GRE Vocabulary Flashcards: 300 Words with Definitions & Examples
Study 300 GRE-level words with concise definitions, parts of speech, and original example sentences in one installable flashcard deck.
About this deck
Study 300 independently selected GRE-level English words. Each front gives the word and intended part of speech. When that still leaves a common alternate meaning, a short plain-English label points to the target sense. The back starts with a concise primary definition, then gives the part of speech and one original example sentence. Compact usage notes appear only when they prevent a misleading answer.
The deck practices word-to-meaning recall only. Definition-to-word reverse cards are excluded because several synonyms can reasonably satisfy the same definition. Its deterministic sequence begins with broadly useful academic vocabulary, gradually introduces finer and less common distinctions, and separates near-synonyms, antonyms, and confusable words so adjacent answers do not reveal one another.
The words, intended senses, definitions, examples, and order were selected and written independently, then checked against reputable learner dictionaries. This is an independent practical set, not an official, complete, guaranteed, or frequency-ranked GRE vocabulary list. It excludes test questions, test-taking strategies, pronunciation, audio, card images, proprietary mnemonics, and exhaustive dictionary senses.
Common word meanings are not claimed as proprietary. The original prompts, answer wording, examples, metadata, organization, and generated cover are dedicated under CC0 1.0 to the extent applicable rights exist.
Independent, unofficial learning deck. Not affiliated with or endorsed by ETS. No GRE test questions, official preparation text, competitor word-list sequence, or third-party study-tool content is included. See the official ETS GRE test content page for authoritative information about the exam.
Cards in this deck
Card 1
Question
analogous (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Similar in important ways that allow a useful comparison.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The cell membrane is sometimes described as analogous to a selective gate.
Card 2
Question
analyze (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To examine something closely by considering its parts and relationships.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Researchers analyzed how income and location affected the results.
Card 3
Question
corroborate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To confirm a statement by providing independent supporting evidence.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Phone records corroborated the witness's timeline.
Card 4
Question
concurrent (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Happening or existing at the same time.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The lab ran three concurrent trials.
Card 5
Question
conciliatory (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Intended to reduce conflict and restore friendly relations.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Her conciliatory response helped reopen the negotiations.
Card 6
Question
concise (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Brief while still clear and complete.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Her concise summary captured the main finding in two sentences.
Card 7
Question
abstain (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To deliberately refrain from doing or taking part in something.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Two members abstained from voting because of a conflict of interest.
Card 8
Question
assess (verb, evaluation) — meaning?
Answer
To judge the quality, importance, amount, or likely effect of something.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Engineers assessed the building before recommending repairs.
Card 9
Question
augment (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To make something larger, stronger, or more effective by adding to it.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The library augmented its collection with digital archives.
Card 10
Question
arbitrary (adjective, a decision) — meaning?
Answer
Based on personal choice or chance rather than a consistent reason or rule.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The cutoff seemed arbitrary because no evidence supported it.
Card 11
Question
candor (noun) — meaning?
Answer
The quality of being honest, open, and direct.
Part of speech: noun
Example: Her candor about the project's failures earned the team's trust.
Card 12
Question
admonish (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To warn or reprimand someone firmly.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The editor admonished the reporter for ignoring a key source.
Card 13
Question
bolster (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To support or strengthen something.
Part of speech: verb
Example: New archaeological evidence bolstered the original theory.
Card 14
Question
adapt (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To adjust to new conditions or modify something for a new use.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The plants adapted to the region's dry summers.
Card 15
Question
acquiesce (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To accept something reluctantly but without protest.
Part of speech: verb
Example: After a long debate, the board acquiesced to the revised schedule.
Card 16
Question
abstract (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Existing as an idea rather than as a physical or concrete thing.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Justice is an abstract concept, but court rulings have practical effects.
Card 17
Question
assert (verb, a claim) — meaning?
Answer
To state something confidently and forcefully.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The authors assert that the policy widened access.
Card 18
Question
censure (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To express strong, often formal, disapproval of someone or something.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The committee censured the member for violating its ethics rules.
