Top GRE words "C" & "D"

Question 1

CANDID

Answer 1

Impartial and honest in speech

Ex: the observations of a child can be charming since they are CANDID and unpretentious

Question 2

CACOPHONY

Answer 2

Harsh, jarring noise

Ex: the junior high orchestra created an almost unbearable CACOPHONY as they tried to tune their instruments

Question 3

CAPRICIOUS

Answer 3

Changing one’s mind quickly and often

Ex: Queen Elizabeth was quite CAPRICIOUS; her courtiers could never be sure which of their number would catch her fancy

Question 4

CATALYST

Answer 4

Something that brings about a change in something

Ex: The imposition of harsh taxes was the CATALYST that brought on the revolution

Question 5

CAUSTIC

Answer 5

Biting in wit

Ex: Dorothy Parker gained her reputation for CAUSTIC wit from her cutting, yet clever, insults

Question 6

CHAUVINIST

Answer 6

Someone prejudiced in favor of a group to which he or she belongs
Ex: the attitude that men are inherently superior than women and therefore must be obeyed is common among male CHAUVINISTS

Question 7

CHICANERY

Answer 7

Deception by means of craft or guile

Ex: dishonest used car salespeople often use CHICANERY to sell their beat-up old cars

Question 8

COGENT

Answer 8

Convincing and well reasoned

Ex: Swayed by the COGENT argument of the defense, the jury had no choice but to acquit the defendant.

Question 9

CONDONE

Answer 9

To overlook, pardon, or disregard

Ex: Some theorist believe that failing to prosecute minor crimes is the same as CONDONING an air of lawlessness

Question 10

CONVOLUTED

Answer 10

Intricate and complicated.

Ex: Although many people bought “A brief history or time”, few could follow its CONVULATED ideas and theories

Question 11

CREDULOUS

Answer 11

Too trusting; gullible
Ex: Although some four-year-old believe in the Easter Bunny, only the most CREDULOUS nine-year-olds still believe in him.

Question 12

CRESCENDO

Answer 12

Steadily increasing volume or force.

Ex: The CRESCENDO of tension became unbearable as Evil Knievel prepared to jump his motorcycle over the school buses.

Question 13

DEFERENCE

Answer 13

Respect, courtesy

Ex: The respectful young law clerk treated the Supreme Court Justice with the upmost DEFERENCE.

Question 14

DERIDE

Answer 14

To speak of or treat with contempt; to mock.

Ex: the awkward child was often DERIDED by his cooler peers.

Question 15

DESULTORY

Answer 15

Jumping from one thing to another; disconnected

Ex: Diane has a DESULTORY academic record; she had changed majors 12 times in three years.

Question 16

DIATRIBE

Answer 16

An abusive, condemnatory speech.

Ex: The trucker bellowed a DIATRIBE at the driver who cut him off.

Question 17

DIFFIDENT

Answer 17

Lacking self-confidence.

Ex: Steve’s DIFFIDENT manner during the job interview stemmed from his nervous nature and lack of experience in the field.

Question 18

DILATORY

Answer 18

Intended to delay.

Ex: The congressman used DILATORY measures to delays the passage of the bill.

Question 19

DILETTANTE

Answer 19

Someone with amateurish and superficial interest in a topic.
Ex: Jerry’s friends were such DILETTANTES that they seemed to have new jobs and hobbies every week.

Question 20

DIRGE

Answer 20

A funeral hymn or mournful speech.

Ex: Melville wrote a poem “A DIRGE for James McPherson” for the funeral of a Union general who was killed in 1864

Question 21

DISABUSE

Answer 21

To set right; to free from error.

Ex: Galileo’s observations DISABUSE scholar from the notion that the sun revolved around the earth.

Question 22

DISSEMBLE

Answer 22

To present a false appearance; to disguise one’s real intentions or character.

Ex: The villain could DISSEMBLE to the police no longer- he admitted the deed and tore up the floor to reveal the body of the old man.

Question 23

DUPE

Answer 23

To deceive; a person who is easily deceived.

Ex: Bugs bunny was able to DUPE Elmer Fudd by dressing up as a lady rabbit.