complete mastery or skill OR (v) to make perfect and complete in every respect

“she dressed with consummate elegance”

“his scheme of colonization was consummated through bloodshed”

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110
Q

dearth

A

a scarcity or lack of something

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111
Q

degrade

A

reduce in worth or character, usually verbally

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112
Q

deter

A

to turn away from by persuasion OR try to prevent; show opposition to

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113
Q

discriminate

A

recognize or perceive a difference

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114
Q

disenfranchise

A

deprive of voting rights

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115
Q

disheartened

A

made less hopeful or enthusiastic

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116
Q

elusive

A

difficult to capture or remember

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117
Q

endemic

A

native; originating where it is found

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118
Q

entice

A

attract or tempt by offering pleasure or advantage

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119
Q

fete

A

(v) to celebrate a person OR (n) a celebration

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120
Q

fledgling

A

(adj) young and inexperienced OR (n) one who is young and inexperienced

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121
Q

flounder

A

to behave awkwardly; have difficulties

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122
Q

guffaw

A

laugh boisterously

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123
Q

impede

A

to hinder

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124
Q

impermeable

A

does not allow fluids to pass through OR not liable to be affected by pain or distress; insusceptible or imperturbable

“women who appear impermeable to pain”

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125
Q

incessant

A

uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing; unending

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126
Q

inclement

A

unpleasant, stormy (as weather) OR showing no mercy (as a person or behavior)

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127
Q

ingenuity

A

the power of creative imagination

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128
Q

jocular

A

characterized by jokes and good humor

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129
Q

malady

A

disease or sickness

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130
Q

malleable

A

capable of being easily shaped or influenced (person or object)

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131
Q

meander

A

wander aimlessly

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132
Q

moot

A

open to argument OR meaningless or irrelevant

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133
Q

morose

A

ill-tempered and not inclined to talk; gloomy

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134
Q

muted

A

softened, subdued

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135
Q

obdurate

A

unable to be persuaded or moved emotionally; stubborn; unyielding

he was obdurate in his refusal

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136
Q

ornate

A

made in an intricate shape or decorated with complex patterns OR (of literary style) using unusual words and complex constructions

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137
Q

patronize

A

treat condescendingly

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138
Q

pithy

A

concise and full of meaning

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139
Q

plodding

A

(of movement) slow and laborious

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140
Q

proponent

A

a person who pleads for a cause or idea

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141
Q

quandary

A

a state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options

142
Q

raffish

A

unconventional and slightly disreputable, especially in an attractive manner

143
Q

renege

A

fail to fulfill a promise or obligation

144
Q

resolve

A

(v) reach a conclusion after discussion or deliberation OR (n) firm determination

145
Q

respite

A

a pause from doing something (as work)

146
Q

robust

A

sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction OR (of food) strong and rich in flavor

147
Q

snide

A

expressive of contempt; derogatory or mocking in an indirect way

148
Q

stolid

A

adj. (of a person) calm, dependable, and showing little emotion or animation.

149
Q

thwart

A

hinder or prevent (as efforts, plans, desires)

150
Q

transitory

A

not permanent; lasting a short time

151
Q

altruism

A

the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others

152
Q

assail

A

to attack in speech or writing

153
Q

assuage

A

make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense

154
Q

augment

A

enlarge or increase; improve

155
Q

banish

A

to expel from a community, residence, or location; drive away

156
Q

benign

A

kind OR not dangerous to health

157
Q

buck

A

resist

158
Q

commendable

A

worthy of high praise

159
Q

conducive

A

making a situation or outcome more likely to happen

160
Q

cornucopia

A

an abundant supply of something good

161
Q

contemptuous

A

scornful, looking down at others with a sneering attitude

162
Q

credence

A

belief in something

163
Q

debase

A

reduce the quality or value of something

164
Q

derisive

A

abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule

“a harsh, derisive laugh”

165
Q

detrimental

A

causing harm or injury

166
Q

egotist

A

a conceited and self centered person

167
Q

elaborate

A

(adj) marked by complexity and richness of detail OR (v) to explain in more detail

168
Q

empathetic

A

showing understanding and ready comprehension of other peoples’ states and emotions