Card 19
Question
accommodate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To provide enough space for someone or something, or adapt to meet a need.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The revised schedule accommodates students in several time zones.
Card 20
Question
abate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To become or make less intense or severe.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The wind finally abated after sunset.
Card 21
Question
concede (verb, an argument) — meaning?
Answer
To admit that a point is true, often reluctantly.
Part of speech: verb
Example: He conceded that the rival proposal would cost less.
Card 22
Question
context (noun) — meaning?
Answer
The surrounding circumstances that help explain an event, statement, or idea.
Part of speech: noun
Example: The quotation sounds harsher when removed from its context.
Card 23
Question
debunk (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To expose a belief or claim as false or exaggerated.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The experiment debunked a popular myth about memory.
Card 24
Question
advocate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To publicly support or argue for a cause or policy.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Local doctors advocated for cleaner drinking water.
Card 25
Question
allude (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To refer to something indirectly rather than naming it plainly.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The speaker alluded to an earlier dispute but gave no details.
Card 26
Question
ambiguous (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Open to more than one interpretation or lacking a clear meaning.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The ambiguous instruction left both options defensible.
Card 27
Question
acknowledge (verb, a fact) — meaning?
Answer
To accept or admit that something exists or is true.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The report acknowledged several limits in the data.
Card 28
Question
anticipate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To expect something in advance and often prepare for it.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The planners anticipated heavier traffic during the festival.
Card 29
Question
cite (verb, evidence) — meaning?
Answer
To mention a source, fact, or example as support.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The report cites three studies that reached similar conclusions.
Card 30
Question
cogent (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Clear, logical, and convincing.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: She offered a cogent explanation for the unexpected result.
Card 31
Question
concur (verb, an opinion) — meaning?
Answer
To agree with an opinion, decision, or finding.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Most reviewers concurred with the final recommendation.
Card 32
Question
allocate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To assign money, time, or resources to a particular purpose.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The council allocated more funds to bridge repairs.
Card 33
Question
apparent (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Easy to notice or understand; in some contexts, seeming true without being certain.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The calculation error became apparent during the final review.
Card 34
Question
austere (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Severe, plain, and lacking comfort or decoration.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The monastery's rooms were clean but austere.
Card 35
Question
aggregate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To gather separate items or amounts into a whole.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The dashboard aggregates results from all twelve surveys.
Card 36
Question
alter (verb, general change) — meaning?
Answer
To change something, usually without replacing it completely.
Part of speech: verb
Example: One new assumption could alter the model's conclusion.
Card 37
Question
articulate (adjective, a speaker) — meaning?
Answer
Able to express ideas clearly and effectively.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: She was an articulate advocate for the new policy.
Card 38
Question
allege (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To claim that something is true without yet proving it.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Residents alleged that the factory had concealed the leak.
Card 39
Question
benevolent (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Kind, generous, and concerned with others' welfare.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: A benevolent donor paid for the clinic's new equipment.
Card 40
Question
capricious (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Changing suddenly and unpredictably.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The region's capricious weather frustrated even experienced farmers.
Card 41
Question
assuage (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To make an unpleasant feeling less intense.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Clear safety data helped assuage residents' fears.
Card 42
Question
comprehensive (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Including nearly all the relevant parts or details.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The review offers a comprehensive survey of the field.
Card 43
Question
conventional (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Following generally accepted customs, ideas, or methods.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The architect combined conventional materials with an unusual layout.
Card 44
Question
accelerate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To increase the speed or rate of something.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Better tools accelerated the team's analysis.
Card 45
Question
contend (verb, a claim) — meaning?
Answer
To maintain that a claim or position is true.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Critics contend that the rule places an unfair burden on small firms.
Card 46
Question
ameliorate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To make a bad or difficult situation better.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The subsidy was intended to ameliorate the effects of rising food prices.
Card 47
Question
inherent (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Existing as a natural or essential part of something.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Any forecast carries inherent uncertainty.
Card 48
Question
complacent (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Too satisfied with the current situation to notice danger or the need to improve.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Early success made the team complacent about quality checks.
Card 49
Question
constrain (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To limit someone's choices or restrict what can happen.
