TPR GRE Sentence Equivalence Questions Flashcards
Stingy
not generous, especially with money
Critical
if you are critical, you criticize someone or something
something that is critical is very important because what happens in the future depends on it
a critical time or situation is serious and worrying because things might suddenly become much worse
Munificent
Very generous
Philanthropic
a philanthropic person or institution gives money and help to people who are poor or in trouble
Lucrative
a job or activity that is lucrative lets you earn a lot of money
SYN profitable:
lucrative business/ market/ contract etc
He inherited a lucrative business from his father.
Collaborative
collaborative effort/ work/ project etc
a job or piece of work that involves two or more people working together to achieve something
Concentrated
showing a lot of effort or determination:
He made a concentrated effort to improve his work.
Glamorous
attractive, exciting, and related to wealth and success
Prosperous
(Formal) rich and successful
Stalwart
a very loyal and strong supporter
Dismayed
worried, disappointed, and upset when something unpleasant happens
Prescient
able to imagine or know what will happen in the future
Steadfast
faithful and very loyal:
her father’s steadfast love for her
being certain that you are right about something and refusing to change your opinion in any way:
Naive
not having much experience of how complicated life is, so that you trust people too much and believe that good things will always happen➔ innocent:
Transitory
continuing or existing for only a short time
Picturesque
a picturesque place is pretty and interesting in an old-fashioned way:
a quiet fishing village with a picturesque harbour
picturesque language uses unusual, interesting, or sometimes rude words to describe something:
a picturesque account of his trip to New York
Fragment
to break something, or be broken into a lot of small separate parts – used to show disapproval
Bolster
to help someone to feel better and more positive
SYN boost
He is making a bold attempt to bolster the territory’s confidence.
to improve something
SYN boost
his efforts to bolster his career
Vitiate
to make something less effective or spoil it
Attenuate
(formal) to make something weaker or less:
an attenuated form of the polio virus
Timorous
lacking confidence and easily frightened
SYN fearful
OPP bold
She was no helpless, timorous female.
Heady
a heady smell, drink etc is pleasantly strong and seems to affect you strongly:
a heady combination of wine and brandy
very exciting in a way that makes you feel as if you can do anything you want to:
the heady atmosphere of the early sixties
Florid
COLOURS
a florid face is red in colour:
a middle-aged man with a florid complexion
LITERATURE
florid language, music, or art has a lot of extra unnecessary details or decorations:
a book written in a very florid style
Fastidious
very careful about small details in your appearance, work etc
SYN meticulous
people who are fastidious about personal hygiene
Blunt
(Verb)
1to make a feeling less strong
OPP sharpen
The bad weather blunted their enthusiasm for camping.
2to make the point of a pencil or the edge of a knife less sharp
OPP sharpen
Inexhaustible
something that is inexhaustible exists in such large amounts that it can never be finished or used up:
Cynical
1unwilling to believe that people have good, honest, or sincere reasons for doing something:
a cynical view of human nature
2not caring that something might not be morally right, might hurt someone etc, when you are trying to get something for yourself:
a cynical disregard for international agreements
Unwavering
an unwavering attitude, belief, expression etc does not change:
an unwavering stare
unwavering support
Petty
1a petty problem, detail etc is small and unimportant
SYN trivial
petty squabbles
petty restrictions
2unkind and caring too much about small unimportant things:
How can she be so petty?
petty jealousy and spitefulness
3petty crime
CRIME
a crime that is not serious, for example stealing things that are not very valuable
4petty criminal/ thief etc
a criminal whose crimes are not very serious
5a petty official is not important – used especially when they use their power as if they were important:
Some petty bureaucrat wanted all the documents in triplicate.
Capricious
1likely to change your mind suddenly or behave in an unexpected way:
She was as capricious as her mother had been.
2 literarychanging quickly and suddenly:
a capricious wind
—capriciously adverb
Insouciance
a cheerful feeling of not caring or worrying about anything
SYN nonchalance
an air of insouciance
Literacy
the state of being able to read and write
Refulgence
the quality of being bright and sending out rays of light.