169
Q

euphoria

A

a feeling of great (usually exaggerated) elation

170
Q

facetious

A

treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant

171
Q

fickle

A

liable to sudden unpredictable change, especially in affections or attachments

172
Q

genial

A

agreeable, conducive to comfort

173
Q

genteel

A

marked by refinement in taste and manners

174
Q

glib

A

(of a person) speaking with ease but without sincerity

175
Q

grovel

A

lie or crawl abjectly on the ground with one’s face downward

176
Q

hamstrung

A

made ineffective or powerless

177
Q

illicit

A

illegal

178
Q

impeccable

A

without fault or error

179
Q

inadvertant

A

happening by chance or unintentionally

180
Q

irresolute

A

unsure of how to act

181
Q

jargon

A

language characteristic of a particular group

182
Q

lucid

A

(of language) very clear; easily understandable

183
Q

martial

A

suggesting war or military life

184
Q

perennial

A

lasting an indefinitely long time; eternal; everlasting

185
Q

perpetuate

A

cause to continue

186
Q

pertinent

A

having precise or logical relevance to the matter at hand

187
Q

precedent

A

an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time

188
Q

pristine

A

unspoiled, untouched OR immaculately clean and unused

189
Q

rankle

A

cause annoyance or resentment that persists (of a comment)

190
Q

sentimental

A

of or prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia

191
Q

smattering

A

a slight or superficial understanding of a subject OR a small amount of something

“Edward had only a smattering of Spanish”

“a smattering of snow”

192
Q

spurn

A

reject with contempt

193
Q

surly

A

inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace

194
Q

tawdry

A

tastelessly showy; cheap and shoddy

195
Q

tumult

A

state of chaos, noise and confusion

196
Q

uncompromising

A

not making concessions

197
Q

unruly

A

noisy and lacking restraint or discipline; unwilling to submit to authority

198
Q

urbane

A

suave, sophisticated, refined, worldly (of a person, esp. a man) (e.g. james bond)

199
Q

vacuous

A

devoid of intelligence, matter, or significance

200
Q

whimsical

A

determined by impulse or whim rather then by necessity or reason

201
Q

aphoristic

A

something that is concise and instructive of a general truth or principle

202
Q

brusquely

A

in a blunt, direct manner

203
Q

candidness

A

the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech

204
Q

collusion

A

agreement on a secret plot

205
Q

complacent

A

contented to a fault with oneself or one’s actions

206
Q

connive

A

take part in immoral and unethical plots

207
Q

convoluted

A

highly complex or intricate

208
Q

credulity

A

tendency to believe readily

209
Q

destitute

A

poor enough to need help from others OR completely wanting or lacking (as in ‘destitute of’)

210
Q

devolve

A

pass on or delegate to another OR degenerate or be split into

“measures to devolve power to the provinces”

“the Empire devolved into separate warring states”

211
Q

diligent

A

characterized by care and perseverance in carrying out tasks

212
Q

discord

A

lack of agreement or harmony

213
Q

eke

A

to live off meager resources, to scrape by

214
Q

elude

A

escape understanding

215
Q

embellish

A

make more attractive by adding ornament, color; make more beautiful

216
Q

enmity

A

a state of deep-seated ill-will

217
Q

exasperate

A

to irritate intensely

218
Q

exemplify

A

(v) to be a typical example of OR (v) clarify by giving an example

219
Q

foible

A

a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual

220
Q

goad

A

urge on with unpleasant comments

221
Q

impending

A

close in time; about to occur

222
Q

impregnable

A

immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with

223
Q

irk

A

annoy

224
Q

leery

A

openly distrustful and unwilling to confide

225
Q

malevolent

A

wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from intense ill will or hatred

226
Q

maxim

A

a short saying expressing a general truth

227
Q

obstinate

A

resistant to guidance or discipline; stubbornly persistent

“the obstinate problem of unemployment”

228
Q

pastoral

A

relating to the countryside in a pleasant sense

229
Q

peevish

A

easily irritated or annoyed

230
Q

perturb

A

make (someone) anxious or alarmed

231
Q

placid

A

not easily irritated; calm and peaceful

232
Q

ploy

A

a clever plan to turn a situation to one’s advantage

233
Q

presumption

A

an assumption that is taken for granted OR audacious (even arrogant) behavior that one has no right to

234
Q

quip

A

a witty saying or remark OR (v) to make a witty remark

235
Q

rash

A

marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences; imprudently incurring risk

