Vocabulary Flashcards
3 new words/ day
futile (adj)
serving no useful purpose, completely ineffective
contentious (adj)
controversial, likely to cause argument and disagreement
in so far (adv)
to the extent that
We agree only insofar as the budget is concerned
preclude ____(v)
someone from verb-ing
to prevent someone from doing something
Ex: His difficulties preclude him from leading a normal life
to prevent the presence, existence, or occurrence of
make impossible
Ex: The secret nature of his work precluded official recognition
construe (v)
interpret in a particular way.
lucrative (adj)
producing great deal of profits
entrench (v)
entrench on/upon (v)
establish (an attitude, habit, or belief) so firmly that change is very difficult or unlikely.
to place in a position of strength; establish firmly or solidly
encroach, trespass, infringe
muddle (n)
disorganized state or collection
The finances were in a muddle
maxim (n)
a concise expression or proverb of a general truth or fundamental principle
Mother’s favorite maxim was “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
proprietor (n)
the owner of a business or a holder of a property
encompass (v)
embrace, encircle
to surround, to include comprehensively
A work that encompasses the entire range of the world’s religious beliefs.
abate (v)
to reduce or diminish in force or intensity
to reduce in value or amount
Syn: deduct, omit
The mechanic consultant already abated part of the cost
Aberration/ Anomaly (n)
Aberrant (adj)
Aberrant (n)
something that stands out or deviates from normal
Atypical, abnormal
Outliers
Winning this Super Bowl with those average players is an aberration
acclaim (v) (n)
to praise enthusiastically and publicly
She has won acclaim for her commitment to democracy
acquisitiveness (n)
desire to acquire more, especially an excessive desire (wealth, material things)
He was known for his acquisitiveness, buying any art work that caught his eye
acreage (n)
land measured in acres
Our property is large, but much of the acreage is swampland not suitable for building
adherent (n)
a person who sticks to a belief or a cause
She has long been an adherent of the Communist Party.
ad-lib (adj) (adv)
spoken, composed, or performed without preparation
without restraint or limit
in accordance with one’s wishes
Ex: The price includes meals and drinks ad lib
adopt (v)
to accept or begin to use something new
take and make one’s own.
to accept formally and put into effect
To adopt a plan implies that you didn’t come up with it yourself
advent (n)
arrival
Transportation was transformed by the advent of the internal combustion engine.
adverse (adj)
acting against or in a contrary direction (hostile)
unfavorable, opposed to one’s interest or position
having a negative or harmful effect on something
They received a lot of adverse publicity/criticism about the changes.
agency (beside its traditional meaning)
the ability to use power or influence
aggravate (v)
make worse
Road repair work has aggravated the problem of traffic congestion.
altogether (adv)
completely, overall
It was an altogether stunning new design
amortize (v)
gradually pay off a debt or gradually write off an asset
write off (n)
a reduction of the recognized value of something.
In accounting, this is a recognition of the reduced or zero value of an asset.
annul (v)
to declare or make legally invalid (often used in marriage context)
to reduce to nothing - obliterate
to make ineffective or inoperative - neutralize
anoint (v)
In religion: to make someone holy in a religious ceremony by putting holy water or oil on them
to smear or rub with oil or an oily substance
to choose someone to do a particular job, usually by a person in authority
antithetical (adj)
directly opposite or opposed
The idea that science is antithetical to the arts is wrong.
arbiter (n)
judge, umpire, person empowered to decide matters at hand.
rollback (n) roll back (v)
reduction or decrease (in prices, wages, taxes) to a previous level on national scale
to reduce or decrease
to retreat or withdraw or push back
Syn: rescind, annull, invalidate
albatross (n)
psychological burden/ anxiety
invariably (adv)
in every case / always
Syn: consistently, constantly
___ accord (n) ___
in accord with
Meaning: in agreement
analogous (adj)
similar or comparable to something else either in general or in some specific detail
A town council and a government body that serves an analogous function
archaic (adj)
ancient, antiquated, old-fashioned, primitive
The school’s archaic computer system predated even floppy disks.
