Top 52 GRE Words Defined

Question 1

anomaly

Answer 1

something that is unusual or unexpected

Question 2

equivocal

Answer 2

not easily understood or explained

Question 3

lucid

Answer 3

very clear and easy to understand

Question 4

precipitate

Answer 4

to cause (something) to happen quickly or suddenly

Question 5

assuage

Answer 5

to make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense

Question 6

erudite

Answer 6

– having or showing great knowledge

Question 7

opaque

Answer 7

not able to be seen through; not easily understood

Question 8

prodigal

Answer 8

wastefully extravagant

Question 9

placate

Answer 9

to make (someone) less angry or hostile

Question 10

enigma

Answer 10

a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand

Question 11

fervid

Answer 11

intensely enthusiastic or passionate

Question 12

zeal

Answer 12

a strong feel of interest and enthusiasm that makes someone very eager or determined to do something

Question 13

abstain

Answer 13

to restrain oneself for doing or enjoying something

Question 14

audacious

Answer 14

a willingness to take bold risks / adj. – showing a lack of respect

Question 15

desiccate

Answer 15

remove the moisture from (something)

Question 16

gullible

Answer 16

easily persuaded to believe something

Question 17

laudable

Answer 17

deserving praise and commendation

Question 18

pedant

Answer 18

a person who makes an excessive display of learning

Question 19

vacillate

Answer 19

to waver between different opinions or actions

Question 20

adulterate

Answer 20

to make (something) impure or weaker by adding something of inferior quality

Question 21

capricious

Answer 21

given to sudden changes of mood or behavior

Question 22

engender

Answer 22

to produce, cause, or give rise to (something)

Question 23

homogenous

Answer 23

of the same or similar kind

Question 24

loquacious

Answer 24

tending to talk a great deal

Question 25

pragmatic

Answer 25

dealing with the problems that exist in a reasonable and logical way instead of depending on theories

Question 26

volatile

Answer 26

likely to change rapidly and unpredictably

Question 27

apathy

Answer 27

lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern

Question 28

corroborate

Answer 28

to confirm or make more certain

Question 29

ephemeral

Answer 29

lasting for a very short time

Question 30

laconic

Answer 30

using few words

Question 31

mitigate

Answer 31

make less severe, serious, or painful

Question 32

propriety

Answer 32

the state or quality of being correct or proper

the state or quality of conforming to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morals.

Question 33

advocate

Answer 33

publicly recommend or support

Question 34

cacophony

Answer 34

a harsh, unpleasant mixture of sounds

Question 35

enervate

Answer 35

cause (someone or something) to feed drained of energy; weaken

lacking in energy or vitality.

Question 36

ingenuous

Answer 36

innocent and unsuspecting

Question 37

misanthrope

Answer 37

a person who dislikes humankind

Question 38

paradox

Answer 38

a statement that contradicts itself but might be true

Question 39

venerate

Answer 39

regard with great respect

Question 40

antipathy

Answer 40

a strong feeling of dislike

Question 41

deride

Answer 41

to express contempt for; ridicule

Question 42

eulogy

Answer 42

a speech that praises someone, typically some who has recently died

Question 43

lethargic

Answer 43

lacking energy

Question 44

obdurate

Answer 44

stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion

Question 45

philanthropic

Answer 45

seeking to promote the welfare of others

Question 46

waver

Answer 46

to go back and forth between choices or opinions

Question 47

bolster

Answer 47

to support or strengthen

Question 48

dissonance

Answer 48

a lack of harmony or agreement

Question 49

garrulous

Answer 49

excessively talkative

Question 50

malleable

Answer 50

easily influenced; pliable

Question 51

ostentation

Answer 51

excessive display of wealth

Question 52

prevaricate

Answer 52

avoid telling the truth by not directly answering a question