Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

GRE > VOCAB3 > Flashcards

VOCAB3 Flashcards

1
Q

fester

A

decay –>(of a negative feeling or a problem) become worse or more intense, especially through long-term neglect or indifference.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

parsimonious

A

unwilling to spend money or use resources; stingy or frugal.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

inquisition

A

interrogation –> a period of prolonged and intensive questioning or investigation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

incensed

A

very angry; enraged.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

spook

A

frighten; unnerve.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

purport

A

appear or claim to be or do something, especially falsely; profess.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

pander

A

give sb pleasure; gratify or indulge (an immoral or distasteful desire, need, or habit or a person with such a desire, etc.).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

risque

A

slightly indecent and liable to shock, especially by being sexually suggestive.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

hermorrhaging

A

expend (money) in large amounts in a seemingly uncontrollable manner.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

ratify

A

sign or give formal consent to (a treaty, contract, or agreement), making it officially valid.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

herald

A

be a sign that (something) is about to happen.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

adduce

A

cite as evidence.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

adumbrated

A

report or represent in outline.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

mishmash

A

a confused mixture.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

arduous

A

tiring, difficult

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

unkempt

A

(especially of a person) having an untidy or disheveled appearance.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

dire

A

extremely serious or urgent.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

callous

A

showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

umbrage

A

offense or annoyance.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

stygian

A

very dark.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

farcical

A

relating to or resembling farce, especially because of absurd or ridiculous aspects –> absurd, risible

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

evocative

A

vivid, expressive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

d

A

filled with or characterized by intense but unexpressed anger

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

groan under the strain

A

voice a deep, inarticulate sound as displeasure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

bay –> bark

A

shout loudly, typically to demand something.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

superannuated

A

old-fashioned, old, antique

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

sanctimonious

A

making a show of being morally superior to other people.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

plangent

A

reverberating; often melancholy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

agog

A

impatient, very eager or curious to hear or see something.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

nonchalant

A

calm, unconcerned

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

mutinous

A

rebellious, insurgent

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

indelicate

A

insensitive, indiscreet, rude

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

tortuous

A

full of twist or turn

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

seemliness

A

sense of propriety and consideration for others

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

incorrigible

A

of a person or their tendencies) not able to be corrected, improved, or reformed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

fulmination

A

an expression of vehement protest.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

desecration

A

violation, contamination

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

ululation

A

long, high-pitched sound to express grief or joy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

sophistry

A

prevarication, fallacious argument

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

aspersion

A

defamation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

prattle

A

foolish, inconsequential talk

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

muckracking

A

search out and publicize scandalous information

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

pellucid

A

transparant, clear

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

at loggerhead

A

disagree strongly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

in cahoots

A

in alliance, partnership

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

abet

A

assist, help, lend a hand

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

clandestine

A

kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

deft

A

neatly skillful and quick in one’s movements.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

whet

A
  1. sharpen the blade of (a tool or weapon)

2. a thing that stimulates appetite or desire.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

tout

A

attempt to sell (something), typically by pestering people in an aggressive or bold manner.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

incendiary

A

designed to cause fires.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

auxiliary

A

providing supplementary or additional help and support.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

prudish

A
  1. having or revealing a tendency to be easily shocked by matters relating to sex or nudity; excessively concerned with sexual propriety
  2. synonyms: priggish, puritanical, prim
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

rustic

A

plain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

faux-naiff

A

appearing or seeking to appear simple and unsophisticated

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

no-holds-barred

A

used to convey that no rules or restrictions apply in a conflict or dispute –> free from unusual limits & rules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

gripping

A

firmly holding the attention or interest; exciting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

dyed-in-the-wool

A

unchanging in a particular belief or opinion; inveterate.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
59
Q

callow

A

(of a young person) inexperienced and immature.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
60
Q

stonewalled

A

delay or block (a request, process, or person) by refusing to answer questions or by giving evasive replies, especially in politics.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
61
Q

storied

A

celebrated in or associated with stories or legends.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
62
Q

parochial

A

having a limited or narrow outlook or scope.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
63
Q

arcadian

A

a person who lives a simple quiet life.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
64
Q

squalid

A
  1. extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty or neglect.
  2. showing or involving a contemptible lack of moral standards.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
65
Q

penumbra

A

part of shadow made during an eclipse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
66
Q

hinterland

A
  1. the often uncharted areas beyond a coastal district or a river’s banks
  2. an area lying beyond what is visible or known.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
67
Q

tony

A

fashionable among wealthy or stylish people.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
68
Q

spartan

A

showing the indifference to comfort or luxury traditionally associated with ancient Sparta –> autstere, arduous

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
69
Q

apollonian

A

relating to the rational, ordered, and self-disciplined aspects of human nature.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
70
Q

dionysian

A

relating to the sensual, spontaneous, and emotional aspects of human nature.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
71
Q

protean

A
  1. tending or able to change frequently or easily.

