GRE

GRE
New Oriental Last-Minute Vocabulary List
for Revised GRE General Test

2016.6.5


PREFACE
2014 12
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CONTENTS
Word List 01........................................................................................................................1
Word List 02......................................................................................................................11
Word List 03......................................................................................................................21
Word List 04......................................................................................................................31
Word List 05......................................................................................................................41
Word List 06......................................................................................................................51
Word List 07......................................................................................................................61
Word List 08......................................................................................................................71
Word List 09......................................................................................................................81
Word List 10......................................................................................................................91
Word List 11....................................................................................................................101
Word List 12....................................................................................................................110
Word List 13....................................................................................................................120
Word List 14....................................................................................................................130
Word List 15....................................................................................................................140
Word List 16....................................................................................................................150
Word List 17....................................................................................................................159
Word List 18....................................................................................................................169
Word List 19....................................................................................................................177
Word List 20....................................................................................................................186
Word List 21....................................................................................................................195
Word List 22....................................................................................................................204
Word List 23....................................................................................................................215
Word List 24....................................................................................................................226
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Word List 01
divulge

/dvld/

v. to make known (something private or secret)

keep secret

inadvertent
/ndvrtnt/

adj. marked by or resulting from carelessness; negligent

careful, intentional

advertent adj.

adj. not deliberate or considered; unintentional

panegyric

/pndrk/

n. a formal eulogistic composition intended as a public compliment

panegyrical adj.

draconian

adj. exceedingly harsh or very severe

hodgepodge

n. a mixture of different things

/drkonin/

/hdpd/

patchwork, welter

incontrovertible adj. impossible to dispute

/nkntrvrtbl/

impartial
/mprl/

controvert v.

adj. not partial or biased

disinterested, fair; detachment

partial adj.

endemic
/ndmk/

adj. prevalent in or limited to a particular locality, region, or people

native
exotic
adj. common in or inherent to an enterprise or situation

minuscule
/mnskjul/

adj. very small and tiny

diminutive

 GRE

lucrative

adj. producing wealth

compensate

v. to offset an error, defect, or undesired effect

/lukrtv/

/kmpnset/

v. to serve as or provide a substitute or counter balance

offset

discursive
/dskrsv/

adj. moving from topic to topic without order; rambling

adj. marked by analytical reasoning

presuppose
/prispoz/

v. to suppose beforehand

v. to require as an antecedent in logic or fact

intermediary

n. / adj. acting as a mediator

derogate

v. to cause to seem inferior

/ntrmidiri/

/drget/

derogatory adj.

overbearing

adj. often trying to control the behavior of other people in an annoying

or unwanted way

zealous

adj. marked by fervent partisanship for a person, a cause, or an ideal

/ovrbr/

/zls/

impassioned, fervent, ery

zealotry n.

extraneous
/kstrenis/

adj. not important

irrelevant
adj. coming from the outside

rehash
/rih/

v. to bring forth again in another form without signicant alteration

)
recycle

perfunctory
/prfktri/

adj. acting with indifference, showing little interest or care

cursory, casual

compound
/kmpand/

v. to form by combining separate things

v. to make worse

envy

/nvi/

...

v. to feel a desire to have what someone else has

covet

enviable adj.

defensive

adj. in a situation which you are forced to defend or protect someone

or something

unbounded

adj. not limited in any way

specious

adj. falsely appearing to be right

/difnsv/

/nbandd/

/spis/

articial, forged, fabricate

valid, veritable

aimless

adj. not having a goal or purpose

ingenuous

adj. having or showing the innocence, trust, and honesty that young
people often have

simple
guileful

intrinsic

adj. belonging to the essential nature of a thing

inevitable

adj. sure to happen

/emls/

/ndnjus/

/ntrnsk/

/nvtbl/

unavoidable

intransigent

/ntrnsdnt/

adj. completely unwilling to change

resolute, obduracy

 GRE

detached
/dittt/

adj. not inuenced by emotions or personal interest

adj. not joined or connected

inveterate
/nvtrt/

adj. always or often happening or existing

causal
adj. always or often doing something specied

backhanded
/bkhndd/

adj. oblique or indirect

adj. having derogatory or insulting implications

affable

/fbl/

adj. easy and pleasant to speak to

easygoing, cordial, genteel
irascible

whimsy
/hwmzi/

n. an unusual, unexpected, or fanciful idea

capriciousness

whimsical adj.

tenacious
/tnes/

adj. very determined to do something

resolve, endurance

tenacity n.
adj. continuing for a long time

sardonic

adj. scornfully or cynically mocking

skullduggery

n. secret or dishonest behavior or activity

legitimate

adj. being in compliance with the law

/srdnk/

/skldgri /

/ldtmt/

adj. valid or justiable

v. to make (something) real, accepted, or ofcial or to show that

(something) is fair or reasonable

plagiarize

v. to reproduce or otherwise use as ones own

disavow

v. to say that you are not responsible for

deplete

v. to use most or all of

/pledraz/

/dsva/

/diplit/

depletion n.

ridicule

/rdkjul/

v. to laugh at and make jokes about

ridiculous adj.

undermine
/ndrman/

v. to make (someone or something) weaker or less effective

subvert, impair, undercut

self-serving

adj. having or showing concern only about your own needs and
interests

perishable

adj. likely to spoil or decay quickly

/slfsrv/

/prbl/

perish v.

capricious
/kprs/

adj. changing often and quickly

impulsive, cavalier, ckle, versatile, volatile, ighty, erratic
resolute, steadfast

caprice n.

egotism

n. an inated sense of ones own importance

unqualified

adj. complete or total

/igotzm/

/nkwlfad/

unalloyed
adj. not having the skills, knowledge, or experience needed to do a
particular job or activity

magisterial

/mdstril/

adj. authoritative

 GRE

chauvinistic

adj. believing that your country is better than any other

sleek

adj. straight and smooth in design or shape

/ovnzm/

/slik/

adj. stylish and attractive

astringent

adj. very critical in a sharp and often clever way

ambivalent

adj. simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings toward an

object, person, or action

ameliorate

v. to make better or more tolerable

/strndnt/

/mbvlns/

/miljret/

mitigate, extenuate

exemplar

/gzmplr/

n. a typical example

model

grudge
/grd/

v. to be unwilling to give or admit

n. a deep-seated feeling of resentment or rancor

sweeping
/swip/

adj. extensive

adj. marked by wholesale and indiscriminate inclusion

extirpate

/kstrpet/

v. to destroy or remove completely

eliminate
propogate

extirpation n.

parity

/prti/

n. equality

equality

utilitarian

/jutltrin/

adj. made to be useful rather than to be decorative or comfortable

 functional
adj. of or relating to utilitarianism

elicit

/ilst/

v. to call forth or draw out

draw

beneficial

adj. producing good or helpful results or effects

intoxicate

v. to excite or elate to the point of enthusiasm or frenzy

...

inchoate

adj. being in a beginning or early stage

/bnfl/

/ntksket/

/nkot/

completely formed
adj. imperfectly informed or developed

explicit

rebuff
/rbf/

n. a blunt or abrupt repulse or refusal

v. to reject bluntly, often disdainfully

construe
/knstru/

v. to understand the meaning of

interpret

construction n.

fallacy
/flsi/

n. a false or mistaken idea

vadlidity

fallacious adj.

increment
/nkrmnt/

n. the action or process of increasing especially in quantity or value

incremental adj.

deteriorate
/ditriret/

v. to make (something) worse

worsen
improve

deterioration n.

 GRE

grandiose

/grndios/

adj. impressive because of uncommon largeness, scope, effect, or

grandeur

adj. excessive self-importance or affected grandeur

truncate

v. to make shorter

haphazard

adj. having no plan, order, or direction

/trket/

/hphzrd/

helter-skelter, randomly

quizzical

adj. expressive of puzzlement, curiosity, or disbelief

provincial

adj. limited in outlook

/kwzkl/

/prvnl/

insular
adj. lacking the polish of urban society

insensitive

adj. not responsive or susceptible

shackle

v. to deprive of freedom especially of action by means of restrictions or

handicaps

/nsnstv/

/kl/

stie

cumbersome
/kmbrsm/

adj. unwieldy because of heaviness and bulk

unwieldy

cumber v.

encomium

/nkomim/

n. glowing and warmly enthusiastic praise

tribute
invective

decelerate

v. to decrease the rate of progress of

revitalize

v. to make active, healthy, or energetic again

...

/dislret/

/rivatlaz/

indisputable
/ndspjutbl/

adj. impossible to question or doubt

refutable

roost
/rust/

corroborate
/krbret/

v. to settle down for rest or sleep

v. to support with evidence or authority

controvert, deny

proclivity

n. a strong natural liking for something

hysteria

n. a state in which your emotions (such as fear) are so strong that you
behave in an uncontrolled way

speculate

v. to think about something and make guesses about it

/proklvti/

/hstri/

/spkjlet/

conjecture

conducive

adj. tending to promote or assist

vexation

n. something that worries or annoys you

/kndusv/

/vksen/

vexatious adj.

vex v.

disdain

v. to strongly dislike or disapprove of (someone or something)

/dsden/

opprobrium, contempt

caterwaul

v. to make a very loud and unpleasant sound

/ktrwl/

shriek
v. to protest or complain noisily

efficacious

adj. having the power to produce a desired result or effect

alienate

v. to cause (someone) to feel that she or he no longer belongs in a

particular group, society, etc.

reunite
alien adj.

/fkes/

/eljnet/

 GRE

v. to cause (someone) to stop being friendly, helpful, etc., towards you

analgesic

/nldizk/

...

n. a drug that relieves pain

adj. capable of relieving pain

anatomize

/ntmaz/

v. to cut in pieces in order to display or examine the structure and use

of the parts

v. to analyze

embargo

n. a government order that limits trade in some way

contemplate

v. to think deeply or carefully about

/mbrgo/

/kntmplet/

ponder

dogmatic

adj. expressing personal opinions or beliefs as if they are certainly

correct and cannot be doubted

doctrinaire, rigid

concrete

adj. naming a real thing or class of things

/dgmtk/

/knkrit/

adj. specic or particular

equitable
/kwtbl/

adj. just or fair

10

Word List 02
fervent

adj. exhibiting or marked by great intensity of feeling

alleviate

v. to reduce the pain or trouble of

/frvnt/

/liviet/

mitigate
aggravate, exacerbate

contagious

adj. communicable by contact

pedantic

adj. narrowly, stodgily, and often ostentatiously learned

unwieldy

adj. difcult to handle, control, or deal with because of being large,

heavy, or complex

cumbersome

vociferous

v. expressing feelings or opinions in a very loud or forceful way

profess

v. to say or declare (something) openly

/knteds/

/pidntik/

/nwildi/

/vosfrs/

/profs/

proclaim

obeisance

n. respect for someone or something

diffuse

adj. spread out over a large space

/obesns/

/dfjus/

disperse

fulminate
/flmnet/

v. to utter or send out with denunciation

praise

fulmination n.

voluble

/vljbl/

adj. talking a lot in an energetic and rapid way

11

 GRE

sterling

adj. conforming to the highest standard

surmount

v. to prevail over

/strl/

/srmant/

insurmountable adj.

v. to stand or lie at the top of

...

prying

adj. trying to nd out about other people's private lives

inhibit

v. to hold in check

/pra/

/nhbt/

hinder, bridle
catalyze

inhibitor n.

censure
/snr/

n. ofcial strong criticism

reprehend

censorious adj.

peripatetic
/prpttk/

adj. itinerant

itinerant
stationary

stringent

adj. very strict or severe

dwindle

v. to gradually become smaller

/strndnt/

/dwndl/

contracting
increase

underrate

v. to rate or value (someone or something) too low

incursion

n. a hostile entrance into a territory

/ndrret/

/nkrn/

retreat

incur v.

n. an entering in or into

12

pastiche
/psti/

n. a work that imitates the style of previous works

n. a mixture of different things

dishearten

v. to cause (a person or group of people) to lose hope, enthusiasm, or

/dshrtn/

courage

...
depress, dismay
hearten v.

emulate

v. to strive to equal or excel

adduce

v. to mention or provide (something, such as a fact or example) as

evidence or proof to support an argument

/mjulet/

/dus/

emblematic

adj. representing something (such as an idea, state, or emotion) that

cannot be seen by itself

totemic

indict

v. to charge with a fault or offense

/ndat/

excoriate

/mblmtk/

indictment n.

discontinue

v. to end (something)

wary

adj. marked by keen caution, cunning, and watchfulness especially in

detecting and escaping danger

opprobrium

n. very strong disapproval or criticism of a person or thing especially

by a large number of people

/dskntnju/

/wri/

/probrim/

vitriol, disdain
irreproachable

opprobrious adj.

aesthetic
/stk/

adj. of or relating to art or beauty

adj. pleasing in appearance

13

 GRE

expedite

/kspdat/

v. to cause (something) to happen faster

facilitate

expedient adj.

captivate

/kptvet/

v. to attract and hold the attention of (someone) by being interesting,

pretty, etc.

enamored

irreversible

adj. impossible to change back to a previous condition or state

emotive

adj. causing strong emotions for or against something

refine

v. to remove the unwanted substances in (something)

/rvrsbl/

/imotv/

/rfan/

v. to improve (something) by making small changes

exhilarate

v. to cause (someone) to feel very happy and excited

...

solitary

adj. not involving or including anyone or anything else

jar

v. to make (someone) feel uneasy

...

/gzlret/

/sltri/

/dr/

v. to clash or conct

jarring adj.

unfettered

adj. not controlled or restricted

flummery
/flmri/

n. meaningless or deceptive language

implacable

adj. opposed to someone or something in a very angry or determined

/nftr/

/mplkbl/

way that cannot be changed

unyielding

arduous

adj. hard to accomplish or achieve

/rdus/

14

 adj. marked by great labor or effort

taxing

conciliatory
/knslitri/

adj. having the intention or effect of making angry people calm

placatory

optimism

/ptmzm/

n. a feeling or belief that good things will happen in the future

optimistic adj.

vindicate

/vndket/

v. to show that (someone) should not be blamed for a crime, mistake,

etc.
...

defend
caluminate

malady

n. a disease or illness

warrant

v. to give assurance

/mldi/

/wrnt/

v. to serve as or give adequate ground or reason for

unwarranted adj.

puncture
/pktr/

v. to make a hole in (something) with a sharp point

v. to make useless or ineffective as if by a puncture

...

ascribe

v. to think of as coming from a specied cause, source, or author

clandestine

adj. done secretly

/skrab/

/klndstn/

covert

equivocal
/ikwvkl/

adj. having two or more possible meanings

ambiguous

elucidate

/lusdet/

v. to make (something that is hard to understand) clear or easy to

understand

15

 GRE

propaganda

n. ideas or statements that are often false or exaggerated and that are
spread in order to help a cause, a political leader, a government, etc.

putative

adj. generally believed or assumed to be something

conjecture

v./n. to form an opinion or idea without proof or sufcient evidence

/prpgnd/

/pjuttv/

/kndktr/

speculate, uncertain

coalesce
/kols/

v. to come together to form one group or mass

coalition n.

tractable
/trktbl/

adj. easily managed or controlled

compliant
incorrigible, headstrong

intractability n.

warble
/wrbl/

v. to sing a melody of low pleasing sounds

croon

knotty
/nti/

adj. difcult or complicated

complicated

dichotomy
/daktmi/

n. something with seemingly contradictory qualities

contradictory
n. bifurcation

restive
/rstv/

adj. stubbornly resisting control

skittish, fractious
adj. marked by impatience or uneasiness

courteous
/krtis/

adj. very polite in a way that shows respect

courtesy n.

16

invigorate
/nvgret/

v. to give life and energy to

...
refreshing
emaciate

truculent
/trkjulnt/

adj. easily annoyed or angered and likely to argue

bellicose, combative, pugnacious, aggressive

benevolent, gentle
adj. scathingly harsh

congenial
/kndinjl/

adj. very friendly

congeniality n.
adj. pleasant and harmonious

adj. having the same nature, disposition, or tastes

insouciance
/nsusint/

n. a feeling of not worrying about anything

insouciant adj.

devastate
/dvstet/

v. to destroy much or most of (something)

v. to cause (someone) to feel extreme emotional pain

keen
/kin/

...

adj. very excited about and interested in something

...

eager
adj. extremely sensitive in perception

adj. having a ne edge or point

adj. having or showing mental sharpness

ethos

/is/

n. the distinguishing character, sentiment, moral nature, or guiding

beliefs of a person, group, or organization

17

 GRE

flagrant

/flegrnt/

adj. so bad as to be impossible to overlook

egregious

solitude

n. a state or situation in which you are alone usually because you want
to be

anachronism

n. something (such as a word, an object, or an event) that is mistakenly

placed in a time where it does not belong in a story, movie, etc.

/sltud/

/nkrnzm/

n. one that is out of its proper or chronological order, especially a

person or practice that belongs to an earlier time

turbid

/trbd/

adj. having sediment or foreign particles stirred up or suspended

limpid
adj. in a state of turmoil

confine

/knfan/

v. to keep within limits

limit, circumscribe

venerate
/vnret/

v. to feel or show deep respect for

respect
deride

venerable adj.

premeditate
/primdtet/

veneration n.

v. to think, consider, or deliberate beforehand

impulse

insular

/nslr/

adj. separated from other people or cultures

provincial

insularity n.
adj. not knowing or interested in new or different ideas

consolidate
/knsldet/

v. to make (something, such as a position of power or control) stronger

or more secure

consolidation n.
18

upheaval
/phivl/

n. a major change or period of change that causes a lot of conict,

confusion, anger, etc.


unyielding
adj. not changing or stopping

implacable

mendacious
/mndes/

adj. not honest

prevarication
veracious

mendacity n.

sonorous

adj. having a sound that is deep, loud, and pleasant

fertile

adj. producing a large amount of something

/snrs/

/frtl/

bountiful

fertility n.

decadent
/dkdnt/

adj. having low morals and a great love of pleasure, money, fame, etc.

adj. attractive to people of low morals who are only interested in

pleasure

indispensable
/ndspnsbl/

adj. extremely important and necessary

essential

covert

/kovrt/

adj. secret or hidden

clandestine
open

instinct

/nstkt/

n. a natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or capacity

instinctive adj.

discern
/dsrn/

v. to detect or recognize

detect, discover

discernible adj.

discerning adj.

19

discernment n.

 GRE

orientation
/rinten/

n. a usually general or lasting direction of thought, inclination, or

interest

bias
decline
n. the relative position or direction of something

riddle

n. a mystifying, misleading, or puzzling question posed as a problem

to be solved or guessed

enigma, puzzle, conundrum

jejune

adj. not interesting

/rdl/

/ddun/

vapid
clownish
adj. acting in a silly or funny way

indifferent
/ndfrnt/

adj. not interested in or concerned about something

apathy
adj. neither good nor bad

lethargic
/lrdk/

adj. feeling a lack of energy or a lack of interest in doing things

somnolent

clique
/klk/

n. a small exclusive group of friends or associates

cliquish adj.

fungible

/fndbl/

adj. interchangeable or replaceable

interchangeable

complimentary adj. expressing praise or admiration for someone or something

/kmplmntri/

compliment n.

adj.given for free

empirical
/mprkl/

adj. originating in or based on observation or experience

20

Word List 03
conform
/knfrm/

v. to obey or agree with something

square with

conformity n.

v. to do what other people do

solicitous
/slsts/

adj. showing great attention or concern to another

,

solicitude n.

insult

v. to do or say something that is offensive to (someone)

acrimony

n. harsh or biting sharpness especially of words, manner, or disposition

/nslt/

/krmoni/

bitterness

acrimonious adj.

misconception n. a false idea or belief

/msknsiv/

mundane

adj. dull and ordinary

/mnden/

exotic, unearthly

ambiguous
/mbgjus/

adj. able to be understood in more than one way

equivocal

ambiguity n.

allure
/lr/

v. to entice by charm or attraction

charm

cagey

/kedi/

adj. not willing to say everything that you know about something

adj. wary of being trapped or deceived

adj. very clever

21

 GRE

heresy

n. a belief or opinion that does not agree with the ofcial belief or
opinion of a particular religion

parsimony

n. the quality of being very unwilling to spend money

/hrsi/

/prsmoni/

stingy
municent

parsimonious adj.

cunning
/kn/

adj. getting what is wanted in a clever and often deceptive way

naive
adj. dexterous or crafty in the use of special resources

craft

highlight
/halat/

v. to make or try to make people notice or be aware of

...
accentuate

judicious
/duds/

adj. having or showing good judgment

unwise

disguise

v. to obscure the existence or true state or character of

far-fetched

adj. not likely to happen or be true

eclipse

v. to make (something) less important or popular

...

/dsgaz/

/frftt/

/klps/

v. to surpass

outdo

impulsive

adj. doing things or tending to do things suddenly and without careful

thought

capricious

exculpate

v. to prove that someone is not guilty of doing something wrong

/mplsv/

/ksklpet/

exculpation n.

22

overblow

v. to exaggerate

obfuscate

v. to make (something) more difcult to understand

/ovrblo/

/bfsket/

obscure, mystication
v. to darken

droll

adj. having an odd and amusing quality

inconclusive

adj. leading to no conclusion or denite result

disperse

v. to go or move in different directions

...

/drol/

/nknklusv/

/dsprs/

dissipated
focus

amplify

/mplfa/

v. to speak or write about (something) in a more complete way

mute, abridge

amplication n.

ample adj.

v. to make larger or greater

exaggerate
/gzdret/

v. to make (something) larger or greater than norma

overrate
minimize

exaggeration n.

unwitting
/nwt/

adj. not aware of what is really happening

adj. not intended or planned

inclusive
/nklusv/

adj. broad in orientation or scope

,
generic
adj. not limited to certain people

diatribe

/datrab/

n. an angry and usually long speech or piece of writing that strongly

criticizes someone or something

23

 GRE

rant
encomium, eulogy

promulgate
/prmlget/

v. to make (an idea, belief, etc.) known to many people

v. to make (a new law) known ofcially and publicly

consilience

n. the linking together of principles from different disciplines especially

when forming a comprehensive theory

ebullient

adj. lively and enthusiastic

/bljnt/

impassive, restraint

bolster

/bolstr/

v. to give support to

buttress, prop up
undermine

dispute

n. / v. to engage in argument or oppose

exposition

n. clear explanation

/dspjut/

/kspzn/

n. a public show or exhibition

coddle

v. to treat (someone) with too much care or kindness

nuance

n. a very small difference in color, tone, meaning, etc.

/kdl /

/nuns/

subtle

peculiar

adj. not usual or normal

egalitarian

adj. aiming for equal wealth, status, etc., for all people

propitiate

v. to make (someone) pleased or less angry by giving or saying

something desired

/pkjuljr/

/igltrin/

/propiet/

arouse, hostility

24

futile

/fjutl/

adj. pointless or useless

fruitless, pointlessness

futility n.

unassuming
/nsum/

adj. not having or showing a desire to be noticed, praised

modest, humble
presumptuous

amicable

adj. showing a polite and friendly desire to avoid disagreement and

argument

unfounded

adj. lacking a sound basis

/mkbl/

/nfandd/

groundless, unwarranted

plastic

/plstk/

adj. not real or sincere

adj. capable of being made into different shapes

malleable

apocalypse
/pklps/

n. a great disaster

apocalyptic adj.

authoritative
/rtetv/

adj. clearly accurate or knowledgeable

denitive, cogent

clamorous

adj. noisily insistent

placate

v. to cause (someone) to feel less angry about something

/klmrs/

/pleket/

appease, conciliatory
antagonize

implacable adj.

far-reaching

adj. having a wide range or effect

disinterested

adj. not inuenced by personal feelings, opinions, or concerns

/frrit/

/dsntrstd/

25

 GRE
fair, impartial
prejudiced

disterestedness n.

embolden

v. to make (someone) more condent

incompatible

adj. not able to exist together without trouble or conict; not able to be
used together


harmonious

stale

adj. having an unpleasant taste or smell

/mboldn/

/nkmptbl/

/stel/

adj. boring or unoriginal

banal

lionize

/lanaz/

v. to treat (someone) as a very important and famous person

eulogize

preachy

adj. trying to teach something (such as proper or moral behavior) in a

way that is annoying or unwanted

sanctimonious
preach v.

illusory

adj. based on something that is not true or real

/priti/

/lusri/

prot-monger
n. a person, business or profession marked by avarice and greed

felicitous
/flsts/

adj. very well suited for some purpose or situation

adj. pleasant or delightful

averse
/vrs/

adj. having an active feeling of repugnance or distaste

aversion n.

trigger
/trgr/

v. / n. to cause (something) to start or happen

26

integrity

n. the quality of being honest and fair

conservation

n. a careful preservation and protection of something

spontaneous

adj. done or said in a natural and often sudden way and without a lot
of thought or planning

calculated

/ntgrti/

/knsrven/

/spntenis/

adj. controlled and directed internally

intuitive
adj. not apparently contrived or manipulated

pushover
/povr/

n. an opponent that is easy to defeat

n. someone who is easy to persuade or inuence

n. something that is easy to do

comprehensive adj. covering completely or broadly

/kmprhnsv/

insufferable

adj. too unpleasant to deal with or accept

sequential

adj. happening in a series or sequence

/nsfrbl/

/skwnl/

sweeping, generic, inclusive, exhaustive

comprehend v.

successively

surreptitious
/srpts/

adj. done in a secret way

clandestine, covert

dispassionate

adj. not inuenced or affected by emotions

transient

adj. not lasting long

/dspnt/

/trnnt/

transience n.