Part of speech: verb
Example: A small budget constrained the scope of the study.
Card 50
Question
critique (noun) — meaning?
Answer
A careful evaluation that discusses strengths and weaknesses.
Part of speech: noun
Example: The essay offers a detailed critique of the prevailing model.
Card 51
Question
coherent (adjective, an account) — meaning?
Answer
Logical, consistent, and easy to understand as a whole.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The evidence supports a coherent account of what happened.
Card 52
Question
empirical (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Based on observation or experiment rather than theory alone.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The claim needs empirical support before it can guide policy.
Card 53
Question
diminish (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To become or make something smaller, weaker, or less important.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The medicine diminished the pain without causing drowsiness.
Card 54
Question
derive (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To obtain something from a particular source.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The researchers derived their estimates from census data.
Card 55
Question
conform (verb, a standard) — meaning?
Answer
To behave according to an accepted standard, rule, or pattern.
Part of speech: verb
Example: All samples must conform to the laboratory's safety rules.
Card 56
Question
dubious (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Doubtful, questionable, or not likely to be trustworthy.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The article rests on a dubious assumption about voter behavior.
Card 57
Question
expound (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To explain an idea or theory in detail.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The lecturer expounded her theory for nearly an hour.
Card 58
Question
mitigate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To reduce the severity, harm, or unpleasantness of something.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Shade trees can mitigate extreme heat in dense neighborhoods.
Card 59
Question
hypothesis (noun) — meaning?
Answer
A proposed explanation that can be tested against evidence.
Part of speech: noun
Example: The experiment was designed to test the new hypothesis.
Card 60
Question
fundamental (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Basic and essential to the nature or foundation of something.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Trust is fundamental to a productive partnership.
Card 61
Question
equivocal (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Open to multiple interpretations, often because it avoids a clear commitment.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The minister's equivocal reply satisfied neither side.
Card 62
Question
defer (verb, a decision) — meaning?
Answer
To postpone an action or decision until a later time.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The committee deferred the vote until it had more evidence.
Card 63
Question
substantiate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To support a claim with evidence or proof.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The available records did not substantiate the allegation.
Card 64
Question
decline (verb, an amount) — meaning?
Answer
To become smaller, weaker, or less common.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Demand declined after the initial surge.
Card 65
Question
refine (verb, an idea) — meaning?
Answer
To improve something through small, careful changes.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The authors refined their argument after receiving feedback.
Card 66
Question
interpret (verb, meaning) — meaning?
Answer
To explain or decide the meaning of information, words, or events.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Two historians interpreted the same letter differently.
Card 67
Question
dogmatic (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Expressing beliefs as unquestionably true and resisting other views.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: A dogmatic approach left little room for new evidence.
Card 68
Question
fallacious (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Based on faulty reasoning or a mistaken belief.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The conclusion is fallacious because it confuses correlation with cause.
Card 69
Question
reconcile (verb, conflicting accounts) — meaning?
Answer
To make ideas, facts, or accounts compatible with one another.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The team struggled to reconcile the two conflicting estimates.
Card 70
Question
fluctuate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To rise and fall irregularly in amount, level, or value.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Energy prices fluctuate throughout the year.
Card 71
Question
infer (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To reach a conclusion from evidence rather than from a direct statement.
Part of speech: verb
Example: From the pollen records, scientists inferred that the climate had changed.
Card 72
Question
exacerbate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To make a problem, condition, or negative feeling worse.
Part of speech: verb
Example: A prolonged drought exacerbated the water shortage.
Card 73
Question
lucid (adjective, an explanation) — meaning?
Answer
Expressed clearly and easy to understand.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Her lucid explanation made the complex process seem manageable.
Card 74
Question
crucial (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Extremely important to the outcome of something.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Reliable measurements are crucial to the experiment.
Card 75
Question
justify (verb, a decision) — meaning?
Answer
To show that an action, belief, or claim is reasonable or right.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The expected benefit did not justify the high cost.
Card 76
Question
inhibit (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To hinder, restrain, or prevent an action or process.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Fear of criticism can inhibit honest discussion.