Pompous
someone who is pompous thinks that they are important, and shows this by being very formal and using long words – used to show disapproval:
Bombast
bombastic language contains long words that sound important but have no real meaning:
Disavow
to say that you are not responsible for something, that you do not know about it, or that you are not involved with it
Subvert
SYN. Undermine overturn
1POLITICS
to try to destroy the power and influence of a government or the established system:
an attempt to subvert the democratic process
2to destroy someone’s beliefs or loyalty
Taciturn
speaking very little, so that you seem unfriendly➔ monosyllabic
Laconic
using only a few words to say something
OPP verbose
Solicitous
very concerned about someone’s safety, health, or comfort
Impertinent
rude and not respectful, especially to someone who is older or more important
SYN cheeky
He was always asking impertinent questions.
You are an impertinent young woman.
Loquacious
a loquacious person likes to talk a lot
SYN talkative
Blithe
1seeming not to care or worry about the effects of what you do:
a blithe disregard for the facts
2 literaryhappy and having no worries
Lewd
using rude words or movements that make you think of sex:
lewd comments
Pervasive
existing everywhere:
the pervasive influence of television
the all-pervasive mood of apathy
Disingenuous
not sincere and slightly dishonest
OPP ingenuous
Keeping the details of the tax changes vague is disingenuous.
Delighted
very pleased and happy:
delighted to do something
Sandy will be delighted to see you.
delighted (that)
I’m delighted that we have settled the matter.
delighted with/ by/ at
She was delighted with her new home.
I am delighted by the result.
Her screams of delighted laughter filled the air.
⚠ Do not say ‘very delighted’. Say absolutely delighted.
Unnerved
to upset or frighten someone so that they lose their confidence or their ability to think clearly:
He was unnerved by the way Sylvia kept staring at him.
Discomfit
to make someone feel slightly uncomfortable, annoyed, or embarrassed:
He was discomfited by her silence.
Itinerant
travelling from place to place, especially to work:
itinerant labourers
Peripatetic
travelling from place to place, especially in order to do your job:
a peripatetic music teacher
Cliché
an idea or phrase that has been used so much that it is not effective or does not have any meaning any longer:
There is plenty of truth in the cliché that a trouble shared is a trouble halved.
Atavistic
atavistic feelings are very basic human feelings that people have felt since humans have existed
Curiosity
1[singular, uncountable] the desire to know about something:
I opened the packet just to satisfy my curiosity.
The news aroused a lot of curiosity among local people.
She decided to follow him out of curiosity.
Margaret looked at him with curiosity.
curiosity about
Children have a natural curiosity about the world around them.
a man of immense intellectual curiosity
It was idle curiosity that made me ask.
2[countable] someone or something that is interesting because they are unusual or strange:
a house full of old maps and other curiosities
In the past, men who wanted to work with children were regarded as something of a curiosity.
It’s not worth much, but I kept it for its curiosity value.
3curiosity killed the cat
used to tell someone not to ask too many questions about something
Simulacrum
something that is made to look like another thing
Unstinting
unstinting support, help, praise etc is complete and given willingly
Querulous
someone who is querulous complains about things in an annoying way:
‘But why can’t I go?’ he said in a querulous voice.
Jaded
someone who is jaded is no longer interested in or excited by something, usually because they have experienced too much of it:
The concert should satisfy even the most jaded critic.
Benevolent
kind and generous:
A benevolent uncle paid for her to have music lessons.
a benevolent smile
Hubris
Too much pride
Indelible
1impossible to remove or forget
SYN permanent
Her words left an indelible impression on me for years to come.
2indelible ink/ pencil/ marker etc
ink etc that makes a permanent mark which cannot be removed
Myopic
1unwilling or unable to think about the future, especially about the possible results of a particular action – used in order to show disapproval
SYN short-sighted
the government’s myopic attitude to environmental issues
2medical
ILLNESS & DISABILITY
unable to see things clearly that are far away
SYN short-sightedBrE
Articulate
V.