27

 GRE

vacant

/veknt/

adj. not lled, used, or lived in

adj. devoid of thought, reection, or expression

canned
/knd/

adj. lacking originality or individuality as if mass-produced

formulaic
adj. prepared or recorded in advance

soft-pedal

v. to treat or describe (something) as less important than it really is

feign
/fen/

...

v. to give a false appearance of

false

daunting
/dnt/

adj. very difcult to do or deal with

formidable, sensational, forbidding
resolute

downright

adv. completely

autonomous

adj. having the power or right to govern itself

/danrat/

/tnms/

adj. responding, reacting, or developing independently of the whole

indeterminate

adj. not able to be stated or described in an exact way

opulent

adj. very comfortable and expensive

/nditrmnt/

/pjulnt/

opulence n.
adj. very wealthy

afuent

pervasive
/prvesv/

adj. existing in or spreading through every part of something

rife

28

offset
/fst/

v. to cancel or reduce the effect of (something)

compensate

omnipresent
/mnprznt/

adj. present everywhere simultaneously

ubiquitous, universal

entangle
/ntgl/

v. to cause (something) to get caught in or twisted with something else

entanglement n.
v. to get (someone) involved in a confusing or difcult situation

...

dilatory

/dltri /

adj. tending or intended to cause delay

remiss

dilate v.

generic

/dnrk/

adj. having no particularly distinctive quality or application

inclusive

sensational
/snsenl/

adj. exceedingly or unexpectedly excellent or great

adj. causing very great excitement or interest with shocking details

daunting,lurid

explicable
/ksplkbl/

adj. possible to explain

explicate v.

pernicious

adj. causing great harm or damage often in a way that is not easily seen
or noticed

convoluted

adj. very complicated and difcult to understand

/prns/

/knvlutd/

intricate, tortuous

bureaucracy
/bjrkrsi/

n. a system of government or business that has many complicated

rules and ways of doing things

29

 GRE

widespread
/wadsprd/

adj. common over a wide area or among many people

extensive, prevalent

compliant
/kmplant/

adj. ready and willing to comply

tractable

comply v.

trifling

/trafl/

adj. having little value or importance

minimal

compunction

n. a feeling of guilt or regret

cynical

adj. believing or showing the belief that people are motivated chiey by
base or selsh concerns

pretentious

adj. having or showing the unpleasant quality of people who want to

be regarded as more impressive, successful, or important than they really
are

customary

adj. usual or typical of a particular person

vilify

v. to utter slanderous and abusive statements against

/kmpkn/

/snkl/

/pritns/

/kstmri/

/vlfa/

neglect, ignore, overlook,belittle

30

Word List 04
tantamount
/tntmant/

adj. equal to something in value, meaning, or effect

synonymous with

unflinching
/nflnt/

adj. staying strong and determined even when things are difcult

adj. looking at or describing something or someone in a very direct way

(

prototype

/prottap/

n. a standard or typical example

n. an original model on which something is patterned

equanimity
/kwnmti/

n. calm emotions when dealing with problems or pressure

excitability

espouse
/spaz/

v. to express support for (a cause, belief, etc.)

advocate, defend, champion
abjure

inattention

n. failure to carefully think about, listen to, or watch someone or something

fractious

adj. full of anger and disagreement

/ntnn/

/frks/

skittish
adj. inclined to make trouble

restive

disorganize

v. to destroy or interrupt the orderly structure or function of

figurative

adj. showing people and things in a way that resembles how they
really look

symbolic

/dsrgnaz/

/fgjrtv/

31

 GRE

entail

v. to have (something) as a part, step, or result

impeccable

adj. having no aws

stifle

v. to not allow yourself to do or express (something)

/ntel/

/mpkbl/

/stafl/

shackle
v. to kill by depriving of oxygen

...

smother

pragmatic

/prgmtk/

adj. practical

realist

didactic

/dadktk/

adj. designed or intended to teach people something

,
preachy

dazzle

v. to greatly impress or surprise (someone) by being very attractive or

exciting

...

stalwart

adj. loyal and resolute

/dzl/

/stlwrt/

adj. strong and imposing

archaic
/rkek/

adj. old and no longer used

antediluvian, outdated

palliate

/pliet/

v. to make the effects of (something, such as an illness) less painful,

harmful, or harsh

accede
/ksid/

v. to agree to a request or a demand

v. to become a party (as to an agreement)

consort
/knsrt/

v. to keep company

32

hostile

adj. not friendly

ubiquitous

adj. seeming to be seen everywhere

/hstl/

/jubkwts/

omnipresent, universal
unique

authenticate
/ntket/

v. to prove that something is real, true, or genuine

....
apocryphal, bogus

authentic adj.

condescend
/kndsnd/

v. to show that you believe you are more intelligent or better than other
people

v. to do something that you usually do not do because you believe you

are too important to do it

...

predilection
/prdlkn/

n. a natural liking for something

proclivity

fruitless

adj. producing no good results

diminutive

adj. extremely or extraordinarily small

/frutls/

/dmnjutv/

minuscule

illustrious
/lstris/

adj. admired and respected very much because a lot was achieved

distinguished, prominent

unconscionable adj. not guided or controlled by conscience

/nknnbl/

adj. shockingly unfair or unjust

trivial

/trvil/

adj. not important

inconsequential
momentous

33

 GRE

callow

adj. lacking adult sophistication

sketchy

adj. done quickly without many details

/klo/

/skti/

supercial, undeveloped, rudimentary

sketch n.

bemuse
/bimjuz/

v. to cause (someone) to be confused and often also somewhat

amused

...
v. to occupy the attention of

exotic

/gztk/

adj. introduced from another country

adj. strikingly, excitingly, or mysteriously different or unusual

intuition

/ntun/

n. a feeling that guides a person to act a certain way without fully

understanding why

episodic

/psdk/

adj. limited to the duration of an episode

adj. happening or appearing at different times

dovish
adj. advocating peace, conciliation or negotiation in preference to
confrontation or armed conict

pacic
dove n.

realm
/rlm/

n. an area of activity, interest, or knowledge

n. a country that is ruled by a king or queen

presage
/prsd/

v. to give or be a sign of (something that will happen or develop in the

future)

portend

34

distinctive

adj. different in a way that is easy to notice

concomitant

adj. accompanying especially in a subordinate or incidental way

...

abstemious

adj. not eating and drinking too much

/dstktv/

/knkmtnt/

/bstimis/

austere

versatile
/vrstl/

adj. changing or uctuating readily

ckle, volatile, ighty, erratic, capricious
unchangeable
adj. having many uses or applications

vacillate
/vslet/

v. to repeatedly change your opinions or desires

uctuate, irresolution
resolve
v. to uctuate or oscillate

devious
/divis/

adj. willing to lie and trick people in order to get what is wanted

adj. not straight or direct

suffice
/sfas/

v. to be or provide as much as is needed

sufcient adj.

astute

adj. having or showing an ability to notice and understand things

clearly

shrewd

outrage

v. to make (someone) very angry

...

consensus

n. a general agreement about something

/stut/

/atred/

/knsnss/

accord

consent v.

35

 GRE

metaphor
/mtfr/

n. a word or phrase for one thing that is used to refer to another thing
in order to show or suggest that they are similar

n. an object, activity, or idea that is used as a symbol of something

else

outstrip

v. to be or become better, greater, or larger than (someone or

something)

querulous

adj. complaining in an annoyed way

salient

adj. very important or noticeable

/atstrp/

/kwrjuls/

/seljnt/

prominent, obtrusive, conspicuous, visible

culmination

n. the end or nal result of something

camaraderie

n. a feeling of good friendship among the people in a group

/klmnen/

/kmrdri/

solidarity

cordial

/krdl/

adj. politely pleasant and friendly

easygoing, affable, conviviality

tribute

n. something done, said, or given to show respect, gratitude, or

affection

encomium
denuciation

observant

adj. paying strict attention or good at noticing what is going on around

you

ollegiality

n. the cooperative relationship of colleagues

pensive

adj. lost in serious or sad thought

/trbjut/

/bzrvnt/

/klidilti/

/pnsv/

36

penance
/pnns/

n. something that you do or are given to do in order to show that you

are sad or sorry about doing something wrong

rile

/ral/

v. to make agitated and angry

...
calm

lambaste
/lmbest/

v. to criticize (someone or something) very harshly

denounce
extol

undercut
/ndrkt/

v. to make (something) weaker or less effective

subvert, impair, undermine

harrow
/hro/

v. to torment or vex

...
assuage
n.

paradigm

/prdam/

n. a model or pattern for something that may be copied

model

dissent

v. to publicly disagree with an ofcial opinion, decision, or set of beliefs

initiate

v. to begin

/dsnt/

/niet/

v. to teach (someone) the basic facts or ideas about something

mutual

adj. shared between two or more people or groups

robust

adj. strong and healthy

/mjutul/

/robst/

strong
adj. capable of performing without failure under a wide range of conditions

37

 GRE

betoken

/bitokn/

v. to be a sign of (something)

signify

conceal

v. to hide (something or someone) from sight

outnumber

v. to be more than (someone or something) in number

itinerant

adj. traveling from place to place especially covering a circuit

/knsil/

/atnmbr/

/atnrnt/

peripatetic

demonize

v. to represent as diabolically evil

sober

adj. having or showing a very serious attitude or quality

/dimnaz/

/sobr/

level-headed

sobriety n.

incendiary
/nsndiri/

adj. tending to iname

incense v.

adj. causing anger

n. a person who excites factions, quarrels, or sedition : agitator

salutary

adj. producing a benecial effect

replete

adj. having much or plenty of something

snobbish

adj. having or showing the attitude of people who think they are better
than other people

seditious

adj. disposed to arouse or take part in or guilty of sedition

expatriate

v. to banish

/sljtri/

/rplit/

/snb/

/sds/

/kspetriet/

38

synopsis

n. a short description of the most important information about

something

affirmative

adj. positive

/snpss/

/frmtv/

positive
adj. asserting that something is true or correct

emendation
/imnden/

n. the act or practice of emending

revision

emend v.

collective

adj. shared or done by a group of people

synonymous

adj. having the same meaning

/klktv/

/snnms/

synonym n.
adj. having the same connotations, implications, or reference
...

tantamount

modicum

n. a small amount

retrenchment

n. reduction or curtailment

/mdkm/

/ritrntmnt/

curtailment

magnify

/mgnfa/

v. to make greater

v. to exaggerate

obligatory
/blgtri/

adj. compulsory

commensurate adj. equal or similar to something in size, amount, or degree

/kmnrt/

proportionate

39

 GRE

long-winded
/lwndd/

adj. tediously long in speaking or writing

verbose, prolix

slippery
/slpri/

adj. difcult to stand on because of being smooth, wet, icy. etc.

adj. not easy to understand or identify in an exact way

adj. not able to be trusted

elusive

hefty

adj. large and heavy

forbidding

adj. not friendly or appealing

/hfti/

/frbd/

daunting

wide-ranging

adj. extensive in scope

diligent

adj. characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort

/dldnt/

industrious

punctilious

adj. very careful about behaving properly and doing things in a correct
and accurate way
( )

engaging

adj. very attractive or pleasing in a way that holds your attention

/pktlis/

/nged/

winning

40

Word List 05
evanescent
/vnsnt/

adj. lasting a very short time

momentary
lasting, perpetual, durable

free-for-all

n. an uncontrolled ght or competition that involves many people

rudimentary

adj. basic or simple

/frifrl/

/rudmntri/

elementary, sketchy
bustling
adj. full of energetic and noisy activity

prioritize

/prartaz/

v. to organize (things) so that the most important thing is done or dealt

with rst

envision

v. to think of (something that you believe might exist or happen in the

future)

circumscribe

v. to limit the size or amount of (something)

/nvn/

/srkmskrab/

conne, limit

reminiscent
/rmnsnt/

adj. reminding you of someone or something else

adj. having many thoughts of the past

symmetrical
/smtrkl/

adj. having sides or halves that are the same

asymmetrical adj.

overthrow

v. to remove (someone or something) from power especially by force

juvenile

adj. reecting psychological or intellectual immaturity

/ovrro/

/duvnal/

41

 GRE

elude
/ilud/

v. to avoid or escape (someone or something) by being quick, skillful,

or clever

v. to fail to be understood or remembered by (someone)

...

puzzle
v. to fail to be achieved by (someone)

....

jettison

v. to reject (something, such as a plan or idea)

detriment

n. something that will cause damage or injury to something or

someone

deleterious
detrimental adj.

baroque

adj. characterized by grotesqueness, extravagance, complexity, or

amboyance

quixotic

adj. foolishly impractical especially in the pursuit of ideals

/dtsn/

/dtrmnt/

/brok/

/kwkstk/

idealistic
adj. capricious or unpredictable

mockery
/mkri/

n. insulting or contemptuous action or speech

derision

tactful

adj. careful not to offend or upset other people

trendy

adj. very fashionable

subsidize

v. to help someone or something pay for the costs of (something)

/tktfl/

/trndi/

/sbsdaz/

subsidization n.

numinous
/numns/

adj. supernatural, mysterious

occult

42

anomalous
/nmls/

adj. not expected or usual

aberrant

anomaly n.

mawkish

adj. sad or romantic in a foolish or exaggerated way

invidious

adj. unpleasant and likely to cause bad feelings in other people

austere

adj. simple or unadorned

/mk/

/nvdis/

/str/

adj. having a serious and unfriendly quality

adj. relating to or having a strict and simple way of living that avoids
physical pleasure

abstemious

impede
/mpid/

v. to slow the movement, progress, or action of (someone or

something)

assist

impediment n.

frank

adj. marked by free, forthright, and sincere expression

disjunction

n. a lack of connection between things that are related or should be

connected

finicky

adj. very hard to please

hazardous

adj. involving risk or danger

chicanery

n. deception by artful subterfuge or sophistry

/frk/

/dsdkn/

/fnki/

/hzrds/

/kenri/

subterfuge

verifiable

/vrfabl/

adj. capable of being veried

43

 GRE

demonstrable
/dmnstrbl/

adj. able to be proven or shown

adj. apparent, evident

ertinacious
/prtnes/

adj. stubbornly tenacious

adj. perversely persistent

scarce

adj. not plentiful or abundant

lavish

adj. having a very rich and expensive quality

/skrs/

/lv/

adj. giving or using a large amount of something

v. to expend or bestow with profusion

sanguine

adj. condent and hopeful

waver

v. to become unsteady because of weakness, emotion, tiredness, etc.

/sgwn/

/wevr/

oscillate
unwavering

engender
/ndndr/

v. to cause to exist or to develop

yield, inaugurate
eradicate

elusive
/ilusv/

adj. hard to understand, dene, or remember

cryptic
adj. hard to nd or capture

evasive, slippery

ponder

/pndr/

v. to think about or consider (something) carefully

contemplate

44

proliferate

/prolfret/

v. to increase in number or amount quickly

abound

paucity
/psti/

n. a small amount of something

vacuousness, dearth

univocal

/junvkl/

adj. having one meaning only

adj. unambiguous

dejected

adj. sad because of failure, loss, etc.

surplus

n. an amount (such as an amount of money) that is more than the

amount that is needed

impertinent

adj. rude and showing a lack of respect

/didktd/

/srpls/

/mprtnnt/

presumptuous
adj. not pertinent

one-of-a-kind

n. a person or thing that is not like any other person or thing

apropos

adj. being both relevant and opportune

/prpo/

prep. with regard to

ingratiate
/ngreiet/

...

v. to gain favor or approval for (yourself) by doing or saying things that

people like

concoct

v. to invent or develop (a plan, story, etc.) especially in order to trick or

deceive someone

disgorge

v. to empty whatever is in the stomach through the mouth

/knkkt/

/dsgrd/

v. to discharge the contents of

45

 GRE

baseless

adj. groundless or unwarranted

momentary

adj. lasting a very short time

/besls/

/momntri/

evanescent, eeting

debilitate

v. to impair the strength of

acute

adj. important or critical

/dibltet/

/kjut/

acuity n.
adj. marked by keen discernment or intellectual perception especially
of subtle distinctions

incisive
adj. lasting a short time

adj. having a rapid onset and following a short but severe course

severe
adj. reacting readily to stimuli or impressions

resent

/rznt/

v. to be angry or upset about (someone or something that you think is

unfair)

delightful
/dlatfl/

decisive
/disasv/

resentful adj.

adj. highly pleasing

adj. resolute or determined

adj. determining what the result of something will be

adj. very clear and obvious

unmistakable

testimony

/tstmoni/

n. proof or evidence that something exists or is true

46

nominal

/nmnl/

adj. existing as something in name only

adj. very small in amount

simultaneous

adj. happening at the same time

monotonous

adj. tediously uniform or unvarying

/samltenis/

/mntns/

repetitive

divination

n. a prediction uttered under divine inspiration

virtuosity

n. great ability or skill shown by a musician, performer, etc.

manifest

adj. easy to understand or recognize

/dvnen/

/vrtusti/

/mnfst/

obviousself-evident
v. to show (something) clearly

reveal

manifestation n.

purview
/prvju/

n. an area within which someone or something has authority, inuence,

or knowledge

annex
/nks/

v. to add to something earlier, larger, or more important

v. to incorporate (a country or other territory) within the domain of a

state

shriek
/rik/

v. to make a loud, high-pitched cry

caterwaul

ephemeral
/fmrl/

adj. lasting for a markedly brief time

short-lived, transitory
enduring

47

 GRE

erudite

/rjudat /

adj. having or showing knowledge that is learned by studying

learned
unlettered

plague
/pleg/

v. to cause worry or distress to

n. a disease that causes death and that spreads quickly to a large

number of people

counterintuitive adj. not agreeing with what seems right or natural

/kantrntutv/

intriguing

fascinating

magnanimous

adj. having or showing a generous and kind nature

,

/ntrig/

/mgnnms/

generous

untether
/ntr/

v. to free from or as if from a tether

divorce

formulaic

adj. containing or made from ideas or expressions that have been

used many times before and are therefore not very new or interesting

canned

gambit

n. a calculated move

vivacious

adj. happy and lively in a way that is attractive

/frmjulek/

/gmbt/

/vaves/

phlegmatic

vivacity n.

stratify

/strtfa/

v. to divide or arrange into classes, castes, or social strata

hierarchical

exceptional
/kspnl/

adj. not usual

preternatural
adj. better than average

48

slump

v. to decrease suddenly and by a large amount

pessimistic

adj. having or showing a lack of hope for the future

dilute

v. to lessen the strength of (something)

/slmp/

/psmstk/

/dlut/

v. to make thinner or less strong by adding water or another liquid

palatable
/pltbl/

adj. having a pleasant or agreeable taste

appetizing
adj. pleasant or acceptable to someone

stagnate
/stgnet/

v. to stop developing, progressing, moving, etc.

stagnant adj.

esoteric
/strk/

adj. difcult to understand

arcane, recondite, abstruse

befuddle

v. to confuse

...

deliberate

v. to think about or discuss something very carefully in order to make a

decision

/bifdl/

/dlbrt/

calculation
adj. done or said in a way that is planned or intended

antithesis
/ntss/

n. the exact opposite of something or someone

antithetical adj.

valediction
/vldkn/

n. an act of bidding farewell

valedictory adj.

hamstring
/hmstr/

v. o damage or ruin the force or effectiveness of (something or someone)

impair

49

 GRE

complacent

adj. marked by self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by

unawareness of actual dangers or deciencies

hinder

v. to make (something, such as a task or action) slow or difcult

/kmplesnt/

/hndr/

inhibit, block

formidable
/frmdbl/

adj. causing fear, dread or apprehension

daunting
adj. tending to inspire awe or wonder

adj. very difcult to deal with

impenetrable
/mpntrbl/

adj. impossible to understand

adj. incapable of being penetrated or pierced

adj. impervious to sentiment or argument

obtrude
/btrud/

v. to force or impose (as oneself or one's ideas) without warrant or

request
,
v. to become involved with something or to become noticeable in an

unpleasant or annoying way

)

debunk

v. to show that something (such as a belief or theory) is not true

umbrage

n. a feeling of being offended by what someone has said or done

affinity

n. a liking for or an attraction to something

/dibk/

/mbrd/

/fnti/

n. an inherent similarity between persons or things

50

Word List 06
ramification

/rmfken/

n. something that is the result of something else

n. branch

immerse
/mrs/

v. to put (something) in a liquid so that all parts are completely covered

v. to make (yourself) fully involved in some activity or interest

...

demise
/dimaz/

n. / v. to die

,
v. to transmit by succession or inheritance

com assionate adj. feeling or showing concern for someone who is sick, hurt, poor,
/kmpnt/

etc.

indifferent

ignorant

adj. destitute of knowledge or education

/gnrnt/

unfamiliarity
adj. unaware or uninformed

immortal

adj. marked by the quality or state of someone or something that will

never die or be forgotten

immortality n.

assuage

v. to make (something, such as an unpleasant feeling) less painful,

severe, etc.

intensify

n. the act of making atonement

/mrtl/

/swed/

iation

/kspiet/

expiate v.

51

 GRE

loquacious
/lokwes/

adj. liking to talk and talking smoothly and easily

garrulous
taciturn

loquacity n.

marginal

/mrdnl/

adj. not very important

peripheral, fringe

ad uration

/dren/

n. a solemn oath

n. an earnest urging or advising

dreary

adj. causing unhappiness or sad feelings

callous

adj. not feeling or showing any concern about the problems or

suffering of other people

heartless

discount

v. to minimize the importance of

/drri/

/kls/

/dskant/

undervalue

ostentatious

adj. marked by or fond of conspicuous or vainglorious and sometimes

pretentious display

th art

v. to prevent (someone) from doing something or to stop (something)

from happening

frustrate

distress

n. unhappiness or pain

/stnten/

/wrt/

/dstrs/

v. to worry or upset (someone)

raillery
/relr/

n. friendly joking about or with somebody

banter

52

e as erate
/gzspret/

v. to make (someone) very angry or annoyed

...
irascibility

feckless
/fkls/

adj. weak or ineffective

adj. careless and irresponsible

stigma

n. a set of negative and often unfair beliefs that a society or group of

people have about something

stigmatize v.

attenuate

v. to make (something) weaker or less in amount, effect, or force

/stgm/

/tnjuet/

adj. reduced especially in thickness, density, or force

enigmatic

/ngmtk/

adj. full of mystery and difcult to understand

perplexing, puzzle, riddle, conundrum
unambiguous

condemn
/kndm/

v. to say in a strong and denite way that someone or something is

bad or wrong

im ugn

v. to criticize (a person's character, intentions, etc.) by suggesting that

someone is not honest and should not to be trusted

champion

elaborate

adj. planned or carried out with great care

/mpjun/

/ilbrt/

v. to work out in detail

v. to expand something in detail

simplify

e orative

/pdrtv/

adj. having negative connotations, tending to disparage or belittle

53

 GRE

blithe
/bla/

adj. of a happy lighthearted character or disposition

,

grave
adj. lacking due thought or consideration

refute
/rfjut/

v. to prove that (something) is not true

irrefutable adj.

vacuous
/vkjus/

adj. emptied of or lacking content

plentiful

vacuity n.
adj. marked by lack of ideas or intelligence

enervate
/nrvet/

v. to make (someone or something) very weak or tired

...
debilitate
strengthen
adj. lacking physical, mental, or moral vigor

honorific

adj. giving or expressing honor or respect

dis rove

v. to show that (something) is false or wrong

/nrfk/

/dspruv/

disproof n.

e tinguish
/kstgw/

v. to cause (something) to stop burning

douse
ignite
v. to cause the end or death of (something)

e coriate
/kskriet/

...

v. to censure scathingly

crab, indict

immutable
/mjutbl/

adj. not subject or susceptible to change

mutate v.

54

hy ercritical

adj. criticizing other people or things too strongly or too often

momentous

adj. very important

/haprkrtkl/

/momnts/

trivial

esteem

n. respect and affection

traumatic

adj. emotionally upset

secretive

adj. not letting people see or know what you are doing or thinking

/stim/

/trmtk /

/sikrtv/

furtive

delegate
/dlgt/

n. a person who is chosen or elected to vote or act for others

v. to give (control, responsibility, authority, etc.) to someone

abeyance
/bens/

n. temporary inactivity

fulllment

blatant

/bletnt/

adj. noisy especially in a vulgar or offensive manner

adj. completely obvious, conspicuous, or obtrusive especially in a

crass or offensive manner

flamboyant
/flmbnt/

adj. having a very noticeable quality that attracts a lot of attention

,

showy

lucid

/lusd/

adj. very clear and easy to understand

clarity
vague, murky

o aque
/opek/

adj. difcult to understand or explain

inaccessible
transparent

55

 GRE
adj. not letting light through

alarmism

n. the often unwarranted exciting of fears or warning of danger

divisive

adj. causing a lot of disagreement between people and causing them

to separate into different groups

unifying

tor or

n. a state of not being active and having very little energy

/ l mizm/

/dvasv/

/trpr/

exciting, celerity

indolent

adj. not liking to work or be active

com ulsory

adj. having the power of forcing someone to do something

revelation

n. an act of revealing to view or making known

contingency

n. something (such as an emergency) that might happen

/ndlnt/

/kmplsri /

/rvlen/

/kntndnsi/

rolific

/prolfk/

alacrity

/lkrti/

adj. producing a large amount of something

n. a quick and cheerful readiness to do something

reluctance, hesitance

transcend
/trnsnd/

v. to rise above or go beyond the limits of

transcendent adj.

v. to outstrip or outdo in some attribute, quality, or power

v. to triumph over the negative or restrictive aspects of

overcome

resonate
/rznet/

v. to produce or exhibit resonance

v. to evoke a feeling of shared emotion or belief

56

ring true

uncharacteristic adj. not typical or distinctive

/ nkrktrstk/

im etuous

adj. acting or done quickly and without thought

/mptus/

deliberate

dis arate
/dsprt/

adj. different from each other

heterogeneous, dissimilar, variant, diverse
homogeneous

res ite
/rspt/

n. an interval of rest or relief

lull, relief, break

rankle

v. to cause (someone) to feel angry or irritated especially for a long

time

...
gall

acquiesce

v. to accept, agree, or allow something to happen by staying silent or

by not arguing

accession

remedy

v. to solve, correct, or improve (something)

/rkl/

/kwis/

/rmdi/

n. a medicine or treatment that relieves pain or cures a usually minor

illness

recipe

congruous

adj. being in agreement, harmony, or correspondence

gadfly

n. someone who annoys people by being very critical

shrink

v. to become smaller in amount, size, or value

/kgrus/

/gdfla/

/rk/

v. to quickly move away from something shocking, frightening, or

disgusting

57

 GRE

over rought
/ovrrt/

adj. very excited or upset

impassive

ur oseful

adj. having a clear aim or purpose

rognosis

n. a doctor's opinion about how someone will recover from an illness

/prpsfl/

/prgnoss/

or injury

n. a judgment about what is going to happen in the future

malleable

adj. capable of being altered or controlled by outside forces or

inuences

plastic

forgo

v. to give up the use or enjoyment of (something)

encumber

v. to cause problems or difculties for

/mlibl/

/frgo/

/nkmbr/

v. to make (someone or something) hold or carry something heavy

barbarity
/brbrti/

...

n. extreme cruelty

cruelty

sanctimonious
/sktmonis/

adj. pretending to be morally better than other people

preachy, didactic

re ugnant
/rpgnnt/

adj. causing a strong feeling of dislike or disgust

repugnance n.

seudonym

/sudnm/

licit

/ksplst/

n. a name that someone (such as a writer) uses instead of his or her

real name

adj. very clear and complete and leaving no doubt about the meaning

58

ine orable

adj. not able to be stopped or changed

dissemble

v. to hide your true feelings, opinions, etc.

/n ksrbl/

/dsmbl/

behave honestly

scintillating

adj. very clever, amusing, and interesting

,

luminary

n. a very famous or successful person

em o er

v. to give power to (someone)

/ sntlet/

/lumnri/

/mpar/

v. to promote the self-actuali ation or inuence of

deference
/dfrns/

...

n. respect and esteem due a superior or an elder

respectful
contempt

lugubrious
/lgubris/

adj. full of sadness or sorrow

gloomy
facetious, sprightly

denounce
/dinans/

v. to criticize (someone or something) harshly and publicly

lambaste
advocate, praise

arochial

/prokil/

adj. limited to only the things that affect your local area

provincial
adj. limited in range or scope

lament
/lmnt/

rimitive

/prmtv/

v. to express sorrow, regret, or unhappiness about something

adj. of, belonging to, or seeming to come from an early time in the very
ancient past

ancient

59

 GRE

adj. very simple and basic

ham er

v. to slow the movement, progress, or action of (someone or something)

distill

v. to let fall, exude, or precipitate in drops or in a wet mist

/hmpr/

/dstl/

v. to extract the essence of

imitate

/mtet/

v. to do the same thing as

inimitable adj.

encyclo edic
/nsaklopidk/

adj. dealing with or knowing a subject thoroughly or completely

exhaustive

eu hemism

n. a mild or pleasant word or phrase that is used instead of one that is

unpleasant or offensive

unpolished

nondescri t

adj. typical and uninteresting

/jufmzm/

/nndskrpt/

unexceptional

adverse
/dvrs/

adj. bad or unfavorable

unfavourable
allied

adversity n.

adversary n.

enduring

adj. lasting, continuing

enliven

v. to give life, action, or spirit to

/ndr/

/nlavn/

60

Word List 07
half formulated adj. coming into view, existence, or notice

dubious
/dubis/

adj. causing doubt, uncertainty, or suspicion

suspect

indubitable adj.

churlish
/trl/

adj. not polite

complaisant

outlandish
/atlnd/

adj. very strange or unusual

conventional
adj. of or relating to another country

serendipitous
adj. happening by luck

fortuitous

mercurial
/mrkjril/

adj. changing moods quickly and often

volatile, inconstant
persistent

deceive
/disiv/

v. to make (someone) believe something that is not true

deceitful adj.

fortuitous
/frtuts/

adj. happening by chance

accidental, serendipitous
adj. having or showing good luck

fathom
/fm/

v. to understand the reason for (something)

unfathomable adj.