Card 77
Question
delineate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To describe or mark the exact features or limits of something.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The agreement delineates each partner's responsibilities.
Card 78
Question
feasible (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Possible and practical to carry out successfully.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: A shorter route is feasible if the weather remains calm.
Card 79
Question
impugn (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To challenge the honesty, integrity, or truth of someone or something.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The accusation impugned the scientist's professional integrity.
Card 80
Question
diligent (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Careful and persistent in one's work or duties.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: A diligent archivist found the missing document.
Card 81
Question
explicit (adjective, a statement or instruction) — meaning?
Answer
Stated clearly and directly, with no need for inference.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The contract contains an explicit ban on hidden fees.
Card 82
Question
discrete (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Separate and distinct from other things.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The survey divides the process into five discrete stages.
Usage: Unlike discreet, discrete means separate.
Card 83
Question
dispute (verb, a claim) — meaning?
Answer
To question the truth, accuracy, or validity of something.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Several scholars dispute the traditional account of the event.
Card 84
Question
prevalent (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Common or widespread in a particular place or period.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The custom was prevalent across the coastal region.
Card 85
Question
elucidate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To make a difficult idea clearer by explaining it.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The diagram helps elucidate how the two systems interact.
Card 86
Question
frugal (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Careful to avoid wasting money or resources.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Their frugal plan reused existing equipment.
Card 87
Question
invalidate (verb, an argument) — meaning?
Answer
To show that an argument or conclusion is unsound or not valid.
Part of speech: verb
Example: One faulty measurement does not necessarily invalidate the entire study.
Card 88
Question
elated (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Extremely happy and excited.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The rescue team was elated when it found the missing hikers.
Card 89
Question
denigrate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To criticize someone or something unfairly and damage its reputation.
Part of speech: verb
Example: A fair comparison need not denigrate the competing design.
Card 90
Question
exaggerate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To represent something as greater, worse, or more important than it is.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Headlines sometimes exaggerate the certainty of early findings.
Card 91
Question
cumulative (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Growing or increasing through a series of additions.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The cumulative effect of many small delays was substantial.
Card 92
Question
cultivate (verb, a quality) — meaning?
Answer
To develop a skill, quality, or relationship through sustained effort.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The program helps young researchers cultivate strong writing habits.
Card 93
Question
credible (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Believable and worthy of trust.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The witness gave a detailed and credible account.
Card 94
Question
empathetic (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Able to understand and share another person's feelings.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The counselor gave an empathetic response without making assumptions.
Card 95
Question
deliberate (adjective, an action) — meaning?
Answer
Done consciously and after careful thought.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The slow rollout was a deliberate attempt to limit risk.
Card 96
Question
disdain (noun) — meaning?
Answer
A feeling that someone or something is unworthy of respect.
Part of speech: noun
Example: She regarded the dishonest tactic with disdain.
Card 97
Question
gainsay (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To deny or contradict a fact or statement.
Part of speech: verb
Example: No one could gainsay the importance of clean water.
Card 98
Question
objective (adjective, judgment) — meaning?
Answer
Not influenced by personal feelings or preferences.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The panel used objective criteria to rank the proposals.
Card 99
Question
enhance (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To improve the quality, value, or effectiveness of something.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Clear labels enhanced the chart's readability.
Card 100
Question
preliminary (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Done or occurring before the main or final stage.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Preliminary results suggest that the treatment is safe.
Card 101
Question
paradox (noun) — meaning?
Answer
A statement or situation that seems contradictory but may reveal a truth.
Part of speech: noun
Example: The efficiency paradox is that faster tools sometimes create more work.
Card 102
Question
meticulous (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Extremely careful about small details.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The conservator kept meticulous records of every repair.
Card 103
Question
temperate (adjective, behavior) — meaning?
Answer
Moderate and restrained rather than extreme.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The chair took a temperate approach to the heated dispute.
Card 104
Question
reticent (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Unwilling to speak freely or reveal one's thoughts.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The witness was reticent about her role in the meeting.
