Top GRE Words

Question 1

Anamoly

Answer 1

Deviation from what is normal… “albino animals are an a_____ in their coloring.”
Syn: aberrance, aberration, abnormality, deviance, irregularlity

Question 2

equivocal (adj.)

Answer 2

Open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous; Uncertain or questionable in nature; .
Fragwuerdig/zweifelhaft
Syn: ambiguous - doubtful - dubious - questionable - uncertain

Question 3

lucid (adj)

Answer 3

1. Expressed clearly; easy to understand: “a clear and lucid style”.
2. Showing ability to think clearly, esp. in the intervals between periods of confusion or insanity.
3. Translucid/transparent
4. Syn: clear - bright - pellucid - plain - perspicuous

Question 4

precipitate (verb and adj.)

Answer 4

verb: bring about abruptly
verb: hurl or throw violently
verb: fall vertically, sharply, or headlong
adjective: done with very great haste and without due deliberation
verursachen, herbeifuehren (adj. = ploetzlich)

Question 5

erudite (adj. or noun)

Answer 5

Learned, scholarly, bookish “the professors were a gathering of the most e____, well-published individuals in the field.”
Gebildet, gelehrsam
Noun: Der Gelehrte
Syn: learned - scholarly - lettered - wise

Question 6

opaque

Answer 6

Impossible to see through, preventing the passage of light … “the heavy dirt and grime on the windows almost made them o____
 Undurchsichtig
not clearly understood or expressed
unklar

Question 7

prodigal (noun or adj.)

Answer 7

Adj: Lavish, wasteful ; verschwenderisch
“The P____ son quickly wasted all of his inheritance..”
Noun: Der Verschwender
Syn: extravagant, lavish, wasteful

Question 8

Prodigality (Noun)

Answer 8

Excessive or reckless spending; the trait of spending extravagantly
Die Verschwendung

Question 9

to assuage (verb)

Answer 9

to make something unpleasant less severe; to appease or satisfy
“Robin Williams used alcohol to a___ his emotional pain.”
lindern, besaenftigen

Question 10

Enigma (noun)

Answer 10

A puzzle, a mystery
Das Raetsel, Das Mysterium
Syn: conundrum, perplexity

Question 11

fervid (adj)

Answer 11

Intensely emotional, feverish…. “the fans of Lady Gaga were particularly f___”
Feurig, leidenschaftlich
Syn: burning, impassioned, passionate, zealous

Question 12

placate (verb)

Answer 12

To soothe or pacify …”the thief tried to p____ the barking dog by saying “nice doggy”
Jemd. Besaenftigen/beschwichtigen
Syn: appease, conciliate, mollify

Question 13

Zeal (noun)

Answer 13

Passion, excitement “ she brought her typical z___ to the project” Passionate ardor in the pursuit of anything; intense interest or endeavor
Die Eifer, Strebsamkeit, Begeisterung
Syn: ardency, fervor, fire, passion

Question 14

Zealot (noun)

Answer 14

A fanatically committed person

Eiferer, Fanatiker

Question 15

Gull (noun)

Answer 15

A person who is easily tricked ; An easily deceived person

Der Betrogene, der Toelpel

Question 16

to gull (verb)

Answer 16

To cheat someone

Jemanden hereinlegen

Question 17

gullible (adj)

Answer 17

Naïve and easily betrayed; easily tricked because of being too trusting
Leichtglaeubig

Question 18

credulous (adj)

Answer 18

ready to believe especially on slight or uncertain evidence
gutglaeubig, leichtglaeubig
“C_____ consumers will often buy products of little or no real value.”

Question 19

ambivalent (adj)

Answer 19

Mixed, contradictory feelings toward sth. or person…. “mehrdeutig, zweispaeltig”

Question 20

Apostasy (Noun)

Answer 20

Renunciation of religious faith

Question 21

Sinecure (Noun)

Answer 21

An office/position that requires little or no work, and that usually provides an income…”Galileo flatters the Medici to giving him a s____”

Question 22

Gumption (Noun)

Answer 22

Bold initiative; aggressiveness; resourcefulness: With his gumption he’ll make a success of himself. 2. courage; spunk; guts:
“gusto”
“Alexandra has ‘gumption” to quit her job and to pursue a PhD, which means low pay.”

Question 23

voracious (adj)

Answer 23

Having a great appetite for anything : I think it comes from reading, and I was a– what they call a voracious reader when I was a little boy.”
Unersaettlich, gierig

Question 24

resplendent (adj)

Answer 24

Splendid or dazzling in appearance; brilliant
“Resplendent in high-heels and handbags from the world’s priciest designers, Elba Gordillo has never made any secret of her wealth.”
Praechtig, strahlend

Question 25

to defuse (verb)

Answer 25

To make something less dangerous, tense, or hostile..
“It is unclear whether the downfall of Ms Gordillo will defuse these protests.”
Etwas enschaerfen, eine Situation oder eine Bombe entschaerfen