GRE Words Definitions and Context Flashcards
To reduce in amount, degree, or severity
ABATE - As the hurricane’s force ABATED the winds dropped and the sea became calm.
To leave secretly
ABSCOND - The patron ABSCONDED from the restaurant without paying his bill by sneaking out the back door.
To choose not to do something
ABSTAIN - she ABSTAINED from choosing a mouthwatering dessert from the tray.
To make impure
ADULTERATE - the chef made his ketchup last longer by ADULTERATING it with water.
To speak in favor of
ADVOCATE - the vegetarian ADVOCATED a diet containing no meat
Concerning the appreciation of beauty
AESTHETIC - followers of the AESTHETIC Movement regarded the pursuit of beauty as the only true purpose of art
To increase in power, influence, and reputation
AGGRANDIZE - the supervisor sought to AGGRANDIZE herself by claiming that the achievements of her staff were actually her own.
To make more bearable
ALLEVIATE - Taking aspirin helps to ALLEVIATE a headache.
To combine, or mix together
AMALGAMATE - giant industries AMALGAMATE with mega products to form Giant-mega Products incorporated.
To combine; to mix together
AMBIGUOUS - The directions she gave were so AMBIGUOUS that we disagreed on which way to turn.
To make better; to improve
AMELIORATE - The doctor was able to AMELIORATE the patient’s suffering using painkillers.
Something out of place in time
ANACHRONISM - The aged hippie used anachronistic phrases like groovy and far out that had not been popular for years.
Similar or alike in some way; equivalent to
ANALOGOUS
A deviation from what is normal
ANOMALY
to annoy or provoke to anger
ANTAGONIZE
extreme dislike
ANTIPATHY