61

 GRE

remuneration

n. an amount of money paid to someone for the work that person has done

s arkling

adj. shining with brilliant points of light like stars

lu uriant

adj. having heavy and thick growth

/rmjunren/

/ spk l/

/lgrint/

rampant
adj. having an appealingly rich quality

credential

n. something that gives a title to credit or condence

recoil

v. to quickly move away from something that is shocking, frightening,

or disgusting : to react to something with shock or fear

/krdnl/

/rkl/

scandalous

adj. shocking or offensive

erode

v. to diminish or destroy by degrees

/skndls/

/irod/

shrink from

tenuous
/tnjus/

adj. not certain, denite, or strong imsy, weak, or uncertain

adj. very thin

substantial

fluctuate

/flktuet/

v. to change level, strength, or value frequently

vacillate, vary
stabilize

contentious
/kntns/

adj. likely to cause people to argue or disagree

controversial, fraught, polemical

adj. likely or willing to argue

atch ork

/ptwrk/

n. something made of miscellaneous or incongruous parts or elements

hodgepodge, welter

62

flabbergast

v. to shock or surprise (someone) very much

...

tem erate

adj. having temperatures that are not too hot or too cold

/flbrgst/

/tmprt/

adj. emotionally calm and controlled

adj. keeping or held within limits

benighted
/binatd/

adj. having no knowledge or education

undiscriminating
adj. indiscriminate

adj. lacking sensitivity, taste, or judgment

al able

/plpbl/

adj. capable of being touched or felt

intangible
adj. easily perceptible

effusive

adj. expressing a lot of emotion

emotional, lyrical

habitable

adj. suitable or t to live in

codify

v. to put (things) in an orderly form

du licate

v. to make an exact copy of (something)

sluggish

adj. moving slowly or lazily

listless

/fjusv/

/hbtbl/

/kdfa/

/duplkt/

/slg/

dynamic

s ay
/swe/

v. to exert a guiding or controlling inuence on

v. to cause to sway: set to swinging, rocking, or oscillating

63

 GRE

ornamental
/rnmntl/

adj. used to make something more attractive

decorative

convivial

adj. of or relating to social events where people can eat, drink, and talk
in a friendly way with others

multifarious

adj. of many and various kinds

/knvvil/

/mltfris/

anacea

/pnsi/

n. a remedy for all ills or difculties

cure-all

countenance
/kantnns/

n. bearing or expression that offers approval or sanction

v. to accept, support, or approve of (something)

inflammatory
/nflmtri /

adj. tending to excite anger, disorder, or tumult : seditious

provocative

taint

v. to hurt or damage the good condition of (something)

rigorous

adj. very strict and demanding

/tent/

/rgrs/

adj. done carefully and with a lot of attention to detail

delude

v. to cause (someone) to believe something that is not true

ill advised

adj. not wise or sensible

/dlud/

/ldvazd/

misguided

rosaic

/prozek/

adj. everyday or ordinary

adj. characteristic of prose as distinguished from poetry

adj. dull or unimaginative

64

malfeasance
/ml zns/

n. wrongdoing or misconduct especially by a public ofcial

fraudulence

egregious
/igrids/

adj. conspicuously bad or offensive

agrant

counterfeit

adj. made to look like an exact copy of something in order to trick

people

misrepresent

volatile

adj. having or showing extreme or sudden changes of emotion

/kantrft/

/vltl/

ckle, versatile, volatile, ighty, erratic, capricious

conundrum
/knndrm/

n. a confusing or difcult problem

enigma, puzzle, riddle

contrive

v. to form or make (something) in a skillful or clever way

gratify

v. to make (someone) happy or satised

...

/kntrav/

/grtfa/

please

deflate
/diflet/

v. to make (someone) lose condence or pride

... ...
v. to lose air or gas from inside

...

v. to reduce in size, importance, or effectiveness

soothe

anthro ogenic

adj. caused by humans

conflate

v. to combine (as two readings of a text) into a composite whole

animate

adj. having life

/nrpodnk/

/knflet/

/nmet/

galvanize

65

 GRE
v. to give spirit and support to

...

rouse

contem orary
/kntmprri/

adj. happening or beginning now or in recent times

adj. from the same time period

underlie

/ndrla/

v. to form the basis or foundation of (an idea, a process, etc.)

...

v. to lie or be located under (something)

...

anecdote

n. a short account of an interesting or humorous incident

ministration

n. the act or process of ministering

banal

adj. boring or ordinary

/nkdot/

/mnstren/

/benl/

stale
arresting

fli

ant

/flpnt/

adj. lacking proper respect or seriousness

earnest

ip v.

invective
/nvktv/

n. harsh or insulting words

laud, encomium

altry

/pltri/

n. very small or too small in amount

insufcient, meager

miserly

adj. hating to spend money

reno ned

adj. known and admired by many people for some special quality or
achievement

celebrated

/mazrli/

/rnand/

66

e haustive
/gzstv/

adj. including all possibilities

encyclopedic
incomplete

olemical

/polmk/

adj. of or involving strongly critical or disputatious writing or speech

contentious, controversial, fraught

conciliatory

facile
/fsl/

adj. too simple and not showing enough thought or effort

adj. done or achieved in a way that is too easy

trans arent
/trnsprnt/

adj. able to be seen through

adj. easy to notice or understand

adj. honest and open

unim eachable adj. not able to be doubted or questioned

/nmpitbl/

blameless

impeach v.

tortuous
/trtus/

adj. complicated, long, and confusing

convoluted

erturb

/prtrb/

flighty
/flati/

v. to cause (someone) to be worried or upset

...
adj. given to capricious or unstable behavior

ckle, versatile, volatile, erratic, capricious
adj. easily excited

infectious

adj. spreading or capable of spreading rapidly to others

gall

v. to make (someone) feel annoyed or angry

...

/nfks/

/gl/

rankle

67

 GRE

n. a state of exasperation

com elling
/kmpl/

adj. very interesting

interesting
adj. capable of causing someone to believe or agree

overt

adj. open to view

fraudulent

adj. done to trick someone for the purpose of getting something

valuable

/ovrt/

/frdlnt/

erilous

/prls/

adj. full of danger

precarious, dangerous

cataclysm

/ktklzm/

n. something that causes great destruction, violence, etc.

cataclysmic adj.

concede
/knsid/

v. to admit (something) usually in an unwilling way

acknowledge

horrific

adj. causing horror or shock

multitudinous

adj. very many

do n lay

v. to make (something) seem smaller or less important

/hrfk/

/mlttudns/

/danple/

ur ort

/prprt/

n. meaning conveyed, professed, or implied

v. to claim to be or do a particular thing when this claim may not be true

mediocre

/midiokr/

adj. of moderate or low quality, value, ability, or performance

68

irritate

v. to provoke impatience, anger, or displeasure in

...

stilted

adj. awkward especially because of being too formal

/rtet/

/stltd/

lacid

/plsd/

erratic
/rtk/

adj. not easily upset or excited

adj. acting, moving, or changing in ways that are not expected or usual

ckle, versatile, volatile, ighty, capricious

adj. deviating from what is ordinary or standard

ingenious
/ndinjs/

adj. very smart or clever

clever
awkward

renaissance
/rnsns/

n. revival

revival
n.

endorse
/ndrs/

v. to publicly or ofcially say that you support or approve of (someone

or something)

sanction, commend, authorize

oppose
v. to publicly say that you like or use (a product or service) in exchange
for money

harbinger

/hrbndr/

n. something that shows what is coming

herald
v. to be a harbinger of

malign

/mlan/

adj. having or showing intense often vicious ill will

69

 GRE
v. to say bad things about (someone or something) publicly

im erative
/mprtv/

adj. very important

n. a command, rule, duty, etc., that is very important or necessary

ethical

adj. morally right and good

consequential

adj. having signicant conse uences

/kl/

/knskwnl/

nugatory

inconsequential adj.
adj. self-important

adj. happening as a result

er etuate

/prptuet/

anathema
/nm/

v. to cause (something that should be stopped, such as a mistaken

idea or a bad situation) to continue
...
n. someone or something that is very strongly disliked

n. a vehement denunciation

illuminate
/lumnet/

v. to make (something) clear and easier to understand

clarify

70

Word List 08
enchanting

adj. charming

mishandle

v. to treat roughly

/ntnt/

/mshndl/

v. to deal with or manage wrongly or ignorantly

fickle
/fkl/

adj. changing opinions often

versatile, volatile, ighty, erratic, capricious

countermand

v. to cancel (an order) especially by giving a new order

mollify

v. to make (someone) less angry : to calm (someone) down

/kantrmnd/

/mlfa/

iname, ire

gloomy
/glumi/

adj. causing feelings of sadness

lugubrious, cheerless

methodical

adj. arranged, characterized by, or performed with method or order

hortatory

adj. advisory

innate

adj. existing from the time a person or animal is born

/mdkl/

/hrttri/

/net/

inborn

dis lace
/dsples/

v. to force (people or animals) to leave the area where they live

v. to take the job or position of (someone or something)

rehend

/prihnd/

v. to arrest or seize

apprehension n.

71

 GRE
v. to notice and understand (something)

v. to anticipate especially with anxiety, dread, or fear

trepidation
intrepid

disarray
/dsre/

n. a lack of order

v. to throw into disorder

tedious
/tidis/

adj. boring and too slow or long

boring, dreary

em hasis
/mfss/

n. special importance or attention given to something

emphasize v.

irascible
/rsbl/

adj. becoming angry very easily

exasperation

fastidious
/fstdis/

adj. very careful about how you do something

indiscriminate

occlude

v. to close up or block off

im air

v. to make (something) weaker or worse

/klud/

/mpr/

subvert, undercut, undermine, compromise, vitiate

laudatory
/ldtri/

adj. expressing or containing praise

laud v.

revalent

/prvlnt/

adj. common or widespread

extensive, widespread

de recate
/dprket/

v. to criticize or express disapproval of (someone or something)

detract

deprecatory adj.

72

ortend

/prtnd/

self defeating
/slfd t/

roclaim

/proklem/

v. to be a sign or warning that something usually bad or unpleasant is

going to happen

,
predict, presage
portent n.
adj. injurious to one's or its own purposes or welfare

v. to say or state (something) in a public, ofcial, or denite way

profess

meddle

v. to interest oneself in what is not one's concern

overshado

v. to exceed in importance

/mdl/

/ovrdo/

v. to cast a shadow over

obscure

somnolent
/smnlnt/

adj. very boring or causing a person to fall asleep

lethargic

reci itate

/prisptet/

v. to cause (something) to happen quickly or suddenly

adj. happening very quickly or too quickly without enough thought or

planning

deliberate

onerous
/nrs/

adj. difcult and unpleasant to do or deal with

burdensome

comity

/kmti/

n. friendly social atmosphere

civility

douse
/das/

v. to extinguish

extinguish

73

 GRE

asseverate

v. to afrm or declare positively or earnestly

arbitrary

adj. not planned or chosen for a particular reason

/svret/

/rbtrri/

adj. existing or coming about seemingly at random or by chance or as

a capricious and unreasonable act of will

discretion
/dskrn/

n. power of free decision or latitude of choice within certain legal

bounds

n. the quality of having or showing discernment or good judgment: the
quality of being discreet: circumspection;

injudicious

sacrosanct

adj. most sacred or holy

quiescent

adj. not active

/skroskt/

/kwasnt/

calm
restless

quiescence n.

evasive
/ivesv/

adj. not honest or direct

elusive

defer

/difr/

v. put off, delay

v. to submit to another's wishes, opinion, or governance usually

through deference or respect

innocuous
/nkjus/

adj. producing no injury

harmless
caustic
adj. not likely to give offense or to arouse strong feelings or hostility

arcane
/rken/

adj. known or understood by only a few people

esoteric, recondite, abstruse

74

ermanent

/prmnnt/

adj. lasting or continuing for a very long time or forever

entice

v. to attract artfully or adroitly or by arousing hope or desire

unmistakable

adj. not capable of being mistaken or misunderstood

/ntas/

/nmstekbl/

decisive

antecedent

n. something that came before something else and may have

inuenced or caused it

precursor

overstate

v. to say that (something) is larger or greater than it really is

relish

v. to enjoy or take pleasure in (something)

/ntsidnt/

/ovrstet/

/rl/

delight

tre idation
/trpden/

n. a nervous or fearful feeling of uncertain agitation

apprehension

intrepid adj.

synergy

n. the increased effectiveness that results when two or more people or

businesses work together

universal

adj. existing or true at all times or in all places

/snrdi/

/junvrsl/

omnipresent, ubiquitous
adj. present or occurring everywhere

dam en

/dmpn/

v. to check or diminish the activity or vigor of

deaden

redate

/pridet/

v. to exist or happen at an earlier time than (something or someone)

antedate

75

 GRE

remise

/prms/

n. a proposition antecedently supposed or proved as a basis of

argument or inference

motivate

v. to provide with a motive

linkage

n. a connection or relationship between two or more things

hy ocrisy

n. a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not;

especially : the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion

insincerity

redundant

adj. needlessly wordy or repetitive in expression

/motvet/

/lkd/

/hpkrsi/

/rdndnt/

economical

mitigate

/mtget/

v. to make less severe or intense

abate, ameliorate

ane

/wen/

v. to decrease gradually

ebb, decline
v. to approach an end

v. to show a progressively smaller illuminated area, as the moon does

in passing from full to new

accountable
/kantbl/

adj. required to be responsible for something

accountability n.

adj. capable of being explained

fecund
/ knd/

adj. fruitful in offspring or vegetation

fecundity n.
adj. intellectually productive or inventive

76

reflective
/rflktv/

adj. characterized by or given to serious thinking or contemplation

pensive

recedent

/prisidnt/

n. an easier occurrence of something similar

unprecedented adj.

n.

recant

/rknt/

v. to withdraw or repudiate (a statement or belief) formally and publicly

repudiate
afrm

rambling
/rmbl/

adj. lengthy and digressive

adj. habitually roaming

inure

v. to habituate to something undesirable;

eccentric

adj. strange or unusual

mercenary

adj. serving merely for pay or sordid advantage

negligible

adj. very small or unimportant

/njr/

/ksntrk /

/mrsnri/

/ngldbl/

insignicant

uerile

adj. silly or childish especially in a way that shows a lack of

seriousness or good judgment

lausible

adj. supercially fair, reasonable, or valuable but often specious

/pjurl/

/plzbl/

unbelievable

implausible adj.

adj. appearing worthy of belief

77

 GRE

baffle

v. to confuse (someone) completely

...

sim listic

adj. too simple

chivalrous

adj. valiant

/bfl/

/smplstk/

/vlrs/

adj. showing respect and politeness especially toward women

a athetic
/ptk/

adj. not having or showing much emotion or interest

passivity

apathy n.

dedicate

v. to commit to a goal or way of life

blemish

v. to hurt or damage the good condition of (something)

/ddkt/

/blm/

defect
n. a mark that makes something imperfect or less beautiful

inertia
/nr/

n. lack of movement or activity especially when movement or activity is

wanted or needed

inactive
inert adj.

n. a feeling of not having the energy or desire that is needed to move,

change, etc.

intelligible
/ntldbl/

adj. able to be understood

readable

rimacy

/pramsi/

untenable
/ntnbl/

n. the state of being most important or strongest

adj. not capable of being defended against attack or criticism

baseless

78

incivility

n. a rude or impolite attitude or behavior

laconic

adj. using few words in speech or writing

/nsvlti/

/lknk/

terse, curt, taciturn

garrulous, voluble

confess

v. to admit that you did something wrong or illegal

demorali e

v. to weaken the morale of (a person or group)

...

/knfs/

/dimrlaz/

aragon

/prgn/

n. a model of excellence or perfection

model
travesty

outmoded

/atmodd/

adj. no longer useful or acceptable

obsolete, fusty, unfashionable

fleeting
/flit/

adj. passing swiftly

momentary
perennial

scrutini e

v. to examine something carefully especially in a critical way

incentive

n. something that encourages a person to do something or to work

harder

/skrutnaz/

/nsntv/

deterrent

contradictory

adj. involving, causing, or constituting a contradiction

sectarian

adj. limited in character or scope

/kntrdktri/

/sktrin/

adj. relating to religious or political sects and the differences between

them

moribund
/mrbnd/

adj. approaching death

79

 GRE

galvani e

/glvnaz/

v. to stimulate or shock with an electric current

animate, rouse
v. to arouse to awareness or action
... ...

interchangeable adj. capable of being used in place of each other

/ntrtendbl/

fungible

e iguous

adj. excessively scanty

truism

n. an undoubted or self-evident truth

valori e

v. to give or assign a value to, especially a higher value

/gzgjus/

/truzm/

/vlraz/

exalt

meticulous

adj. very careful about doing something in an extremely accurate and

exact way

painstaking, exactitude, thorough

satire

n. humor that shows the weaknesses or bad qualities of a person,

government, society, etc.

,
mockery

/mtkjuls/

/star/

ro rietary

/prpratri/

adj. kept private by an owner

80

Word List 09
evenhanded

adj. not favoring one side or group over another

amor hous

adj. having no denite or clear shape or form

a olitical

adj. not interested or involved in politics

obviate

v. to make (something) no longer necessary

/ivnhndd/

/mrfs/

/epltkl/

/bviet/

v. to prevent or avoid

rescience

/prns/

audacious
/des/

n. the ability to know what will or might happen in the future

adj. intrepidly daring

timid

audacity n.
adj. contemptuous of law, religion, or decorum

brazen
adj. marked by originality and verve

animadversion
/nmdvrn/

n. a critical and usually censorious remark

adorn

v. to make (someone or something) more attractive by adding

/drn/

something beautiful

adornment n.

du licitous

adj. deceptive in words or action

vehement

adj. showing strong and often angry feelings

/duplsts/

/vimnt/

81

 GRE

revive

v. to make (someone or something) strong, healthy, or active again

...

antediluvian

adj. very old or old-fashioned

/rvav/

/ntidluvin/

archaic

facet

/fst/

onderous

/pndrs/

n. a part or element of something

adj. slow or awkward because of weight and size

gossamer
adj. very boring or dull

detract
/ditrkt/

v. to diminish the importance, value, or effectiveness of something

deprecate

detractor n.

s ecific

/spsfk/

adj. relating to a particular person, situation, etc.

adj. clearly and exactly presented or stated

aggrandi e
/grndaz/

v. to make appear great or greater

v. to enhance the power, wealth, position, or reputation of

ros ect

/prspkt/

chagrin
/grn/

self-aggrandize v.

n. someone or something that is likely to succeed or to be chosen

n. a feeling of being frustrated or annoyed because of failure or

disappointment

v. to vex or unsettle by disappointing or humiliating

seclusion
/sklun/

n. the act of placing or keeping someone away from other people : the
act of secluding someone

82

 n. a secluded or isolated place

commence

v. to begin

mordant

adj. expressing harsh criticism especially in a way that is funny

/kmns/

/mrdnt/

acerbic
genial

disconcerting

adj. causing an emotional disturbance

embellish

v. to make beautiful with ornamentation

/dsknsrt/

/mbl/

ugnacious

/pgnes/

adj. showing a readiness or desire to ght or argue

belligerent

e acerbate
/gzsrbet/

v. to make (a bad situation, a problem, etc.) worse

...
aggravate
alleviate, mitigate

furtive
/frtv/

adj. done in a quiet and secret way to avoid being noticed

secretive

be ilder
/biwldr/

v. to confuse (someone) very much

...

unidimensional adj. lacking depth

/jundmnnl /

jaded

adj. feeling or showing a lack of interest and excitement caused by

having done or experienced too much of something

visionary

adj. having or showing clear ideas about what should happen or be

done in the future

archety al

n. a perfect example of something

/dedd/

/vnri/

classic

83

 GRE

humility

n. the quality or state of being humble

disclose

v. to make (something) known to the public

adversarial

adj. involving two people or two sides who oppose each other

/hjumlti/

/dskloz/

/dvrsril/

antagonistic

adversary n.

beneficiary
/bnfiri/

remature

/primtr/

eo ardi e

/dprdaz/

n. a person, organization, etc., that is helped by something

adj. happening too soon or earlier than usual

v. to put (something or someone) in danger

...
endanger

con ure

/kndr/

v. to create or imagine (something)

imagine

ersevere

/prsvr/

enormous
/inrms/

v. to continue doing something or trying to do something even though

it is difcult

adj. very great in size or amount

magnitude
adj. exceedingly wicked

inverse

adj. opposite in order, nature, or effect

indiscriminate

adj. not marked by careful distinction

/nvrs/

/ndskrmnt/

adj. heterogeneous or motley

defy

/difa/

v. to refuse to obey

,
disregard, out

deant adj.

84

admonish
/dmn/

v. to criticize or warn gently but seriously

scolding
v. to give friendly advice or encouragement

reclude

/priklud/

v. to prevent (someone) from doing something

prevent, rule out

fors ear

v. to promise to give up (something) or to stop doing (something)

solidarity

n. unity (as of a group or class) that produces or is based on

community of interests, objectives, and standards

camaraderie

cons icuous

adj. very easy to see or notice

/frswr/

/sldrti/

/knspkjus/

prominent, salient, obtrusive, marked

adj. attracting attention

disinformation
/dsnfrmen/

n. false information deliberately and often covertly spread

mendacity

reem t

/primpt/

v. to prevent (something) from happening

v. to take the place of

supersede
v. to acquire by preemption

reca itulate
/rikptlet/

v. to give a brief summary of something

resistant

araly e

/prlaz/

v. to make (a person or animal) unable to move or feel all or part of the

body

...
v. to make powerless or ineffective

...

85

 GRE

ine

ressible

/nksprsbl/

absorbing
/bsrb/

lethora

/plr/

adj. too strong or great to be expressed or described

adj. fully taking one's attention

n. a very large amount or number

glut, surfeit
dearth, scarce

disregard
/dsrgrd/

v. to ignore (something) or treat (something) as unimportant

contempt

turbulent

adj. causing unrest, violence, or disturbance

antagonistic

adj. showing dislike or opposition

/trbjlnt/

/ntgnstk/

adversarial, inimical

antagonize v.

common lace
/kmnples/

n. something that happens or appears in many places and is not

unusual

meager
/migr/

adj. decient in uality or uantity

insufcient, paltry

tendentious
/tndns/

restige

/prsti/

adj. strongly favoring a particular point of view in a way that may cause
argument

unbiased
n. the respect and admiration that someone or something gets for
being successful or important

prestigious adj.

burlesque

v. to imitate in a humorous or derisive manner

attain

v. to accomplish or achieve (something): to succeed in getting or doing

(something)

/brlsk/

/ten/

86

u surge

n. a rapid or sudden increase or rise

grouchy

adj. having a bad temper

/psrd/

/grati/

liable

/plabl/

adj. too easily inuenced or controlled by other people

adj. adjustable to varying conditions

re roach

v. to express disapproval or disappointment to (someone)

histrionic

adj. deliberately affected

/rprot/

/hstrink/

unaffected

abnegate
/bnget/

v. to deny or renounce

v. to relinquish or surrender

rovoke

/ prvok/

v. to cause the occurrence of (a feeling or action)

v. to incite to anger

avaricious
/vrs/

adj. excessively acquisitive especially in seeking to hoard riches

rapacious

avarice n.

brag

v. to talk about yourself, your achievements, your family, etc., in a way

that shows too much pride

braggart n.

heed

v. to pay attention to (advice, a warning, etc.)

/brg/

/hid/

heedful adj. heedless adj.

sagacious
/sges/

adj. having or showing an ability to understand difcult ideas and

situations and to make good decisions

87

 GRE

enalty

/pnlti/

n. punishment for breaking a rule or law

penalize v.

refigure

/prifgjr/

v. to show or suggest (something that will happen or exist at a future

time)

anticipate

glorify

v. to represent as glorious

animus

n. a strong feeling of dislike or hatred

/glrfa/

/nms/

hostility

ustification

/dstfken/

n. an acceptable reason for doing something

justify v.

ertain

/prten/

...

v. to relate to
...
irrelevant
v. to be appropriate to something

aggrieve
/griv/

v. to give pain or trouble to : distress

v. to inict injury on

dearth
/dr/

n. the state or condition of not having enough of something

paucity, vacuousness
glut, plethora

calumny
/klmni/

n. an untrue statement that is made to damage someone's reputation

defamatory

ram ant

/rmpnt/

adj. profusely widespread

adj. growing uickly and in a way that is difcult to control

luxuriant

88

vulnerable
/vlnrbl/

ertinent

/prtnnt/

adj. easily hurt or harmed physically, mentally, or emotionally

adj. having a clear decisive relevance to the matter in hand

relevant

distort

/dstrt/

v. to twist out of the true meaning or proportion

v. to twist out of a natural, normal, or original shape or condition

overe tend

/ovrkstnd/

recocious

/prikos/

v. to extend or expand beyond a safe or reasonable point; especially:

to commit (oneself) nancially beyond what can be paid

adj. exhibiting mature qualities at an unusually early age

maturity

precocity n.

re udiate
/rpjudiet/

v. to refuse to accept or support

recant

quirky
/kwrki/

adj. unusual especially in an interesting way

unconventional

ro onent

/prponnt/

n. a person who argues for or supports something

defender, champion
detractor

reiterate

v. to repeat something you have already said in order to emphasize

conscientious

adj. very careful about doing what you are supposed to do : concerned
with doing something correctly

/ritret/

/knins/

adj. thorough and assiduous

ra acious
/rpes/

adj. having or showing a strong or excessive desire to acquire money

or possess things

avaricious

89

 GRE

disquisition

n. a long speech or written report on a subject

foretell

v. to tell of or indicate beforehand

understate

v. to represent as less than is the case

/dskwzn/

/frtl/

/ndrstet/

v. to state or present with restraint especially for effect

90

Word List 10
discredit
/dskrdt/

v. to refuse to accept as true or accurate

v. to cause disbelief in the accuracy or authority of

v. to deprive of good repute

underscore
/ndrskr/

v. to emphasize (something) or show the importance of (something)

redetermine

v. to decide (something) before it happens or in advance

rovisional

adj. serving for the time being

/priditrmn/

/prvnl/

circums ect

adj. thinking carefully about possible risks before doing or saying

something

prudent, chary, cautious

rash

ma estic

adj. large and impressively beautiful

estrange

v. to cause someone to be no longer friendly or close to another

person or group

unlinked
reconciliate

falsehood

n. an untrue statement

mani ulate

v. to move or control (something) with your hands or by using a

machine

/srkmspkt/

/mdstk/

/strend /

/flshd/

/mnpjulet/

athological

/pldkl/

adj. being such to a degree that is extreme, excessive, or markedly

abnormal

91

 GRE
adj. indicative of disease

circuitous
/srkjuts/

adj. not being forthright or direct in language or action

indirect

ro itious

/props/

adj. likely to have or produce good results

auspicious

insightful

adj. having or showing a very clear understanding of something :

having or showing insight

nullify

v. to cause (something) to lose its value or to have no effect

...