2. able to do many different things; versatile.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
72
Q

martial

A

warlike, army

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
73
Q

quixotic

A

impractical

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
74
Q

unorthodox

A

unusual, unconventional

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
75
Q

dissolute = debauchment

A

lax in morals; licentious; libertinous

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
76
Q

vitiation

A

To reduce the value or quality of; impair or spoil; nullification, override

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
77
Q

derogate from

A

detract from, deviate from

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
78
Q

bedizen

A

dress up or decorate gaudily

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
79
Q

cynical

A
  1. concerned only with one’s own interests and typically disregarding accepted or appropriate standards in order to achieve them.
  2. believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
80
Q

solace

A

comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
81
Q

plaudit

A

an expression of praise or approval.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
82
Q

transient

A

lasting only for a short time; impermanent.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
83
Q

canon

A

a general law, rule, principle, or criterion by which something is judged.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
84
Q

flimsy

A

comparatively light and insubstantial; easily damaged.

85
Q

stopgap = makeshift

A

a temporary way of dealing with a problem or satisfying a need.

86
Q

modicum

A

a small quantity of a particular thing, especially something considered desirable or valuable.

87
Q

nadir

A

the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization.

88
Q

consecration

A

the action of making or declaring something, typically a church, sacred.

89
Q

piteous

A

deserving or arousing pity

90
Q

bemoan

A

express discontent or sorrow over (something).

91
Q

bleat

A

cry out

92
Q

obligarchy

A

a small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution. (typically wealthy leader)

93
Q

rectitude

A

morally correct behavior or thinking; righteousness.

94
Q

scruple

A
  1. a feeling of doubt or hesitation with regard to the morality or propriety of a course of action. 2. hesitate or be reluctant to do something that one thinks may be wrong.
95
Q

turpitude

A

depravity; wickedness, corruption

96
Q

apposed

A

place (something) in proximity to or juxtaposition with something else.

97
Q

eremitic

A

solitary

98
Q

mercurial

A

capricious, volatile

99
Q

vainglorious

A

excessively proud of oneself or one’s achievements; overly vain.

100
Q

careen

A

move swiftly in an uncontrolled way, rushed, hustle

101
Q

tarry

A

stay longer than intended; delay leaving a place

102
Q

transmute

A

change in form, adapt, modify

103
Q

trundle

A

move slowly and heavily

104
Q

parlous

A

full of danger, uncertainty, precarious, dire

105
Q

semiotic

A

relating to signs and symbols

106
Q

providential = propitious

A
  1. occurring at a favorable time; opportune.
  2. nvolving divine foresight or intervention.
107
Q

berserk

A

out of control with anger or excitement; wild or frenzied.

108
Q

metastasize

A

The spread of cancer cells from the place where they first formed to another part of the body.

109
Q

patrimony

A

property inherited from one’s father or male ancestor.

110
Q

hedonism

A

a school of thought that argues seeking pleasure and avoiding suffering are the only components of well-being.

111
Q

lacunae

A

an unfilled space or interval; a gap.

112
Q

probity

A

the quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency.

113
Q

dissipation

A

the squandering (wasteful spending) of money, energy, or resources.

114
Q

antediluvian

A

prehistoric, ancient

115
Q

ascetic

A

austere, severe self-discipline

116
Q

cane

A

beat with a cane as a punishment.

117
Q

lull

A

calm or send to sleep, typically with soothing sounds or movements.

118
Q

peccadillo

A

a small, relatively unimportant offense or sin; misdemeanor

119
Q

parismony

A

extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources.

120
Q

obloquy

A

strong public criticism or verbal abuse.

121
Q

deification

A

the action of making someone or something into a god:

122
Q

bereaved

A

deprived of a close relation or friend through their death.

123
Q

mirth

A

amusement

124
Q

hysteric

A

a wildly emotional and exaggerated reaction.

125
Q

alacrity

A

brisk and cheerful readiness.

126
Q

aerial

A

existing, happening, or operating in the air.

127
Q

hodgepodge

A

a confused mixture

128
Q

variegated

A

exhibiting different colors, especially as irregular patches or streaks

129
Q

facetious

A

treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant.

130
Q

jejune

A

simplistic, superficial

131
Q

modish

A

conforming to or following what is currently popular and fashionable.

132
Q

facile

A

(especially of a theory or argument) appearing neat and comprehensive only by ignoring the true complexities of an issue; superficial.

133
Q

dulcet

A

(especially of sound) sweet and soothing (often used ironically).

134
Q

impeccable

A

(of behavior, performance, or appearance) in accordance with the highest standards of propriety; faultless.

135
Q

verdant

A

green/lush –> new/inexperienced

136
Q

depose

A

force out of power (king, dictator, military, etc)

137
Q

odious

A

extremely unpleasant; repulsive

138
Q

potable

A

drinkable

139
Q

cursory

A

hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed -> perfunctory

140
Q

arch

A

mischievous, playful, roguish

141
Q

high-handed

A

using power or authority without considering the feelings of others.