aristocracy (n)
a class or group of people believed to be superior (rank, wealth & intellectual)
nobility, a hereditary ruling class
ascribe ___ (v)
ascribe to- to give credit
Syn: attribute, credit with
He ascribed his good grades to diligent studying
assimilation (n)
the process by which a minority group adopts the customs and way of life of a larger group
baldly (adv)
plainly, explicitly, to be blunt
befall (v)
to happen by fate (in negative way)
Disaster befell the company once again when the CEO was thrown from a horse
belie (v)
to give a false impression
to show (something) to be false or wrong
to contradict
to disguise
An air of rural charm belies the community’s industrial activity.
blight (n) (v)
disease that kills plants rapidly, or any cause of decay or destruction
to impair the quality or effect
to ruin
The apple trees were blighted by fungus
brook (v) - often used with the word ‘no’
Suffer or tolerate
The dictator will brook no dissent
buffer (v)
to lessen the shock
Syn: cushion
canon (n)
canonical (adj)
an accepted principle or rule
conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure
Syn: orthodox
keep/hold in check
restrain, held back
clamor (n) (v)
noisy uproar or protest (as from a crowd)
continuous loud noise
to become loudly insistent
Ex: clamored for his impeachment
cloak (n) (v) - often used as cloaked in
to hide, to cover or conceal
Their plans were shrouded in a cloak of secrecy.
coalesce (v)
come together, unite, fuse together
East and West Germany coalesced into a single country in 1990
cogent (adj)
very convincing, logical
Most GMAT CR arguments are not terribly cogent - they depend on unspoken and reasoning
collude (v)
to work together secretly especially in order to do something illegal or dishonest
concede (v)
concession (n)
give in, admit, yield, grant or give up
Quebec was a French concession to Britain in the Treaty of Paris in 1763
condone (v)
tolerate, overlook
I do not condone his behaviors
confer ___ (v)
on - grant or bestow (a title, degree, benefit, or right)
with - consult or exchange views
I can’t buy this car until I confer with my spouse
contemplative (adj)
expressing or involving prolonged thought
Syn: pensive, meditative
she regarded me with a contemplative eye
conversely (adv)
on the other hand, in an opposite way
Im not here to argue that lack of education causes poverty. Conversely, Im here to argue that poverty causes lack of education
copious (adj)
abundant, plentiful, bountiful
corroborate (v)
confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding).
the witness had corroborated the boy’s account of the attac
countenance (n) (v)
a person face or facial expression
tolerate, allow
culminate (v)
reach the highest point or final stage
A PhD program generally culminates in a written dissertation and a defense of that dissertation to a committee.
currency (n) - beside ‘money’ meaning
something to become a general use, acceptance, or prevalence
a story gaining currency
cynical (adj)
thinking of the worst of other’s motivations
bitterly pessimistic
debase (v)
degrade; lower in quality, value, rank; lower in moral quality
debunk (v)
expose, disprove false or exaggerated claims
The show Mythbusters debunks pseudoscientific claims
decry (v)
condemn openly
deem (v)
consider, to have an opinion, to judge
delimit (v)
to fix or define the limits of
Strict guidelines delimit his responsibilities
denote (v)
denotation (n)
be a name or symbol for; serve an indication of
Ex: the swollen bellies that denote starvation
literal meaning of a word
deride (v)
to laugh at or insult contemptuously
Syn: mock, ridicule
politicians deride their opponents
deterrent (adj)
serving to discourage, prevent, or inhibit
The ads had a deterrent effect on youth smoking.
dichotomy (n)
a division into two especially mutually exclusive or contradictory groups or entities
Syn: Bifurcation (biology diverge branching)
The amusing spectacle of the recent presidential vote in Florida should remind us of the persistence of the federal-state dichotomy
discount (v)
To discount an idea
disregard, to view with doubt, to underestimate
to not count it is as important
Ex: Michael’s boss shouldn’t discount his contributions
discrepancy (n)
contrast, difference, disagreement, disparateness, disparity
Researchers may also struggle to explain away the discrepancy with new theories, such as some new quantum particle that flits between the electron and positron.
discreet (adj)
having or showing discernment or good judgment in conduct and especially in speech
unpretentious, modest
UNOBTRUSIVE, UNNOTICEABLE
discrete (adj)
separate, distinct, detached
existing as individual parts
The advertising agency pitched us not on one campaign, but on three discrete ideas
discretionary (adj)
discretion (n)
subject to someone’s discretion or judgement
individual choice or judgment within legal boundaries
disinterested (adj)
impartial, unbiased
disparate (adj)
distinct, different
A strategic marketing leader spots trends in disparate places, and sees patterns to better understand the big picture.
