GRE Set 2 Flashcards
Didactic
in the manner of a teacher, particularly so as to treat someone in a
patronizing way
Diffident
modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence.
Diffuse
spread out over a large area; not concentrated.
Disaffection
a state or feeling of being dissatisfied with the people in authority and no
longer willing to support them.
Disapprobation
strong disapproval, typically on moral grounds.
Discern
to perceive, make out, or detect
Discomfit
make (someone) feel uneasy or embarrassed.
Discount
regard (a possibility, fact, or person) as being unworthy of consideration
because it lacks credibility.
Discredit
to harm the reputation of.
Discrepancy
lack of agreement; difference; inconsistency.
Disentangle
to free or become free from entanglement or involvement; extricate.
Disgruntle
to make irritably dissatisfied or discontent.
Disintegrate
to come apart; break down into component parts or fragments.
Disinterested
having or feeling no interest in something.
Dislocation
disturbance from a proper, original, or usual place or state.
Dismantle
to tear down; take apart.
Disparate
essentially different and distinct.
Dispassionate
without strong feeling or bias; calm; impartial.
Dispense
to give out or distribute.
Disquiet
lack of mental calm or peace; anxiety; uneasiness.
Dissemble
to disguise or hide behind a false semblance; conceal the true nature or state of.
Disseminate
to spread widely, as though scattering seed.
Dissimilar
not alike; different.
Dissolution
debauched living; dissipation.
Distill
extract the essential meaning or most important aspects of.
Distort
give a misleading or false account or impression of.
Divergent
deviating, differing, or diverging.
Doctrinaire
dogmatically adhering to a theory or a school of thought, regardless of its
practicality.
Dogmatic
asserting beliefs and opinions as though they were proven facts
Dubious
having or showing doubt; skeptical.
Duplicity
deceitful speech or action.
Dynamism
the quality of being characterized by vigorous activity and progress.
Eclectic
deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.
Eclipse
overshadow, outshine
Ecstatic
in a condition of extreme delight, overpowering emotion, or religious trance; enraptured.
Efficacy
the ability to produce desired results; effectiveness.
Egoism
the tendency to evaluate everything in relation to one’s own interests; self-
centeredness.
Egotist
a conceited person; braggart.
Elate
to make extremely happy or proud; cause to be in elevated spirits.
Elevate
to raise or lift up to a higher physical position.
Eloquence
skill or ability to use language that impresses or persuades.
Elusive
hard to perceive, understand, or remember.
Empathy
the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
Emulate
to try to be the same as or better than (another person), especially by
imitating.
Enchant
to put under a magic spell, or as if under a magic spell; bewitch.
Endanger
to cause to be exposed to danger.
Endorse
to approve or give support to.
Enfeeble
to take away the strength of; make feeble, as from age or disease.
Engage
occupy, attract, or involve (someone’s interest or attention).
Enigmatic
puzzling, mysterious, or inexplicable
Entail
involve (something) as a necessary or inevitable part or consequence.
Entreaty
an earnest or humble request.
Entrench
establish (an attitude, habit, or belief) so firmly that change is very difficult or unlikely.
Ephemeral
lasting for only a short period.
Equitable
characterized by fairness; just.
Equivocal
open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous.
Erode
gradually destroy or be gradually destroyed.
Erratic
not occurring predictably or consistently; unpredictable.
Erroneous
containing or based on a mistake; incorrect.
Erstwhile
of an earlier time; former.
Estrange
cause (someone) to be no longer close or affectionate to someone; alienate.
Euphoric
having or exhibiting a strong feeling of well-being or elation.
Evanescent
tending to disappear like vapor; vanishing; fleeting.
Evasive
ambiguous, tending to avoid commitment or self-revelation, especially by
responding only indirectly.
Exacerbate
make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse.
Exacting
making great demands on one’s skill, attention, or other resources.
Exigent
requiring immediate attention; urgent or critical.
Exotic
attractive or striking because colorful or out of the ordinary.
Expedient
a means of attaining an end, especially one that is convenient but considered
improper or immoral.
Explicit
stated fully, clearly, and without equivocation.
Exploit
make full use of and derive benefit from (a resource)
Exposition
a comprehensive description and explanation of an idea or theory.
Extant
still in existence; current; not extinct, destroyed, or lost.
Extraneous
coming from outside; foreign.
Extravagance
the act or an instance of spending excessively or imprudently.
Factual
containing or based upon real or true things.
Fastidious
very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail.
Feckless
weak or incompetent; ineffective.
Feeble
without strength or vigor, physically, mentally, or morally.
Fester
(of a negative feeling or a problem) becoming worse or more intense,
especially through long-term neglect or indifference.
Fickle
quickly changing without reason or warning, especially in affection or
allegiance; variable or capricious.
Fixate
cause (someone) to acquire an obsessive attachment to someone or
something.
Fleeting
lasting for a very short time.
Florid
elaborately or excessively intricate or complicated.
Flourish
to make bold and sweeping gesture
Flout
openly disregard (a rule, law or convention).
Foreground
make (something) the most prominent or important feature.
Foresight
the ability to predict or the action of predicting what will happen or be
needed in the future.
Forestall
to prevent or hinder by taking action beforehand.
Forgo
omit or decline to take (something pleasant or valuable); go without.
Forsake
to abandon or desert.
Fortuitous
happening or appearing by chance, as a coincidence.
Fractious
(typically of children) irritable and quarrelsome.
Fringe
not part of the mainstream; unconventional, peripheral, or extreme.
Frivolous
unworthy of serious consideration or merit; trivial or silly.
Frugality
prudent or sparing use of resources, especially money.
Futile
unlikely to produce or incapable of producing a desired result; ineffective;
useless.
Galvanize
to stimulate into awareness or activity.
Gawky
ungainly; awkward; clumsy.
Germane
having relevance to a given matter; pertinent; significant.
Global
relating to or embracing the whole of something, or of a group of things.
Gloom
to look, feel, or act sullen or despondent
Goosebumps
a state of the skin caused by cold, fear, or excitement, in which small bumps
appear on the surface as the hairs become erect.
Gracious
inclined to do what is polite, kind, right, or considerate.
Gratify
to give pleasure or satisfaction to (someone).
Hackneyed
made trite or commonplace by overuse, as an expression or phrase.
Harbinger
a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another.
Harmonious
characterized by agreement or accord.
Heed
to give one’s attention to; take notice of.
Herald
be a sign that (something) is about to happen.
Heterodox
deviating from an officially approved belief or doctrine, especially in religion.
Hidebound
unwilling or unable to change because of tradition or convention.
Hindrance
someone or something that acts as an obstacle, as to an action or goal.
Homogeneity
the quality or state of being all the same or all of the same kind.
Hortatory
urging or exciting to some course of action with strong arguments, appeals, or
advice.
Humdrum
lacking variety; dull, monotonous, and commonplace.
Hyperbole
exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
Hypocrite
one who states or pretends to hold beliefs or principles he or she does not
actually practice.
Iconoclastic
attacking or breaking away from established traditions, beliefs, or values.
Illiberal
lacking tolerance; bigoted.
Illuminate
help to clarify or explain.
Imitate
to follow the manner or pattern of; attempt to resemble; mimic.
Imminent
about to happen or likely to happen very soon.
Immunity
protection or exemption from something, especially an obligation or penalty.
Immure
to confine within or as though within walls; shut in.
Immutable
not subject to change; unchanging or unchangeable.
Impair
to weaken, damage, or cause to diminish in value or quality.
Impartial
not biased or prejudiced; even-handed or objective.
Impecunious
having little or no money.
Impediment
an obstacle or hindrance.
Impenetrable
impossible to understand.
Imperative
extremely important; urgent; unavoidable.
Impetuous
acting or done quickly and without thought or care.
Impetus
something that urges or impels; a driving force.
Implicit
essentially or very closely connected with; always to be found in
Impolitic
not showing good sense or judgment; unwise or injudicious.
Improvisation
produce or make (something) from whatever is available.
Imprudent
not showing care for the consequences of an action; rash.
Impudence
the act or condition of being boldly disrespectful; insolence.
Impulsive
motivated by spontaneous wishes and needs rather than careful thought.
Inalienable
not subject to transfer, surrender, or removal, especially one’s rights as a
citizen.
Inarticulate
unable to speak distinctly or express oneself clearly.
Incendiary
tending to stir up conflict.
Incensed
very angry; enraged.
Incongruous
not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of
something.
Inconsequential
having no significant effect or result; not important.
Inconsiderable
unimportant or insignificant.
Indebted
obligated to another person or persons, as for money or favors.
Indecision
inability or unwillingness to make a decision.
Indecorous
not in keeping with good taste and propriety; improper.
