GRE High Frequency Words

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High Frequency Words Warm-up Words Intermediate Words Challenge Words Quantitative Reasoning

A B C D E F G H I L M N O P

A

abateto become less intense or widespread; to reduceGRE · SAT aberrantdeviating from what is normal or expectedGRE · SAT abeyancea state of suspension or temporary inactivityGRE · SAT abscondto leave secretly and hurriedly, typically to avoid detectionGRE · SAT abstemiousmoderate in eating and drinking; restrainedGRE · SAT adulterateto make something less pure by adding an inferior substanceGRE · SAT aestheticconcerned with beauty or appreciation of beauty; artisticGRE · SAT aggrandizeto increase in power or wealth; to make appear greaterGRE · SAT alacritybrisk and cheerful readiness; eagernessGRE · SAT amalgamatejoined together into a wholeGRE ambiguousOpen to more than one interpretation; having a double meaning.GRE · SAT · TOEFL · IELTS ambivalencethe state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideasGRE · SAT ameliorateto make something better; to improveGRE · SAT anachronismsomething or someone placed in the wrong time period; an error in timingGRE · SAT analogouscomparable in certain respects; having similar featuresGRE · SAT · TOEFL anarchya state of disorder; absence of government or controlGRE · SAT anomalousdeviating from the general or common order or typeGRE antipathya strong feeling of dislike or opposition; aversionGRE · SAT apathylack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern; indifferenceGRE · SAT appeaseto pacify or calm someone; to satisfy a demand or needGRE · SAT appriseto inform or notify someone; to make awareGRE · SAT appropriatesuitable or proper for a particular situation; to take or adoptGRE · SAT · TOEFL · IELTS ardorfeelings of great warmth and intensityGRE artlesssimple and natural; without cunning or deceitGRE asceticsomeone who practices self denial as a spiritual disciplineGRE assiduousmarked by care and persistent effortGRE assuageprovide physical relief, as from painGRE audaciousdisposed to venture or take risksGRE austereof a stern or strict bearing or demeanorGRE autonomousHaving the freedom to govern itself or control its own affairs; independent.GRE · TOEFL · IELTS avaricereprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealthGRE

B

bolsterto support or strengthen; to give a boost toGRE · SAT · TOEFL bombasticostentatiously lofty in styleGRE boorishill-mannered and coarse in behavior or appearanceGRE · SAT burgeonto begin to grow or increase rapidly; to flourishGRE · SAT burnishto polish by rubbing; to make shiny or brightGRE · SAT buttressto increase the strength of; to support or reinforceGRE · SAT

C

cacophonya harsh, discordant mixture of soundsGRE · SAT candorthe quality of being open, honest, and direct; franknessGRE · SAT capriciousdetermined by chance or impulse rather than by necessityGRE · SAT castigationverbal punishmentGRE catalystA substance that increases the rate of a reaction without being consumedGRE · SAT · TOEFL causticcapable of destroying or eating away by chemical actionGRE · SAT censureto express severe disapproval or to reprimand formallyGRE · SAT chauvinista person with a prejudiced belief in their own superiorityGRE chicanerythe use of trickery to achieve one's purposeGRE · SAT coagulatechange from a liquid to a thickened or solid stateGRE codathe closing section of a musical compositionGRE cogentclear, logical, and convincingGRE · SAT complementA thing that contributes features which improve or emphasise another's qualities…GRE · SAT · IELTS conciliatorymaking or willing to make concessionsGRE concorda harmonious state of things and of their propertiesGRE condoneexcuse, overlook, or make allowances forGRE confoundbe confusing or perplexing toGRE connoisseuran expert able to appreciate a fieldGRE contentionheated disagreement; a point asserted as true in an argumentGRE · SAT contentiousshowing an inclination to disagreeGRE · TOEFL contritefeeling or expressing pain or sorrowGRE convergemove or draw togetherGRE convictionan unshakable belief in something without need for proofGRE · TOEFL convolutedhighly complex or intricateGRE cravenlacking even the rudiments of courageGRE

D

decorumbehavior that is in accordance with accepted standards; proprietyGRE · SAT deferencehumble submission and respect shown toward an authority or elderGRE · SAT delineatedescribed or portrayed precisely and in detailGRE · TOEFL demurto raise objections; to show reluctance or hesitationGRE · SAT denigratecharge falsely or with malicious intentGRE derivativea compound obtained from another compoundGRE desiccatelacking vitality or spirit; lifelessGRE detachedbeing or feeling set or kept apart from othersGRE deterrentsomething immaterial that interferes with actionGRE diatribethunderous verbal attackGRE dichotomya division or contrast between two things that are opposedGRE · SAT didacticintended to teach, particularly in a pedantic or moralistic wayGRE · SAT diffidencelack of self-confidenceGRE diffusemove outwardGRE dirgea song or hymn of mourning as a memorial to a dead personGRE · SAT disabusefree somebody from an erroneous beliefGRE discerninghaving or revealing keen insight and good judgmentGRE discordantnot in agreement or harmonyGRE discreditcause to be distrusted or disbelievedGRE discreteconstituting a separate entity or partGRE disdainlack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislikeGRE disseminatecause to become widely knownGRE dissolutionseparation into component partsGRE dissonancedisagreeable soundsGRE distendcause to expand as if by internal pressureGRE distillundergo condensationGRE divergemove or draw apartGRE docileeasily handled or managedGRE documenta representation of a person's thinking with contentGRE · TOEFL dogmaticpertaining to a code of beliefs accepted as authoritativeGRE dupea person who is tricked or swindledGRE

E

ebullientjoyously unrestrainedGRE eclecticselecting what seems best of various styles or ideasGRE effronteryaudacious, even combative, behaviorGRE elegya mournful poem, especially one lamenting the deadGRE eloquentexpressing yourself readily, clearly, effectivelyGRE elusiveskillfully evasiveGRE emaciatedvery thin especially from disease or hunger or coldGRE embellishmake more attractive, as by adding ornament or colorGRE emulatestrive to equal or match, especially by imitatingGRE endemicnative to or confined to a certain regionGRE enervateweaken mentally or morallyGRE engenderto cause or give rise to a feeling, situation, or conditionGRE · SAT ennuithe feeling of being bored by something tediousGRE ephemeralanything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a dayGRE · SAT equanimitysteadiness of mind under stressGRE equivocateto use ambiguous language to conceal the truth; to hedgeGRE · SAT eruditehaving or showing profound knowledgeGRE esotericintended for or understood by only a small number of peopleGRE · SAT eulogya formal expression of praise for someone who has diedGRE · SAT euphemisma mild or indirect word used in place of one that might seem harshGRE · SAT evanescenttending to vanish like vaporGRE exacerbateto make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worseGRE · SAT exculpateto show someone is not guilty; to clear from blameGRE · SAT exigentdemanding immediate attentionGRE exoneratepronounce not guilty of criminal chargesGRE extraneousirrelevant or unrelated to the subject being dealt with; superfluousGRE · SAT extrapolationan inference about the future based on known factsGRE

F

facilitateTo make an action or process easier; to enable.GRE · TOEFL · IELTS fallaciousbased on a mistaken belief; containing a fallacyGRE · SAT fatuoussilly and pointless; complacently foolishGRE · SAT flouttreat with contemptuous disregardGRE fomenttry to stir upGRE forestallkeep from happening or arising; make impossibleGRE frugalSparing or economical with money or food; simple and plain.GRE · IELTS

G

gainsaytake exception toGRE garrulousfull of trivial conversationGRE goadstab or urge on as if with a pointed stickGRE gougean impression in a surface, as made by a blowGRE grandiloquentlofty in styleGRE gregarioustemperamentally seeking and enjoying the company of othersGRE · SAT guilelessfree of deceitGRE

H

haranguea lengthy and aggressive speech; to lecture someone at length in angerGRE · SAT hedonista person who believes that pleasure is the chief goodGRE · SAT hegemonythe dominance or leadership of one social group over othersGRE heresybelief or opinion contrary to orthodox doctrine; heterodoxyGRE · SAT hermeticcompletely sealed or airtightGRE