1[transitive] formalto express your ideas or feelings in words:
Many people are unable to articulate the unhappiness they feel.
2[intransitive and transitive]to pronounce what you are saying in a clear and careful way:
He was so drunk that he could barely articulate his words.
3[intransitive and transitive] technicalif something such as a bone in your body is articulated to another thing, it is joined to it in a way that allows movement
4articulate something with something formal
if one idea, system etc articulates with another idea, system etc, the two things are related and exist together:
a new course that is designed to articulate with the current degree course
Adj.
1able to talk easily and effectively about things, especially difficult subjects
OPP inarticulate
bright, articulate 17-year-olds
a highly articulate speaker
2writing or speech that is articulate is very clear and easy to understand even if the subject is difficult
Cliffhanger
a situation in a story, film, or competition that makes you feel very excited or nervous because you do not know what will happen or have to wait a long time to see how it will end:
Roguish
someone with a roguish expression or smile looks amused, especially because they have done something slightly dishonest or wrong
Protagonist
1LITERATURE
the most important character in a play, film, or story
SYN main character
2one of the most important people taking part in a competition, battle, or struggle:
the main protagonists in the conflict
3one of the most important supporters of a social or political idea:
Parody
1[uncountable and countable]
ARTS
a piece of writing, music etc or an action that copies someone or something in an amusing way:
parody of
a brilliant parody of classical dance
in a parody of something
He swung the door wide open in a parody of welcome.
Her performance contains a strong element of self-parody (=when someone makes fun of their own style).
2[countable] something that is not a correct or acceptable example of something:
parody of
Although his comment was a parody of the truth, Diana was upset by it.
The trial was a parody of justice (=very unfair).
Lampoon
to criticize someone or something in a humorous way that makes them seem stupid
SYN parody
The Prime Minister was frequently lampooned in political cartoons.
Picaresque
LITERATURE
a picaresque story tells the amusing and unlikely adventures of a character who travels to a lot of different places
Roman à clef
a novel based on the actions of real people, who are given different names in the novel so that they seem to be invented characters and not real
Fable
1[countable]a traditional short story that teaches a moral lesson, especially a story about animals:
the fable of the fox and the crow
2[uncountable] fables or other traditional stories:
monsters of fable
Satire
1[uncountable] a way of criticizing something such as a group of people or a system, in which you deliberately make them seem funny so that people will see their faults:
the characteristic use of satire in Jonson’s work
political/ social satire
a comedy group that does political satire
2[countable]
LITERATURE
a piece of writing, film, play etc that uses this type of criticism:
satire on
a satire on American politics
savage/ stinging/ vicious/ biting satire
a biting satire of the television industry
Morphology
1[uncountable]
LINGUISTICS
the study of the morphemes of a language and of the way in which they are joined together to make words
➔ syntax
2[uncountable]
BIOLOGY
the scientific study of the form and structure of animals and plants
3[uncountable and countable] the structure of an object or system or the way it was formed
Syntax
1GRAMMAR
the way words are arranged to form sentences or phrases, or the rules of grammar which control this
2COMPUTERS
the rules that describe how words and phrases are used in a computer language
Ambit
the range or limit of someone’s authority, influence etc➔ remit:
fall within the ambit of something
areas falling within the ambit of our research
Purview
within/ outside the purview of somebody/ something formal
within or outside the limits of someone’s job, activity, or knowledge:
This matter comes within the purview of the Department of Health.
Mythos
a myth or mythology.
(in literature) a traditional or recurrent narrative theme or plot structure.
a set of beliefs or assumptions about something.
“the rhetoric and mythos of science create the comforting image of linear progression toward truth”
Lore
FOLKLORE
knowledge or information about a subject, for example nature or magic, that is not written down but is passed from person to person:
Ontogeny
noun
the branch of biology that deals with ontogenesis.
another term for ontogenesis.