142
Q

fandom

A

the state or condition of being a fan of someone or something.

143
Q

apportion

A

divide and allocate.

144
Q

dementia

A

loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.

145
Q

stigmatize

A

describe or regard as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval.

146
Q

demonize

A

portray as wicked and threatening.

147
Q

ruminate

A

think deeply about something.

148
Q

availing

A

efficacy; to be of use or value to; profit; advantage

149
Q

aver

A

state or assert to be the case.

150
Q

swindle

A

use deception to deprive (someone) of money or possessions.

151
Q

disabuse

A

persuade (someone) that an idea or belief is mistaken.

152
Q

contortion

A

a twisted or bent condition, state, or form.

153
Q

sidereal

A

of or with respect to the distant stars

154
Q

prescient

A

having or showing knowledge of events before they take place.

155
Q

presumptuous

A

failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate; bold

156
Q

preposterous

A

contrary to reason or common sense; utterly absurd or ridiculous.

157
Q

addled

A

unable to think clearly; confused.

158
Q

vicissitude

A

a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant.

159
Q

to keep abreast of a topic

A

to remain current;

160
Q

obtuse

A

annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand.

161
Q

askance

A

with an attitude or look of suspicion or disapproval.

162
Q

mercenary

A

primarily concerned with making money at the expense of ethics.

163
Q

demarcate

A

set the boundaries or limits of; distinguish from

164
Q

trumpet

A

proclaim widely or loudly.

165
Q

addlepated

A

being mixed up : confused

166
Q

dumfounded

A

greatly astonish or amaze.

167
Q

turbid

A
  1. cloudy, opaque, or thick with suspended matter;
  2. confused or obscure in meaning or effect.
    - -> turbulence
168
Q

turgid

A
  1. swollen and distended or congested.

2. tediously pompous or bombastic

169
Q

tepid

A
  1. only slightly warm; lukewarm.

2. showing little enthusiasm.

170
Q

emblematic

A

representative

171
Q

cajole

A

persuade (someone) to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery.

172
Q

mendacious

A

not telling the truth; lying.

173
Q

roundly

A

in a vehement or emphatic manner.

174
Q

pan

A

criticize (someone or something) severely.

175
Q

copious

A

abundant in supply or quantity.

176
Q

inscrutable

A

impossible to understand or interpret.

177
Q

vanquish

A

defeat thoroughly.

178
Q

prologue

A

introduction

179
Q

catharsis

A

the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions.

180
Q

coda

A

a concluding event, remark, or section.

181
Q

homily

A

a religious discourse that is intended primarily for spiritual edification rather than doctrinal instruction; a sermon.

182
Q

rampage

A

(especially of a large group of people) rush around in a violent and uncontrollable manner.

183
Q

simpatico

A

likable and easy to get along with

184
Q

inured

A

accustom (someone) to something, especially something unpleasant.

185
Q

effusive

A

expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner.

186
Q

maudlin

A

self-pityingly or tearfully sentimental, often through drunkenness.

187
Q

agglomerated

A

(of things) collect or form into a mass or group.

188
Q

platitude

A

clique, banal; a remark or statement, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful.

189
Q

stanza

A

a grouped set of lines within a poem, usually set off from others by a blank line or indentation

190
Q

quagmire

A
  1. a soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot.

2. an awkward, complex, or hazardous situation

191
Q

depredate

A

to plunder or destroy

192
Q

recidivist

A

who return to committing crimes

193
Q

libertine

A
  1. a person, especially a man, who behaves without moral principles or a sense of responsibility, especially in sexual matters.
  2. a person who rejects accepted opinions in matters of religion; a freethinker.
194
Q

presage

A

(of an event) be a sign or warning that (something, typically something bad) will happen.

195
Q

consaguineous

A

relating to or denoting people descended from the same ancestor.

196
Q

tremulous

A

timid; nervous.

197
Q

coltish

A

energetic but awkward in one’s movements or behavior.

198
Q

forebear

A

ancestor

199
Q

fecund

A

producing or capable of producing an abundance of offspring or new growth; fertile.

200
Q

imperious

A

assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering.

201
Q

sentry

A

a soldier stationed to keep guard or to control access to a place.

202
Q

sycophant

A

a person who acts obsequiously toward someone important in order to gain advantage –> lackey, myrmidon

203
Q

vermin

A

wild animals that are believed to be harmful to crops, farm animals, or game, or that carry disease, e.g., rodents.

204
Q

desuetude

A

a state of disuse.

205
Q

outdone

A

be more successful than.

206
Q

overrun

A

invade

207
Q

puissant

A

having great power or influence.

208
Q

complaisant

A

willing to please others; obliging; agreeable

GRE (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions