GRE Common Words

Question 1

exigent

Answer 1

urgent

Question 2

ameliorate

Answer 2

to make better

Question 3

opprobrium

Answer 3

public disgrace

Question 4

perfidious

Answer 4

will to betray one’s trust

Question 5

desultory

Answer 5

jumping form one thing to another; disconnected

Question 6

specious

Answer 6

deceptively attractive, seem plausible (valid) but fallacious (tricky/deceptive)

Question 7

bolster

Answer 7

to support

Question 8

exonerate

Answer 8

to clear from blame (exculpate)

Question 9

austere

Answer 9

stern in appearance, strict (teacher); undecorated

Question 10

Euphemism

Answer 10

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

Question 11

satiate

Answer 11

to satisfy fully or overindulge

Question 12

cogent

Answer 12

convincing and well reasoned

Question 13

chicanery

Answer 13

deception by means of tricks

Question 14

Torpor

Answer 14

extreme mental and physical sluggishness

Question 15

insipid

Answer 15

lacking interest or flavor (boring)

Question 16

ardor

Answer 16

intense or passionate feeling

Question 17

elegy

Answer 17

sorrowful speech or poem

Question 18

innocuous

Answer 18

harmless

Question 19

obdurate

Answer 19

resistant to persuasion

Question 20

impetuous

Answer 20

quick to act without thinking

Question 21

bombastic

Answer 21

pompous (self important - know it all) speech and manner

Question 22

inimical

Answer 22

hostile, unfriendly

Question 23

discern

Answer 23

to recognize; perceive

Question 24

stolid

Answer 24

unemotional, lack of sensitivity

Question 25

stigma

Answer 25

mark of shame or discredit

Question 26

obviate

Answer 26

to prevent, make unnecessary

Question 27

obstinate

Answer 27

stubborn

Question 28

convoluted

Answer 28

intricate or complicated

Question 29

prodigal

Answer 29

lavish, wasteful

Question 30

perfunctory

Answer 30

done in a routine way; indifferent

Question 31

plethora

Answer 31

excess

Question 32

abate

Answer 32

to reduce

Question 33

dirge

Answer 33

mournful speech, funeral hymn

Question 34

abyss

Answer 34

extremely deep hole

Question 35

guile

Answer 35

deceit or trickery

Question 36

dilatory

Answer 36

intended to delay

Question 37

inundate

Answer 37

overwhelm; to cover with water

Question 38

propitiate

Answer 38

to conciliate (win over); to appease

Question 39

implacable

Answer 39

unable to calm down or make peaceful

Question 40

misanthrope

Answer 40

a person who dislikes others (hater of human kind)

Question 41

garrulous

Answer 41

talking a lot

Question 42

gregarious

Answer 42

outgoing; sociable

Question 43

tacit

Answer 43

implied, without words

Question 44

venerate

Answer 44

to deeply respect

Question 45

foment

Answer 45

to arouse, incite

Question 46

onerous

Answer 46

troublesome and oppressive (harsh, cruel)

Question 47

diffident

Answer 47

lacking self-confidence

Question 48

erratic

Answer 48

unpredictable

Question 49

deference

Answer 49

respect, courtesy

Question 50

diatribe

Answer 50

abusive speech

Question 51

intransigent

Answer 51

uncompromising

Question 52

transitory

Answer 52

lasting a short time, temporary

Question 53

monotony

Answer 53

lack of variation

Question 54

prudence

Answer 54

wisdom, caution, restraint

Question 55

propriety

Answer 55

accepted standards and behavior (decorum)