I

iconoclasticcharacterized by attack on established beliefsGRE idolatrythe worship of combatable thingsGRE immutableunchanging over time; unable to be changed or alteredGRE · SAT impairmake worse or less effectiveGRE impartialtreating all rivals or disputants equally; unbiased and fairGRE · SAT · TOEFL impedebe a hindrance or obstacle toGRE imperviousnot admitting of passage or capable of being affectedGRE implacableincapable of being appeased or pacifiedGRE implicitNot stated directly but understood from contextGRE · TOEFL impudentimproperly forward or boldGRE incessantuninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuingGRE · SAT inchoateonly partly in existence; imperfectly formedGRE incongruitythe quality of disagreeingGRE inconsequentialnot important or significant; trivialGRE · SAT incorporatemake into a whole or make part of a wholeGRE · TOEFL indeterminatenot precisely determined or establishedGRE indigencea state of extreme poverty or destitutionGRE indolentdisinclined to work or exertionGRE inertunable to move or resist motionGRE ingenuouslacking in sophistication or worldlinessGRE inherentExisting in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute.GRE · TOEFL · IELTS innocuousnot injurious to physical or mental healthGRE inscrutableof an obscure natureGRE insensiblebarely able to be perceivedGRE insinuatesuggest in an indirect or covert wayGRE insipidlacking interest or significance or impactGRE insularitythe state of being combated or isolatedGRE irresoluteuncertain how to act or proceedGRE itineranttraveling from place to place to workGRE

L

laconicusing very few words; brief and terse in speech or expressionGRE · SAT languiddisplaying a disinclination for physical exertion; listlessGRE · SAT lassitudea feeling of lack of interest or energyGRE latentpotentially existing but not presently evident or realizedGRE laudto praise highly; to extolGRE · SAT lethargicaffected by lethargy; sluggish and apatheticGRE · SAT leveean embankment built to prevent a river from overflowingGRE levitythe treatment of a serious matter with humor; lightnessGRE · SAT liberalshowing or characterized by broad-mindednessGRE limpidclear and brightGRE loga segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branchesGRE loquacioustending to talk a great deal; garrulous and wordyGRE · SAT lucidclear and easy to understand; thinking clearlyGRE · SAT luminoussoftly bright or radiantGRE

M

magnanimityliberality in bestowing giftsGRE malingerto pretend to be ill to avoid duty or workGRE · SAT malleableable to be shaped; easily influenced; adaptableGRE · SAT mavericksomeone who exhibits independence in thought and actionGRE mendaciousintentionally untrueGRE metamorphosisa complete change of physical form or substanceGRE meticulousmarked by precise accordance with detailsGRE misanthropesomeone who dislikes people in generalGRE mitigateTo make less severe, serious, or painful; to lessen the impact of.GRE · IELTS mollifycause to be more favorably inclinedGRE moroseshowing a brooding ill humorGRE myriada large indefinite numberGRE

N

negateto nullify or make ineffective; to deny or contradictGRE · SAT neophyteany new participant in some activityGRE

O

obduratestubbornly refusing to change one's opinion; hardened against persuasionGRE · SAT obsequiousexcessively obedient and eager to please; servileGRE · SAT obviateto avoid or prevent; to make unnecessaryGRE · SAT occludeblock passage throughGRE offseta compensating equivalentGRE onerousinvolving a great deal of effort and difficulty; oppressively burdensomeGRE · SAT opaquenot able to be seen through; not clearly understood or explainedGRE · SAT opportunista person who places expediency above principleGRE opprobriuma state of extreme dishonorGRE oscillatemove or swing from side to side regularlyGRE ostentatiousintended to attract notice and impress othersGRE · SAT

P

paradoxa statement that seems self-contradictory but may be true; a dilemmaGRE · SAT paragona person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a qualityGRE · SAT partisana fervent and even militant proponent of somethingGRE philanthropyThe desire to promote the welfare of others; charitable giving.GRE · IELTS phlegmaticshowing little emotionGRE placatecause to be more favorably inclinedGRE plasticcapable of being molded or modeledGRE plethoraan excess or abundance of somethingGRE · SAT pragmaticdealing with things sensibly and realistically; practicalGRE · SAT