Card 105
Question
tenuous (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Very weak, slight, or poorly supported.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The article draws a tenuous link between the two events.
Card 106
Question
prudent (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Careful and sensible about future risks or consequences.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Keeping an emergency reserve was a prudent decision.
Card 107
Question
avarice (noun) — meaning?
Answer
An extreme desire to acquire and keep wealth.
Part of speech: noun
Example: The fable portrays avarice as a force that isolates the ruler.
Card 108
Question
misrepresent (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To describe something falsely or in a misleading way.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The summary misrepresented the study by omitting its main limitation.
Card 109
Question
warrant (verb, an action) — meaning?
Answer
To justify or make a particular action necessary.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The minor discrepancy does not warrant a full investigation.
Card 110
Question
audacious (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Bold and willing to take striking risks.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The rescue team proposed an audacious route through the canyon.
Card 111
Question
resilient (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Able to recover quickly from difficulty, damage, or change.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The resilient community rebuilt its market after the flood.
Card 112
Question
scrupulous (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Very careful to act honestly, correctly, and according to principle.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The auditor was scrupulous about documenting every expense.
Card 113
Question
vindicate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To clear someone of blame or show that a decision was justified.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The new evidence vindicated the engineer who had warned about the flaw.
Card 114
Question
submissive (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Ready to obey or yield to another person's authority.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The novel's protagonist appears submissive at first but later resists.
Card 115
Question
verbose (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Using more words than necessary.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The verbose introduction delayed the paper's main point.
Card 116
Question
clandestine (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Kept secret, usually to conceal an improper or unauthorized activity.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The group held clandestine meetings in an unused warehouse.
Card 117
Question
belie (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To give a false impression of something or show a claim to be untrue.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Her calm voice belied the urgency of the situation.
Card 118
Question
gregarious (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Sociable and fond of being with other people.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The gregarious host introduced every guest to someone new.
Card 119
Question
stoic (adjective, hardship) — meaning?
Answer
Enduring pain or hardship without showing much complaint or emotion.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: He remained stoic while doctors treated the injury.
Card 120
Question
nuanced (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Showing subtle differences or careful distinctions.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The historian gives a nuanced account of both leaders' motives.
Card 121
Question
plausible (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Seeming reasonable or likely to be true.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Investigators considered several plausible explanations for the outage.
Card 122
Question
antipathy (noun) — meaning?
Answer
A strong feeling of dislike or aversion.
Part of speech: noun
Example: His antipathy toward bureaucracy shaped his political views.
Card 123
Question
malleable (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Able to be shaped, changed, or influenced easily.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Copper is malleable enough to be formed into thin sheets.
Card 124
Question
anomaly (noun) — meaning?
Answer
Something that differs from the normal pattern or expected result.
Part of speech: noun
Example: The sudden temperature spike was an anomaly in an otherwise stable record.
Card 125
Question
refute (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To prove that a claim or argument is wrong.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Later evidence refuted the original explanation.
Card 126
Question
indifferent (adjective, level of concern) — meaning?
Answer
Having no particular interest, concern, or preference.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Many voters seemed indifferent to the minor procedural change.
Card 127
Question
rhetoric (noun) — meaning?
Answer
Language designed to persuade or impress an audience.
Part of speech: noun
Example: The campaign's rhetoric became sharper as the election approached.
Card 128
Question
benign (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Harmless, gentle, or unlikely to cause damage.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Tests confirmed that the growth was benign.
Card 129
Question
impetuous (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Acting quickly without enough thought about the consequences.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: His impetuous decision to resign surprised the entire team.
Card 130
Question
unequivocal (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Completely clear and leaving no room for doubt.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The court issued an unequivocal rejection of the claim.
Card 131
Question
polemical (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Strongly critical and intended to provoke debate or controversy.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The author's polemical essay attacked the entire school of thought.
Card 132
Question
aberrant (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Departing from what is normal, expected, or typical.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: One aberrant reading prompted the technician to recalibrate the sensor.
Card 133
Question
placid (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Calm, peaceful, and not easily disturbed.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The lake looked placid after the storm passed.
Card 134
Question
qualify (verb, a claim) — meaning?
Answer
To limit or modify a statement so that it is more precise.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The researchers qualified their conclusion by noting the small sample.
Card 135
Question
persuasive (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Able to convince someone through effective reasoning or appeal.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The proposal was persuasive because it paired evidence with a practical plan.
Card 136
Question
obscure (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Not well known or difficult to understand.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The footnote refers to an obscure legal precedent.
Card 137
Question
steadfast (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Firm, loyal, and unlikely to change under pressure.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: She remained steadfast in her support for the reform.
Card 138
Question
didactic (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Intended to teach, especially in an overly instructive or moralizing way.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The novel is engaging even when its dialogue becomes didactic.
Card 139
Question
skeptical (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Doubtful and unwilling to accept a claim without evidence.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Reviewers remained skeptical until the results were replicated.
Card 140
Question
stringent (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Very strict and demanding.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The laboratory follows stringent contamination controls.
Card 141
Question
judicious (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Showing careful thought and good judgment.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: A judicious compromise preserved the strongest parts of both plans.
Card 142
Question
apathy (noun) — meaning?
Answer
A lack of interest, concern, or emotion.
Part of speech: noun
Example: Public apathy made it difficult to recruit volunteers.
Card 143
Question
validate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To confirm that something is sound, accurate, or acceptable.
Part of speech: verb
Example: A second laboratory validated the initial result.
Card 144
Question
magnanimous (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Generous and forgiving, especially toward a rival or defeated opponent.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The winner was magnanimous and praised her opponent's campaign.
Card 145
Question
banal (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
So ordinary or overused that it has become dull and unoriginal.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The speech relied on banal slogans instead of concrete proposals.
Card 146
Question
impartial (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Fair and not favoring one side over another.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Both parties asked an impartial mediator to hear the dispute.
Card 147
Question
tenacious (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Persistent and unwilling to give up.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: A tenacious investigator traced the error to its source.
Card 148
Question
stipulate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To specify a condition or requirement as part of an agreement.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The contract stipulates that both parties must approve any changes.
Card 149
Question
specious (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Seeming convincing at first but actually false or misleading.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The argument sounds neat, but it rests on a specious comparison.
Card 150
Question
absolve (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To free someone from blame, guilt, or responsibility.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The new evidence did not absolve the company of negligence.
300 cards
GRE Vocabulary Flashcards: 300 Words with Definitions & Examples
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Card 151
Question
obstinate (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Stubbornly refusing to change an opinion or course of action.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: He remained obstinate even after the evidence contradicted him.
Card 152
Question
parsimonious (adjective, spending) — meaning?
Answer
Extremely unwilling to spend money or use resources.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The parsimonious owner delayed essential repairs.
Card 153
Question
iconoclast (noun) — meaning?
Answer
A person who challenges established beliefs, customs, or institutions.
Part of speech: noun
Example: The iconoclast questioned assumptions that the field had accepted for decades.
Card 154
Question
whimsical (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Playfully unusual or guided by sudden, fanciful ideas.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The garden's whimsical sculptures delighted younger visitors.
Card 155
Question
appease (verb, someone upset) — meaning?
Answer
To calm someone by meeting a demand or making a concession.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The small refund did little to appease angry customers.
Card 156
Question
insipid (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Lacking flavor, interest, or distinctive character.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The adaptation turned a lively novel into an insipid drama.
Card 157
Question
wary (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Cautious because something may be dangerous or unreliable.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Residents were wary of promises that lacked funding.
Card 158
Question
despondent (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Deeply discouraged and without much hope.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: After months of rejection, the applicant became despondent.
Card 159
Question
laconic (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Using very few words.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: His laconic reply contained only the date and location.
Card 160
Question
hackneyed (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Used so often that it seems dull and unoriginal.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The reviewer criticized the film's hackneyed plot.
Card 161
Question
lethargic (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Sluggish, lacking energy, or unusually inactive.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The heat left the hikers lethargic by midday.
Card 162
Question
tentative (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Not fully decided or certain; provisional.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: They reached a tentative agreement pending legal review.