disseminate (v)
scatter, spread out, broadcast, to disperse
Syn: disperse
divest (v) ___
divest of: deprive or strip of a rank, title, clothing or gear
to sell off holdings
Once his deception was exposed, he was divested of his position on the board
dovetail (v)
join or fit together
echelon (n)
a level, rank or grade in an organization or field of activity
the upper echelons of management
eclectic (adj)
selecting the best of everything or coming from many diverse sources
Her witty, mordant and splendidly vinegary observations were informed by broad and eclectic reading.
eclipse (v)
to obscure, darken
to make less important
Her performance was eclipsed by the director talent.
effectively (adj)
in effective manner
virtually or in effect
By withholding further funds they effectively killed the project
efficacy (n)
the power to produce an intended effect (often used in reference to medicines)
Extensive trials will be necessary to determine whether the drug’s efficacy outweighs the side effects.
Egalitarian (adj)
Relating to belief in the equality of all people
I maybe egalitarian but I don’t favor communism
egregious (adj)
extraordinarily or conspicuously bad
Syn: glaring, obvious, striking
Perhaps one of the most egregious examples is the abuse of civil asset forfeiture laws.
empirical (adj)
coming from, based on or able to be verified by experiment; not purely based on theory
The statistical models were flawed, the defense maintained, noting that none had been empirically tested.
enigma (n)
puzzle, mystery, riddle
an obscure speech or writing
enjoy (v) - beside its cliche meaning
to benefit from
The college has long enjoyed the support of wealthy alumni
ensure (v)
to guarantee, to make sure, certain or safe
equivocate (v) ___
equivocate on: use unclear language to deceive or avoid committing to a position
Both López-Gatell and López Obrador equivocate on the effectiveness of wearing face masks.
enumerate (v)
count or list; specify one-by-one
The Bill of Rights enumerates the basic rights held by every citizen of USA
erstwhile (adv) (adj)
former, previous
my erstwhile friend ignored me when I ran into her at the mall
ethos (n)
the distinguishing character or personality
set of beliefs, attitudes, habits that are particular to a group
At the prep school, the young man happily settled in an ethos of hard work and rigorous athletic competition
exacting (adj)
requiring careful attention and precision
exhaustive (adj) (not as exhausted)
comprehensive, thorough
accounting for all possibilities
After an exhaustive search of our house, we still hadn’t found the cat
expedient (adj)
suitable, proper; effective (sometimes while sacrificing ethics)
Syn: tactical, advisable
When invited to a wedding you cannot attend, it is expedient to send a gift
extraneous (adj)
irrelevant, not belonging
foreign, coming from outside
You need to remove extraneous information: the paragraph about the author’s life doesn’t happen to be relevant to your thesis
extrapolate (v)
predict by projecting the past experience
faculty (n)
an particular ability, often a mental ability
She has a faculty for inspiring confidence in people.
fashion (n)
a distinctive or peculiar and often habitual manner or way
mode of action or operation
the make or form of something
A lamp in the fashion of a silver dove was hung from an almost invisible golden wire in the centre of the room.
converge (v)
move toward one another or toward a point
unite
Economic forces converged to bring the country out of the recession.
counterpoint (v) (n)
set in contrast
the use of contrast/ a complimenting or contrasting item
The hot peppers work in counterpoint to an otherwise sweet dish
counterproductive (adj)
defeating the purpose.
preventing the intended goal.