/nsatfl/

/nlfa/

disprove

facilitate
/fsltet/

v. to make easier

speed up
hamper

eal

/pil/

v. to ask for something (such as help or support) in a serious way

v. to be pleasing or attractive to someone

ease

/piz/

deleterious
/dltris/

v. to make (someone) pleased or less angry by giving or saying

something desired

placate
adj. damaging or harmful

detrimental, devastating

ethereal
/iril/

adj. lacking material substance : immaterial, intangible

adj. of or relating to the regions beyond the earth

rehabilitate
/rihbltet/

v. to restore to a former capacity

restore

92

cluster
/klstr/

artisan

/prtzn/

by ass

/baps/

v. to come together to form a group

n. a rm adherent to a party, faction, cause, or person; especially

one exhibiting blind, prejudiced, and unreasoning allegiance

v. to go around or avoid (a place or area)

circumvent, skirt

scru ulous
/skrupjls/

adj. very careful about doing something correctly

adj. acting in strict regard for what is considered right or proper

dishonest

monolithic

adj. constituting a massive undifferentiated and often rigid whole

scathing

adj. very hash or severe

block

v. to make unsuitable for passage or progress by obstruction

off

adj. causing you to feel dislike of someone or something

/mnl/

/ske/

/blk/

utting

/fpt/

rofligate

/prflgt/

adj. carelessly and foolishly wasting money, materials

frugal

unctuous
/ktus/

adj. revealing or marked by a smug, ingratiating, and false earnestness

or spirituality

unctuousness n.

adj. rich in oil or fat

nimble

/nmbl/

adj. able to move quickly, easily, and lightly

dexterous; skillful; adroit

adj. able to learn and understand things quickly and easily

93

 GRE

shoddy
/di/

adj. poorly done or made

heterogeneous adj. made up of parts that are different

/htrdinis/

disparate, dissimilar

verisimilitude
/vrsmltud/

n. the quality of seeming real

realism

derivative
/drvtv/

adj. unoriginal

precursory

syco hantic
/skfnt/

adj. fawning, obsequious

obsequious; adulator

sycophant n.

circumvent
/srkmvnt/

v. to avoid being stopped by (something, such as a law or rule)

bypass, skirt, sidestep

rigid

/rdd/

adj. not exible

dogmatic

rigidity n.
adj. precise and accurate in procedure

adj. not willing to change opinions or behavior

laintive

/plentv/

adj. expressing suffering or sadness

elegiac

detestation
/ditsten/

n. extreme hatred or dislike

detest v.

susce tible
/ssptbl/

adj. easily affected, inuenced, or harmed by something

tautology

n. a statement in which you repeat a word, idea, etc., in a way that is

/ttldi/

not necessary

94

leaven

v. to make (something) less serious and often more exciting

... ...

convulsion

n. a sudden change or disturbance that affects a country, organization,

etc.

e orbitant

adj. going far beyond what is fair, reasonable, or expected

corollary

n. something that naturally follows or results from another thing

/lvn/

/knvln/

/gzorbtnt/

/krlri/

erforce

adv. used to say that something is necessary or must be done

roselyti e

v. to try to persuade people to join a religion, cause, or group

/prfrs/

/prsltaz/

fetishi e

v. to make a fetish of : treat or regard with fetishism

omnivorous

adj. eating both plants and animals

/ftaz/

/mnvrs/

adj. eager to learn about many different things

urbane

adj. polite and condent

idiosyncrasy

n. an unusual way in which a particular person behaves or thinks

/rben/

/dioskrsi/

distinct, atypical

idiosyncratic adj.

forthcoming
/frkm/

adj. honest and open

adj. appearing, happening, or arriving soon

ecuniary

/pkjuniri/

adj. relating to or in the form of money

economic

athos

/pes

n. an emotion of sympathetic pity

95

 GRE

cosmo olitan
/kzmpltn/

adj. having worldwide rather than limited or provincial scope or bearing

insular
adj. composed of persons, constituents, or elements from all or many
parts of the world

adj. found in most parts of the world and under varied ecological
conditions

ano ly

/pnpli/

arboreal
/rbril/

n. a group or collection that is impressive because it is so big or

because it includes so many different kinds of people or things


adj. of or relating to trees

adj. living in or often found in trees

nostalgia

/nstld/

n. the state of being homesick

n. a wistful or excessively sentimental yearning for return to or of some

past period or irrecoverable condition

erem tory

/prmptri/

adj. admitting of no contradiction

adj. characterized by often imperious or arrogant self-assurance

avian

adj. of or relating to birds

ramshackle

adj. appearing ready to collapse

/evin/

/rmkl/

adj. not carefully made or put together

quiver

v. to shake because of fear, cold, nervousness, etc.

rancor

n. an angry feeling of hatred or dislike for someone who has treated

you unfairly

/kwvr/

/rkr/

96

de y eyed

adj. innocent

e itome

n. a perfect example

fissure

n. a narrow opening or crack

/duad/

/iptmi/

/fr/

n. a separation or disagreement in thought or viewpoint

arley

/prli/

v. to discuss terms with an enemy

immolate

v. to kill or destroy (someone or something) by re

lassitude

n. lack of physical or mental energy

/mlet/

/lstud/

vigor

om ous

/pmps/

adj. excessively elevated or ornate

adj. having or exhibiting self-importance

overreach
/ovrrit/

v. to defeat (oneself) by seeking to do or gain too much

v. to try to do something that is beyond your ability to do

demarcate

v. to set apart

evince

v. to display clearly

/dimrket/

/ivns/

conceal

veer

v. to change direction or course

resilient

adj. able to become strong, healthy, or successful again after

something bad happens

lack of elasticity

/vr/

/rzljnt/

97

 GRE
adj. able to return to an original shape after being pulled, stretched,
pressed, bent, etc.

revolt

/rvolt/

v. to ght in a violent way against the rule of a leader or government

v. to cause (someone) to feel disgust or shock

devolve
/dvlv/

v. to gradually go from an advanced state to a less advanced state

v. to pass on from one person or entity to another

adulation
/dulet/

n. excessive or slavish admiration or attery

sycophant

demolish
/dml/

v. to forcefully tear down or take apart (a structure)

v. to damage (something) so that it cannot be repaired

timely
/tamli/

adv. in time

opportune

sna shot
/snpt/

n. a quick view or a small amount of information that tells you a little

about what someone or something is like

n. an informal photograph that is taken quickly

obsequious
/bsikwis/

adj. too eager to help or obey someone important

sycophantic

gut

/gt/

n. courage or pluck

v. to destroy the inside of (a structure)

hierarchy
/harrki/

n. the classication of a group of people according to ability or to

economic, social, or professional standing or the group so classied

hierarchical adj.

98

 n. a body of persons in authority

terse
/trs/

adj. brief and direct in a way that may seem rude or unfriendly

curt, taciturn, laconic

abate

/bet/

v. to become weaker

mitigate
augment

unabated adj.

fluster

/flstr/

v. to make (someone) nervous and confused

...
calm

flatter

v. to praise (someone) in a way that is not sincere

accentuate

v. to make (something) more noticeable

/fltr/

/ksntuet/

highlight

augment
/gmnt/

v. to increase the size or amount of (something)

extend, enhance
v. to supplement

certitude

n. freedom from doubt

cachet

n. an indication of approval carrying great prestige

sound

adj. in good condition

/srttud/

/ke/

/sand/

adj. showing good judgement

contrite
/kntrat/

adj. feeling or showing regret for bad behavior

penitent

99

 GRE

unanimous

adj. having the same opinion

neologism

n. a new word or expression or a new meaning of a word

/junnms/

/nildzm/

archaism

aristocracy
/rstkrsi/

n. government by the best individuals or by a small privileged class

menial

aristocratic adj.

inimical

/nmkl/

adj. likely to cause damage or have a bad effect

antagonistic

hallo
/hlo/

v. to respect greatly: venerate

respect

100

Word List 11
annals

n. historical records

execrate

v. to dislike and criticize (someone or something) very strongly

unexampled

adj. without precedent

/nlz/

/kskret/

/ngzmpld/

novel

tug

/tg/

v. to pull something with a quick, forceful movement

n. a struggle between two people or opposite forces

claustrophobic adj. having a fear of being in closed or small spaces

/klstr fbk/

atavism

n. the return of a trait or recurrence of previous behavior after a period

of absence

/tvzm/

n. the reappearance of a characteristic in an organism after several

generations of absence, usually caused by the chance recombination of

genes

prepossessing
/pripzs/

erfidious

/prfdis/

adj. appealing or attractive

adj. not able to be trusted

loyal

perdy n.

jubilation

n. great happiness or joy

peregrination

n. a voyage, especially an extensive one

/dublen/

101

 GRE

retribution

n. punishment for doing something wrong

charlatan

n. a person who falsely pretends to know or be something in order to

deceive people

malinger

v. to feign illness or other incapacity in order to avoid duty or work

halcyon

adj. very happy and successful

/rtrbjun/

/rltn/

/mlgr/

/hlsin/

miserable

predominant

adj. more important, powerful, successful, or noticeable than other

people or things

evocative

adj. bringing thoughts, memories, or feelings into the mind

nonchalant

adj. relaxed and calm in a way that shows that you do not care or are
not worried about anything

ennoble

v. to make (someone or something) better or more worthy of

admiration

/pridmnnt/

/ivktv/

/nnlnt/

/nobl/

abase

eradicate

v. to remove (something) completely

prodigal

adj. characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure

/irdket/

/prdgl/

penurious

prodigality n.
adj. yielding abundantly

disengage

v. to release from something that engages or involves

rebound

v. to recover from setback or frustration

/dsnged/

/rband/

v. to bounce back off something after hitting it

102

adhere
/dhr/

v. to stick to something
,
detach

unilateral

adj. involving only one group or country

equable

adj. tending to remain calm

/junltrl/

/kwbl/

adj. free from sudden or harsh changes

instantiate

v. to represent (an abstraction) by a concrete instance

diverse

adj. different from each other

/nstniet/

/dvrs/

varied, divergent

protean

/protin/

adj. displaying great diversity or variety

versatile

pillory
/plri/

v. to publicly criticize (someone) in a very harsh way

exalt

exuberant
/gzubrnt/

adj. extreme or excessive in degree, size, or extent

adj. lled with energy and enthusiasm

plunder
/plndr/

v. to steal things from (a place, such as a city or town) especially by

force

ennui

n. a lack of spirit, enthusiasm, or interest

conceive

v. to think of or create (something) in the mind

/nwi/

/knsiv/

imaginable
v. to become pregnant

103

 GRE

devoid

adj. being without

sophisticated

adj. having or showing a lot of experience and knowledge about the

world and about culture, art, literature, etc.

/dvd/

/sfstketd/

adj. highly developed and complex

conclusive

adj. putting an end to debate or question especially by reason of

irrefutability

enlighten

v. to give knowledge or understanding to (someone)

methodology

n. a set of methods, rules, or ideas that are important in a science or

art : a particular procedure or set of procedures

tectonic

adj. relating to construction or building.

/knklusv/

/nlatn/

/mdldi/

/tktnk/

adj. of or relating to changes in the structure of the Earth's surface

adj. having a strong and widespread impact

monogamy

n. the state or practice of being married to only one person at a time

pathogen

n. a specic causative agent (as a bacterium or virus) of disease

depict

v. to describe (someone or something) using words, a story

dismissive

adj. serving to dismiss

/mngmi/

/pdn/

/dipkt/

/dsmsv/

dismiss v.

adj. showing indifference or disregard

ignore

invertebrate
/nvrtbrt/

adj. lacking in strength or vitality

104

 n.

discrepancy
/dskrpnsi/

n. a difference especially between things that should be the same

incongruity

demographic

adj. of or relating to the study of changes that occur in large groups of

people over a period of time : of or relating to demography

forage

v. to search for something (such as food or supplies)

synchronous

adj. happening, moving, or existing at the same time

hagiography

n. a book about someone's life that makes it seem better than it really
is or was
(
hagiographic adj.

/dmgr /

/frd/

/skrns/

/hgigr /

monochromatic adj. lacking variety, creativity, or excitement

/mnkromtk/

employ

v. to make use of

/mpl/

v. to give a job to

indigenous
/nddns/

adj. produced, living, or existing naturally in a particular region or

environment

adj. innate or inborn

acquired

insurrection

n. a usually violent attempt to take control of a government

ideology

n. the set of ideas and beliefs of a group or political party

segregate

v. to separate groups of people because of their particular race,

religion

/nsrkn/

/adildi/

/sgrget/

105

 GRE
v. to not allow people of different races to be together in (a place, such
as a school)

propound

v. to offer for discussion or consideration

adulterate

v. to make (something, such as a food or drink) impure or weaker by

adding something of poor quality

/prpand/

/dltret/

expository

adj. used to describe writing that is done to explain something

anemia

n. lack of vitality

excavate

v. to uncover (something) by digging away and removing the earth that

covers it

acerbic

adj. expressing harsh or sharp criticism in a clever way

/kspztri/

/nimi/

/kskvet/

/srbk/

mordant, caustic
sweet

resurgence

n. a growth or increase that occurs after a period without growth or

increase

colloquial

adj. using conversational style

interjection

n. the act of uttering exclamations

hoodwink

v. to deceive or trick (someone)

analogous

adj. similar in some way

/klokwil/

/ntrdkn/

/hdwk/

/nlgs/

comparable

latent

adj. present but not visible or active

boycott

v. to refuse to buy, use, or participate in (something) as a way of

protesting

/letnt/

/bkt/

106


patronize

sentimental
/sntmntl /

adj. resulting from feeling rather than reason or thought

adj. marked or governed by feeling, sensibility, or emotional idealism

castigate
/kstget/

v. to criticize (someone) harshly

chastise

preeminent

adj. better than others

terminology

n. the special words or phrases that are used in a particular eld

domesticate

v. to breed or train (an animal) to need and accept the care of human
beings : to tame (an animal)

/primnnt/

/trmnldi/

/domstket/

pedagogical
adj. of or relating to teachers or education

skew
/skju/

v. to change (something) so that it is not true or accurate

askew adj.

static

/sttk/

adj. showing little or no change, action, or progress

invariable

discrete
/dskrit/

adj. separate and different from each other

continuous

corrode
/krod/

v. to weaken or destroy gradually

v. to slowly break apart and destroy (metal, an object, etc.) through a

chemical process

protagonist

/protgnst/

n. an important person who is involved in a competition, conict, or

cause

107

 GRE
n. a supporter or champion

forerunner
/frrnr/

n. someone or something that comes before another

precursor
n. a sign of something that is going to happen

clutch

v. to hold onto (someone or something) tightly with your hand

straggle

v. to wander from the direct course or way

/klt/

/strgl/

v. to move away or spread out from others in a disorganized way

rhetorical

adj. of, relating to, or concerned with the art of speaking or writing
formally and effectively especially as a way to persuade or inuence
people

equilibrium

n. a state in which opposing forces or actions are balanced so that one

is not stronger or greater than the other

/rtrkl/

/ikwlbrim/

quintessential
adj. of, relating to, or having the nature of a quintessence; being the
most typical

regimen

/rdmn/

n. governmental rule or control

objective

adj. dealing with facts without allowing personal feelings to confuse

/bdktv/

them

fair

postulate

v. to suggest (something, such as an idea or theory) especially in order

/pstlet/

to start a discussion

deny as false

onset

n. the beginning of something

/nst/

108

impinge

/mpnd/

v. to strike or dash especially with a sharp collision

v. to have an effect or make an impression

v. encroach or infringe

thrive

v. to grow or develop successful

milieu

n. the physical or social setting in which something occurs or develops

paradoxical

adj. not being the normal or usual kind

/rav/

/milj/

/prdkskl/

adj. of the nature of a paradox

iterate

v. to say or state again

prophetic

adj. correctly stating what will happen in the future

/tret/

/prftk/

prescient

delineate
/dlniet/

v. to mark the outline of

v. to clearly describe

condone

v. to forgive or approve (something that is considered wrong)

acumen

n. keenness and depth of perception, discernment, or discrimination

especially in practical matters

agonize

v. to think or worry very much about something

...

revere

v. to have great respect for (someone or something)

/kndon/

/kjumn/

/gnaz/

/rvr/

profane

irreverent adj.

109

 GRE

Word List 12
reckless
/rkls/

unsparing
/nspr/

adj. not showing proper concern about the possible bad results of your
actions

adj. not merciful or forbearing

adj. not frugal

belligerent
/bldrnt/

adj. angry and aggressive

pugnacious

taciturn

/tstrn/

adj. tending to be quiet

terse, curt, laconic

taciturnity n.

penitential
/pntnl/

adj. relating to the feeling of being sorry for doing something wrong

contrite

frivolous
/frvls/

adj. of little weight or importance

frivolity n.
adj. silly and not serious

plead

v. to argue a case or cause in a court of law

orthodox

adj. accepted as true or correct by most people

/plid/

/rdks/

adj. accepting and closely following the traditional beliefs and customs
of a religion

allege
/ld/

v. to assert without proof or before proving

110

reconcile

v. to cause people or groups to become friendly again after an

argument or disagreement

improvise

v. to speak or perform without preparation

eliminate

v. to get rid of

/rknsal/

/mprvaz/

/ilmnet/

put to rest

disquiet

v. to take away the peace or tranquility of

...

predicament

n. a difcult or unpleasant situation

fester

v. to become worse as time passes

/dskwat/

/pridkmnt/

/fstr/

heal

accord

n. agreement; harmony

ascertain

v. to learn or nd out (something, such as information or the truth)

/krd/

/srten/

counterproductive adj. tending to hinder the attainment of a desired goal

/kantrprdktv/

misnomer

n. a name that is wrong or not proper or appropriate

precarious

adj. characterized by a lack of security or stability that threatens with

danger

perilous
safe

unrelenting

adj. not softening or yielding in determination

/msnomr/

/prkris/

/nrlnt/

adj. not letting up or weakening in vigor or pace

persistent

111

 GRE

so orific

/sprfk/

adj. causing a person to become tired and ready to fall asleep

invigorating, stimulant

disseminate
/dsmnet/

v. to cause (something, such as information) to go to many people

transmit
garner

lure
/lr/

v. to cause or persuade (a person or an animal) to go somewhere or to

do something by offering some pleasure or gain

repel

banish
/bn/

v. to send away

expel, oust

degrade
/digred/

v. to treat (someone or something) poorly and without respect

v. to make the quality of (something) worse

skittish
/skt/

adj. tending to change often; not dependable or stable

adj. easily frightened or excited

restive, fractious

tranquil

/trkwl/

adj. free from commotion or disturbance

commotion, ferment
adj. free from anxiety, tension, or restlessness

seemly
/simli/

adj. good-looking and handsome

adj. conventionally proper

unkempt

adj. not neat or orderly

decorous

adj. correct and polite in a particular situation

/nkmpt/

/dkrs/

decorum n.

112

tawdry
/tdri/

adj. cheap and gaudy in appearance or quality

adj. morally low or bad

dcor

n. the way that a room or the inside of a building is decorated

lush

adj. lavishly productive

/dekr/

/l/

adj. opulent or sumptuous

acidic

adj. having a very sour or sharp taste

coarse

adj. having a rough quality

/sdk/

/krs/

adj. rude or offensive

impoverished

adj. represented by few species or individuals

threshold

n. the point or level at which something begins or changes

disparage

v. to describe (someone or something) as unimportant, weak, bad, etc.

/mpvr/

/rold/

/dsprd/

slight

invalidate

v. to weaken or destroy the effect of (something)

...

hackneyed

adj. not interesting, funny, etc., because of being used too often

/nvldet/

/hknid/

original, fresh

ruminate

v. to think carefully and deeply about something

meander

v. to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course

/rumnet/

/mindr/

113

 GRE

bucolic

/bjuklk/

adj. of or relating to the country or country life

pastoral

pastoral

adj. of or relating to the countryside or to the lives of people who live in

the country

bucolic

hard-nosed

adj. being tough, stubborn, or uncompromising

/pstrl/

/hrdnozd/

adj. not inuenced by emotions

petty

adj. not very important or serious

opportunistic

adj. taking advantage of opportunities as they arise

menace

v. to threaten harm to (someone or something)

painstaking

adj. diligent care and effort

/pti/

/prtunstk/

/mns/

/penztek/

meticulous

humanitarian

adj. relating to or characteristic of people who work to improve the

lives and living conditions of other people

predispose

v. to make susceptible

....

/hjumntrin/

/pridspoz/

v. to dispose in advance

...

eminent

adj. successful, well-known and respected

declamatory

adj. expressing feelings or opinions in a way that is loud and forceful

ascetic

adj. relating to or having a strict and simple way of living that avoids
physical pleasure

libertine

/mnnt/

/diklmtri/

/stk/

114

safeguard
/sefgrd/

v. to make (someone or something) safe or secure

preserving

sinister

/snstr/

adj. having an evil appearance

adj. presaging ill fortune or trouble

convincing

adj. causing someone to believe that something is true or certain

peak

n. the highest level or greatest degree

unrivaled

adj. better than anyone or anything else

/knvns/

/pik/

/nravld/

rival n.

pivotal

adj. very important

recondite

adj. difcult or impossible for one of ordinary understanding or

knowledge to comprehend

esoteric, arcane, abstruse
widely understood

morbid

adj. not healthy or normal

/pvtl/

/rkndat/

/mrbd/

adj. relating to unpleasant subjects

staple

/stepl/

adj. used, needed, our enjoyed constantly by many people

adj. principal, chief

herald

/hrld/

n. a sign that something will happen

v. to be a sign of

harbinger

115

 GRE

cure-all
/kjrl/

n. a cure or solution for any illness or problem

panacea, nostrum

ruthless

adj. having no pity

scorn

v. to show disdain or derision

acquisitive

adj. having a strong desire to own or acquire more things

clangorous

adj. having a loud resonant metallic sound

rejuvenate

adj. to give new strength or energy to

...

obsess

v. to think and talk about someone or something too much

canonical

adj. of or relating to the group of books, plays, poems, etc., that are
traditionally considered to be very important


canonize v.

undo

v. to stop the effect of

obsolete

adj. no longer used because something newer exists

/ruls/

/skrn/

/kwztv/

/ klrs/

/rduvnet/

/bss/

/knnkl/

/ndu/

/bslit/

outmoded, fusty

quotidian

/kwotdin/

adj. ordinary or very common

workday
extraordinary, unusual
adj. occurring every day

pathetic
/ptk/

adj. causing feelings of sadness and sympathy

adj. pitifully inferior or inadequate

116

bathetic

adj. marked by exceptional commonplaceness

veracious

adj. marked by truth

/btk/

/vres/

truth

veracity n.

voracious
/vres/

adj. excessively eager

adj. having a huge appetite

prodigious

exploit

/ksplt/

v. to make productive use of

v. to make use of meanly or unfairly for one's own advantage

n. An act or deed, especially a brilliant or heroic one

retrofit

v. to provide (something) with new parts that were not available when
it was originally built

witty

adj. funny and clever

provocative

adj. causing discussion, thought, argument, etc.

/rtrft/

/wti/

/prvktv/

inammatory, controversial
adj. causing excitement

impecunious
/mpkjunis/

adj. having little or no money

indigent
wealthy

assiduous

adj. showing great care, attention, and effort

tacit

adj. expressed or understood without being directly stated

/sdus/

/tst/

117

 GRE

transgress

v. to disobey a command or law

abstruse

adj. difcult to comprehend

/trnsgrs/

/bstrus/

esoteric, arcane, recondite

embed

v. to place or set (something) rmly in something else or to make

/mbd/

something

excise

render

v. to cause (someone or something) to be in a specied condition

...

alter

v. to change (something)

penchant

n. a strong liking for something or a strong tendency to behave in a

certain way

dislike

tailor

v. to make or change (something) so that it meets a special need or

purpose

/rndr/

/ltr/

/pntnt/

/telr/

homogeneous
/homodinis/

n.

adj. made up of the same kind of people or things

uniform, unvaried, resemblance

disparate

immense
/mns/

adj. very great in size or amount

colossal

kindred
/kndrd/

adj. closely related or similar

afliated

affiliate
/fliet/

v. to closely connect (something or yourself) with or to something (such

as a program or organization) as a member or partner

kindred

118

run-of-the-mill

adj. average or ordinary

refuge

n. a place that provides shelter or protection

oratorical

adj. of or relating to the skill or activity of giving speeches

/rnvml/

/rfjud/

/rtrkl/

119

 GRE

Word List 13
incense

v. to arouse the extreme anger or indignation of

mortify

v. to cause (someone) to feel very embarrassed and foolish

...

heterodox

adj. not agreeing with established beliefs or standards

/nsns/

/mrtfa/

/htrodks/

iconoclastic

doctrinaire
/dktrnr/

adj. used to describe a person who has very strong beliefs about what
should be done and will not change them or accept other people's
opinions

n. one who attempts to put into effect an abstract doctrine or theory
with little or no regard for practical difculties

sporadic

adj. occurring occasionally or irregularly

dictate

v. to control or command

buoyant

adj. happy and condent

/sprdk/

/dktet/

/bnt/

adj. able to oat or able to cause things to oat

premonitory

adj. giving warning

abreast

adj. up to a particular standard or level especially of knowledge of

recent developments

obstinate

adj. refusing to change your behavior or your ideas

/prmnn/

/brst/

/bstnt/

tractable

redeem
/rdim/

v. to atone for

120

 v. to buy back

debacle
/dbkl/

n. a great disaster

success
n. a complete failure

asco

omit

/omt/

include
omission n.

boon
/bun/

n. a benet or advantage
,
benet

hidebound

adj. not willing to accept new or different ideas

sullen

adj. gloomily or resentfully silent or repressed

/hadband/

/sln/

surly
adj. gray and dark

prudent
/prudnt/

adj. marked by circumspection

circumspect
foolhardy

imprudent adj.

adj. provident or frugal

provident
adj. marked by wisdom or judiciousness

juxtapose

v. to place two or more things side by side

noxious

adj. harmful to living things

obnoxious

adj. odiously or disgustingly objectionable

/dkstpoz/

/nks/

/bnks/

121

 GRE

laborious
/lbris/

adj. requiring a lot of time and effort

adj. devoted to labor

rhapsody

n. a written or spoken expression of great enthusiasm, praise, etc.

stanch

v. to stop or check in its course

/rpsdi/

/stnt/

v. to stop blood from owing

divert

/dvrt/

v. to distract

v. to give pleasure to especially by distracting the attention from what

burdens or distresses

diverting adj.

bungle

v. to not do (something) well or successfully

pendulum

n. something (as a state of affairs) that alternates between opposites

fi ate

v. to give all of your attention to something

aghast

adj. shocked and upset

obdurate

adj. stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing

/bgl/

/pndjulm/

/fkset/

/gst/

/bdrt/

intransigence
exible, complaisant

foresight

n. the ability to see what will or might happen in the future

glamorous

adj. very exciting and attractive

relegate

v. to assign to a place of insignicance or of oblivion

/frsat/

/glmrs/

/rlget/

122

apostle

n. an ardent supporter

foreground

v. to make (something) more important

pious

adj. deeply religious

/psl/

/frgrand/

/pas/

adj. marked by sham or hypocrisy

self-righteous

adj. convinced of one's own righteousness especially in contrast with

the actions and beliefs of others

brandish

v. to exhibit in an ostentatious or aggressive manner

/slfrats/

/brnd/

boast
v. to shake or wave (as a weapon) menacingly

erroneous

adj. not correct

feasible

adj. possible to do

schism

n. division or separation

/ronis/

/ zbl/

/szm/

factiousness

notorious
/notris/

adj. well-known or famous especially for something bad

notoriety n.

providential

adj. happening at a good time because of luck

tumultuous

adj. involving a lot of violence, confusion, or disorder

panache

n. dash or amboyance in style and action

gawky

adj. awkward and clumsy

/prvdnl/

/tumltus/

/pn/

/gki/

123

 GRE

virulent

/vrjulnt/

adj. extremely dangerous and deadly and usually spreading very

quickly

adj. full of malice

malignant
/mlgnnt/

adj. tending to produce death or deterioration

adj. passionately and relentlessly malevolent

benign

/bnan/

adj. not causing harm or damage

adj. showing kindness and gentleness

abridge
/brd/

v. to shorten by leaving out some parts

synoptic

lurid

/lrd/

adj. causing shock or disgust

sensational

copious

adj. very large in amount or number

negligent

adj. failing to take proper or normal care of something or someone

/kopis/

/ngldnt/

lax

sartorial

adj. of or relating to a tailor or tailored clothes

supersede

v. to take the place of (someone or something that is old, no longer

useful, etc.)

preempt

thrill

v. to cause (someone) to feel very excited or happy

...

approbate

v. to approve or sanction

/srtril/

/suprsid/

/rl/

/prbet/

condemn

124

relinquish
/rlkw/

v. to give up (something)

cede, abandon

replenish

v. to ll or build up again

curtail

v. to reduce or limit (something)

fabricate

v. to make up for the purpose of deception

/rpln/

/krtel/

/fbrket/

forge
v. to construct or manufacture

manacle

v. to restrain from movement, progress, or action

rein

v. to control or direct with or as if with reins

/mnkl/

/ren/

v. to check or stop by or as if by a pull at the reins

n.

bridle

/bradl/

v. to restrain, check, or control with or as if with a bridle

inhibit

unbridled adj.

n.

grant

/grnt/

v. to admit (something) although it does not agree with or support your

opinion

v. to bestow or transfer formally

v. to agree to do, give, or allow (something asked for or hoped for)

digress
/dgrs/

v. to speak or write about something that is different from the main

subject being discussed

125

 GRE

entrench
/ntrnt/

v. to establish rmly or solidly

entrenched adj.

prowess

n. great ability or skill

secular

adj. of or relating to the physical world and not the spiritual world

/pras/

/skjlr/

adj. not religious

ecstatic
/ksttk/

adj. very happy or excited

euphoric

euphoria
/jufri/

n. a feeling of great happiness and excitement

ecstasy

euphoric adj.

disgruntle
/dsgrntl/

v. to make ill-humored or discontented

...
crestfallen

gracious
/gres/

adj. very polite in a way that shows respect

adj. graceful

humdrum
/hmdrm/

adj. not interesting or dull

dull

polarize

v. to break up into opposing factions or groupings

...

hand-wringing

n. an overwrought expression of concern or guilt

prime

v. to make (someone) ready to do something

...

