Kaplan - Top GRE Words Flashcards
anomaly
a deviation from the common rule, type, arrangement, or form
Synonyms: abnormality, exception, peculiarity
equivocal
allowing the possibility of several different meanings, as a word or phrase, especially with intent to deceive or misguide
Synonyms: ambiguous
lucid
easily understood, completely intelligible/comprehensible
Synonyms: plain, understandable, evident, obvious
precipitate
to hasten the occurrence of, bring about prematurely, hastily/suddenly
Synonyms: accelerate
assuage
relieve or reduce in intensity
Synonyms: alleviate, allay, mitigate, ease/lessen
erudite
characterized by great knowledge; learned or scholarly
Synonyms: educated, knowledgeable, wise, sapient
opaque
not transparent or translucent, impenetrable to light, not allowing light to pass through
dull, stupid, or unintelligent
prodigal
wastefully or recklessly extravagant; giving/yielding profusely; lavish
Synonyms: lavish, copious
enigma
a puzzling or inexplicable occurrence or situation
Synonyms: problem
fervid
heated or vehement in spirit, enthusiasm
burning, glowing, intensely hot
placate
to appease or pacify, especially be concessions or conciliatory gestures
Synonyms: conciliate, sastify
zeal
fervor for a person, cause, or object; eager desire or endeavor
Synonyms: intensity, passion
abstain
to hold oneself back voluntarily, especially from something regarded as improper or unhealthy
audacious
rashly bold, reckless and brave, highly inventive
Synonyms: daring, uninhibited
desiccate
to dry thoroughly, dry up to preserve (food) by removing moisture; dehydrate
gullible
easily deceived or cheated
Synonyms: credulous, trusting, naive, innocent, simple, green
laudable
deserving praise; praiseworthy; commendable
pedant
a person who makes an excessive or inappropriate display of learning; a person who overemphasizes rules or minor details
Synonyms: hairsplitter
vacillate
to waiver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute
Synonyms: hesitate
adulterate
to debase or make impure by adding inferior materials or elements; use cheaper, inferior, or less desirable goods in the production of
capricious
subject to, led by, or indicative of a sudden, odd notion or unpredictable change; erratic
Synonyms: variable, flighty, mercurial
engender
to produce, cause, or give rise to
Synonyms: beget, occasion, excite, stir up
homogenous
corresponding in structure because of a common origin
loquacious
talking or tending to talk much or freely; talkative; chattering; babbling; garrulous
Synonyms: verbose, voluble
pragmatic
of or pertaining to a practical point of view or practical considerations
volatile
(n) a gas or solvent; (adj) evaporating rapidly; tending or threatening to break out into open violence
Synonyms: unstable; explosive
apathy
absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement
lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving/exciting
Synonyms: coolness
corroborate
to make more certain; confirm
Synonyms: verify, authenticate, support, validate
ephemeral
lasting a very short time; short-lived; transitory
Synonyms: fleeting, evanescent, transient, momentary
laconic
using few words; expressive much in few words; concise
Synonyms: brief, pithy, terse, succinct
mitigate
to lessen in force or intensity, as wrath, grief, harshness, or pain; moderate
propriety
conformity to established standards of good or proper behavior or manners
Synonyms: decency, modesty; correctness; aptness, fitness, seemliness