Ontogenesis = the development of an individual organism or anatomical or behavioral feature from the earliest stage to maturity.
Deliberate
1intended or planned OPP unintentional SYN intentional a deliberate attempt to humiliate her The attack on him was quite deliberate.
2deliberate speech, thought, or movement is slow and careful:
He approached her with slow, deliberate steps.
Imminent
an event that is imminent, especially an unpleasant one, will happen very soon:
imminent danger/ threat/ death/ disaster etc
He was in imminent danger of dying.
A new trade agreement is imminent.
—imminence noun[uncountable]:
the imminence of the General Election
Decimate
to destroy a large part of something:
The population has been decimated by disease.
Assuage
to make an unpleasant feeling less painful or severe
SYN relieve
Nothing could assuage his guilt.
Append
formal to add something to a piece of writing➔ appendix:
append to
The results of the client survey are appended to this document.
Bestow
formal to give someone something of great value or importance:
bestow something on/upon somebody
honours bestowed on him by the Queen
Patronage
1FINANCE
the support, especially financial support, that is given to an organization or activity by a patron
2AmE formal DAILY LIFEBUSINESS the support that you give a particular shop, restaurant etc by buying their goods or using their services SYN customBrE: Thank you for your patronage.
3a system by which someone in a powerful position gives people help or important jobs in return for their support
Aptly
aptly named/ described/ called etc
named, described etc in a way that seems very suitable
SYN appropriately
The aptly named Skyline Restaurant provides spectacular views of the city below.
Connoisseur
someone who knows a lot about something such as art, food, or music:
a wine connoisseur
connoisseur of
Fry was a connoisseur of Renaissance art.
Regent
GOVERNMENT
someone who governs instead of a king or queen, because the king or queen is ill, absent, or still a child➔ regency
—regent adjective[only after noun]:
the Prince Regent
Glowing
1glowing report/ account/ description etc
a report etc that is full of praise:
I’ve had glowing reports from Neil about your work.
2in glowing terms
using a lot of praise:
He speaks of you in glowing terms.
Bistro
a small restaurant or bar:
a French bistro
Execute
1kill somebody
CRIME to kill someone, especially legally as a punishment:
execute somebody for something
Thousands have been executed for political crimes.
13 people were summarily executed (=killed without any trial or legal process) by the guerrillas.
2do something formal to do something that has been carefully planned
SYN implement
The job involves drawing up and executing a plan of nursing care.
3perform an action formal to perform a difficult action or movement:
beautifully/ skilfully/ poorly etc executed
The skaters’ routine was perfectly executed.
4computer technicalif a computer executes a program or command (=instruction), it makes the program or command happen or work
5legal document law
to make sure that the instructions in a legal document are followed
6produce something formal
PAINTING AND DRAWING
to produce a painting, book, film etc:
a boldly executed story
Scathing
a scathing remark criticizes someone or something very severely:
scathing attack/ remark/ comment etc
a scathing attack on the government’s planned tax increases
scathing about
He’s always been so scathing about psychiatrists.
—scathingly adverb
Guarded
not giving very much information or showing your feelings about something
SYN cautious
The minister was quite guarded in his comments.
He gave the proposal a guarded welcome.
Lackluster
1not exciting, impressive etc
SYN dull
a lacklustre performance
2not shining
SYN dull
lacklustre hair
Hail
1[transitive]to describe someone or something as being very good:
hail somebody/something as something
Lang’s first film was immediately hailed as a masterpiece.
be hailed something
The new service has been hailed a success.
A young man is being hailed a hero tonight after rescuing two children.
2[transitive] to call to someone in order to greet them or try to attract their attention:
She leaned out of the window and hailed a passerby.
hail a cab/ taxi
The hotel doorman will hail a cab for you.
3it hails
if it hails, small balls of ice fall like rain:
It’s windy and hailing outside.