/polraz/

/hndr/

/pram/

adj. most important

126

vanquish

v. to defeat (someone) completely in a war, battle, etc.

triumph

n. a great or important victory

forge

v. to make or imitate falsely especially with intent to defraud

/vkw/

/tramf/

/frd/

fabricate
v. to form or bring into being especially by an expenditure of effort

garrulous
/grls/

adj. very talkative

loquacious
taciturn

garrulity n.

prevaricate

v. to avoid telling the truth by not directly answering a question

eclectic

adj. including things taken from many different sources

haughty

adj. blatantly and disdainfully proud

dismantle

v. to take to pieces

/prvrket/

/klktk/

/hti/

/dsmntl/

v. to destroy (something) in an orderly way

propagate
/prpget/

v. to cause to continue or increase by sexual or asexual reproduction

v. to foster growing knowledge of, familiarity with, or acceptance of (as

an idea or belief)

caricature

n. a drawing that makes someone look funny or foolish because some

part of the person's appearance is exaggerated

abrade

v. to damage (something) by rubbing, grinding, or scraping

/krktr/

/bred/

127

 GRE
v. to wear down in spirit

blight

v. to impair the quality or effect of

pristine

adj. belonging to the earliest period or state

/blat/

/prstin/

corrupted by civilization
adj. not spoiled, corrupted, or polluted and left in its natural state

undisturbed

apposite
/pzt/

adj. highly pertinent or appropriate

tting
irrelevant

germane

/drmen/

adj. relating to a subject in an appropriate way

relevant

fitful

adj. not regular or steady

/ftfl/

imperturbable

adj. very calm

exigent

adj. requiring immediate attention

/mprtrbbl/

/ksdnt/

pressing
deferrable

surrogate

v. to appoint as successor, deputy, or substitute for oneself

erstwhile

adv. in the past

/srgt/

/rsthwal/

onetime

onetime

adj. having been someone or something specied in the past

florid

adj. elaborately decorated

/wntam/

/flrd/

adj. having a red or reddish color

128

defame

n. to hurt the reputation of (someone or something) especially by

saying things that are false or unfair

inveigle

v. to persuade (someone) to do something in a clever or deceptive way

/difem/

/nvegl/

request directly

timorous
/tmrs/

adj. easily frightened

difdent
intrepid

129

 GRE

Word List 14
narcissism
/nrsszm/

n. egoism, egocentrism

self-attery

omniscient

adj. knowing everything

interminable

adj. continuing for a very long time

posture

n. state or condition at a given time especially with respect to capability

in particular circumstances

/mnnt/

/ntrmnbl/

/pstr/

v. to assume an articial or pretended attitude

behave naturally

substantiate
/sbstniet/

v. to prove the truth of (something)

disprove

snare
/snr/

n. a position or situation from which it is difcult to escape

v. to cause (something) to become caught in something

forestall
/frstl/

v. to stop (something) from happening

avert, prevent
precipitate

beholden

adj. being under obligation for a favor or gift

indebted

adj. owing gratitude or recognition to another

impute

v. to say or suggest that someone or something has or is guilty of

(something)

/bholdn/

/ndtd/

/mpjut/

130

brazen

adj. acting or done in a very open and shocking way without shame or
embarrassment

nettle

v. to make (someone) angry

...

/brezn/

/ntl/

nettlesome adj.

contemptuous
/kntmptus/

adj. feeling or showing deep hatred or disapproval

disdainful

contempt v.

objurgation

n. a harsh rebuke

nascent

adj. beginning to exist

/bdrget/

/nsnt/

budding

token

/tokn/

adj. representing no more than a symbolic effort

adj. serving or intended to show absence of discrimination

residual

/rzdul/

adj. leaving a residue that remains effective for some time

n. the part that is left when the other people or things are gone, used

deft

/dft/

adj. able to do something quickly and accurately

eloquent

adj. having or showing the ability to use language clearly and

/lkwnt/

adroit

/drt/

effectively

rhetoric

adj. very clever or skillful

dexterous, nimble, skillful

plentiful
/plntfl/

adj. giving or providing many desired things

131

 GRE

bountiful
/bantfl/

adj. given or provided abundantly

fertile
adj. liberal in bestowing gifts or favors

clearheaded

adj. having or showing an ability to think clearly

interweave

v. to mix or blend together

impolitic

adj. unwise

/klrhdd/

/ntrwiv/

/mpltk/

tactless

feeble
/ bl/

adj. very weak

enfeeble v.

prerogative

n. a right or privilege

vigilant

adj. carefully noticing problems or signs of danger

clumsy

adj. lacking dexterity, nimbleness, or grace

fringe

n. something that is marginal, additional, or secondary to some activity,

process, or subject

marginal, peripheral
center

denigrate

v. to attack the reputation of

implore

v. to ask or beg for (something) in a very serious or emotional way

supplicate

v. to make a humble entreaty

/prirgtv/

/vdlnt/

/klmzi/

/frnd/

/dngret/

/mplr/

/splket/

entreaty

132

willful
/wlfl/

adj. refusing to change your ideas or opinions or to stop doing

something

adj. done deliberately

entreaty
/ntriti/

n. a serious request for something

supplication

entreat v.

notwithstanding prep. despite

/ntwstnd/

insipid

adj. not interesting or exciting

/nspd/

bland

modish

adj. fashionable or stylish

salubrious

adj. making good health possible or likely

/mod/

/slubris/

unhealthful

treacherous
/trtrs/

adj. not able to be trusted

faithful
adj. marked by hidden dangers, hazards, or perils

objectionable

adj. causing people to be offended

recrudesce

v. to break out or become active again

tangible

adj. able to be touched or felt

nebulous

adj. not clear

/bdknbl/

/rikruds/

/tndbl/

/nbjls/

vague

utter
/tr/

adj. complete, absolute or entire

133

 GRE

v. to send forth as a sound

aberrant
/brnt/

adj. deviating from the usual or natural type

anomalous

doom
/dum/

v. to make certain the failure or destruction of

v. to condemn to ruination or death

slender
/slndr/

adj. limited or inadequate in amount or scope

adj. thin, very narrow or not wide

garner

/grnr/

v. to collect or gather (something)

v. to acquire by effort

recruit
/rkrut/

...

v. to nd suitable people and get them to join a company, an

organization, the armed forces, etc.

provision
/prvn/

n. something that is done in advance to prepare for something else

n. the act or process of supplying or providing something

prompt
/prmpt/

v. to serve as the inciting cause of

adj. of or relating to prompting actors

assail

v. to attack or criticize (someone or something) in a violent or angry

way

endow

v. to freely or naturally provide (someone or something) with something

/sel/

/nda/

134

 v. to give a large amount of money to a school, hospital, etc., in order

to pay for the creation or continuing support of (something)

intrude

v. to come or go into a place where you are not wanted or welcome

designate

adj. chosen for a particular job but not ofcially doing that job yet

/ntrud/

/dzgnet/

v. to ofcially choose (someone or something) to do or be something

tackle
/tkl/

v. to begin working on

v. to seize and throw (a person) to the ground

prosecute
/prskjut/

v. to engage in

v. to bring legal action against for redress or punishment of a crime or

violation of law

abolish

v. to ofcially end or stop (something, such as a law)

bestow

v. to give (something) as a gift or honor

compile

v. to collect and edit into a volume

requisite

adj. needed for a particular purpose

splendor

n. great and impressive beauty

exempt

adj. not required to do something that others are required to do

/bl/

/bisto/

/kmpal/

/rkwzt/

/splndr/

/gzmpt/

v. to say that (someone or something) does not have to do something

that others are required to do

invoke

/nvok/

v. to put into effect or operation

135

 GRE

v. to make an earnest request for

v. to bring about

entrust

v. to give someone the responsibility of doing something or of caring

/ntrst/

for someone or something

alliance

n. the state of being joined in some activity or effort

periodical

adj. happening regularly over a period of time

spacious

adj. having a large amount of space

eligible

adj. able to be chosen for something

strenuous

adj. requiring or showing great energy and effort

/lans/

/pridkl/

/spes/

/ldbl/

/strnjus/

adj. vigorously active

vigorous

adjacent

adj. close or near

wrench

v. to move with a violent twist

/desnt/

/rnt/

v. to distort

confiscate

v. appropriated by the government

ferocious

adj. very erce or violent

/knfsket/

/fros/

adj. very great or extreme

velocity
/vlsti/

n. quickness of motion

136

consign

v. to give, transfer, or deliver into the hands or control of another

grapple

v. to seize with or as if with a grapple

/knsan/

/grpl/

v. to bind closely

deviate

v. to do something that is different or to be different from what is usual

or expected

mislead

prodigious

adj. amazing or wonderful, very impressive

/diviet/

/prodds/

preternatural
slight
adj. very big

induce

v. to cause (something) to happen or exist

assimilate

v. to learn (something) so that it is fully understood and can be used

/ndus/

/smlet/

v. to make similar

encroach
/nkrot/

v. to gradually move or go into an area that is beyond the usual or

desired limits

embody

v. to represent (something) in a clear and obvious way

coincide

v. to happen at the same time as something else

/mbdi/

/konsad/

v. to agree with something exactly

...

confer

/knfr/

v. to give (as a property or characteristic) to someone or something

v. to discuss something important in order to make a decision

137

 GRE

subdue

v. to get control of (a violent or dangerous person or group) by using

force, punishment, etc.

fatal

adj. causing death

dwell

v. to live in a particular place

/sbdu/

/fetl/

/dwl/

v. to speak or write insistently

comprise

v. to be made up of (something)

vicinity

n. the area around or near a particular place

/kmpraz/

/vsnti/

n. the quality or sate of being near

tentative
/tnttv/

adj. still able to be changed

adj. hesitant and uncertain

pillage

v. to plunder ruthlessly

pinnacle

n. the highest point of development or achievement

ailment

n. a sickness or illness

/pld/

/pnkl/

/elmnt/

illness

apprentice
/prnts/

n. an inexperienced person

n. a person who learns a job or skill by working for a xed period of
time for someone who is very good at that job or skill

preoccupied
/prikjupad/

adj. thinking about something a lot or too much

138

exhale

v. to breathe out

rebuke

v. to speak in an angry and critical way to (someone)

cavalier

adj. marked by or given to offhand and often disdainful dismissal of

important matters

capricious

/kshel/

/rbjuk/

/kvlr/

n. a gentleman trained in arms and horsemanship

<

hereditary
/hrdtri/

>

adj. passing from a person who has died to that person's child or
younger relative

139

 GRE

Word List 15
shallow
/lo/

adj. having little depth

profound

deflect
/diflkt/

v. to cause (something that is moving) to change direction

v. to keep (something, such as a question) from affecting or being
directed at a person or thing
...
shrug off

finesse
/fns/

n. skillful handling of a situation

heavy-handedness
v. evade or skirt

v. to handle, deal with, or do (something) in an indirect and skillful or

clever way

belated

adj. happening or coming very late or too late

sheer

adj. complete and total

/biletd/

/r/

adj. marked by great and continuous steepness

levity

/lvti/

n. a lack of seriousness

gravity

insidious

adj. causing harm in a way that is gradual or not easily noticed

amass

v. to come together

/nsdis/

/ms/

glean

140

ostensible

adj. seeming or said to be true or real but very possibly not true or real

somber

adj. very sad and serious

/stnsbl/

/smbr/

adj. having a dull or dark color

profound

/profand/

adj. having or showing great knowledge or understanding

trenchant
supercial, shallow
adj. very strongly felt

contour

n. the outline or outer edge of something

chaos

n. complete confusion and disorder

/kntur/

/kes/

chaotic adj.

voluminous

adj. very large

revile

v. to speak about (someone or something) in a very critical or insulting way

corporeal

adj. having or consisting of a physical body or form

oscillate

v. to vary between opposing beliefs, feelings, or theories

/vlumns/

/rval/

/krpril/

/slet/

waver
v. to swing backward and forward like a pendulum

monarchy

n. a form of government in which a country is ruled by a monarch

inoculate

v. to introduce something into the mind of

/mnrki/

/nkjlet/

v. to inject a material (as a vaccine) into to protect against or treat a

disease

141

 GRE

subsist

v. to exist or continue to exist

suffrage

n. the right to vote in an election

patron

n. a person who gives money and support to an artist, organization,

etc.

exile

n. a situation in which you are forced to leave your country or home

and go to live in a foreign country

/sbsst/

/sfrd/

/petrn/

/ksal/

v. to banish or expel from one's own country or home

inhospitable
/nhsptbl/

adj. not generous and friendly to guests or visitors

adj. having an environment where plants, animals, or people cannot
live or grow easily

oblique
/oblik/

adj. not straightforward

adj. having no right angle

bequeath
/bikwi/

v. to give or leave by will (used especially of personal property)

v. to hand down

bequest n.

retention

n. the act of keeping someone or something

ramify

v. to split up into branches or constituent parts

prescribe

v. to ofcially tell someone to use (a medicine, therapy, diet, etc.) as a

remedy or treatment

prescription n.

/rtnn/

/rmfa/

/priskrab/

v. to lay down a rule

142

deprive

v. to take something away from

necessitate

v. to make (something) necessary

inhale

v. to breathe in

dexterity

n. the ability to use your hands skillfully

/diprav/

/nsstet/

/nhel/

/dkstrti/

n. mental skill or quickness

ooze
/uz/

v. to ow out slowly

v. to show (a quality, emotion, etc.) very clearly or strongly

patronize

/petrnaz/

v. to give money or support to (someone or something)

v. to talk to (someone) in a way that shows that you believe you are
more intelligent or better than other people

v. to be a frequent or regular customer or user of

eject

/idkt/

v. to force (someone) to leave

v. to push out

verdue

adj. not appearing or presented by a stated, expected, or required time

brusque

adj. talking or behaving in a very direct, brief, and unfriendly way

prose

adj. dull or ordinary

( prosaic

/ovrdu/

/brsk/

/proz/

n. writing that is not poetry

143

 GRE

uprising

n. a usually violent effort by many people to change the government or

leader of a country

touchstone

n. something that is used to make judgments about the quality of other

things

purveyor

n. a person or business that sells or provides something

/praz/

/ttston/

/prver/

purvey v. purveyance n.

parody

n. a literary or musical work in which the style of an author or work is

/prdi/

closely imitated for comic effect or in ridicule

decimate

v. to destroy a large number of (plants, animals, people, etc.)

decipher

v. to nd the meaning of (something that is difcult to read or

understand)

amenable

adj. willing to agree or to accept something that is wanted or asked for

/dsmet/

/disafr/

/minbl/

recalcitrant

siphon

v. to take and use (something, such as money) for your own purpose

annotate

v. to add notes or comments to (a text, book, drawing, etc.)

procure

v. to get (something) by some action or effort

hiatus

n. a period of time when something (such as an activity or program) is

stopped

cantankerous

adj. often angry and annoyed

escalate

v. to become worse or to make (something) worse or more severe

/safn/

/ntet/

/prokjr/

/haets/

/kntkrs/

/sklet/

144

 v. to become greater or higher or to make (something) greater or

higher

bombard

v. to hit or attack (something or someone) constantly or repeatedly

vernacular

adj. of, relating to, or using the language of ordinary speech rather
than formal writing

prevail

v. to be usual, common, or popular

scenario

n. a description of what could possibly happen

hitherto

adv. until now

vertiginous

adj. causing or likely to cause a feeling of dizziness especially because

of great height

bravado

n. a pretense of bravery

/bmbrd/

/vrnkjlr/

/privel/

/snrio/

/hrtu/

/vrtdns/

/brvdo/

n. the quality or state of being foolhardy

steadfast
/stdfst/

adj. rm in belief, determination, or adherence

mirthful adj.

oblivious

adj. not conscious or aware of someone or something

refractory

adj. resisting control or authority

/blvis/

/rfrktri/

adj. immune or insusceptible

resign

/rzan/

v. to accept something as inevitable

v. to give up ones ofce or position

145

 GRE

abiding

adj. continuing for a long time

dull

adj. not exciting or interesting

/bad/

/dl/

adj. mentally slow

debonair

adj. lighthearted or nonchalant

infuriate

v. to make (someone) very angry

...

crestfallen

adj. very sad and disappointed

/dbnr/

/nfjriet/

/krstfln/

disgruntle

wistful

adj. full of yearning or desire tinged with melancholy

concur

v. to express agreement

/wstfl/

/knkr/

dissent, gainsay
v. to happen together

boast

/bost/

v. speak vaingloriously

v. have or contain

extrapolate

v. to form an opinion or to make an estimate about something from

/kstrplet/

known facts

resemble

v. to be like or similar to
...

/rzmbl/

homogeneity

resemblance n.

ordain

/rden/

v. to ofcially establish or order (something)

v. to ofcially make (someone) a minister, priest, rabbi, etc.

146

mirth

n. happiness and laughter

jovial

adj. full of happiness and joy

/mr/

/dovil/

mirthful

cajole

/kdol/

v. to persuade with attery or gentle urging especially in the face of

reluctance

coax

baneful

adj. seriously harmful

identical

adj. exactly the same

proscribe

v. to not allow

/benfl/

/adntkl/

/proskrab/

forbid
sanction

arguably

adv. it can be argued

obstreperous

adj. difcult to control and often noisy

volition

n. the power to make your own choices or decisions

hectic

adj. very busy and lled with activity

sumptuous

adj. extremely costly, rich, luxurious, or magnicent

gravitate

v. to be attracted to or toward something

...,

particularize

v. to give specic details or examples of

albeit

conj. although

/rgjubli/

/bstrprs/

/voln/

/hktk/

/smptus/

/grvtet/

/prtkjlraz/

/lbit/

147

 GRE

abet

/bt/

v. to help, encourage, or support someone in a criminal act

instigate
frustrate

anodyne

/nodan/

adj. not likely to offend or upset anyone

benign
adj. serving to alleviate pain

credulous
/krdls/

adj. too ready to believe things

trusting

credulity n.

asunder

/sndr/

adj. into parts

linked

petulant

/ptlnt/

adj. insolent or rude in speech or behavior

petulance n.

adj. having or showing the attitude of people who become angry and
annoyed when they do not get what they want

winnow

v. to narrow or reduce

yearn

v. to feel a strong desire or wish for something or to do something

indulgent

adj. willing to allow someone to have or enjoy something even though

it may not be proper, healthy, appropriate, etc.

/wno/

/jrn/

/ndldnt/

adj. done or enjoyed as a special pleasure

preside

v. to be in charge of something (such as a trial)

meretricious

adj. attractive in a cheap or false way

/prizad/

/mrtrs/

148

burgeon
/brdn/

v. to grow or develop quickly

expansion, ourish
subside, wither

flourish

v. to be very successful

gigantic

adj. extremely large

/flr/

/dagntk/

149

 GRE

Word List 16
snub

/snb/

v. to ignore (someone) in a deliberate and insulting way

slight

underplay

v. to make (something) seem less important than it actually is

obliterate

v. to destroy (something) completely so that nothing is left

...

seethe

v. to suffer violent internal excitement

/ndrple/

/bltret/

/si/

v. to move constantly and without order

morph

v. to change the form or character of

subservient

adj. very willing or too willing to obey someone else

obtuse

adj. stupid or unintelligent

/mrf/

/sbsrvint/

/btus/

adj. difcult to comprehend

trenchant
/trntnt/

adj. caustic

adj. sharply perceptive

profound

instigate

/nstget/

v. to cause (something) to happen or begin

abet

fusty

/fsti/

adj. very old-fashioned

obsolete, outmoded

150

 adj. full of dust and unpleasant smells

cease

v. to stop doing

implicate

v. to show to be connected or involved

vituperate

v. to abuse or censure severely or abusively

/sis/

/mplket/

/vatupret/

vituperative adj.

rattle

/rtl/

v. to upset (someone) especially to the point of loss of poise and

composure

molder

v. to decay slowly

transmogrify

v. to change or alter greatly and often with grotesque or humorous

effect

...

choreograph

v. to arrange or direct the movements, progress, or details of

/moldr/

/trnsmgrfa/

/krigrf/

v. to decide how a dancer or group of dancers will move during a

performance

incipient

adj. beginning to develop or exist

antiquarian

adj. relating to the collection and study of valuable old things (such as
old books)

boisterous

adj. very noisy and active in a lively way

/nspint/

/ntkwrin/

/bstrs/

uproarious
quiet

renounce

v. to give up, refuse, or resign usually by formal declaration

compartmentalize

v. to separate into distinct parts, categories, or compartments

/rnans/

/kmprtmntlaz/

151

 GRE

maelstrom
/melstrm/

n. a powerful often violent whirlpool sucking in objects within a given

radius

captious

adj. marked by an often ill-natured inclination to stress faults and raise

objections

vulgar

adj. not having or showing good manners, good taste, or politeness

/kps/

/vlgr/

adj. relating to the common people or the speech of common people

fealty

n. loyalty to a person, group, etc.

bristle

v. to become angry

await

v. to wait for (someone or something)

languish

v. to continue for a long time without activity or progress in an

unpleasant or unwanted situation

nugatory

adj. of little or no consequence

/ lti/

/brsl/

/wet/

/lgw/

/nugtri/

consequential

inept

/npt/

adj. generally incompetent

adj. not suited to the occasion

spartan

adj. marked by simplicity, frugality, or avoidance of luxury and comfort

ancillary

adj. providing something additional to a main part or function

/sprtn/

/nslri/

supplementary

sequester
/skwstr/

v. to keep (a person or group) apart from other people

152

hasty

/hesti/

adj. done or made very quickly or too quickly

,
impulsively, rapidly
adj. prone to anger

budding
/bd/

adj. being in an early stage of development

nascent

vainglory

n. excessive or ostentatious pride especially in one's achievements

consummate

adj. complete in every detail

/venglri/

/knsmt/

v. to make (something) perfect or complete

like-minded

adj. having similar opinions and interests

ecumenical

adj. involving people or things from different kind; of worldwide scope

or applicability

ardent

adj. characterized by warmth of feeling typically expressed in eager

zealous support or activity

rescind

v. to end (a law, contract, agreement, etc.) ofcially

/lakmandd/

/kjumnkl/

/rdnt/

/rsnd/

levy

distend
/dstnd/

v. to become larger and rounder because of pressure from inside

constrict, compress

self-regard

n. regard for or consideration of oneself or one's own interests

subterfuge

n. the use of tricks especially to hide, avoid, or get something

/slfrgrd/

/sbtrfjud/

chicanery

agglomerate
/glmret/

v. to gather into a ball, mass, or cluster

153

 GRE

goad

/god/

v. to urge or force (someone) to do something

curb

surfeit
/srft/

n. an amount that is too much or more than you need

glut, plethora

transitory
/trnstri/

adj. lasting only for a short time

ephemeral

prolix

/prolks/

adj. using too many words

verbose, long-winded
brief

prolixity n.

exactitude

n. the quality or state of being accurate and correct

chastise

v. to criticize (someone) harshly for doing something wrong

/gzkttud/

/tstaz/

castigate

protract

v. to prolong in time or space

stymie

v. to present an obstacle to

/protrkt/

/stami/

foster

seminal

adj. very important and inuential

authoritarian

adj. expecting or requiring people to obey rules or laws

leap

v. to pass abruptly from one state or topic to another

/smnl/

/rtrin/

/lip/

v. to jump from a surface

tepid

/tpd/

adj. not energetic or excited

154

malodor

/mlodr/

n. an offensive odor

noisome

senescence

n. the state of being old or the process of becoming old

decrepitude

decrepitude
/dikrptud/

n. the state of being old and in bad condition or poor health

senescence
sturdiness

self-styled

adj. called a particular thing by yourself

cognizant

adj. aware of something

conversant

adj. having knowledge or experience

tribulation

n. unhappiness, pain, or suffering or an experience that causes

someone to suffer
(

open-ended

adj. allowing people to talk in a way that is not planned or controlled

falsify

v. to change (something) in order to make people believe something

that is not true

panorama

n. a comprehensive presentation of a subject

/slfstald/

/kgnznt/

/knvrsnt/

/trbjlen/

/opnndd/

/flsfa/

/pnrm/

n. a full and wide view of something

beleaguer
/biligr/

v. besiege

v. trouble or harass

incumbent
/nkmbnt/

n. one that occupies a particular position or place

155

 GRE
adj. obligatory

hermetic
/hrmtk/

adj. closed tightly so that no air can go in or out

adj. relating to or characterized by occultism or abstruseness

comprehensible
adj. recluse or solitary

encapsulate
/nkpslet/

v. to show or express the main idea or quality of (something) in a brief

way

v. to enclose in or as if in a capsule

interdisciplinary adj. involving two or more disciplines

/ntrdsplnri/

impunity

n. freedom from punishment, harm, or loss

reprisal

n. a retaliatory act

myopic

adj. a lack of foresight or discernment

/mpjunti/

/rprazl/

myopia n.

