GRE Words Group 3 Flashcards
abate
(of something perceived as hostile, threatening, or negative) become less intense or widespread.
abjure
solemnly renounce (a belief, cause, or claim).
anomalous
deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected.
antipathy
a deep-seated feeling of dislike; aversion.
arcane
understood by few; mysterious or secret.
arduous
involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring.
artless
without effort or pretentiousness, skill or finesse
ascetic
characterized by or suggesting the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons.
assuage
make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense; to satisfy a desire
betray
expose (one’s country, a group, or a person) to danger by treacherously giving information to an enemy.
bucolic
relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life.
burgeon
begin to grow or increase rapidly; flourish.
cacophonous
involving or producing a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.
canonize
to declare (a deceased person) an officially recognized saint; treat or regard as being above reproach or of great significance.
censure
express severe disapproval of (someone or something), especially in a formal statement.
chicanery
the use of trickery to achieve a political, financial, or legal purpose.
coalesce
come together to form one mass or whole.
cogent
(of an argument or case) clear, logical, and convincing.
compelling
evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way; not able to be refuted, inspiring conviction
contend
struggle to surmount (a difficulty or danger); assert something as a position in an argument.
copious
abundant in supply or quantity.
cosmopolitan
including or containing people from many different countries.
deference
humble submission and respect.
desultory
lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm, going constantly from one subject to another in a halfhearted way; unfocused.
diffident
modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence.
dilatory
slow to act, intended to cause delay
equivocate
use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself.
polarize
divide or cause to divide into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs.
prodigal
spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant. a person who spends money in a recklessly extravagant way.
verbose
using or expressed in more words than are needed.
credulity
a tendency to be too ready to believe that something is real or true.