Improved safety measures in cars can be counterproductive as they encourage people to drive faster.
deflect (v)
turn aside, avoid
Syn: deviate
To deflect criticism, Nasrallah addressed supporters several times, denying Hezbollah had anything to do with the port
fledgling (adj) (n)
new or immature or inexperienced
young bird that can not fly yet
fledgling medical students
fleeting (adj)
passing quickly, transitory
forestall (v)
delay, hinder, prevent by taking action beforehand
Syn: intercept, preclude
Our research has been forestalled by a lack of funding
glacial (adj)
snow, cold, icy
unsympathetic
grade (n) - unusual meaning
sloping road
grade (v) - unusual meaning
to blend
Notice that the mud and the sand grade into each other along the sandbar.
graft (n) (v)
the acquisition of gain (such as money) in dishonest or questionable ways
join together plant parts or skin so that two living things grow together
grandstand (v)
grandstanding (n)
to play or act so as to impress onlookers
acting or speaking in a way intended to attract the good opinion of other people who are watching
Experts criticized the program as mere grandstanding by corporations and local officials.
guesswork (n)
the act or process of finding an answer by guessing
Calculating the drug’s long-term effects is pure guesswork.
guile (n)
the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery
Syn: slyness, deviousness
A person so full of guile he can’t even be trusted to give you the correct time of day
hallmark (n)
a mark of indication of quality
any distinguishing characteristic, trait or feature
Fast-paced rhymes, an angry tenor, and personal attacks on celebrities are hallmarks of Emimem’s music
handpick (v)
to select personally
The retiring CEO handpicked the successor
hardy (adj)
bold, brave
capable of withstanding hardship or strain (fatigue, cold)
hearken or hark (same thing) - verb
hearken back to
listen, pay attention to
evoke (an older style or genre).
This place caters to Americans and hearkens back to days when the town attracted famous celebrities.
hedge (v)
protect a bet by also betting on the other side
hegemony (n)
influence or authority over others (socially, culturally, economically)
Syn: domination, supremacy
The two countries went to war fighting for hegemony over the entire region.
heterogenous (adj)
different in type, composed of different types of elements
Syn: mixed, assorted
hierarchy (n)
a system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.
host (n)
a large amount
Syn: multitude
hyperbole (n)
exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
( I’ve told you to clean your room a million times! or It was so cold, I saw polar bears wearing hats and jackets.)
underpin (v)
to support or form the basis for
Syn: bolster, substantiate
Avaloq provides software for financial institutions that helps underpin digital banking and wealth management platforms.
for better or for worse
it means that you are not sure whether the consequences will be good or bad, but they will have to be accepted because the action cannot be changed.
For better or worse nature has designed honey bees to work themselves to death in the pursuit of sweet productivity.
Armageddon (n)
a dramatic and catastrophic conflict, typically seen as likely to destroy the world or the human race
prescience (n)
the fact of knowing something before it takes place
Syn: foreknowledge, foresight
assail (v)
attack violently, assault
to oppose, challenge, or criticize harshly and forcefully
(of an unpleasant feeling or physical sensation) come upon (someone) suddenly and strongly.
She was assailed by doubts and regrets
jaundiced (adj)
showing or influenced by envy, distaste, or hostility
She has a very jaundiced view of politics and politicians
tacit (adj)
understood or implied without being stated.
Your silence may be taken to mean tacit agreement
inordinate (adj)
excessive, unreasonable, unjustifiable, unwarrantable
(of a person) unrestrained in feelings or behavior
The Wall Street displayed an inordinate desire to get rich quickly with a minimum of physical effort.
indispensable (adj)
absolutely necessary
Syn: essential, crucial, vital, necessary
An indispensable member of the staff
repugnant (adj)
extremely distasteful; unacceptable
Syn: awful, abhorrent
The thought of going back into the fog was repugnant to him
take a beating
to be beaten badly in a game or contest
often used figuratively to suggest a setback or loss
Our plans took a real beating from the review committee
intractable (adj)
not easily governed, managed, or directed
not easily relieved or cured
not easily manipulated or shaped
The near term future will see complex discussions about intractable privacy issues.
unprepossessing (adj)
not tending to create a favorable impression
But to know any of that you’d have to see beyond their unprepossessing appearances.
jarring (adj)
having a harshly, disagreeable, or lack of harmony effect
… an aroma that I found jarringly distracting
even-handed (adj)
fair, impartial
Iconoclast (n)
a person who attacks settled/cherished beliefs or institutions
imminent (adj)
about to happen, ready to take place
Syn: impending, looming
impasse (n)
a predicament allowing no obvious escape
Syn: deadlock, stalemate
If the union wont budge on its demands and the transit authority wont raise salaries, then we are at an impasse
impede (v)
to interfere with or slow the progress of
Syn: hinder, handicap
The soldiers could not impede the enemy’s advance.