236
Q

reservation

A

an unstated doubt that prevents you from accepting something wholeheartedly

237
Q

retract

A

pull inward or towards a center; formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure

238
Q

savvy

A

(n) a perceptive understanding (eg political savvy) OR (v) to get the meaning of something OR (adj) well-informed or perceptive

239
Q

serene

A

calm and peaceful

240
Q

smug

A

marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction

241
Q

squander

A

spend thoughtlessly; waste time, money, or an opportunity

242
Q

steadfast

A

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

243
Q

tact

A

consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense

244
Q

tarnish

A

make dirty or spotty; to sully or devalue

245
Q

taxing

A

physically or mentally demanding

246
Q

tout

A

advertise in strongly positive terms; show off

247
Q

travail

A

painful or laborious effort

248
Q

unprecedented

A

having never been done before; novel

249
Q

unseemly

A

not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society

250
Q

derogative

A

expressed as worthless or in negative terms

251
Q

analogous

A

similar in some respects but otherwise different

252
Q

antedate

A

precede in time

253
Q

ascribe

A

attribute or credit to

254
Q

avert

A

turn away OR ward off

255
Q

begrudge

A

to envy someone for possessing or enjoying something OR to give reluctantly

“she begrudged Martin his affluence”

“nobody begrudges a single penny spent on health”

256
Q

behoove

A

it is a duty or responsibility for someone to do something; it is incumbent on.

eg. “it behooves any coach to study his predecessors”

it is appropriate or suitable; it befits.

eg. “it ill behooves the opposition constantly to decry the sale of arms to friendly countries”

257
Q

belittle

A

lessen the importance, dignity, or reputation of

258
Q

besmirch

A

damage the good name and reputation of someone

259
Q

buttress

A

make stronger or defensible

260
Q

cavalier

A

showing a lack of proper concern; offhand

“Anne was irritated by his cavalier attitude”

261
Q

cerebral

A

involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct

262
Q

clemency

A

leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice

263
Q

coalesce

A

fuse or cause or grow together

264
Q

cohesive

A

well integrated, forming a united whole

265
Q

consecrate

A

to make holy or set apart for a high purpose

266
Q

conundrum

A

a difficult problem

267
Q

delegate

A

give an assignment to (a person)

268
Q

deride

A

treat or speak of with contempt

269
Q

docile

A

easily handled or managed; willing to be taught or led or supervised or directed

270
Q

eccentric

A

unconventional and slightly strange

271
Q

emulate

A

strive to equal or match, especially by imitating; compete with successfully

272
Q

evenhanded

A

without partiality

273
Q

fawn

A

give a servile display of exaggerated flattery or affection, typically in order to gain favor or advantage

274
Q

finagle

A

achieve something by means of trickery or devious methods

275
Q

foolhardy

A

marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences

276
Q

forthright

A

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

277
Q

glean

A

collect information bit by bit

278
Q

humdrum

A

dull and lacking excitement

279
Q

implicate

A

convey a meaning; imply OR to indicate in wrongdoing

280
Q

incense

A

make furious

281
Q

incumbent

A

necessary (for someone) as a duty or responsibility

282
Q

industrious

A

characterized by hard work and perseverance

283
Q

insipid

A

dull and uninteresting

284
Q

intermittent

A

stopping and starting at irregular intervals

285
Q

irascible

A

quickly aroused to anger

286
Q

lethargic

A

lacking energy

287
Q

melancholy

A

a deep, long-lasting sadness

288
Q

piquant

A

having an agreeably pungent taste

289
Q

precarious

A

fraught with danger

290
Q

preempt

A

take action in order to prevent (an anticipated event) from happening; forestall.

“the government preempted a coup attempt”

291
Q

presumptuous

A

a failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate

292
Q

prevail

A

to be widespread in a particular area at a particular time; to be current OR prove superior

293
Q

profusion

A

an abundance of something

294
Q

rakish

A

having or displaying a dashing, jaunty, or slightly disreputable quality or appearance

“he had a rakish, debonair look”

295
Q

redress

A

an act of making something right

“the power to redress the grievances of our citizens”

296
Q

rile

A

cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations

297
Q

tribulation

A

something, especially an event, that causes difficulty and suffering

“his time of tribulation was just beginning”

298
Q

uncanny

A

suggesting the operation of supernatural influences; surpassing the ordinary or normal

299
Q

veneer

A

covering consisting of a superficial layer that hides the underlying substance

300
Q

wanton

A

without check or limitation; showing no moral restraints to one’s anger, desire, or appetites

301
Q

abysmal

A

extremely bad

302
Q

amply

A

(adv) more than is adequate

(adj) ample - more than is adequate

303
Q

antiquated

A

old-fashioned; belonging to an earlier period in time

304
Q

aphorism

A

a short saying about a general truth (eg a penny saved is a penny earned)

305
Q

balk

A

refuse to comply

“any gardener will at first balk at enclosing the garden”

306
Q

besiege

A

harass, as with questions or requests; cause to feel distressed or worried

307
Q

boorish

A

ill-mannered and coarse or contemptible in behavior or appearance

308
Q

carping

A

persistently petty and unjustified criticism

309
Q

champion

A

to fight for a cause

310
Q

chivalrous

A

(of a man or his behavior) courteous and gallant, especially toward women.

311
Q

colossal

A

so great in size or force or extent so as to elicit awe

312
Q

complement

A

enhancing each others’ qualities

313
Q

compound

A

make more intense, stronger, or more marked

314
Q

constraint

A

something that limits or restricts

315
Q

convival

A

(of an atmosphere or event) friendly, lively, and enjoyable.

OR (of a person) cheerful and friendly; jovial.

316
Q

cosmopolitan

A

comprising many cultures; global in reach and outlook

317
Q

creditable

A

deserving public acknowledgment and praise but not necessarily outstanding or successful.

318
Q

cumbersome

A

difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight

319
Q

debunk

A

expose as false ideas and claims, especially while ridiculing

320
Q

decimation

A

destroying or killing a large part of the population

321
Q

deliberate

A

(v) engage in long and careful consideration. (adj) done consciously and intentionally.

322
Q

differentiate

A

recognize or ascertain what makes (someone or something) different. OR make or become different in the process of growth or development.

323
Q

dilapidated

A

(of a building or object) in a state of disrepair or ruin as a result of age or neglect.

324
Q

discreet

A

careful to protect one’s speech or actions in order to avoid offense or draw attention

325
Q

dispatch

A

(v) send off to a destination or for a purpose.
(v) deal with (a task, problem, opponent) quickly and efficiently.
(v) kill efficiently and without delay.
(n) the sending of someone or something to a destination or for a purpose.
(n) speed in action; swiftness.
(n) an official report on state or military affairs.
(n) the killing of someone or something.

326
Q

enumerate

A

(v) determine the number or amount of OR (v) specify individually, one by one; list off

327
Q

evasive

A

avoiding or escaping from difficulty or danger or commitment OR deliberately vague or ambiguous

328
Q

excruciating

A

extremely painful

329
Q

futile

A

producing no result or effect; unproductive of success

330
Q

hamper

A

prevent the progress or free movement of

331
Q

inarticulate

A

without or deprived of the use of speech or words

332
Q

inkling

A

a slight suggestion or vague understanding

333
Q

laborious

A

characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort

334
Q

malodorous

A

having an unpleasant smell

335
Q

miscreant

A

a person who breaks the law

336
Q

misogynist

A

a person who dislikes women

337
Q

morph

A

to undergo dramatic change in a seamless and barely noticeable fashion

338
Q

obliging

A

showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others

339
Q

paradoxical

A

seemingly contradictory but nonetheless possibly true

340
Q

perquisite

A

a perk; a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right)

“the wife of a president has all the perquisites of stardom”

341
Q

provisional

A

under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon

342
Q

qualm

A

an uneasy feeling of doubt, worry, or fear, especially about one’s own conduct; a misgiving.

343
Q

relegate

A

assign to a lower position

344
Q

resignation

A

the acceptance of something unpleasant that can’t be avoided

345
Q

snub

A

refuse to acknowledge; reject outright and bluntly

346
Q

sordid

A

involving ignoble actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt; foul and run-down and repulsive OR dirty and squalid

“the story paints a sordid picture of bribes and scams”

“the overcrowded housing conditions were sordid and degrading”

347
Q

staid

A

characterized by dignity and propriety

348
Q

stymie

A

hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of

349
Q

vanquish

A

defeat thoroughly.

350
Q

vie

A

compete for something

GRE Vocab (3 decks)

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