Tricky “easy” GRE words With Multiple Meanings

Question 1

Stem (V.)

Answer 1

1. To hold back or limit the flow or growth of something

Question 2

Blinkered (adj.)

Answer 2

To have a limited outlook or understanding

the original context of this word comes from the blinkers that are put on racing horses to prevent them from becoming distracted

Question 3

Unchecked (adj.)

Answer 3

Describing something undesirable that has grown out of control

Question 4

Checkered (adj.)

Answer 4

1. Marked by changeable fortune
2. Patterned with alternating squares of color

Question 5

Raft (n.)

Answer 5

1. A large number of something
2. An inflatable boat

Question 6

Involved (adj.)

Answer 6

1. Complicated and Difficult to comprehend

Question 7

Retiring (adj.)

Answer 7

1. To be shy, and to be inclined to retract from company

Question 8

Expansive (adj.)

Answer 8

1. Communicative and prone to talking in a sociable manner

Question 9

Moment (n.)

Answer 9

1. It is significant and important (think of the word momentous)

Question 10

Base (adj.)

Answer 10

1. Lower class w/out moral principles

Question 11

Imbibe (verb)

Answer 11

1. Figuratively- intake of knowledge or information
2. Literally- to drink copiously

Question 12

Inundate (v.)

Answer 12

Fill quickly beyond capacity; as with a liquid

Question 13

Deluge (noun/verb)

Answer 13

Feeling overwhelmed emotionally, spiritually, intellectually and/or physically

Question 14

Scintillating (adj.)

Answer 14

1. Conversations that are smart and captivating
2. Flashing briefly and sharply with light

Question 15

Benighted (adj.)

Answer 15

1. Lacking enlightenment or knowledge or culture
2. Overtaken by night or darkness

Question 16

Galvanize (v.)

Answer 16

1. Stimulate or incite someone into taking action

2.

Question 17

Hedge (noun/verb)

Answer 17

1. Noun - a fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes
2. Verb - any technique designed to reduce or eliminate financial risk; for example, taking two positions that will offset each other if prices change

think of “hedge” funds

3. Noun/verb - an intentionally noncommittal or ambiguous statement; equivocal

Question 18

Flush (adj. )

Answer 18

1. to turn red (especially in the face)
2. to send down the toilet,
3. to be in abundance
4. to drive out of hiding

Question 19

Fell (adj. )

Answer 19

1. Terribly evil
2. To tumble down
3. To fall , past tense

Question 20

Arch (adj.)

Answer 20

1. As an adjective, arch can describe something mischievous or sly:
2. As a noun , arch is curve to open and support a structure

Question 21

Beg (v.)

Answer 21

1. make a solicitation or entreaty for something; request urgently or persistently
2. Ask to obtain for free
3. Call upon in supplication; entreat
4. Dodge, avoid answering, or take for granted

Question 22

Tender (V.)

Answer 22

1. Offer up; offer or present for acceptance
2. Fragile, sensitive, easily bruised or gentle

Question 23

Intimate (adj/verb)

Answer 23

1. Suggest something subtly
2. Two people in love doing the nasty

Question 24

Wanting (adj.)

Answer 24

Lacking

Question 25

Becoming (adj.)

Answer 25

1. it is appropriate, and matches nicely
2. according with custom or propriety
3. displaying or setting off to best advantage

Question 26

Start (v.)

Answer 26

1. Is to suddenly move or dart
   in a particular direction. Just think of the word startle.
2. take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

Question 27

Fleece (v.)

Answer 27

1. Verb - To deceive
2. Noun - outer coat of especially sheep and yaks

Question 28

Telling (adj.)

Answer 28

Something that’s telling is either significant,or it reveals information. Getting twice as much allowance will have a telling effect on your ability to buy new books.
O
1. Disclosing unintentionally; Telltale; revealing;

2. Producing strong effect

“a telling gesture”

3. powerfully persuasive

“a telling presentation”

Question 29

Wax (n./v.)

Answer 29

to increase

** The opposite of wax is to
wane.*

Question 30

Check (verb)

Answer 30

To check is to limit, and it is a word usually used to modify the growth of something.

When government abuses are not kept in check, that government is likely to become autocratic.

Question 31

Qualify (v.)

Answer 31

To qualify is to limit, and is usually used in the context of a statement or an opinion.

I love San Francisco.

I love San Francisco, but it is always windy.

The first statement shows my unqualified love for San Francisco. In the second statement I qualify, or limit, my love for San Francisco.

In the context of the GRE, the concept of qualification is usually found in the Reading Comprehension passage. For
example, an author usually expresses qualified approval or some qualified opinion in the passage. As you may have
noticed, the authors of reading comprehension passages never feel 100% about something. They always think in a nuanced fashion. Therefore, they are unlikely to be gung-ho or downright contemptuous. That is, they qualify, or limit, their praise/approval/disapproval.