tarnish

v. to damage or ruin the good quality of

sublime

v. to convert (something inferior) into something of higher worth

/trn/

/sblam/

v. to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state

adj. complete or extreme

adj. very beautiful or good and causing strong feelings of admiration or

wonder

remonstrate
/rmnstret/

v. to present and urge reasons in opposition

156

commiserate

v. to express sadness or sympathy for someone who has experienced

something unpleasant

expostulate

v. to disagree with something or argue against it

anneal

v. strengthen or toughen

vicissitude

n. the quality or state of being changeable

piecemeal

adv. in pieces or fragments

/kmzret/

/kspstlet/

/nil/

/vsstud/

/pismil/

adj. done or made in a gradual way in a series of separate steps

verbose
/vrbos/

adj. using more words than are needed

prolix, long-winded

verbosity n.

polyglot
/plglt/

adj. knowing or using several languages

adj. made up of people or things from different cultures, countries, etc.

machination
/mknen/

n. a scheming or crafty action or artful design intended to accomplish

some usually evil end

flee

v. to run away from danger

nefarious

adj. evil or immoral

/fli/

/nfris/

nefariousness n.

lachrymose
/lkrmos/

adj. tending to cause tears

adj. tending to cry often

157

 GRE

enmity

n. a very deep unfriendly feeling

indignant

adj. very angry

confront

v. to oppose or challenge (someone) especially in a direct and forceful

way

/nmti/

/ndgnnt/

/knfrnt/

v. to meet face-to-face

minutia

n. a minute or minor detail

commensurable

adj. having a common measure

/kmnrbl/

adj. commensurate

discriminatory
/dskrmntri/

adj. not fair

sabotage

v. to cause the failure of something deliberately

commend

v. to praise (someone or something) in a serious and often public way

gossamer

adj. extremely light, delicate, or tenuous

/sbt/

/kmnd/

/gsmr/

ponderous

lenient

adj. allowing a lot of freedom and not punishing bad behavior in a

strong way

leniency n.

rectitude

n. the quality of being honest and morally correct

/linjnt/

/rkttud/

158

Word List 17
enamor

/nmr/

v. to cause (someone) to be loved or admired

...
favor, captivated

immure
/mjr/

v. imprison

v. to enclose within or as if within walls

impudent

/mpjudnt/

adj. very rude

respectful

insolent

adj. rude or impolite

irenic

adj. favoring, conducive to, or operating toward peace, moderation,

or conciliation

shear

v. to cut the hair from

/nslnt/

/arnk/

/r/

v. to deprive of something as if by cutting

coruscate
/krsket/

v. sparkle

v. to be brilliant or showy in technique or style

hideous
/hdis/

adj. very ugly or disgusting

adj. morally offensive

trumpet
/trmpt/

v. to praise (something) loudly and publicly especially in a way that is

annoying

159

 GRE

strident

/stradnt/

adj. sounding harsh and unpleasant

adj. expressing opinions or criticism in a very forceful and often

annoying or unpleasant way

muckrake
/mkrek/

v. to search out and publicly expose real or apparent misconduct of a

prominent individual or business

proffer

v. to offer or give (something) to someone

revel

v. to take intense pleasure or satisfaction

/prfr/

/rvl/

n. a noisy and wild celebration

predicate
/prdket/

v. to found or base something on

v. to declare or afrm (something) as true or existing

prophylactic

adj./ n. guarding from or preventing the spread or occurrence of

disease or infection

preventive

pilfer

v. to steal things that are not very valuable or to steal a small amount
of something

/proflktk/

/plfr/

appropriation

pilferage n.

constrict
/knstrkt/

v. to prevent or keep (something or someone) from developing freely

constrain
v. to become narrower, smaller, or tighter

dilate, distend

imbibe

/mbab/

v. to drink (something)

quaff

160

quaff
/kwf/

v. to drink a large amount of (something) quickly

imbibe

crumble
/krmbl/

v. to break down completely : to stop functioning

disintegrate

disintegrate
/dsntgret/

v. to break apart into many small parts or pieces

crumble

brook
/brk/

v. to stand for : tolerate

tolerate

muddle
/mdl/

v. to cause confusion in (someone or someone's mind)

confuse

unerring
/nr/

adj. always right and accurate : making no errors

settled

provenance
/prvnns/

n. the origin or source of something

origin

inscrutable
/nskrutbl/

adj. difcult to understand causing people to feel curious or confused

uninformative

genial

/dinjl/

adj. marked by or diffusing sympathy or friendliness

friendliness
mordant, saturnine

geniality n.

analogy

/nldi/

n. a comparison of two things based on their being alike in some way

comparison

reluctant
/rlktnt/

adj. feeling or showing doubt about doing something : not willing or

eager to do something

loath, unwillingly
reluctantly adv.

161

 GRE

supple
/spl/

adj. readily adaptable or responsive to new situations

exible

contravene
/kntrvin/

v. to fail to do what is required by (a law or rule)

violate

ungainly
/ngenli/

adj. moving in an awkward or clumsy way : not graceful

awkward

ludicrous

adj. amusing or laughable through obvious absurdity, incongruity,

/ludkrs/

exaggeration, or eccentricity

risible

dispatch

n. promptness and efciency in performance or transmission

/dspt/

celerity
leisureliness

handicap

/hndikp/

n. a disadvantage that makes achievement unusually difcult

hindrance

chimera

n. something that exists only in the imagination and is not possible in

reality

illusion

ominous

adj. suggesting that something bad is going to happen in the future

/kamr/

/mns/

inauspicious

limpid

/lmpd/

adj. marked by transparency: pellucid

pellucid
turbid

forsake
/frsek/

v. to give up or leave (someone or something) entirely

neglect

exonerate
/gznret/

v. to prove that someone is not guilty of a crime or responsible for a

problem, bad situation, etc.

162

 absolve

exoneration n.

annihilate
/nalet/

v. to destroy (something or someone) completely

destroy

surmise
/srmaz/

v. a thought or idea based on scanty evidence : conjecture

infer

rapprochement n. the development of friendlier relations between countries or groups

/rpromn/

of people who have been enemies

reconciliation

exert

v. to use (strength, ability, etc.)

/gzrt/

wield

wield
/wild/

v. to have and use (power, inuence, etc.)

exert

guzzle

v. to drink (something, such as beer or liquor) quickly or in large

amounts

swill

kinfolk

n. a person's relatives

/gzl/

/knfok/

relative

divergent

/dvrdnt/

adj. differing from each other or from a standard

incongruous, disparate
enclosed

vestige
/vstd/

n. the last small part that remains of something that existed before
,
relic

profusion

/profjun/

n. a large amount of something

wealth

forebode
/frbod/

v. to have an inward conviction of (as coming ill or misfortune)

163

 GRE

concern
v. foretell, portend

calamity
/klmti/

n. an event that causes great harm and suffering

disaster, catastrophic

calamitous adj.

beget
/bigt/

v. to cause (something) to happen or exist

create

reprehensible
/rprhnsbl/

adj. very bad : deserving very strong criticism

deplorable

reprehend v.

divest

/dvst/

v. to deprive or dispossess especially of property, authority, or title

strip

wondrous
/wndrs/

adj. causing wonder or amazement : very beautiful or impressive

amazing

recalcitrant
/rklstrnt/

adj. stubbornly refusing to obey rules or orders

headstrong
submissive, amenable

succinct
/skskt/

adj. using few words to state or express an idea

concision

succinctness n.

recrudescent
/rikruds/

adj. breaking out again : renewing

resurgent

frugal

/frugl/

adj. careful about spending money or using things when you do not
need to : using money or supplies in a very careful way

thrift
frugality

164

unseemly
/nsimli/

adj. not proper or appropriate for the situation : not seemly

indecorous

preternatural
/pritrntrl/

adj. very unusual in a way that does not seem natural

prodigious

provident

adj. careful about planning for the future and saving money for the
future

interlope

v. to intrude or interfere

coterie

n. an intimate and often exclusive group of persons with a unifying

common interest or purpose

aplomb

n. complete and condent composure or self-assurance poise

bemoan

v. to express deep grief or distressove

/prvdnt/

/ntrlop/

/kotri/

/plm/

/bimon/

v. to regard with displeasure, disapproval, or regret

mediate
/midiet/

v. to interpose between parties in order to reconcile them

v. to have an effect or inuence in causing (something) to happen

expos

n. a news report or broadcast that reveals something illegal or

dishonest to the public

reticent

adj. inclined to be silent or uncommunicative in speech : reserved

/kspoze/

/rtsnt/

adj. restrained in expression, presentation, or appearance

myriad
/mrid/

adj. both numerous and diverse

165

 GRE

expurgate

v. to change (a written work) by removing parts that might offend

people

triumvirate

n. government by three persons or by a coalition of three parties

indefatigable

adj. incapable of being fatigued: untiring

paean

n. a work that praises or honors its subject

hallmark

n. a distinguishing characteristic, trait, or feature

/ksprget/

/tramvrt/

/ndftgbl/

/pin/

/hlmrk/

uncharacteristic feature

potent

/potnt/

adj. having authority or power

impotent adj.

omnipotent adj.

adj. achieving or bringing about a particular result

lopsided

adj. uneven or unequal

subtle

adj. difcult to understand or perceive

/lpsadd/

/stl/

obvious
adj. highly skillful: expert

adj. clever and indirect : not showing your real purpose

adamant

adj. not willing to change an opinion or decision : very determined

melancholy

n. a sad mood or feeling

unalloyed

adj. not mixed with something else

/dmnt/

/mlnkli/

/nld/

adulterated

166

spew

v. to send or cast forth with vigor or violence or in great quantity

maze

n. a complicated and confusing system of connected passages

misfeasance

n. trespass; specically
illegal or improper manner

rebellious

adj. refusing to obey rules or authority or to accept normal standards

of behavior, dress, etc.: having or showing a tendency to rebel

durable

adj. staying strong and in good condition over a long period of time

/spju/

/mez/

/ms zns/

/rbljs/

/djrbl/

the performance of a lawful action in an

evanescent

varnish

v. adorn, embellish

labyrinthine

adj. of, relating to, or resembling a labyrinth : intricate, involved

mar

v. to ruin the beauty or perfection of (something) : to hurt or damage

the good condition of (something)

platitude

n. a banal, trite, or stale remark

exclusive

adj. not shared : available to only one person or group

/vrn /

/lbrnin/

/mr/

/plttud/

/ksklusv/

exclude v.

acclaim

v. to praise (someone or something) in a very strong and enthusiastic

way

meld

v. merge, blend

tremendous

adj. very large or great

scatter

v. to separate and go in different directions

/klem/

/mld/

/trmnds/

/sktr/

167

 GRE

concise

adj. using few words : not including extra or unnecessary information

oracle

n. an authoritative or wise expression or answer

/knsas/

/rkl/

oracular adj.

n. a person (such as a priestess) through whom a god was believed to

speak or an answer or message given by such a person

prophetic

extenuate

/kstnjuet/

v. to lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of by making

partial excuses : mitigate

viable

/vabl/

adj. capable of being done or used

adj. capable of living or of developing into a living thing

midst

/mdst/

n. the interior or central part or point : middle

168

Word List 18
abuse

v. to use (something) wrongly

clich

n. a hackneyed theme, characterization, or situation

contiguous

adj. used to describe things that touch each other or are immediately
next to each other

endanger

v. to cause (someone or something) to be in a dangerous place or

situation

/bjuz/

/klie/

/kntgjus/

/ndendr /

boorish

adj. resembling or betting a boor (as in crude insensitivity)

high-minded

adj. having or showing intelligence and a strong moral character

de-emphasize

v. to reduce in relative importance; also : play down

poise

v. to hold (something) in a balanced and steady position

quandary

n. a situation in which you are confused about what to do

/br/

/dimfsaz/

/pz/

/kwndri/

certainty

ploy

/pl/

n. a clever trick or plan that is used to get someone to do something or

to gain an advantage over someone

temptation

n. a strong urge or desire to have or do something

oppressive

adj. unreasonably burdensome or severe

/tmpten/

/prsv/

169

 GRE

hyperbole
/haprbli/

n. language that describes something as better or worse than it really is

understatement

hyperbolize v.

trickster

n. someone who tricks or deceives people especially in order to get

something

genteel

adj. having a quietly appealing or polite quality

impassioned

adj. showing or feeling very strong emotions

deduce

v. to use logic or reason to form (a conclusion or opinion about

something) : to decide (something) after thinking about the known facts

/trkstr/

/dntil

/mpnd/

/didus/

fli

v. to cause (something) to turn or turn over quickly

infinite

adj. having no limits

/flp/

/nfnt/

adj. extremely large or great

diffident

adj. lacking condence not feeling comfortable around people

neutralize

v. to stop (someone or something) from being effective or harmful

controvert

v. to dispute or oppose by reasoning

succumb

v. to stop trying to resist something

/dfdnt/

/nutrlaz/

/kntrvrt/

/skm/

yield

fury

/fjri/

n. violent anger

infuriate v.

severe
/svr/

adj. very harsh

170

conspire

v. to secretly plan with someone to do something that is harmful or

illegal

gleam

n. a small, bright light

imperial

adj. of or relating to an empire or an emperor

paraphernalia

n. objects that are used to do a particular activity : objects of a

particular kind

cast-iron

/kstarn/

adj. very strong or tough

detritus

n. the pieces that are left when something breaks, falls apart, is

/knspar/

/glim/

/mpril/

/prfrnelj/

/ditrats/

destroyed, etc.

rivalry

n. a state or situation in which people or groups are competing with

each other

rival n.

halt

v. stop

/ravlri/

/hlt/

v. to stand in perplexity or doubt between alternate courses : waver

avant-garde
/vntgrd/

n. a group of people who develop new and often very surprising ideas
in art, literature, etc.

adj. of or relating to an avant-garde

stipulate

/stpjlet/

v. to specify as a condition or requirement (as of an agreement or

offer)

v. to give a guarantee of

dispense
/dspns/

v. to give or provide (something)

171

 GRE

leach

v. to remove (nutritive or harmful elements) from soil by percolation

brackish

adj. repulsive

malodorous

adj. having a bad smell

redolent

adj. having a strong smell : full of a fragrance or odor

noisome

adj. very unpleasant or disgusting

/lit/

/brk/

/mlodrs/

/rdlnt/

/nsm/

fragrant

adjudicate

v. to make an ofcial decision about who is right in a dispute

eschew

v. to avoid (something) especially because you do not think it is right,

proper, etc.

seek

abbreviate

v. to make (something) shorter; especially : to reduce (a word or

name) to a shorter form

extend

contingent

adj. depending on something else that might or might not happen

,

rote

n. the use of memory usually with little intelligence

dire

adj. very bad : causing great fear or worry

snob

n. someone who tends to criticize, reject, or ignore people who come

from a lower social class, have less education, etc

auspicious

adj. showing or suggesting that future success is likely

/dudket/

/stu/

/briviet/

/kntndnt/

/rot/

/dar/

/snb/

/sps/

favorable

172

essential
/snl/

adj. extremely important and necessary

indispensible

bootless
/butls/

adj. useless, unprotable

posit

v. to suggest (something, such as an idea or theory) especially in order

/pzt/

to start a discussion

accrete

v. to cause to adhere or become attached; also : accumulate

adjunct

n. something that is joined or added to another thing but is not an

essential part of it

abound

v. to be present in large numbers or in great quantity

subsequent

adj. happening or coming after something else

heretofore

adv. until this time : before now

choke

v. to check or hinder the growth, development, or activity of

erect

adj. straight up and down

/krit/

/dkt/

/band/

/sbskwnt/

/hrtufr/

/tok/

/irkt/

preponderance n. a superiority or excess in number or quantity

/pripndrnt/

uncompromising adj. not willing to change a decision, opinion, method, etc. : not willing
/nkmprmaz/

to make or accept a compromise

moralistic

adj. having or showing strong opinions about what is right behavior

and what is wrong behavior

benevolent

adj. kind and generous

/mrlstk/

/bnvlnt/

antipathetic, truculent

173

 GRE

impose

v. to force someone to accept (something or yourself)

resume

v. to begin again or go on with again after interruption

stalemate

n. a drawn contest : deadlock

insatiable

adj. always wanting more not able to be satised

/mpoz/

/rzum/

/stelmet/

/nsebl/

quenchless

satiate v.

snappish

adj. feeling or showing irritation

peccadillo

n. a small mistake or fault that is not regarded as very bad or serious

reparation

n. something that is done or given as a way of correcting a mistake

that you have made or a bad situation that you have caused

/snp/

/pkdlo/

/rpren/

n. money that a country or group that loses a war pays because of the
damage, injury, deaths, etc., it has caused

inextricable

adj. impossible to separate : closely joined or related

impregnable

adj. not able to be captured by attack : very strong

impotent

adj. lacking power or strength

precede

v. to happen, go, or come before (something or someone)

/nkstrkbl/

/mprgnbl/

/mptnt/

/prisid/

predate, antidate

supplant
/splnt/

v. to take the place of (someone or something that is old or no longer

used or accepted)

encounter
/nkantr/

v. to have or experience (problems, difculties, etc.)

174

beset

v. to cause problems or difculties for (someone or something)

fatigue

n. the state of being very tired : extreme weariness

offish

adj. somewhat cold and reserved

jockey
/dki/

v. to do something in an effort to get an advantage

perceptive

adj. having or showing an ability to understand or notice something

/bist/

/ftig/

/f/

/prsptv/

easily or quickly

shortcut

n. a quicker or easier way to do something

jubilant

adj. feeling or expressing great joy : very happy

sensuous

adj. affecting the senses in a pleasing way : pleasant, attractive, or

appealing in a way that produces or suggests feelings of physical or
sexual pleasure

controversial

adj. relating to or causing much discussion, disagreement, or

argument: likely to producecontroversy"

seamy

adj. of or relating to unpleasant and usually illegal things (such as

crime, drugs, etc.)

decent and respectable

pledge

v. to formally promise to give or do (something)

retain

v. to keep (someone) in a position, job, etc.

/rtkt/

/dublnt/

/snus/

/kntrvrl/

/simi/

/pld/

/rten/

discard

disproportionate adj. having or showing a difference that is not fair, reasonable, or

/dsprprnt/

expected : too large or too all in relation to something

175

 GRE

temper

v. to make (something) less severe or extreme

moderate

outdo

v. to do better than (someone or something) : to be more successful

than (someone or something)

abash

v. to destroy the self-possession or self-condence of

unexceptional

adj. not unusually good, interesting, etc. : not exceptional

obtrusive

adj. tending to bother people by appearing where you are not welcome
or invited; noticeable in an unpleasant or annoying way

impasse

n. a situation in which no progress seems possible

su erficial

adj. presenting only an appearance without substance or signicance

/tmpr/

/atdu/

/b/

/nkspnl/

/btrusv/

/mps/

/suprfl/

disconcert

adj. concerned only with the obvious or apparent : shallow

shallow

moderate
/mdrt/

adj. avoiding extremes of behavior or expression : observing

reasonable limits

adj. professing or characterized by political or social beliefs that are
not extreme
(
)

decode

v. to nd or understand the true or hidden meaning of (something)

vagary

n. an erratic, unpredictable, or extravagant manifestation, action, or

notion

evangelist
/ivndlst/

n. someone who talks about something with great enthusiasm

pedigree

n. the origin and history of something especially when it is good or

/dikod/

/vegri/

/pdgri/

impressive

176

Word List 19
prominent
/prmnnt/

adj. important and well-known

adj. sticking out in a way that is easily seen or noticed

salient

enforce

v. to make (a law, rule, etc.) active or effective : to make sure that

/nfrs/

people do what is required by (a law, rule, etc.)

amid

prep. in or into the middle of (something)

boost

v. to increase the force, power, or amount of (something)

staggering

adj. very large, shocking, or surprising

imperil

v. to put (something or someone) in a dangerous situation

piety

n. devotion to God : the quality or state of being pious

flair

n. an unusual and appealing quality or style

braggadocio

n. the annoying or exaggerated talk of someone who is trying to sound

very proud or brave

hurtle

v. to cause (something or someone) to move or go with great speed

and force

savor

v. to enjoy (something) for a long time

eviscerate

v. to deprive of vital content or force

/md/

/bust/

/stgr/

/mprl/

/pati/

/flr/

/brgdoio/

/hrtl/

/sevr/

/ivsret/

177

 GRE

mince
/mns/

v. to utter or pronounce with affectation

v. to restrain (words) within the bounds of decorum

exterminate
/kstrmnet/

v. to destroy or kill (a group of animals, people, etc.) completely

terminate v.

intact

adj. not broken or damaged : having every part

belittle

v. to describe (someone or something) as little or unimportant

obstruct

v. to slow or block the movement, progress, or action of (something or

someone)

proximity

n. the state of being near

harness

v. to use (something) for a particular purpose

spurious

adj. not genuine, sincere, or authentic

apocryphal

adj. well-known but probably not true

applaud

v. to express approval of or support for (something or someone)

bifurcate

v. to cause to divide into two branches or parts

cacophony

n. harsh or discordant sound

/ntkt/

/biltl/

/bstrkt/

/prksmti/

/hrns/

/spjris/

/pkrfl/

/pld/

/bafrket/

/kkfni/

melliuous

cacophonous adj.

catastrophe
/ktstr /

n. a terrible disaster

catastrophic adj.

178

circumlocution n. the use of an unnecessarily large number of words to express an

/srkmlokjun/

idea

circumlocutory adj.

clairvoyance

n. ability to perceive matters beyond the range of ordinary perception

cloying

adj. excessively sweet or sentimental

collude

v. to work with others secretly especially in order to do something

illegal or dishonest

concord

n. a state of agreement

/klrvns/

/kl/

/klud/

/knkrd/

dissonance

cosset
/kst/

v. to give (someone) a lot of care and attention or too much care and
attention

counterbalance n. any force or inuence that balances or offsets another

/kantrblns/

offset
v. to offset

covet

v. to feel inordinate desire for what belongs to another

cursory

adj. performed rapidly with little attention to detail

/kvt/

/krsri/

casual, perfunctory

weary
/wri/

adj. having one's patience, tolerance, or pleasure exhausted

adj. lacking strength, energy, or freshness because of a need for rest

or sleep

peripheral
/prfrl/

adj. not relating to the main or most important part

179

 GRE

perspicacious

adj. of acute mental vision or discernment

sleazy

adj. dishonest or immoral

/prspkes/

/slizi/

sordid

indemnify

v. to make compensation to for incurred hurt, loss, or damage

eyesore

n. something offensive to view

archive

v. to le or collect in or as if in an archive

xenophobic

adj. marked by unduly fearful of what si foreign and especially of

people of foreign origin

ineffable

adj. too great, powerful, beautiful, etc., to be described or expressed

fluid

adj. characterized by or employing a smooth easy style

/ndmnfa/

/asr/

/rkav/

/znofobik/

/nfbl/

/flud/

adj. available for various uses

despotic

adj. marked by absolute power and authority

capitulate

v. to stop ghting an enemy or opponent

abominate

v. to feel great hatred for (someone or something)

/dsptk/

/kptjlet/

/bmnet/

abomination n.

esteem

accommodate
/kmdet/

v. to bring into agreement or concord

v. to provide what is needed or wanted for (someone or something)

v. to make room for

180

mandate

v. to ofcially demand or re uire (something)

saturate

v. to ll (something) completely with something

/mndet/

/stret/

v. to make (something) very wet

dehydrate

untoward
/ntord/

adj. adverse or inauspicious

favorable
adj. not proper or appropriate

adj. difcult to guide, manage, or work with

peruse

v. to examine or read (something) in a very careful way

enthrall

v. to hold the attention of (someone) by being very exciting, interesting,

or beautiful

nonplus

v. to perplex

phlegmatic

adj. not easily upset, excited, or angered

antidote

n. something that corrects or improves the bad effects of something

impersonal

adj. not engaging the human personality or emotions

adj. having no personal reference or connection

ensue

v. to come afterward

cater

v. to supply what is required or desired

/nsu/

/ketr/

181

 GRE

clot

v. to become thick and partly solid

elate

v. to make (someone) very happy and excited

/klt/

/ilet/

delight

avert

/vrt/

v. to prevent (something bad) from happening

forestall

fad

n. a fashion that is taken up with great enthusiasm for a brief period of

time; a craze

faddish adj.

ape

v. to imitate or mimic in an inept way

irk

v. to annoy

/fd/

/ep/

/rk/

irksome adj.

ebb
/b/

v. to get worse

declining, waning
v. to fall back from the ood stage

yen

n. a strong desire or propensity

opt

v. to make a choice

/jn/

/pt/

option n.

curb

/krb/

v. to check, restrain, or control

n. something that checks or restrains

curt

/krt/

adj. sparing of words

terse, taciturn, laconic
adj. rudely brief or abrupt in speech

182

snag

/sng/

n. an unexpected problem or difculty

hitch

glut

/glt/

n. an excessive quantity

plethora, surfeit
dearth
v. to ll especially with food to satiety

gluttonous adj.

woo

v. to try to attract

coax

v. to inuence or gently urge by caressing or attering

/wu/

/koks/

cajole

bent

/bnt/

adj. strongly inclined

n. a special inclination or capacity

balk

v. to refuse abruptly
)

avid

adj. desirous to the point of greed

/bk/

indifferent

agog

adj. full of intense interest or excitement

tout

v. to promote or praise energetically

/tat/

cast aspersion on

awry

adj. away from the correct course

quip

n. a clever, witty remark

/ra/

/kwp/

183

 GRE

aver

/vr/

v. to say (something) in a very strong and denite way

assert
deny

quash
/kw/

v. to annul or put an end to

v. to suppress or extinguish completely

glib

/glb/

adj. performed with a natural, offhand ease

labored
adj. marked by ease and uency in speaking or writing often to the
point of being insincere or deceitful

roil

v. to cause to be in a state of agitation or disorder

...

rant

v. to speak or write in an angry or emotionally charged manner

/rl/

/rnt/

diatribe

lull

/ll/

v. to cause to sleep or rest

n. a relatively calm interval

respite
increased activity

avow

v. to acknowledge or declare openly and unashamedly

trio

n. a group of three

sage

adj. very wise

/va/

/trio/

/sed/

sagacious adj.

n. one distinguished for wisdom

lurk

/lrk/

v. to exist unobserved or unsuspected

184

 v. to move furtively

hoax

v. to deceive or cheat

flit

v. to move quickly from one condition or location to another

/hoks/

/flt/

plod

apex

n. the highest point or the highest level

spur

v. to incite or stimulate

/epks/

/spr/

foster

scant

/sknt/

adj. inadequately supplied

limited
profuse

abhor

/bhr/

v. to dislike very much

admire

abhorrent adj.

prone

adj. having a tendency or inclination

usurp

v. to seize and hold in possession by force without right

/pron/

/jusrp/

abdicate

pithy
/pi/

adj. forceful and brief

pith n.

tonic

/tnk/

adj. restorative or stimulating to health or well-being

restorative

185

 GRE

Word List 20
niche
/nt/

n. a special area of demand for a product or service

n. a situation or activity specially suited to a person
abilities, or nature

s interests,

trite

adj. not evoking interest because of overuse or repetition

stoic

adj. seemingly indifferent to or unaffected by pleasure or pain

murky

adj. dark or dim

/trat/

/stok/

/mrki/

adj. not clearly known, understood, or expressed

blunt

/blnt/

adj. saying or expressing something in a very direct way that may

upset some people

adj. obtuse in understanding or discernment

adj. having an edge or point that is not sharp

v. to make less sharp

flout

/flat/

...

v. to treat with contemptuous disregard

disregard, defy

rue

n. regret, sorrow

shun

v. to avoid

/ru/

/n/

eschew
seek

186

idle

/adl/

adj. not working, active, or being used

active
adj. having no value, use, or signicance

rass

/krs/

adj. so crude and unrened as to be lacking in discrimination and

sensibility

rened
adj. used as a pejorative intensier

apt

/pt/

adj. exactly suitable

aptitutde n.
adj. having a natural tendency

adj. quick to learn or understand

hone

/hon/

v. to perfect or make more intense or effective

enhance
blunt

veto

v. to reject (a proposed law) ofcialy

blur

v. to make (something) unclear or difcult to see or remember

...

verge

n. an area along the edge of a road, path, etc.

