Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

GRE Vocabulary > Deck 6 > Flashcards

Deck 6 Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
GRE® Vocabulary flashcards Vocab Builder flashcards GRE® Psychology flashcards
1
Q

retract

A

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

to retract an embarassing e-mail

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

peevish

A

adjective: easily irritated or annoyed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

collusion

A

noun: an agreement on a secret plot

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

complacent

A

adjective: feeling so satisfied with your own abilities or situation that you feel you do not need to try any harder

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

aphoristic

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

maxim

A

noun: a short saying expressing a general truth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

smug

A

adjective: marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

embellish

A

verb: make more attractive by adding ornament, color, etc.; make more beautiful

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

impending

A

adjective: close in time; about to occur

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

wanton

A

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

Due to wanton behavior and crude language, the drunk man was thrown out of the bar.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

piquant

A

adjective: having an agreeably pungent taste

The chef, with a mere glick of the salt shaker, turned the bland tomato soup into a piquant meal.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

insipid

A

adjective: dull and uninteresting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

forthright

A

adjective: characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtelty or evasion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

tribulation

A

noun: something, especially an event, that causes difficulty and suffering

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

coalesce

A

verb: to fuse or cause to grow together

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

analogous

A

adjective: similar in some respects but otherwise different

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

deride

A

verb: treat or speak of with contempt

The nun derided the students for trying to sneak insects and worms into the classroom.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

begrudge

A

verb:
1) to envy someone for possessing or enjoying something
2) to give reluctantly

We never begrudge money spent on ourselves.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

avert

A

verb:

1) turn away
2) ward off or prevent

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

veneer

A

noun: covering consisting of a thin superficial layer that hides the underlying substance (also metaphorically)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

cavalier

A

adjective: given to haughty disregard of others

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

buttress

A

verb: make stronger or defensible

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

preempt

A

verb: take the place of or have precedence over

A governmental warning about an imminent terrorist attack would preempt ordinary network programming on television.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

ascribe

A

verb: attribute or credit to

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

evenhanded

A

adjective: without partiality

Teachers often have trouble being evenhanded to all of their varied students.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

cohesive

A

adjective: well integrated; forming a united whole

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

presumptuous

A

adjective: excessively forward

Many felt that Barney was presumptuous in moving into the large office before the management even made any official announcement of his promotion.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

fawn

A

verb: try to gain favor by extreme flattery

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

industrious

A

adjective: characterized by hard work and perseverance

Pete was a industrious student, completing every assignment thoroughly and on time.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

cerebral

A

adjective: involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

rile

A

verb: cause annoyance in; disturb, espeically by minor irritations

Dan is usually calm and balanced, but it takes only one intense glare from Sabrina to rile him.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

finangle

A

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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

incumbent

A

adjective: necessary (for someone) as a duty or responsibility

Middle managers at times make important decisions, but real responsibility for the financial well-being of the corporation is ultimately incumbent on the CEO.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

prevail

A

verb:

1) be widespread in a particular area at a particular time; be current

During the labor negotiations, an air of hostility prevailed in the office.

2) prove superior

Vefore the cricket match, Australia was heavily favored, but India prevailed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

antedate

A

verb: precede in time

Harry was so unknowledgeable that he was unaware the Egyptian pharaohs antedated the American Revolution.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

foolhardy

A

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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

irascible

A

adjective: quickly aroused to anger

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

incense

A

verb: make furious

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

emulate

A

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

To really become fluent in a new language, emulate the speech patterns of people who speak the language.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

consecrate

A

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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

clemency

A

noun: lenieny 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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

glean

A

verb: collect information bit by bit

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

uncanny

A

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

an uncanny ability to connect with animals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

docile

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

profusion

A

noun: the property of being extremely abundant

When Maria reported that she had been visited by Jesus Christ and had proof, a profusion of reporters and journalists descneded on the town.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

behoove

A

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”.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

humdrum

A

adjective: dull and lacking excitement

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

paroxysm

A

noun: a sudden, uncontrollable spasm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

sycophant

A

noun: a person who serves and flatters someone powerful for personal gain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

gamin

A

noun: a child who roams the streets

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

husbandry

A

noun: management of resources, especially agriculture

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

dauntless

A

adjective: fearless, not discouraged

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

daunted

A

adjective: scared, discouraged

54
Q

exigent

A

adjective: critical, requiring immediate action; urgent

55
Q

ingenuous

A

adjective: naive, innocent, honest

56
Q

ineffable

A

adjective: impossible to describe in words

57
Q

emollient

A

adjective: soothing
noun: a soothing substance

58
Q

estimable

A

adjective: deserving of respect

59
Q

pellucid

A

adjective: transparent, clear in meaning

60
Q

determinate

A

adjective: having distinct limits

61
Q

dissemble

A

verb: to pretend, to hide under a false appearance

62
Q

reconnoiter

A

verb: to explore an area and gather information, especially about enemy forces

63
Q

subjucate

A

verb: to bring somebody under the control of another

64
Q

impugn

A

verb: to criticize or cast doubt on

65
Q

expedite

A

verb: to speed up the process of

66
Q

temporize

A

verb: to stall or act evasively in order to gain time

67
Q

placid

A

adjective: very calm

68
Q

celerity

A

noun: swiftness

69
Q

coterie

A

noun: a group of people with a common interest

70
Q

veracity

A

noun: truthfulness

71
Q

affectation

A

noun: unnatural behavior intended to impress

72
Q

distaff

A

noun: work or other matters regarded as the concern of women

73
Q

carping

A

noun: petty, nagging criticism

74
Q

caprice

A

noun: a sudden, unpredictable or whimsical change

75
Q

capricious

A

adjective: unpredictable

76
Q

inure

A

verb: to cause to accept or become hardened to, to habituate

77
Q

brook

A

verb: to tolerate something or somebody unpleasant

78
Q

commiserate

A

verb: to show sympathy for

79
Q

fatuous

A

adjective: stupid or foolish in a self-satisfied way

80
Q

attenuate

A

verb: to make slim or slender, to to weaken or lessen in intensity

81
Q

occlude

A

verb: to stop up, to cut off the flow

82
Q

martinet

A

noun: somebody who demands exact conformity to rules

83
Q

loquacity

A

noun: the quality of being talkative and wordy

84
Q

blandishment

A

noun: anything designed to flatter or coax

85
Q

aperture

A

noun: an opening, a gap or a hole
mnemonic: aperture settings in cameras (how open the lens is)

86
Q

consanguinity

A

noun: a relationship by blood

87
Q

opprobrium

A

noun: a state of shame or disgrace; scorn, contempt

88
Q

superfluous

A

adjective: unnecessary, extra

89
Q

impetuous

A

adjective: characterized by excessive haste and lack of deliberation; moving with great force and energy

90
Q

onerous

A

adjective: burdensome, oppresive

91
Q

caustive

A

adjective: harsh or corrosive

92
Q

insipid

A

adjective: dull, lacking flavor

93
Q

nebulous

A

adjective: unclear or vague

94
Q

legerdemain

A

noun: a display of cleverness, especially to deceive others

95
Q

choleric

A

adjective: easily angered, irascible

96
Q

obsequious

A

adjective: attempting to win favor by flattery and submissiveness; fawning

97
Q

sepulchre

A

noun: a burial chamber

98
Q

cynic

A

noun: one who distrusts human nature

99
Q

peculate

A

verb: to steal another’s money or property

100
Q

inculcalte

A

verb: to teach by frequent repetition

101
Q

recant

A

verb: to withdraw a previously held statement or belief
etymology: cant = belief

102
Q

plumb

A

verb: to measure the depth of something

103
Q

obviate

A

verb: to do away with or make unnecessary; to prevent

104
Q

beget

A

verb: to make children; to cause

105
Q

ossify

A

verb: to harden into bone

106
Q

heresy

A

noun: a belief that rejects the accepted tenets of a religion

related words: heretic

107
Q

flout

A

verb: to treat with contemptuous disregard

108
Q

incredulous

A

adjective: skeptical

related words: credible (believable)

109
Q

overweening

A

adjective: arrogant, excessive

110
Q

ostensible

A

adjective: represented or appearing in one way, but not necessarily that way in reality

related words: ostentatious (characterized by pretentious or showy display; designed to impress)

111
Q

foible

A

noun: a minor flaw or failing

112
Q

excoriate

A

verb: to criticize severely

113
Q

sedulous

A

adjective: working diligently and carefullly

114
Q

restive

A

adjective: hard to manage

115
Q

abnegate

A

verb: to renounce something

116
Q

goad

A

verb: to urge, to give courage to

117
Q

disabuse

A

verb: to free from error

118
Q

augur

A

verb: to indicate by signs; to predict from an omen

119
Q

cavort

A

verb: to frolic

120
Q

sylvan

A

adjective: pertaining to a characteristic of a forest or woodland

121
Q

captious

A

adjective: overly critical and complaining

122
Q

demur

A

adjective: to object
noun: an objection

123
Q

unwonted

A

adjective: not usual or expected; not in character

124
Q

palliate

A

adjective: to treat the symptoms

125
Q

inchoate

A

adjective: just beginning to develop; lacking structure or organization

126
Q

perquisite

A

noun: a privilege that goes along with a job

127
Q

nostrum

A

noun: a hypothetical cure-all that may have no true efficacy

128
Q

kismet

A

noun: fate or destiny

129
Q

hermetic

A

adjective: sealed tightly; protected from outside influence

130
Q

pervade

A

verb: to spread throughout

GRE Vocabulary (11 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions