GRE vocab 1 Flashcards
Elucidation
clarification, explanation
Ochlocracy
mob rule
Plutocracy
gov. run by the wealthy
Oligarchy
gov run by a few powerful people
Magisterial
commanding and dignified
Disquietude
a state of anxiety
Surreptitious
secret, stealthy
Decrepitude
a state of deterioration due to old age or long use
Expository
intended to explain or describe something
Imbibe
(v.) to drink; to take in, absorb
Abnegate/Abjure/Abdicate
renounce or reject (something desired or valuable)
Unctuous, obsequious, to Kowtow
(of a person) excessively or ingratiatingly flattering; oily:
Exegesis
critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially of scripture.
Vociferous
loud and noisy; compelling attention
Scrupulous
principled, very careful and conscientious
Excogitating/cogitation
think out, plan, or devise
Impinging
have an effect or impact, especially a negative one
Didactic
intended to teach
Raillery/Japery
practical joke; say or do something in jest or mockery.
Disavowal
denial; disclaiming; repudiating; disowning; V. disavow
Promulgate
promote or make widely known (an idea or cause): these objectives have to be promulgated within the organization.
• put (a law or decree) into effect by official proclamation: in January 1852, the new constitution was promulgated.
Callow
(especially of a young person) inexperienced and immature: earnest and callow undergraduates.
Taxonomy
the classification of something, especially organisms: the taxonomy of these fossils.
Bellicose/Belligerent/Truculent/Pugnacious
demonstrating aggression and willingness to fight: a group of bellicose patriots.
Ignominy; n, Opprobrium; n
public shame or disgrace: the ignominy of being imprisoned.
Indemnify
compensate (someone) for harm or loss: the amount of insurance that may be carried to indemnify the owner in the event of a loss.
• secure (someone) against legal responsibility for their actions: the newspaper could not be forced to indemnify the city for personal-injury liability.
Constancy
the quality of being faithful and dependable.
• the quality of being enduring and unchanging: the trade winds are noted for constancy in speed and direction.
Incisive
trenchant; penetrating ; remarkably clear + direct; keen; acute
Apostate
One who renounces a belief
Keen
Sharp or penetrating in intellect, insight or perception
Inert
having no inherent power of action, motion, or resistance (as opposed to active)
Flout
to treat with disdain, scorn, or contempt; scoff at; mock
Propitiate
To make favorably inclined; appease; conciliate
Coagulate
congeal; curdle; change from fluid into a thicker mass
Recondite, arcane, inscrutable, abstruse, obscure
esoteric knowledge about profound or difficult subject matter
Quibble
slight objection or criticism; to raise objection about something that is trivial
Solicitous
characterized by or showing interest or concern
Confound/Bemuse
to cause surprise or confusion in somebody else
Obstinate, Obdurate, Recalcitrant, Intransigent, Intractable, Obstreperous , Refractory , Tenacious
stubbornly refusing; unyielding; intractable
Relegate
(v) send or commit to an inferior place, rank, condition, etc.; exile, banish; assign (a task) to someone else
Delineate
(v.) to portray, sketch, or describe precisely
Felicitous
(adj.) appropriate, apt, well chosen; marked by well-being or good fortune, happy
Striated
furrowed; striped; streaked
Parry
(v.) to ward off, fend off, deflect, evade, avoid; (n.) a defensive movement in fencing and other sports
Magnanimous/Liberality/Munificent/ Unstinting
generous; charitable; forgiving
Emulate
to try to equal or excel; imitate with effort to equal or surpass
Sanction
Give authority or permission to; legal penalty for a forbidden action
Insensible
without one’s mental faculties, typically a result of violence or intoxication; unconscious.
Precarious
uncertain; risky; lacking in security or stability
Analogus
comparable; similarity b/w like features of two things
Caustic
(adj.) corrosive; able to burn or eat away by chemical action; biting, sarcastic in a scathing way
Empirical
based on or concerned with observations not just logic
Implicit
implied though not plainly expressed
Solipsism
the theory that the self is the only reality; the quality of being selfish or self-centered
Indolent
wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy
Facetious
treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant; glib; frivolous
Tenuous
having little substance or strength; weak connection; very weak; flimsy
Maverick
one who is independent and resists adherence to a group
Politic
shrewd and practical in managing or dealing with things; diplomatic
Coda
concluding part of a literary or musical composition; something that summarizes or concludes
Discrete
unconnected; separate; distinct
Complaisant
Eager to please; cheerfully complying
Yoke
to bind; the quality of being oppressive ex) the yoke of capitalism
Mendacious
dishonest, deceitful
Strut
supporting bar
Distill
purify; refine; get to the essential meaning of something
Partisan
a strong supporter of a party, cause, or person; devotee
Insularity
ignorance of or lack of interest in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one’s own experience
Reproach
express disapproval or disappointment
Sage
a profoundly wise person
Penchant
a strong inclination or liking
Perenial
(adj.) lasting for a long time, persistent; (n.) a plant that lives for many years
Supposition
an uncertain belief
Welter
a confused multitude of things; move in turbulent manner
Tortuous
(adj.) winding, twisted, crooked; highly involved, complex; devious
Buttress
a support or prop
Subterfuge
an excuse or trick (artifice) for escaping or hiding something
Skulk
to move stealthily; to lie in hiding
Exorbitant
(adj.) unreasonably high; excessive
Congenial
(adj.) getting on well with others; agreeable, pleasant
Preponderance
the quality or fact of being greater in quantity, or importance
Penitent
showing or feeling regret for wrongdoing, repentant
Kinesthetic
the sensation of movement or strain in muscles, tendons, and joints; muscle sense.
Descry
to detect through careful observation
Choleric
bad-tempered or irritable
Assay
analyze; test; evaluate
Adumbrate
to foreshadow
Discountenance
To look upon with disfavor;
to disapprove of
Bilious
peevish or irritable; sickeningly unpleasant
Commiserate
(v.) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress
Reprove
to gently criticize or correct
Polity
an organized society, such as a nation, state, church, or other organization, having a specific form of government
Inane
(adj.) silly, empty of meaning or value
Miscreant
a person who behaves badly or in a way that breaks the law
Paean
song of joy or triumph; a fervent expression of joy
Panygeric
formal or elaborate praise
Sojourn
(n)- A temporary stay
(v)- To stay for a time
[syn]- ((n)): visit, stopover, brief stay
Oratory
the art of public speaking
Elocution
the skill of clear and expressive speech, especially of distinct pronunciation and articulation.
Tottering
move in a feeble or unsteady way
Stalwart
loyal, reliable, and hardworking
Irrefragable/incontrovertible/indubitably (adv)
not able to be refuted or disproved; indisputable
Nonplussed
surprised and confused so much that they are unsure how to react; perplexed
Incapacitated
prevent from functioning in a normal way; deprived of strength or power
Stout
plump; stocky; substantial; brave and determined
Abashed
embarrassed, ashamed
Dolorous
Feeling or expressing great sorrow or distress
Petulant
childishly sulky or bad-tempered
Tempestuous
characterized by strong and turbulent or conflicting emotion
Pliant
bending readily; easily influenced
Capitulate
(v.) to end resistance, give up, surrender, throw in the towel
Interloper
a person who interferes or meddles in the affairs of others
Interpose/Intercalate/Interpolate
To place or come between; to intervene or interrupt; to mediate
Circumnavigate
to sail or travel all the way around; to avoid an obstacle; avoid dealing with something
Compulsory
required by law or a rule; obligatory; mandatory
Apogee
farthest or highest point; culmination; zenith
Dimunitive
extremely or unusually small
Adversaries
opponents, enemies
Injudicious
not sensible or wise; not appropriate in a particular situation
Discretionary
subject to one’s own judgment
Mercenary
a professional soldier hired by a foreign army; primarily concerned with making money at the expense of ethics
Prolocutor
One who speaks for another; spokesman; chairman
Countenance
(n) a person’s face or facial expression; (v) to approve, support or encourage
Provenance
place or source of origin; a record of ownership of a work of art or an antique, used as a guide to authenticity or quality
Attuned
familiar with someone or something so that you can understand or recognize them or it, and act in an appropriate way
Disengenuous
characterized by lying or falsehood
Metamorphosis
a transformation or dramatic change
Sedulously / Sedulous
Faithfully; done diligently and carefully
Expiate
(v.) to make amends, to atone
Taper
to become smaller or thinner toward one end
Occult
beyond the range of ordinary knowledge or understanding; mysterious
Brood
Ponder; to think or worry persistently or moodily about
Astute
having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one’s advantage
Sententious/Sanctimonious/Priggish
(adj.) self-righteous, characterized by moralizing; (adj.) making a show of virtue or righteousness; hypocritically moralistic or pious, self-righteous, canting, holier-than-thou
Interminable
incapable of being terminated; unending
Instantiate
to provide an instance of or concrete evidence in support of (a theory, concept, claim, or the like).
Recreant
Cowardly; unfaithful; traitorous
Meritorious
deserving praise, reward, esteem
Earnest
serious in intention, purpose, or effort
Cache
hiding place
Clement
merciful; lenient; compassionate
Reprisal
an act of retaliation
Proverbial
having become an object of common mention or reference
Filial
of, relating to, or befitting a son or daughter
Circuitous
roundabout, not direct
Prosaic
commonplace or dull; matter-of-fact or unimaginative
Buffet
A blow; violent shock or concussion
Vituperate
to use harsh condemnatory language; to abuse or censure severely or abusively; to berate
Insurgent
rebel
Abiding
Continuing without change; enduring; steadfast
Indomitable
that cannot be subdued or overcome, as persons, will, or courage; unconquerable
Liminal
relating to a transitional or initial stage of a process
Magnetism
Strong attractive power or charm
Sumptuous
extravagantly splendid or costly; luxurious
Torque
a force that causes rotation
Chasm
A breach or wide fissure
Elixir/Panacea
Remedy for all disease or ills; cure-all
Cavalcade
Noteworthy series of events or activities; A procession of persons riding horses
Foible
a minor character flaw
Preclude
to make impossible; to prevent the occurrence or existence of
Incipient
beginning to exist or appear; in an initial stage
Redolent
having a pleasant odor; suggestive or evocative
Insidious
intended to entrap or beguile
Revile
to assail with contemptuous or opprobrious language; address or speak of abusively
Conformable
similar
Row/Fracas
fight; argument
Loathsome
causing hatred or disgust; repulsive
Objectionable
offensive; arousing disapproval
Unwieldly/Cumbersome
burdensome
Apprise
(v.) to inform of; to make aware of by giving oral or written notice
Maintain
to assert
Parochial
narrowly restricted in scope or outlook
Amenable
agreeable; easily persuaded
Intimate
to suggest something subtly
Disenterested
free of bias or self-interest; impartial; neutral
Equivocal
confusing or ambiguous
Restive
impatient, uneasy, or restless
Qualify
reach a necessary standard; limit the meaning of something stated; to make less severe
Belie
contradict; give a false impression; misrepresent
Impertinent, insolent, impudent
Disrespectful; improperly forward or bold
Venality
the condition of being susceptible to bribes or corruption
Gall
impudent behavior; feeling of deep and bitter anger/ill-will
Gainsay
to deny; dispute; oppose; contradict
Prescience (prescient)
knowledge of things before they happen; foresight
Glut
an oversupply; to oversupply
Inexorable
impossible to stop or prevent
Concede
acknowledge defeat; admit ( to a wrongdoing); surrender/relinquish
Volubility
the quality of talking or writing easily and continuously
Platitude
a trite or obvious remark
Gossamer
thin, light, delicate
Perfidy, Perfidious
deliberate breach of faith or trust; disloyalty — treacherous; traitorous; deceitful; faithless
Germane
(adj.) relevant, appropriate, apropos, fitting
Treacherous
dangerously unstable and unpredictable; tending to betray
Derivative (n) ; Derivation (n) ; Derive (v)
unoriginal; taken from something already existing; to take or receive from a source; to obtain through reasoning
Eminent
standing above others in quality or position
Precocious
(adj.) showing unusually early development or maturity (especially in talents and mental capacity)
Delineate
describe in detail
Disaffected
rebellious, resentful of authority
Ascetic
practicing self-denial; austere
Travesty
An absurd presentation of something; a mockery
Haughty/Hauteur/Cavalier/Supercilious/Imperious
Having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain if those one views as unworthy
Vilify
to malign, to defame, to utter abusive statements against
Heretic
a person who holds unorthodox opinions in any field (not merely religion)
Vehement
marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions
Subsume
to include, incorporate
Fallacious
of a belief that is based on faulty reasoning
Insidious
Working in a subtle but destructive way
Forlorn
marked by or showing hopelessness
Credulity
tendency to believe things too quickly or easily
Negligible
so small or unimportant as to be not worth considering; insignificant.
Incongruous
lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
Denote
be a sign of; indicate
Admonitory/admonish
serving to warn; expressing reproof or reproach especially as a corrective
Gauche (go-sh)
lacking social graces; tactless
Exacting
demanding perfection; strict
Bumbling
lacking physical movement skills, especially with the hands
Incorrigible
incapable of being reformed or improved; impervious to correction by punishment
Provincial
characteristic of a limited perspective; not fashionable or sophisticated
Contingent
a gathering of persons representative of some larger group
Hackneyed
overused, cliched
Denigrate/Calumny/Besmirch
charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone; defame
Consecrate
to make holy or set apart for a high purpose
Forthcoming
adjective: available when required or as promised
Synonyms : approaching , coming , upcoming
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.
adjective: at ease in talking to others
Synonyms : extroverted , outgoing
As a husband, Larry was not forthcoming: if Jill didn’t demand to know details, Larry would never share them with her.
Expound
to explain in detail; to clarify; state in depth
Pedantic
marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects
Winsome
(adj.) charming, attractive, pleasing (often suggesting a childlike charm and innocence)
Prolific
intellectually productive
Resurgent
rising again as to new life and vigor
Haphazard
marked by great carelessness; dependent upon or characterized by chance
Propitious
presenting favorable circumstances; auspicious: likely to result in or show signs of success
Inveterate
habitual
Constituent
an abstract part of something
Rescind
cancel officially
Prodigious
remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree
Circumscribe
restrict or confine
Irrevocable (ear-rev-a-ca-bul)
Incapable of being retracted or revoked
Inimical
hostile (usually describes environments or conditions), unfriendly, or harmful
Antithetical (antithesis), Antipodal
Diametrical : in direct opposition; being at opposite extremes; sharply contrasted
Tractable
easily managed or controlled; docile; yielding
Imprudent
not wise
Maladroit
clumsy; inept
Elicit
(v.) to draw forth, bring out from some source (such as another person)
Harried
troubled persistently especially with petty annoyances
Fastidious
very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail; hard to please
Transient, Ephemeral, Evanescent
Brief, lacking in permanence
Efficacious (adj) , Efficaciously(adv) , Efficacy (n)
effective; producing the desired outcome
Askance
with suspicion, distrust, or disapproval
Edifying
enlightening or uplifting so as to encourage intellectual or moral improvement; to instruct someone morally or spiritually
Slapdash
Carelessly and hastily put together
Unnerve
deprive of nerve or courage; cause to lose self-control; upset; enervate
Spendthrift
one who spends money wastefully
Underwrite
agree to finance; to support financially
Dog
To pursue relentlessly; to hound
Pine
To yearn for
Diabolical
To be extremely wicked like the devil
Dupe/Fleece/Mulct
To trick or swindle; a person who is easily tricked and swindled
Peruse
to read carefully; scrutinize
Voracious
very hungry; approaching an activity with gusto
Screed/Tirade
noun: an abusive rant (often tedious)
Joey had difficulty hanging out with his former best friend Perry, who, during his entire cup of coffee, enumerated all of the government’s deficiencies–only to break ranks and launch into some screed against big business.
Thoroughgoing
adjective: very thorough; complete
Synonyms : exhaustive , thorough
As a thoroughgoing bibliophile, one who had turned his house into a veritable library, he shocked his friends when he bought a Kindle.
Tender
to offer formally; proffer
Retiring
to be shy, and to be inclined to retract from company
Reprobate/Churlish (adj)
(n.) a depraved, vicious, or unprincipled person, scoundrel; (adj.) wicked, corrupt, or unprincipled; (v.) to disapprove of, condemn
Indignant
(adj.) filled with resentment or anger over something unjust, unworthy, or mean
Remiss
neglectful in performance of one’s duty, careless
Insolvent
(adj) unable to pay debts owed; bankrupt
Moment
significant and important value
Flush
to be in abundance
Exhort
(v.) to urge strongly, advise earnestly
Raft
large number of something
Start
to suddenly move in a particular direction
Virago
noun: an ill-tempered or violent woman
Synonyms : amazon
Poor Billy was the victim of the virago’s invective - she railed at him for a good 30-minutes about how he is the scum of the earth for speaking loudly on his cellphone in public.
Scintillating
describes someone who is brilliant and lively
Becoming
adjective: appropriate, and matches nicely
Synonyms : comely , comme il faut , decent , decorous , seemly
Her dress was becoming and made her look even more beautiful.
This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
Wax
(v.) - to increase gradually in size or degree
Ferret
to search for something persistently
Beatific
blissfully happy
Imponderable
Impossible to estimate, fathom or figure out
Stem
to hold back or limit the flow or growth of something
Paucity/Dearth
scarcity, lack of something
Cardinal
of foremost importance; fundamental
Checkered
marked by disreputable or unfortunate happenings
Pittance
a small amount of money
Cadaverous
pale, gaunt, resembling a corpse, emaciated
Errant
traveling, itinerant, peripatetic
Immaterial
Insignificant; unimportant; irrelevant
Fete
to celebrate a person
Respite
a period of relief or rest
Ascendancy
controlling influence; domination
Malady
a sickness, illness, disease, disorder
Consumate
having or revealing supreme mastery or skill; to make perfect and complete in every aspect
Discriminate
to differentiate; to make a clear distinction; to see the difference
Incessant
unceasing; never-ending
Raffish
adjective: marked by a carefree unconventionality or disreputableness
Synonyms : devil-may-care , rakish
The men found him raffish, but the women adored his smart clothes and casual attitude.
Plodding/Ponderous
slow-moving and unexciting; laborious and slow movement
Impermeable
does not allow fluids to pass through; (adj.) resistant to capture or penetration (Though the invaders used battering rams, catapults, and rain dances, the fortress proved impregnable and resisted all attacks.)
Appreciable
large enough to be noticed (usu. refers to an amount)
Inclement
stormy weather , harsh; severe in attitude or action; showing no mercy
Boon
a desirable state; very close and convivial
Quandary
a state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation
Ingenuity
the quality of being clever, original, and inventive
Fledgling
beginner; novice; inexperienced
Cornucopia/Profusion
an abundant supply of
Hamstrung
verb: made ineffective or powerless
The FBI has made so many restrictions on the local police that they are absolutely hamstrung, unable to accomplish anything.
Egotist
a conceited and self-centered person
Derisive
abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule
Vacuous
devoid of matter, substance, or meaning; lacking ideas or intelligence; purposeless
Rankle
gnaw into; make resentful or angry
Spurn
reject with contempt
Credence
belief in something
Urbane/Genteel
refined in manner or style
Irresolute
uncertain how to act or proceed
Martial
warlike; relating to the military
Buck
to resist
Destitute of
lacking, empty of, deficient in
Unseemly
(adj) improper, inappropriate, against the rules of taste or politeness
Placid
not easily upset or excited
Foible
(n.) a weak point, failing, minor flaw
Tout
to publicly praise or promote
Quip
a witty saying or remark; to make a witty remark, to say in jest
Connive
taking part in immoral and unethical plots
Aphoristic
adjective: something that is 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.
Devolve
deputize; pass or be passed to others (power, work, or property); Ex. devolve on/upon/to
Grow worse (devolve into)
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.
Exasperate
irritate intensely; infuriate
Evenhanded
adjective: without partiality
Teachers often have trouble being evenhanded to all of their varied students.
Hodgepodge
mixture of different kinds of things, jumble
Melancholy
a deep, pensive, and long-lasting sadness.
Antedate
precede in time
Begrudge
to give reluctantly, to envy a possession or one’s enjoyment
Flounder
behave awkwardly; have difficulties
Finagle
achieve something by means of trickery or devious methods
Industrious
adj. characterized by hard work and perseverance; working hard to promote an enterprise
Piquant (pee-kahnt)
having an agreeably pungent taste
Preempt
to take precedence over someone or something already arranged or in place; to seize priority; to take for oneself; arrogate
Humdrum
lacking excitement; boring or monotonous
Glean
to collect bit by bit; to gather with patient labor
Veneer
a thin superficial surface layer
Incumbent
(adj.) obligatory, required; (n.) one who holds a specific office at the time spoken of
Foolhardy
marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
Cerebral
involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct
Behoove
be necessary for; be proper for as for moral or ethical considerations; be incumbent on; one’s duty or obligation
Amply
adverb: more than is adequate
Synonyms : fully
The boat was amply supplied for its year at sea - no man would go hungry or thirst.
Provisional
under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon; temporary; tentative
Creditable
praiseworthy
Abysmal
extremely bad; appalling
Stymie/Hamper/Frustrate
to hinder, impede
Boorish/Uncouth/Crass
vulgar; characterized by crude behavior and deplorable manners; unrefined
Beseige
harass, as with questions or requests; cause to feel distressed or worried
Staid
characterized by dignity and propriety
PERQUISITE (PUR kwuh zit)
A right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group: especially a hereditary or official right.
Vanquish
(v.) to defeat in a battle or contest, overthrow; to overcome a feeling or condition
Balk
to refuse stubbornly or abruptly; to stop short and refuse to proceed
Sordid
involving ignoble actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt
Carping
persistently petty and unjustified criticism
Dispatch
To transact or dispose of a matter promptly or speedily; the property of being prompt and efficient
Factious
produced by, or characterized by internal dissension
Vie
(v.) to compete; to strive for victory or superiority
Contentious/ Fractious
quarrelsome, inclined to argue
Anathema
a detested person; the source of somebody’s hate
Beg
assume something is true (usu. followed by “the question”, meaning that you ask a question in which you assume something that hasn’t been proven true)
Chary
(adj.) extremely cautious, hesitant, or slow (to); reserved, diffident
Byzantine
excessively complex; intricate
Zeitgeist
the general spirit of the time
Hector/Cow
bully; intimidate with threats; bluster
Penurious
adj. poor, impoverished, destitute; miserly
Overweening
presumptuous; arrogant
Arrant
complete, utter
Defray
to help pay the cost of, either in part or full
Expansive
communicative, and prone to talking in a sociable manner
Turpitude
depravity, moral corruption
Insufferable
impossible to bear; intolerable
Saturnine
morose or gloomy
Feckless
lacking initiative or strength of character; irresponsible; lazy ; incompetent
Malfeasance
misconduct or wrongdoing, especially by a public official
Peremptory
bossy and domineering
Histrionic
overly dramatic
Gerrymander
manipulate the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) so as to favor one party or class.
Imbroglio
a confusing and potentially embarrassing situation
Pollyannaish
adjective: extremely optimistic
even in the midst of a lousy sales quarter, Debbie remained Pollyannaish, never losing her shrill voice and wide smile, even when prospective customers hung up on her.
Sartorial
related to fashion or clothes