Relegate
1formal to give someone or something a less important position than before:
relegate somebody/something to something
Women tended to be relegated to typing and filing jobs.
2BrE
SPORT
if a sports team is relegated, it is moved into a lower division
OPP promote
relegate something/somebody to something
We were relegated to the Fourth Division last year.
Merit
to be good, important, or serious enough for praise or attention
SYN deserve
The results have been encouraging enough to merit further investigation.
It’s a fascinating book which merits attention.
Triumph
1[countable] an important victory or success after a difficult struggle:
Winning the championship is a great personal triumph.
triumph for
a tremendous diplomatic triumph for France
triumph over
the triumph over hardship
2[uncountable]a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction that you get from victory or success:
a shout of triumph
in triumph
He rode in triumph to the Tsar.
3[singular] a very successful example of something:
triumph of
The gallery is a triumph of design.
(V) to gain a victory or success after a difficult struggle:
triumph over
In the end, good shall triumph over evil.
Felicitous
well-chosen and suitable
OPP infelicitous
a felicitous choice of candidate
Unavailing
not successful or effective
SYN unsuccessful
unavailing efforts to make her happy
Auspicious
showing that something is likely to be successful
OPP inauspicious
auspicious start/ beginning
Saccani’s excellent recording is an auspicious start to what promises to be a distinguished musical career.
Grandiloquent
LITERATURE
using words that are too long and formal in order to sound important
SYN pompous
Indifference
lack of interest or concern:
indifference to
his apparent indifference to material luxuries
Whether you stay or leave is a matter of total indifference to me (=I do not care).
Tenacious
1determined to do something and unwilling to stop trying even when the situation becomes difficult:
a tenacious negotiator
2tenacious beliefs, ideas etc continue to have a lot of influence for a long time:
a tenacious religious tradition that is still practised in Shinto temples
Proponent
someone who supports something or persuades people to do something
SYN advocate
➔ opponent:
proponent of
Steinem has always been a strong proponent of women’s rights.
leading/ main/ major proponent
Dr George is one of the leading proponents of this view.
Hackneyed
a hackneyed phrase is boring and does not have much meaning because it has been used so often
Oracular
MEASUREMENT
from or like an oracle
Provincial
1[only before noun] GEOGRAPHY relating to or coming from a province: a provincial election the provincial government of Quebec
2GEOGRAPHY
relating to or coming from the parts of a country that are not near the capital:
a provincial town
3old-fashioned and not interested in anything new or different – used to show disapproval:
provincial attitudes
(N) ANTHROPOLOGY
someone who comes from a part of a country that is not near the capital, especially someone who is not interested in anything new or different – often used to show disapproval
Secular
1RELIGION & THOUGHT
not connected with or controlled by a church or other religious authority:
secular education
our modern secular society
2CHRISTIANITY
a secular priest lives among ordinary people, rather than with other priests in a monastery
Disparage
to criticize someone or something in a way that shows you do not think they are very good or important:
Matcham’s theatres were widely disparaged by architects.
—disparagement noun[uncountable and countable]
Embrace
1[intransitive and transitive] to put your arms around someone and hold them in a friendly or loving way
SYN hug
Jack warmly embraced his son.
Maggie and Laura embraced.
2[transitive] formal to eagerly accept a new idea, opinion, religion etc:
We hope these regions will embrace democratic reforms.
Most West European countries have embraced the concept of high-speed rail networks with enthusiasm.
3[transitive] formal to include something as part of a subject, discussion etc:
This course embraces several different aspects of psychology.
Reclaim
1to get back an amount of money that you have paid
SYN claim back
You may be entitled to reclaim some tax.
2BUILDINGAGRICULTURE
to make an area of desert, wet land etc suitable for farming or building:
This land will be reclaimed for a new airport.
3to get back something that you have lost or that has been taken away from you:
I want to reclaim the championship that I lost in 1999.
4INDUSTRY
to obtain useful products from waste material
➔ recycle:
You can reclaim old boards and use them as shelves.
