Top GRE words "O" & "P" Flashcards
OBSEQUIOUS
Overly submissive and eager to please.
Ex: the OBSEQUIOUS new associate made sure to compliment her supervisor’s tie and agree with him on every issue.
OBVIATE
To prevent; to make unnecessary.
Ex: The river was shallow enough to wade across at many points, which OBVIATE the need for a bridge.
OCCLUDE
To stop up; to prevent the passage of.
Ex: A shadow is thrown across the earth’s surface during a solar eclipse, when the light from the sun is OCCLUDED by hate moon.
ONEROUS
Troublesome and oppressive; burdensome.
Ex: The assignment was so extensive and difficult to manage that it proved ONEROUS to the team in charge of it.
OPPROBRIUM
Public disgrace.
Ex: After the scheme to embezzle the elderly was made public, the treasurer resigned in utter OPPROBRIUM.
PARADOX
A contradiction or dilemma.
Ex: It is a PARADOX that those most i need of medical attention are often those least able to obtain it.
PARAGON
Model of excellence or perfection.
Ex: She is a PARAGON of what a judge should be: honest, intelligent, hardworking, and just.
PERFIDIOUS
Willing to betray one’s trust
Ex: The actress’s PERFIDIOUS companion revealed all of her intimate secrets to the gossip columnist.
PERFUNCTORY
Done in a routine way; indifferent.
Ex: The machinelike teller processed he transaction and gave the costumer a PERFUNCTORY smile.
PLACATE
To shooter or pacify.
Ex: The burglar tried to PLACATE the snarling dog by saying Nice Doggy one offering it a treat.
PLETHORA
Excess.
Ex: Assuming that more was better, the defendant offered the judge a PLETHORA of excuses.
PREVARICATE
To lie or deviate from the truth.
Ex: Rather than admit that he had overslept again, the employee PREVARICATED and claimed that heavy traffic had prevented him from arriving at work on time
PRODIGAL
Lavish, wasteful.
Ex: The PRODIGAL son quickly wasted all of his inheritance on a lavish lifestyle devoted to pleasure.
PROPITIATE
To conciliate; to appease.
Ex: The management PROPITIATED the irate union by agreeing to raise wages for its members.
PROPRIETY
Correct behavior; obedience to rules and customs.
Ex: The aristocracy maintained a high level of PROPRIETY, adhering to even the most minor social rules.