impinge ____(v)
on/ upon
have an effect or impact, especially a negative one.’
trespass on, violate (Syn: infringe, encroach)
Ex: Impinge on other people’s rights.
to strike or dash especially with a sharp collision
implode (v)
to burst inward
to break down or fall apart from within
Syn: self-destruct
A controlled demolition during which the entire building imploded in a matter of seconds
impute (v)
to lay the responsibility or blame for (something) often falsely or unjustly
credit, attribute
Syn: ascribe to
People often impute his silence to unfriendliness and not to the shyness it really represents
inadvertently (adv)
accidentally, unintentionally
Inasmuch ___ (conjunction)
as
since, because
to the extent that
Syn: insofar as
incidentally (adv)
unintentionally, accidentally
Syn: inadvertently
by the way
I think we should rent the new office space. Incidentally, there’s a great Mexican restaurant opening up right across the street from it
incinerate (v)
burn, reduce to ashes
Syn: cremate
inconsequential (adj)
unimportant, insignificant
incorporate (v)
combine, unite
embody, give physical form to
Local legend has it that ghosts can incorporate on one night of the year and walk among the living
indeterminate (adj)
not fixed/established or determined
not leading to a definite ending or result
Syn: indefinite, vague, undetermined
We can’t sign this contract because the conditions of the sale are indeterminate
undetermined (adj)
not yet settled, known or decided (by authority)
not leading to a definite ending or result
Syn: indeterminate
His fate as yet undetermined, he anxiously awaited the test results.
indicative ____ (adj)
indicating, suggestive of
Your symptoms are indicative of the common cold
induce ____ (v)
someone TO __verb__
succeed in persuading or influencing (someone) to do something.
bring about, give rise, cause
None of these measures induced a change of policy
inert (adj)
lacking the ability or strength to move.
inactive
All of the missiles at the military museum are inert - they’re not going to blow up
inevitable (adj)
without question, not able to be avoided, or escaped
not same thing as impending
inexplicable (adj)
not able to be explained
inextricably (adv)
in a way that is impossible to disentangle or separate.
He argues that there is an inextricable link between poverty and poor health.
inform (v) - not the cliche meaning
to give character or essence to
Syn: inspire, animate
The principles which inform modern teaching
ingenuity (n)
ingenious (adj)
skill or cleverness in devising or combining
clever, skillful, innovative
an ingenious idea/method/solution
not same as ingenuous
ingenuous (adj)
(of a person or action) innocent and unsuspecting.
Syn: candid, sincere
ingrained (adj)
hardwired, deep-seated
inherent, indigenous
Her deeply ingrained distrust of all authority
instrumental (adj)
serving as a means of pursuing an aim or policy.
Syn: essential, crucial
He was instrumental in the restructuring
insular (adj)
(of people) ignorant or uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one’s own experience.
Syn: small-minded, narrow-minded
Doing so, he highlighted the degree to which creationism is a decidedly incurious, insular worldview.
Interplay (n)
interaction, reciprocal relationship or influence
Our personalities result from the complex interplay between our genes and our environment.
intrepid (adj)
fearless, brave, enduring in the fate of adversity
Syn: dauntless, fearless
Intrepid Explorers
inundate (v)
Transitive verb ____
flood, overflow with water
inundated with (overwhelmed)
We’ve been inundated with complaints from listeners
investiture (n)
the action of formally investing a person with honors or rank.
Syn: inauguration
involved (adj) - not the cliche meaning
difficult to comprehend; complicated
Syn: confused, tangled, intricate
The story is quite involved
invulnerable (adj)
immune to or proof against attack
incapable of being wounded, injured, or harmed
Syn: bulletproof, impregnable, invincible
jettison (v)
discard or abandon as unnecessary or encumbering
Ex: Individuals are often forced to jettison certain attitudes and behaviors
throw items overboard in order to lighten a ship in an emergency
jumbo (adj)
unusually large, supersized
juncture (n)
critical point in time, such as a crisis or a time when a decision is necessary
Negotiations are at a critical juncture.
juxtapose (v)
Place side-by-side either physically or in metaphorical way such as to make comparison
lackluster (adj)
lacking in brilliance and vitality
not shiny, dull
Syn: mediocre
That is a lackluster endorsement in light of so much recent glowing research.
landmark (n) - not the cliche meaning
an important stage in something’s development
The birth of a child is an important landmark in the lives of all concerned
latent (adj)
potential, existing but not visible or active
Syn: dormant, inert
The isolation imposed by the coronavirus has awakened a latent homesteading spirit within many of us.
lax (adj)
not strict, careless
loose, slack
My parents were really lax about homework
layperson (n)
Plural form?
regular people, non-specialists
laypeople
Syn: layman
Can you explain in layman’s terms exactly what your job involves?
levy ____ (n) (v)
on ___ (something)
the imposition or collection of an assessment (tax..)
the enlistment or conscription of men for military service
to impose or collect by legal authority
lift (v) - not cliche meaning
improve or lighten (such as person’s mood)
likewise (adj)
Also, in addition to,
similarly, in the same way
Likewise, adding a new pump station to the canal doesn’t require construction of a pump-to-the river station.
machination (n)
machinate (v)
a crafty scheme or plots (to do harm)
Syn: conspire, collude, constrive
The hackers machinated a way to steal credit numbers from the company’s Web site
magnate (n)
a person of rank, power, influence, or distinction often in a specified area
A studio magnate who had the biggest stars in Hollywood at his beck and call
makeshift (adj) (n)
serving as a temporary substitute; sufficient for the time being.
Syn: expedient
substitute
We used boxes as a makeshift while the kitchen chairs were being painted.
malleable (adj)
able to be bent, shaped or adapted (materials)
Syn: pliable, plastic
pliable, easily influenced or shaped by others.
Anna was shaken enough to be malleable
manifest (v) (adj)
display or show (a quality or feeling) by one’s acts or appearance; demonstrate.
Ex: Ray manifested signs of severe depression
clear or obvious to the eye or mind
Ex: the system’s manifest failings
manifestation (n)
the act, process or instance of manifesting
Syn: display, demonstration, exhibition, sign, indication
A portrait of a mother and child that is regarded as the very manifestation of maternal love
mediate (v)
to reconcile
to form a connection link between
Ex: structures that mediate gender divisions
to act as intermediary agent
mercurial (adj)
characterized by rapid and unpredictable changes of mood or mind
Syn: fickle, flighty
his mercurial temperament
mire ____ (n)
mire of: a troublesome or intractable situation
They found themselves in a mire of debt
deep mud
mire (v)
stuck, entangle in mud or swamp area
muck around with/ about (v)
: to spend time doing things that are not useful or seriousShe spent the evening mucking around with the computer.
: to waste time
We just mucked about all afternoon.
muck around/ about (v)
: to be unfair or dishonest with (someone) : to lie or cheat (someone)
I want them to stop mucking me around.
He’s tired of being mucked about.
galvanize (v)
galvanizing (adj)
to stimulate or excite as if by an electric shock
Syn: provoke, arouse
The group is hoping to galvanize public opinion against the proposed law.
to coat (iron or steel) with zinc
head off (v)
to turn back or turn aside
Syn: block, prevent
The ruling heads off—at least for the next year and a half—a long-running threat by Transport for London
detractor (n)
a person who criticizes something or someone
Syn: disparager, critic
Even her detractors had to admit that she had made the company successful.
preemptively (adv)
taken as a measure against something anticipated or feared (usually a preventive or deterrent measure)
This means the Fed will effectively abandon its prior approach of raising rates PRE-EMPTIVELY, before inflation reaches 2%.
pre-emptive action/measure/move (adj)
taken as a measure against something anticipated or feared (usually a preventive or deterrent measure)
The prime minister authorized a pre-emptive air strike against the rebels.
pre-empt (v)
to do or say something before someone so that you make their words or actions unnecessary or not effective
to replace with something considered to be of greater value or priority
Ex: The program did not appear, having been preempted by a baseball game
to prevent from happening or taking place
Syn: preclude, forestall
allude (v)
make indirect reference
Syn: hint, touch on
mention without discussing at length
The Fed’s subsequent Sept. 16 rate guidance alluded obliquely to financial bubbles
obliquely (adv)
not in a direct way; indirectly
In her speech she made only oblique references to the scandal.