/vito/

/blr/

/vrd/

n. brink or threshold

swift

/swft/

adj. happening or done quickly or immediately

adj. smart or intelligent

sever

/svr/

v. to divide into parts

187

 GRE

v. to cut off (a part) from a whole

extol

v. to praise highly

exalt

v. to praise, or honor

/kstol/

/gzlt/

valorize
v. to raise in rank, character, or status

tweak
/twik/

v. to twist sharply

v. to make usually small adjustments in

verve

n. great energy and enthusiasm

coy

adj. having a shy or sweetly innocent quality

/vrv/

/k/

adj. showing reluctance to make a denite commitment

frank

whit

n. a very small amount

pine

v. to yearn intensely and persistently especially for something

unattainable

/hwt/

/pan/

v. to become thin and weak because of sadness or loss

demur

v. to disagree politely with another person

belie

v. to give a false impression of

/dimr/

/bila/

v. to run counter to
...
contradict

188

s statement or suggestion

 v. to show (something) to be false or wrong

...

aver

spike

v. to increase greatly in a short period of time

quell

v. to end or stop (something) usually by using force

/spak/

/kwl/

ferment

vapid

/vpd/

adj. lacking liveliness

jejune

venal
/vinl/

adj. open to bribery

hitch

n. a hidden problem that makes something more complicated or

/ht/

difcult to do

snag

rebut

v. to refute by offering opposing evidence or arguments

delve

v. to search deeply and laboriously

/rbt/

/dlv/

v. to discuss or explain a subject in detail

totem

n. a venerated emblem or symbol

edify

v. to instruct especially so as to encourage intellectual, moral, or

spiritual improvement

/totm/

/dfa/

grip

v. to get and hold the interest or attention of (someone)

mimic

v. to imitate or copy

/grp/

/mmk/

mimicry n.

gauge
/ged/

v. to evaluate or estimate

reckon

189

 GRE

deter
/ditr/

v. to prevent (something) from happening

constrain

bogus

adj. not real or genuine

cloak

v. to hide or disguise

aloof

adj. removed or distant either physically or emotionally

akin

adj. essentially similar, related, or compatible

croon

v. to sing in a low soft voice

/bogs/

/klok/

/luf/

/kn /

/krun/

warble

bland

/blnd/

adj. dull or insipid

insipid
adj. pleasant in manner

surly
/srli/

adj. rude and unfriendly

sullen

probe

v. to search into and explore very thoroughly

hoard

n. / v. to collect and hide a large amount of

sap

n. vitality

/prob/

/hrd/

/sp/

v. to deplete or weaken gradually

...

rive

/rav/

v. to divide into pieces

riot

n. a situation in which a large group of people behave in a violent and

/rat/

uncontrolled way

190

glum

adj. sad or depressed

whet

v. to make sharper or stronger

/glm/

/hwt/

v. to make keen or more acute

plod

/pld/

...

v. to work laboriously and monotonously

slog
gambol
v. to proceed slowly or tediously

gloat

v. to show in an improper or selsh way that you are happy with your
own success or another persons failure

loath

adj. unwilling to do something

/glot/

/lo/

reluctant

chic

adj. fashionable style

sham

adj. not genuine

don

v. to put on

oust

v. to cause or force to leave a position

/ik/

/m/

/dn/

/ast/

expel, banish
v. to take the place of

sift

v. to separate or remove

expel

v. to ofcials force (someone) to leave a place or organi ation

/sft/

/kspl/

oust, banish

191

 GRE

loose
/lus/

adj. not tightly fastened, attached or held

loosen v.

adept

adj. very good at doing something hard

procient

lapse

v. to go out of existence

/dpt/

/lps/

n. a slight error usually caused by lack of attention or forgetfulness

guile
/gal/

n. deceitful cunning

deviousness

guileless adj.

decay

v. to decline in health, strength, or vigor

deterioration

sloth

n. the quality of being lazy

dwarf

v. to cause to appear smaller or to seem inferior

...

deify

v. to treat (someone or something) like a god or goddess

...

hoary

adj. extremely old

pique

v. to make someone annoyed or angry

/dike/

/sl/

/dwrf/

/difa/

/hri/

/pik/

piquant adj.

hubris

n. exaggerated pride or self-condence

arrogant

hew

v. to conrm or adhere

conform

/hjubrs/

/hju/

v. to cut down (a tree)

192

tilt

/tlt/

v. / n. slant or bias

list

feat

n. an act or achievement that shows courage, strength, or skill

marvel

v. to feel great surprise, wonder, or admiration

/ t/

/mrvl/

n. one that causes wonder or astonishment

leak
/lik/

v. to give out (information) surreptitiously

leakage n.

guild

n. an organized group of people who have joined together because

they share the same job or interest;

slur

n. an insulting or disparaging remark or innuendo

/gld/

/slr/

aspersion
attery
v. to slide or slip over without due mention, consideration, or emphasis

pronounce clearly

cede

v. to give control of (something) to another person, group, government,

etc.

backwater

n. a place or situation regarded as isolated, stagnant, or backward

moonshine

n. empty talk; foolish or untrue words

brainchild

n. a product of ones creative effort

(
)

deadpan

adj. impassively matter-of-fact, as in style, behavior, or expression

sidestep

v. bypass, evade

/sid/

/bkwtr/

/munan/

/brentald/

/ddpn/

/sadstp/

193

 GRE
circumvent
confront directly

upshot

n. the nal result

upbeat

adj. positive and cheerful

downsize

v. to reduce in size

/pt/

/pbit/

/dansaz/

v. to re (employees) for the purpose of downsi ing a business

impressionable adj. easy to inuence

/mprnbl/

personable

adj. pleasant or amiable in person

inviting

adj. attractive

liken

v. compare

wholesale

adj. affecting large numbers of people or things

wholesome

adj. promoting health of body

/prsnbl/

/nvat/

/lakn/

/holsel/

/holsm/

romanticize
idealized

defining

adj. critically important

telling

adj. carrying great weight and producing a marked effect

dour

adj. gloomy, sullen

teem

v. to become lled to overowing

backbone

n. the main support or major sustaining factor

/difan/

/tl/

/dr/

/tim/

/bkbon/

194

Word List 21
pronounced
/prnanst/

adj. strongly marked

calculated

backfire

v. to have the reverse of the desired or expected effect

redoubtable

adj. causing or deserving great fear or respect

/bkfar/

/rdatbl/

unimpressive

gridlock
/grdlk/

n. a situation in which streets are so full that vehicles cannot move

n. a situation in which no progress can be made

bookish

adj. more interested in reading books and studying than doing more
physical activities (such as sports)

wanting

adj. not being up to standards or expectations

/bk/

/wnt/

awed
satisfactory

airtight
/rtat /

adj. impermeable to air or nearly so

adj. having no noticeable weakness, aw or loophole

lest

conj. for fear that

streamline

v. to make simpler or more efcient

/lst/

/strimlan/

v. to bring up to date

grandstand

/grndstnd/

adj. done for show or to impress on lookers

195

 GRE
v. to play or act so as to impress onlookers

smother
/smr/

v. to kill someone by covering the face so that breathing is not possible

...
v. to try to keep from happening

effortless

adj. showing or requiring little or no effort

discerning

adj. showing insight and understanding

/frtls/

/dzrn/

perceptive, insightful

rife

/raf/

adj. prevalent especially to an increasing degree

pervasive
sparse

girth
/gr/

n. size

n. a measure around a body

hard-boiled

adj. devoid of sentimentality; tough

spiteful

adj. having or showing a desire to harm, anger, or defeat someone

forbear

v. to control oneself when provoked

wont

adj. inclined, apt

enjoin

v. to prevent someone from doing something

glean

v. to gather or collect in a gradual way

/hrdbld/

/spatfl/

/frbr/

/wnt/

/ndn/

/glin/

obtain

glisten
/glsn/

v. to shine with light reected off a wet surface

196

cleave
/kliv/

v. to adhere rmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly

v. to split with sharp instrument

undue
/ndu/

adj. exceeding what is appropriate or normal

excessive

qualm

n. an uneasy feeling about the propriety or rightness of a course of

action

misgiving

inestimable

adj. impossible to estimate or compute

/kwm/

/nstmbl/

adj. invaluable

mishap

n. an unfortunate accident

agog

adj. full of keen anticipation or excitement

brink

n. the point at which something is likely to begin

(
)

/mshp/

/gg/

/brk/

n. the upper edge of a steep or vertical slope

(

underpin

v. to strengthen or support (something) from below

bleak

adj. gloomy and somber

/blik/

adj. cold and cutting

adj. unsheltered and barren

whisk
/hwsk/

v. to move something or someone to anther place nimbly and quickly

197

 GRE

savvy
/svi/

adj. well informed and perceptive

n. practical understanding or knowledge of something

buoy
/bui/

v. to keep aoat or aloft

v. to hearten or inspire

makeshift
/mekft/

n. a usually crude and temporary expedient

adj. suitable as a temporary or expedient substituteatt

forthwith

adv. without delay

cornerstone

n. an indispensable and fundamental basis

bedrock

n. the very basis

/frw/

/krnrston/

/bdrk/

foundation

resourceful

adj. able to act effectively or imaginatively, especially in difcult

situations

appreciable

adj. capable of being perceived or measured

sate

v. to cloy with overabundance

...

/rsrsfl/

/pribl/

/set/

v. to appease by indulging to the full

stonewall
/stonwl/

...

v. to refuse to comply or cooperate with

v. to engage in delaying tactics

involuntary

adj. not done or made consciously

198

astronomical
/stonwl/

adj. immense

adj. of or relating to astronomy

misgiving
/msgv/

n. doubt, distrust, or apprehension

trepidation, qualm

testy
/tsti/

adj. irritated, impatient, or exasperated

patient

categorical

adj. being without exception or ualication; absolute

recollect

v. to remember something

peerless

adj. being such as to have no match

proofread

v to read in order to nd errors and mark corrections

heartfelt

adj. deeply or sincerely felt

/ktgrkl /

/rklkt/

/prls/

/prufrid/

/hrtflt/

sincere

vainglorious

adj. excessively proud of oneself

override

v. to make (something) no longer valid

/venglris/

/ovrrad/

v. to have more importance or inuence than (something)

...

hereabouts

adv. in this vicinity

groundless

adj. not based on facts

/hrbat/

/grandls/

unwarranted

uneventful
/nivntfl/

adj. lacking in signicant events

199

 GRE

daredevil

adj. recklessly and often ostentatiously daring

incomparable

adj. better than any other

towering

adj. impressively high or great

/drdvl/

/nkmprbl/

/tar/

adj. reaching a high point of intensity

adj. going beyond proper bounds

slapdash

adj. quick and careless

invaluable

adj. extremely valuable or useful

slipshod

adj. very careless or poorly done or made

heartrending

adj. causing great sadness or sorrow

retiring

adj. quiet and shy

belabor

v. to attack or criticize

yardstick

n. a standard for making a critical judgement

downcast

adj. low in spirit

telltale

adj. indicating or giving evidence of something

/slpd/

/nvljubl/

/slpd/

/hrtrnd/

/rtar/

/bilebr/

/jrdstk/

/dankst/

/tltel/

n. informer

moody
/mudi/

adj. given to frequent changes of mood

200

 adj. expressive of a mood, especially a sullen or gloomy mood

discriminating

adj. discerning, judicious

collected

adj. self-possessed; composed

/dskrmnet/

/klktd/

adj. brought or placed together from various sources

taxing

/tks/

adj. burdensome and wearing

arduous

demanding
/dmnd/

adj. requiring much effort or attention

adj. requiring others to work hard or meet high expectations

riveting

adj. wholly absorbing or engrossing ones attention

celebrated

adj. known and praised widely

pressing

adj. demanding immediate attention

exacting

adj. making severe demands

/rvt/

/slbretd/

/prs/

/gzkt/

proscriptive
adj. requiring great care, effort

earnest

adj. showing or expressing sincerity or seriousness

unfeeling

adj. not sympathetic to others

whereabouts

n. approximate location

uproot

v. to destroy or remove completely

/rnst/

/n l/

/hwrbats/

/prut/

201

 GRE

perforce

adv. by necessity; by force of circumstance

agreeable

adj. suitable and conformable

/prfrs/

/gribl/

adj. to ones liking

composed

adj. calm

barring

prep. apart from the occurrence of; excepting

......

prohibitive

adj. so high or burdensome as to discourage purchase or use

phenomenal

adj. extraordinary and outstanding

incisive

adj. impressively direct and decisive

/kmpozd/

/br/

/prohbtv/

/fnmnl/

/nsasv/

acuity

amiss
/m/

musty
/msti/

adj. in the wrong way

adj. having a bad smell because of wetness, old age, or lack of fresh

air

needy
/nidi/

adj. having a bad smell because of wetness, old age, or lack of fresh

air

canny
/kni/

adj. very clever and able to make intelligent decisions

shrewd

uncanny

adj. strange or unusual in a way that is surprising or difcult to

understand

mighty

adj. having or showing great strength or power

/nkni/

/mati/

202

locale

n. the place where something happens

finale

n. the last part of something (such as a musical performance, play,

etc.)

rationale

n. the reason or explanation for something

/lokl/

/fnli/

/rnl/

rational adj.

rationalize v.

...

halfhearted

adj. feeling or showing a lack of interest or enthusiasm

morale

n. the feelings of enthusiasm and loyalty that a person or group has

about a task or job

proverbial

adj. commonly spoken of or widely known

/hfhrtd/

/mrl/

/prvrbil/

203

 GRE

Word List 22
shorthand
/rthnd/

n. a method of writing quickly by using symbols or abbreviations for

sounds, words, or phrases

straightforward adj. free from evasiveness or obscurity

/stretfrwrd/

madcap

adj. marked by capriciousness, recklessness, or foolishness

leading

adj. most important

/mdkp/

/lid/

adj. having great importance, inuence, or success

degenerate
/didnrt/

adj. having low moral standards

v. to change to a worse state or condition

testing

adj. difcult to deal with

lengthy

adj. protracted excessively

materialize

v. to begin to happen or exist

/lki/

/mtrilaz/

v. to cause to appear in bodily form

calculable
/klkjulbl/

...

adj. subject to or ascertainable by calculation

adj. that may be counted on

gainsay

/gense/

v. to deny or disagree with (something)

concur

204

officious

adj. volunteering one's services where they are neither asked nor
needed

appraise

v. to evaluate the worth, signicance, or status of

restless

adj. not relaxed or calm

/fs/

/prez/

/rstls/

adj. having little or no rest or sleep

bighearted

adj. generous, charitable

artless

adj. sincerely simple

cunning

adj. free from articiality

/rtls/

adj. made without skill

pitfall

n. a danger or problem that is hidden or not obvious at rst

hardy

adj. capable of withstanding adverse conditions

/ptfl/

/hrdi/

adj. audacious or brazen

aback

adv. by surprise

weighty

adj. very important and serious

/bk/

/weti/

adj. powerful and telling

adj. having a lot of weight

disown

/dson/

v. to refuse to acknowledge as one's own

205

 GRE

virtually

adv. almost

unearth

v. to nd or discover (something) that was hidden or lost

/vrtuli/

/nr/

conceal

uptake

/ptek/

n. understanding or comprehension

n. an act or instance of absorbing and incorporating especially into a
living organism, tissue, or cell

instrumental

adj. very important in helping or causing something to happen or be

done

reserved

adj. not openly expressing feelings or opinions

pretext

n. a reason that you give to hide your real reason for doing something

subtext

n. an underlying meaning, theme, etc.

setback

n. a checking of progress

backlash

n. a strong adverse reaction

standstill

n. a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress

level-headed

adj. having or showing an ability to think clearly and to make good

decisions

sober

byword

n. someone or something that is closely connected with a particular

quality

one-stop

adj. providing or offering a comprehensive range of goods or services

at one location; also : provided or offered at such a location

/nstrmntl/

/rzrvd/

/pritkst/

/sbtkst/

/bawrd/

206

upright
/prat/

adj. perpendicular or vertical

adj. marked by strong moral rectitude

acquired

adj. of or relating to a disease, condition, or characteristic that is not

/kwar/

congenital but develops after birth.

rosy

adj. having or producing hope for success or happiness in the future

becoming

adj. attractively suitable

/rozi/

distance
/dstns/

v. to leave far behind;outstrip

, ...
v. to place or keep at a distance

list

/lst/

...

n. an inclination to one side; a tilt

upright

passage
/psd/

n. the process of changing

(

faculty

n. a talent or natural ability for something

function

n. an ofcial ceremony or a formal social occasion

/fklti/

/fkn/

v. to work or operate

avatar

n. someone who represents a type of person, an idea, or a quality

liberal

adj. tending to give freely; generous

/vtr/

/lbrl/

adj. broad-minded and not bound by orthodoxy or traditional forms

license
/lasns/

n. freedom to act however you want to

207

 GRE

latitude

/lttud/

n. freedom to choose how to act or what to do

n. distance north or south of the equator measured in degrees up to 90
degrees

court
/krt/

v. to behave so as to invite or incur

v. to attempt to gain the favor of by attention or attery

contract

/kntrkt/

v. to acquire or incur

v. to become reduced in size

dwindling

betray

v. to make known unintentionally

qualify

v. to modify, limit or restrict, as by listing exceptions or reservations

stomach

v. to bear without overt reaction or resentment

resolve

v. to make a denite and serious decision to do something

/bitre/

/kwlfa/

/stmk/

/rzlv/

resolute adj. irresolute adj.

resolution n.

v. to nd an answer or solution to

arrest
/rst/

v. to bring to a stop

v. to attract and hold the attention of

v. to use the power of the law to take and keep

digest

/dadst/

n. a summation or condensation of a body of information

v. to think over so as to understand (news, information, etc.)

208

nexus

/nkss/

n. a means of connection

disconnected components
n. the core or center

kindle

/kndl/

v. to ignite

v. to arouse (an emotion)

affle

/wfl/

v. to be unable to make a decision

v. to speak, write, or act evasively about

off-key
/fki/

adj. being out of accord with what is considered normal or appropriate

adj. pitched higher or lower than the correct notes of a melody

consequence
/knskwns/

n. importance in rank or position

n. a logical conclusion or inference

balloon
/blun/

v. to increase or rise quickly

decrease slowly
n.

fetch
/ft/

v. to bring in as a price
(

v. to go after and bring back

contain
/knten/

v. to hold or keep with limits;restrain

v. to have within; hold

209

 GRE

stem

/stm/

v. to check or go counter to

check
v. to develop as a consequence of

check
/tk/

v. to hold in restraint

stem
prompt
v. to inspect so as to determine accuracy, quality, or other condition

still

/stl/

adj. lacking motion or activity

adj. uttering no sound

clinical

adj. analytical or dolly dispassionate

novel

adj. new and different from what has been known before

/klnkl/

/nvl/

original, unexampled, unprecedented

adj. original or striking especially in conception or style

might
/mat/

n. power to do something

mighty adj.

grave
/grev/

adj. dignied and somber in conduct or character

v. to stamp or impress deeply

affect
/fkt/

v. to put on a false show of

ingenuousness

affectation n.
v. to have or show a liking for

v. to have an inuence on

210

flag

/flg/

v. to lose vigor or strength; weaken or diminish

wax

pan

v. to criticize or review harshly

compromise

v. to arrive at a settlement by making concessions

/pn/

/kmprmaz/

impair
v. to reduce in quality, value, or degree

v. to impair, as by disease or injury

founder

/fandr/

v. to fail utterly; collapse

n. one who establishes something or formulates the basis for

something

august

adj. respected and dignied

assume

v. to pretend to have

pedestrian

adj. not interesting or unusual

/gst/

/sum/

/pdstrin/

uninspired
n. a person going on foot

champion
/tmpin/

n. an ardent defender or supporter of a cause or another person

defender, proponent, advocate
impugn
v. to defend or support

advocate, defend, espouse

coin

/kn/

v. to devise (a new word or phrase)

211

 GRE

weather

v. to come through (something) safely

document

v. to methodically record the details of

/wr/

/dkjumnt/

documentation n.

v. to support with evidence or decisive information

contest

v. to try to disprove or invalidate (something) as by argument or legal

action

uncontested adj.

intrigue

n. the activity of making secret plans

occasion

v. to cause something

effect

v. to bring about; make happen

spell

n. a short, indenite period of time

husband

v. to carefully use or manage, to use sparingly

industry

n. the habit of working hard and steadily

/kntst/

/ntrig/

/ken/

/fkt/

/spl/

/hzbnd/

/ndstri/

sloth

demonstrative

adj. freely and openly showing emotion or feelings

pursuit

n. an activity that one engages as a vocation, profession, or avocation

emergent

adj. newly formed or prominent

/dmnstrtv/

/prsut/

/imrdnt/

emerge v.
adj. arising unexpectedly

adj. urgent, calling for prompt action

212

inform

/nfrm/

v. to give information to

v. to be the characteristic quality of

appropriate
/propriet/

adj. suitable or compatible

v. to take or make use of without authority or right

borrow
lend
v. to set apart for or assign to a particular purpose or use
......

circumstantial
/srkmstnl/

adj. complete and particular; full of detail

adj. of, relating to, or depends on circumstances

adj. pertinent but not essential

project

/prdkt/

v. to throw forward

v. to cause to appear on a surface by the controlled direction of light

v. to calculate, estimate, or predict

subject

v. to subjugate; subdue

object

v. to present a dissenting or opposing argument

/sbdkt/

/bdkt/

objection n.

long
/l/

acific

/psfk/

v. to have an earnest, heartfelt desire

adj. loving peace not wanting war or conict

dovish
turbulent

213

 GRE

involved

adj. complicated and intricate

score

v. to achieve or accomplish
....

formidable

adj. difcult to deal with

/nvlvd/

/skr/

/ fmdbl/

214

Word List 23
intimate
/ntmt/

adj. characterized by close personal acquaintance or familiarity

v. to say or suggest in an indirect way

portentous
/prtnts/

adj. giving a sign or warning that something usually bad o unpleasant

is going to happen

adj. self-consciously solemn or important

rail

v. to express objection or criticisms in bitter, harsh, or abusive

language

base

adj. having or showing a lack of decency

course

n. progression through a development or period or a series of acts or

events

mount

v. to increase in amount

count

v. to have importance

/rel/

/bes/

/krs/

/mant/

/kant/

v. to believe or consider to be

insulate
/nslet/

v. to prevent the passage of heat, electricity or sound into or out of

v. to keep separate from something unpleasant or dangerous

(

row

n. a lot of loud arguing or complaining usually involving many people

( )

jade

v. to become weary or dulled

/ro/

/ded/

215

 GRE

v. to wear out by overwork or abuse

trammel
/trml/

v. to hinder the activity or free movement of

restrain
n.

comb

/kom/

v. to search or examine systematically

n.

jealous
/dls/

adj. vigilant in guarding a possession

adj. feeling a mean anger toward someone because he or she is more
successful

usher
/r/

v. to cause to enter; to introduce

....
v. a person who leads people to their seats

cow

v. to make someone too afraid to do something

hedge

n. a calculatedly noncommittal or evasive statement

/ka/

/hd/

v. to avoid giving a promise or direct answer

obscure
/bskjr/

adj. decient in light

adj. not clearly understood or expressed

(

adj. not well-known

v. to conceal or hide

216

...

yield
/jild/

v. to surrender or submit

succumb
v. to be productive of

engender, output

skirt

/skrt/

v. to evade, as by circumlocution

bypass, circumvent

asset
/st/

n. a valuable person or thing

n. something that is owned by a person, company, etc.

liability

dense
/dns/

adj. thick

concentrated
adj. difcult to understand because of complexity or obscurity

adj. slow to apprehend

witless

frown
/fran/

v. to wrinkle the brow

v. to regard something with disapproval or distaste

content
/kntnt/

adj. desiring no more than what one has

n. the substance or signicance of a written work

sanction
/skn/

v. to give ofcial authori ation or approval to

endorse
proscribe
n. ofcial permission or approval

n. the penalty for noncompliance with a law or legal order

217

 GRE

accent

/ksnt/

v. to pronounce with accent

v. to give prominence to

perennial
/prnil/

adj. present at all seasons of the year

adj. continuing without interruption

long-standing
eeting

confound
/knfand/

v. to cause to become confused or perplexed

perplex, obscure, ummox

discriminate between
v. to prove (someone or something) wrong; refute

....

v. to fail to distinguish; mix up

promise
/prms/

n. an indication of future success or improvement

v. to show signs of

acknowledge
/knld/

v. to express gratitude or obligation for

v. to say that you accept or do not deny the truth or existence of
(something)

concede

volume
/vljum/

n. the degree of loudness or the intensity of a sound

n. book

n. the amount of space occupied by a three-dimensional object as

measured in cubic units

discharge
/dstrd/

v. to tell (someone) ofcially that they can or must leave

218

 v. to do all that is re uired to perform or full

v. to pay off (a debt)

apology

/pldi/

n. something that is said or written to defend something that other

people criticize

n. a statement saying that you are sorry about something

patent

adj. obvious or clear

fell

v. to cut down (a tree)

/ptnt/

/fl/

v. to beat or knock down (someone or something)

appreciate
/priiet/

v. to increase the value of

v. to be grateful for

reliable

/rlabl/

adj. giving the same result on successive trials

adj. able to be trusted to do or provide what is needed

abandon

/bndn/

n. a feeling or attitude of wild or complete freedom

desert
v. to leave and never return to

harry
/hri/

v. to disturb, distress, or exhaust by repeated demands or criticism

relinquish

experimental
/ksprmntl/

adj. using a new way of doing or thinking about something

innovative

second
/sknd/

v. to agree with ( a suggestion or statement)

219

 GRE
v. to give support or encouragement to

usage

n. manner of treating

autumn

n. the later part of someone's life or of something's existence

/jusd/

/tm/

autumnal adj.

measured

adj. done with thought and care

entrance

v. to ll (someone) with delight and wonder

...

color

v. to alter or inuence to some degree, as by distortion or exaggeration

economy

n. thrifty and efcient use of material resources

/mrd/

/ntrns/

/klr/

/knmi/

economical adj.

n. the process or system by which goods and services are produced,

sold, and bought in a country or region

listless
/lstls/

adj. lacking energy or spirit

sluggish
dynamic

humor

/hjumr/

n. a funny or amusing quality

n. characteristic or habitual disposition or bent

complaint
/kmplent/

n. expression of grief, pain, or dissatisfaction

n. a bodily ailment or disease

tender

/tndr/

v. to presenter acceptance

adj. very loving and gentle

220

 adj. painful when touched

anchor
/kr/

v. to hold (something) rmly in place

...
dislodge
v. to be the strongest and most important part of (something)

bitter

/btr/

n.

adj. angry or unhappy because of unfair treatment

adj. being the opposite of sweet

husbandry
/hzbndri/

n. the activity of raising plants or animals for food

n. the management or wise use of resources

anticipate

/ntspet/

v. to look forward to (something)

v. to foresee and deal with in advance

...

foresee

hail

/hel/

n.

v./n. used to express acclamation

v. to greet or summon by calling

acclaim

anonymous
/nnms/

adj. not distinct or noticeable

obscure
adj. made or done by someone unknown

tend

/tnd/

v. to apply oneself to the care of

,
v. to move in a particular direction

221

 GRE

dissipate
/dspet/

v. to cause (something) to spread out and disappear

...
v. to use all or a lot of (something, such as money or time) in a foolish way

dispersed

misuse
/msjuz/

v. to treat (someone) unfairly

v. to use incorrectly

physical
/fzkl/

adj. existing in a form that you can touch or see

abuse
adj. of or relating to natural science

adj. relating to the body of a person instead of the mind

embrace
/mbres/

v. to accept (something or someone) readily or gladly

v. to hold someone in your arms as a way of expressing love or friendship

descendant
/disndnt/

adj. moving or directed downward

n. someone who is related to a person or group of people who lived in
the past

abstraction
/bstrkn/

n. the state of being abstracted

n. absence of mind or preoccupation

generality; divorce

substantial
/sbstnl/

adj. large in amount, size, or number

adj. rmly constructed

adj. important or essential

concrete, solid

222

counterpart
/kantrprt/

n. someone or something that has the same job or purpose as another

n. something that completes

parallel

mirror

v. to be very similar to (something)

...

enterprise

n. a systematic purposeful activity

/mrr/

/ntrpraz/

diligence
n. readiness to engage in daring or difcult action

enterprising adj.

shoulder

v. to assume the burden or responsibility of

recipe

n. a formula or procedure for doing or attaining something

factotum

n. a person whose job involves doing many different types of work

disputant

n. a person who is involved in a dispute and especially in a legal

dispute

novice

n. a person who has just started learning or doing something

tyro

n. a person who has just started learning or doing something : a

beginner or novice

neophyte
expert

neophyte

n. a person who has just started learning or doing something

/oldr/

/rspi/

/fktotm/

/dspjutnt/

/nvs/

/taro/

/niofat/

tyro, novice

maverick
/mvrk/

n. a person who refuses to follow the customs or rules of group

nonconformist

223

 GRE

martinet

n. a person who is very strict and demands obedience from others

sophist

n. philosopher

/mrtnt/

/sfst/

n. a captious or fallacious reasoner

quibbler

n. to argue or complain about small, unimportant things

pedant

n. a person who annoys other people by correcting small errors and

giving too much attention to minor details

naysayer

n. a person who says something will not work or is not possible :

a person who denies, refuses, or opposes something

acolyte

n. someone who follows and admires a leader

/kwbl/

/pdnt/

/neser/

/klat/

n. someone who helps the person who leads a church service

associate

n. a person who you work with or spend time with

canary

n. a small usually yellow or green tropical bird that is often kept in a cage

braggart

n. a person who brags a lot

dictator

n. a person who rules a country with total authority and often in a cruel
or brutal way

dictatorial adj.

tyrant

n. a ruler who has complete power over a country and who is cruel and
unfair

/soiet/

/knri/

/brgrt/

/dktetr/

/tarnt/

denizen

/dnzn/

n. a person, animal, or plant that lives in or often is found in a particular

place or region

224

bishop

n. an ofcial in some hristian religions who is ranked higher than a

priest and who is usually in charge of church matters in a specic
geographical area

clergy

n. people (such as priests) who are the leaders of a religion and who
perform religious services

prophet

n. a member of some religions (such as hristianity, udaism, and

Islam) who delivers messages that are believed to have come from God

virtuoso

n. one skilled in or having a taste for the ne arts

progeny

n. a person who comes from a particular parent or family : the child or

descendant of someone

/bp/

/klrdi/

/prft/

/vrtuoso/

/prdni/

hardliner

n. someone who advocates or involves a rigidly uncompromising

course of action

dilettante

n. a person having a supercial interest in an art or a branch of

knowledge

spearhead

n. a person, thing, or group that organizes or leads something (such

as a movement or attack)

/hrdlanr/

/dltnt/

/sprhd/

vanguard
/vngrd/

n. the group of people who are the leaders of an action or movement

in society, politics, art, etc.

philistine

n. a person who is guided by materialism and is usually disdainful of

intellectual or artistic values

aesthete

polymath

n. someone who knows a lot about many different things

/flstin/

/plm/

encyclopedic

prodigy

/prddi/

n. a young person who is unusually talented in some way

225

 GRE

Word List 24
spendthrift

n. a person who spends money in a careless or wasteful way

monger

n. broker, dealer

culprit

n. a person who has committed a crime or done something wrong

curator

n. a person who is in charge of the things in a museum, zoo, etc.

orator

n. a person who makes speeches and is very good at making them

/spndrft/

/mgr/

/klprt/

/kjuretr/

/rtr/

fledgling
/fldl/

usually used in combination

n. someone or something that is getting started in a new activity

experienced

cynic

n. a person who has negative opinions about other people and about
the things people do; especially : a person who believes that people are
selsh and are only interested in helping themselves

quixote

n. a quixotic person

expansionist

n. someone who holds the belief that a country should grow larger

electorate

n. the people who can vote in an election

/snk/

/kspnnzm/

/ilktrt/

preservationist n. someone who works to preserve something (such as a building or

/przrvenst/

an area of land)

extremist

zealot

n. a person who has very strong feelings about something (such as

religion or politics) and who wants other people to have those feelings : a
zealous person

/zlt/

226

extremist

n. someone who believes in and supports for ideas that are very far
from what most people consider correct or reasonable

zealot

revisionist

n. someone who supports ideas and beliefs that differ from and try to
change accepted ideas and beliefs especially in a way that is seen as
wrong or dishonest

mogul

n. a great personage : magnate

guru

n. a teacher or guide that you trust

/kstrimzm/

/rvst/

/mogl/

/guru/

n. a person who has a lot of experience in or knowledge about a

particular subject

tycoon

n. a very wealthy and powerful business person

bellwether

n. someone or something that leads others or shows what will happen

in the future

/takun/

/blwr/

stickler

n. a person who believes that something is very important and should

be done or followed all the time

diehard

adj. strongly or fanatically determined or devoted

nonenity

n. a person who is not famous or important

imposter

n. a person who deceives others by pretending to be someone else

mastermind

n. a person who plans and organizes something

iconoclast

n. a person who criticizes or opposes beliefs and practices that are

widely accepted

iconoclastic adj.

/stklr/

/dahrd/

/mpstr/

/mstrmand/

/aknklst/

227

 GRE

soothsayer

n. a person who predicts the future by magical, intuitive, or more

rational means

connoisseur

n. a person who knows a lot about something (such as art, wine, food,
etc.) : an expert in a particular subject

connoisseurship n.

boor

n. a rude and rough person

playwright

n. a person who writes plays

despot

n. a ruler who has total power and who often uses that power in cruel
and unfair ways

apologist

n. one who speaks or writes in defense of someone or something

wastrel

n. a person who wastes time, money, etc.

autocrat

n. a person who rules with total power

oddball

n. the use of tricks especially to hide, avoid, or get something

bore

n. one that causes boredom

/suser/

/knsr/

/br/

/plerat/

/dspt/

/pldst/

/westrl/

/tkrt/

/dbl/

/br/

layperson
/leprsn/

n. a member of the laity

nonspecialist

has-been

n. a person who is no longer popular or successful

progenitor

n. precursor, originator

benefactor

n. someone who helps another person, group, etc., by giving money

/hzbn/

/prodntr/

/bnfktr/

228

cronyism

n. the unfair practice by a powerful person (such as a politician) of

giving jobs and other favors to friends

nepotism

n. the unfair practice by a powerful person of giving jobs and other

favors to relatives

cronyism
nepotistic adj.

/kronizm/

/nptzm/

totalitarianism n. centralized control by an autocratic authority

/totltrin/

utilitarianism

/jutltrinzm/

n. the belief that a morally good action is one that helps the greatest
number of people

cynicism

n. cynical beliefs beliefs that people are generally selsh and

/snszm/

dishonest

chauvinism

n. the belief that your country, race, etc., is better than any other

egalitarianism

n. a belief in human equality especially with respect to social, political,

and economic affairs

stoicism

n. the quality or behavior of a person who accepts what happens

without complaining or showing emotion

altruism

n. feelings and behavior that show a desire to help other people and a
lack of selshness

anarchism

n. a belief that government and laws are not necessary

anthropocentrism

n. considering human beings as the most signicant entity of the

universe

atheism

n. a disbelief in the existence of deity

/ovnzm/

/igltrin/

/stoszm/

/ltruzm/

/nrkzm/

/eizm/

229

 GRE

collectivism

n. a political or economic system in which the government owns

businesses, land, etc.

dualism

/dulzm/

n. the idea or belief that everything has two opposite parts or principles

eclecticism

n. a theory or practice (as of medicine or psychotherapy) that

/klktvzm/

/klktszm/

combines doctrines or methods (as therapeutic procedures) from diverse

sources

empiricism

n. the practice of relying on observation and experiment especially in

/mprszm/

the natural sciences

feminism

n. the belief that men and women should have equal rights and
opportunities

/fmnzm/

hedonism

/hidnzm/

n. the belief that pleasure or happiness is the most important goal in

life

idealism

/adilzm/

n. the attitude of a person who believes that it is possible to live

according to very high standards of behavior and honesty

anthropomorphism n. an interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human

/nrpomrfzm/ or personal characteristics

individualism

n. the actions or attitudes of a person who does things without being

concerned about what other people will think

nihilism

n. the belief that traditional morals, ideas, beliefs, etc., have no worth
or value

skepticism

n. an attitude of doubting the truth of something (such as a claim or

statement)

/ndvdulzm/

/nalzm/

/skptszm/

teetotalism
/titotlzm/

n. the principle or practice of complete abstinence from alcoholic drinks

230

gore
/gr/

n. blood, especially clotted blook

n. gruesomeness depicted in vivid detail

fallow

/flo/

adj. left uncultivated or unplanted

sterile

unruly

adj. hard to control, restrain, or keep in order

synoptic

adj. presenting a general view or summary

conviction

n. a strong belief

/nruli/

/snptk/

/knvkn/

certainty
n. a convicting or being convicted

patrimony

n. property that is given to somebody when their father dies

/ptrmoni/

vicarious

adj. felt or experienced by watching or reading about somebody else

doing something, rather than by doing it yourself"

ductile

adj. capable of being bent or pulled into different shapes

dolorous

adj. very sorrowful or sad

antiquated

adj. old-fashioned and no longer suitable for modern conditions

/vakeris/

/dktal/

/dolrs/

/ntkwetd/

patrimonial

old-fashioned
outdated

wayward
/wewrd/

adj. following one's own capricious, wanton, or depraved inclinations

errant
adj. following no clear principle or law

unpredictable

231

 GRE

errant
/rnt/

adj. moving about aimlessly or irregularly

wayward
adj. behaving wrongly

cannibalize
/knblaz/

v. to draw on as a major source

...
v. to deprive of vital elements or resources, such as personnel,
equipment, or funding, for use elsewhere:

discordant
/dskrdnt/

adj. being at variance : disagreeing

adj. disagreeable in sound; harsh or dissonant.

insinuate
/nsnjuet/

v. to introduce (as an idea) gradually or in a subtle, indirect, or covert

( )
v. to introduce (as oneself) by stealthy, smooth, or artful means

slinky

adj. Stealthy, furtive, and sneaking

attune

v. to bring into harmony

bluster

v. to talk or act with noisy swaggering threats

/slki/

/tjun/

/blstr/

n. Loud, arrogant speech, often full of empty threats

nonsensical
/nnsnskl/

adj. lacking intelligible meaning

illogical
adj. foolish; absurd

excavate

v. to make a hole in; hollow out

villainous

adj. appropriate to a villain, as in wickedness or depravity

/kskvet/

/vlns/

232

drudgery

n. tedious, menial, or unpleasant work

millstone

n. a heavy weight; a burden

/drdri/

/mlston/

encumbrance

canard

n. an unfounded or false, deliberately misleading story

accolade

n. an expression of approval; praise

/knrd/

/kled/

laurel
v. to praise or honor

laurel
/lrl/

n. honor and glory won for great achievement

accolade
v. to honor, especially with an award or a prize

shrill

v. to utter in a shrill manner; scream

skim

v. to read or glance through (a book, for example) quickly or

supercially

/rl/

/skm/

cupidity

/kjupdt/

n. a strong desire for money or possessions

avarice

square
/skw/

v. to agree or cause to agree

conform

233

 GRE

at a premium

Property is an excellent investment, particularly in Dublin, where space is at a premium but

demand remains high.
be at odds with ..
Blake's version of nights events was at odds with the ofcial police report.
without fail

I go to the gym every Monday and Wednesday, without fail.

nothing short of

His accusation is nothing short of slander and has no value.

The party was nothing short of a disaster as it ended early and people went home unhappy.
keep something at bay
,
If we can keep the rabbits at bay, we should have a good crop of vegetables in the garden.
on a par with
This home cooking is on a par with the best restaurant cuisine in the world.
substitute A for B
A
B
You can substitute oil for butter in this cookie recipe.
accuse somebody of doing

He accused his assistant of theft in the ofce.

charge somebody with something / charge somebody with doing something

He was charged with resisting arrest when he was approached by the police and ran
The governing body is charged with managing the school within its budget.
dubious distinction

He is the lawyer with the dubious honor of having lost the most cases in the rm.
on top of that
e missed our ight, and on top of that we had to wait seven hours for the next one.
for all

For all her protests about the exposure to paparazzi, the pop star still loved the attention.

234

but for
I walk along Broadway Street, which is deserted but for the occasional taxi cab.
exact a toll / exact a high(heavy) price

His high pressure job has exacted a toll on his health.

collate into
.
The secretary helps him collate the documents into color-coded folders by order of
importance.
some, others, and still others

Some people like apples, others like oranges and still others enjoy bananas.
rest on
hristianity rests on the belief that esus was the son of

od.

and the like

The school contains courts for tennis and badminton and the like.
anything but

She was anything but friendly the last time I asked for her help on an assignment.
all but

The game was all but over by the time we arrived 2 hours later.
)
The judge cleared the court of all but herself and the witness.
let alone
Some people never even read a newspaper on a regular basis, let alone an entire book.
not the least

The upcoming proposal will have a huge impact on the environment, not the least in relation
to the preservation of pandas.
dispense with

They've had to dispense with a lot of luxuries since Mike lost his job.
turn ones back on
This company cant afford to turn its back on tourism as it makes up more than 50% of the
company s prot.
take issue with ..
I took issue with his interpretation of the authors tone in this passage.

235

 GRE

conjure up

For some readers of Victorian novels, the word "England" may conjure up images of pretty
gardens and tea parties.
only too to
I am only too glad to return home after my vacation was ruined by the continuous rain.
a far cry from

This apartment is a far cry from the one they had lived in before.
by virtue of
By virtue of her extensive experience and her wealth of practical knowledge, 87-yearold Louisa Vigil was regarded by her family in New Mexico as its chief advice-giver and
matriarch.
give way to

In some areas, modern intensive farming is giving way to the re-introduction of traditional
methods.
bring about

he
brought about his company's collapse by his reckless spending.
in response to ..
The new law was passed by the town council in response to complaints from residents.
by and large
By and large, the people of this state are satised with the governor's policies.
at large

The public at large doesn't take the noise issue too seriously.
in sharp ( stark ) contrast to

Sales this month were up, in sharp contrast to the poor sales of the last few months.
run-of-the-mill

He gave a fairly run-of-the-mill performance at the speech contest.
state-of-the-art

The school uses the state-of-the-art computers and gadgets in its newly renovated
classrooms.
step down
Upon graduation, she stepped down as captain of the tennis team.
a minor rash of
The minor rash of engine failures on this plane was found to be due to fatigue of the metal.

236

pertain to ..
We are only interested in the parts of the news that pertain to local issues.
be central / peripheral to .. / ..
Technology was central to the discussion of how to help the poorest nations get internet
connection.
he detective wants to nd out who the thief was getting the money back was a peripheral
issue.
be accountable for ..
As the leader programmer, he knew he would be accountable for any aws in the code.
stem from / spring from
Their disagreement stems from an initial misunderstanding.
as somebody puts it
s ohn olt puts it concisely: "Learning, to me, means making more sense of the world
around us, and being able to do more things in it."
prop up
He is able to sit upright in his hospital bed after being propped up by pillows.
be attributed / attributable to

Her illness was attributable to poor air ventilation in the workplace.

caution against doing

Many economists caution against reading too much into a single months report as it is
likely to be prone to variations.
stop short of doing
Eliots satire, unlike Austens, stops short of cruelty. She is inveterately magnanimous, even
when it comes to her most awed characters; her default authorial position is one of pity
bask in (
)
He basked in his moment of glory, holding the trophy up to the crowd.
gloat over
He gloated over his good fortune in poker that made all of us who have lost money very
angry.
despair of ..
The shipwrecked sailors of the Titanic despaired of ever being rescued and brought to
safety.
be subject to

Having no sense of moral obligation, Shipler was as little subject to the reproaches of
conscience after he acted as he was motivated by its prompting before he acted.
237

 GRE

become inured to

He became inured to the hardship of army training.

in the sense that ..
It's voluntary in the sense that the state government will not require anyone to take the test.
be numbered among

Let not my soul be numbered among sinners, or my life among men of blood.
be distinguished from
He was distinguished from the other boys his age by his height.
with regard to

Although adolescent maturational and developmental states occur in an orderly sequence,

their timing----with regard to onset and duration.
strip away
The emergency room nurse strips away the clothing from the burn victim.
prey on

The swindler salesman would prey on the elderly with products that promised of anti-aging.
ferret out

I know his name but I haven't managed to ferret out his phone number or

e hat account.

explain away

I don't know how you're going to explain away that dent you made in Dad's car.
measure somebody / something against somebody / something
It isnt fair to measure somebody just by his sales in the previous month, but that is the
reality for the life of a salesman.
by far

She is by far the hardest working student in the class.
in line with

We try to keep our prices in line with that of our competitors.
be greeted with

The soldier was greeted with warmth and laughter when he returned home from the war.
let nature take its course

he frail old dog could be kept alive articially using ventilators, but think it would be kinder
to let nature take its course.
recourse to
You will always have recourse to funds from the bank account your grandfather left you.
238

to ones dismay

She discovered, to her dismay, that she had locked her keys inside her car.
make headway in something

After an entire morning of peace talks, the politicians made little headway in coming to any
negotiations.
in turn

Each generation in turn must deal with the same budget issues regarding healthcare and
education spending that has haunted the government for years.
be susceptible to ..
..
n order to appear cool and t in, the new students are more susceptible to peer pressure
than others at school.
now that
Now that I live only a few blocks from work, I can walk to work without taking the subway.
insofar as ..
She had done her best to comfort him, insofar as she was able.
the depths of
While I was in the depths of depression, I found that I couldn't even get out of bed in the
morning.
bear out

The test results bear out our claims about the effectiveness of the experimental drug.
give rise to

Eating candy at night and not brushing her teeth give rise to her chronic toothaches.
in ones heyday

In his heyday, the high school football quarterback could walk into any restaurant and eat
for free.
subsist on

With their limited supplies, the campers must subsist on small bags of rice, beans, fruits,
and vegetables.
be obsessed with
..
She is obsessive with punctuality and always arrives to her meetings 10 minutes early.
excise A from B
The surgeon excised a small benign tumor from my leg in a short operation.
on the verge of sth.

239

 GRE
On the verge of nancial collapse, the museum was granted a reprieve, receiving a muchneeded infusion of cash in the form of a government loan.
prone to ..
My sister is prone to sneezing during the Spring because of her allergies.
at ones best
At the wedding, the photographer took shots to show the bride at her best.
in defense of ..
The lawyer constructed an argument in defense of her clients innocence in the case.
be up to
We think those boys are up to something as they suspiciously returned with spray paint on
their hands.
miss out on something

We will all miss out on a blessing if they dont use the gifts God has given them.
beyond the means of somebody

Private school fees are beyond the means of most people.

make somebody / something out to be something
During the police investigation, he made me out to be a liar.

make good on ones promise

My grandfather said he would pay for me to go to college, and he made good on that
promise.
frown on
The society frowned on smoking in public settings and posted signs warning of strict nes.
shirk ones responsibility
I hope you do not shirk your responsibility to water the plants every day or else they will
die.
well-to-do

It was a well-to-do neighborhood of large, single-family homes with big backyards.
stoop to something

e was ama ed that a reputable rm would stoop to selling the names of their clients to
other ad companies.
of great moment
The ribbon cutting ceremonial for the opening of the casino was considered an event of
great moment.

240

ad hoc

The custom cake shop dealt with each customers order on an ad hoc basis.
bona fides
ublic gures have differing reasons for embellishing their bona fides, but it most often is in
the service of compensating for a perceived inadequacy or vulnerability.
He demonstrated hi mnemonic bona fides by learning a seventy-digit number in just over a
minute, and the proceeded straight into a test of the students memories, and mine.
as far as .. is concerned ..
As far as those big companies are concerned, we're just another little company that they
can step on and eliminate as a competitor.
virtues and vices

The editorial described the virtues and vices of writing, giving the students an example from
both good and bad habits.
teem with
The mall was teeming with shoppers on the weekends who are off from work.
day in and day out
He maintained the same diet of rice and beans for all three meals day in and day out.
regardless of
He went outside for a jog, regardless of the fact that it was raining hard.
be obligated to ..
The church goers felt obligated to give to charity every Sunday.
have a distaste for something
The celebritys distaste for publicity of any sort made me avoid large social gatherings.
come of ..
He expected good news to come of all those school applications he submitted.
be a favorite with somebody

The comedian was a great favorite with locals at the bar as he told really funny jokes.
that said / that being said
ohn didn t do well in school. That being said he is highly literate in matters of IT and found
a well-paid job immediately after graduation.
sail through

Rachel sailed through her nal exams without studying and got 's in everything.
shrug off

241

 GRE
You're a father and you can't simply shrug off your responsibility for your children.
I hope I can shrug off this cold before I go on holiday.
in (out of ) step

During the military parade, the soldiers marched in step.

I'm terrible at dancing and I always get completely out of step with my partner.
to ones credit
It is to his credit that we sorted out the problems in this project and turned it in on time.
rank and file
The party's rank and file are beginning to question the prime minister's choice of advisers.
amount to

I doubt that this business will ever amount to anything really protable.

His disgraceful behavior of peering over another students shoulder during the test amounts
to cheating.
stand ones ground
lare stood her ground during the meeting and refused to be intimidated even when others
got angry with her point of view.
make light of
Because you are not personally involved, it was easy for you to make light of other people's
problems.
keep abreast of
I try to keep abreast of any developments in the recent iPhone launch.
serve as

This brick will serve as a perfect doorstop.
at stake
After the hurricane, thousands of lives will be at stake if emergency aid does not arrive in the
city soon.
shore up
he new public relations manager has the difcult task of shoring up the company's troubled
image.
give credence to

His bruises give credence to his police statement that he had been involved in a scufe with
other kids on the playground.
242

nothing less than

The chef will accept nothing less than perfection from his kitchen staff.
stave something off

The Federal Reserve lowered interest rates to stimulate the economy and stave off a
recession.
die hard

e has developed a specic routine with how he packs for a trip and old habits die hard.
have yet to

Two hours before printing the invitations, they have yet to make a decision on the date of
the party.
all the more
Several publishers rejected her book, but that just made her all the more determined.
give in the way of something ..
The school ensures that our teachers will do their utmost to give in the way of support and
encouragement in the classroom.
Mining was attempted, but the land simply did not have much to give in the way of precious
metals and jewels.
to be sure

This is not his best book, to be sure, but it is still worth reading.
to be fair

He has done the job poorly but, to be fair, I gave him very little time to do it.
make sense of something

The community is trying to make sense of the cause of the explosion.

keep something at hand ..
When I am out in the wilderness, I keep my firearm at hand in case of attacks from wild
animals.
derive from something ..
The English word "olive" derives from the Latin word "oliva".
resign to something.
After his wife passed away, he resigned to living alone.
put something. to rest
Their smiling faces put to rest any rumors of an impending separation between the couple.
make demands on
Her homework from school makes considerable demands on her time at night.
243

 GRE

short notice

He called the meeting on such short notice that we had no time to prepare.
devoid of
I went searching for a knife, but the kitchen was devoid of anything sharp.
put something at stake ..
Because he was a reckless gambler, he was willing to put a lot of large amount of money at
stake.
border on

His bizarre behavior at the party scared the guests and borders on the insane.
at the root of .. ..
He believes that his students lack of interest in this class lies at the root of his recent drop
in performance.
in light of

In light of your good driving record, we ve decided to overlook this minor trafc offense.
snap up
..
By 10 oclock, most of the best holiday discounts in the store had been snapped up.
shore up
He called for action to shore up the ailing university by reaching out to private donors and
wealthy alumni.
rule out
The investigators ruled out their prime suspect after he was proven to be out of the country
at the time of the crime.
a priori

There's no a priori reason to think your expenses will remain the same in a larger city.
ad hoc

To keep the police force on the streets, the mayor and the city council made an ad hoc
decision to increase the salaries of law enforcement ofcers by ten percent.
bona fide
In order to receive a refund for your returned purchase, you will need to show the sales clerk
a bona fide receipt for the item.
per capita

The countrys recent wealth was indicated by a rise in per capita income.
status quo
The new company president has plans to change the status quo and turn the business into
a new organization.

244

vice versa
Should I come to your house for dinner or vice versa?
ad-lib
I lost the notes for my talk and had to ad-lib.
drop out of

he was injured in the rst round and had to drop out of the competition.
lose out to

Bill lost out to Sally in the election for student government president in a very close race.
bear the stamp of something
...
Every work of master watchmaker inevitably bears the stamp of his craftsmanship.
fall short of
Earnings fell short of expectations.
pave the way for

The discovery paves the way for the development of effective new treatments
throw spotlight on
...
he recent les throw spotlight on tax haven used by global elite.
come (or bing) to light
That past will come to light, and it will be used against Republican candidates.
at the hands of ... ....
I was hoping for a quick and merciful death at the hands of the reviewers, but, at the same
time I sort of hoped someone would like it well enough to give me encouragement.
ward off
areas where apples were grown, it evolved into a ritual in which chants and dances were
used to ward off evil spirits which it was believed would harm the trees.
de facto

The country was de facto divided between two states

245

GRE

GRE

GRE

54
GRE

GRE OG PP2+150

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