Card 163
Question
disparate (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Fundamentally different in kind and difficult to compare.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The coalition united groups with disparate political goals.
Card 164
Question
accede (verb, a request) — meaning?
Answer
To agree to a request, proposal, or demand.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The council acceded to residents' request for a public hearing.
Card 165
Question
zealous (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Showing intense enthusiasm and devotion to a cause or goal.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: A zealous volunteer recruited dozens of new members.
Card 166
Question
immutable (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Unable to be changed.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The rules are longstanding, but they are not immutable.
Card 167
Question
cursory (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Quick and not thorough or detailed.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: A cursory inspection failed to reveal the crack.
Card 168
Question
tolerant (adjective, different views) — meaning?
Answer
Willing to accept beliefs, behavior, or conditions that differ from one's own.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: A tolerant workplace can still enforce clear standards.
Card 169
Question
egregious (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Outstandingly and shockingly bad.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The audit uncovered an egregious misuse of public funds.
Card 170
Question
mercurial (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Changing mood or behavior suddenly and unpredictably.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The mercurial director could be charming one moment and furious the next.
Card 171
Question
abridge (verb, a text) — meaning?
Answer
To shorten a text while preserving its main ideas.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The editor abridged the memoir for a younger audience.
Card 172
Question
transient (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Lasting only a short time.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The medication caused a transient feeling of dizziness.
Card 173
Question
abdicate (verb, a throne) — meaning?
Answer
To formally give up a throne or sovereign position.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The king abdicated in favor of his daughter.
Usage: Abdicate responsibility means to fail or refuse to perform a duty.
Card 174
Question
castigate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To criticize or reprimand someone harshly.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Commentators castigated the agency for its slow response.
Card 175
Question
coerce (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To force someone to act through threats or strong pressure.
Part of speech: verb
Example: A valid agreement cannot be obtained by coercing either party.
Card 176
Question
contrite (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Genuinely sorry and remorseful for wrongdoing.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The contrite official apologized and returned the money.
Card 177
Question
loquacious (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Tending to talk a great deal.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The loquacious guide filled the journey with stories.
Card 178
Question
vigilant (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Watchful and alert to possible danger or problems.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Inspectors remained vigilant for signs of structural damage.
Card 179
Question
arbitrate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To settle a dispute by acting as a neutral decision-maker.
Part of speech: verb
Example: An independent panel will arbitrate the labor dispute.
Card 180
Question
abhor (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To hate or regard something with deep disgust.
Part of speech: verb
Example: She abhors cruelty in any form.
Card 181
Question
altruistic (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Concerned with helping others without seeking personal gain.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Her altruistic decision gave the scholarship fund a strong start.
Card 182
Question
undermine (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To weaken something gradually or indirectly.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Repeated delays undermined public confidence in the project.
Card 183
Question
decorum (noun) — meaning?
Answer
Proper, polite behavior suited to a formal situation.
Part of speech: noun
Example: The chair asked everyone to maintain decorum during the hearing.
Card 184
Question
eclectic (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Drawing ideas, styles, or tastes from a wide variety of sources.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The festival presented an eclectic mix of jazz, folk, and electronic music.
Card 185
Question
volatile (adjective, conditions) — meaning?
Answer
Likely to change suddenly and unpredictably, often for the worse.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Investors avoided the volatile market.
Card 186
Question
enigmatic (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Mysterious and difficult to understand or explain.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The artist gave an enigmatic answer about the empty frame.
Card 187
Question
circumvent (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To find a way around a rule, restriction, or obstacle.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The company used shell accounts to circumvent the spending limit.
Card 188
Question
ostentatious (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Designed to attract attention and display wealth or importance.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The office was luxurious without being ostentatious.
Card 189
Question
tractable (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Easy to control, manage, or solve.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The problem became tractable once the team divided it into smaller parts.
Card 190
Question
orthodox (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Following established, traditional, or generally accepted beliefs and methods.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: His interpretation departs from orthodox economic theory.
Card 191
Question
nonchalant (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Appearing calmly unconcerned.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: She sounded nonchalant despite the approaching deadline.
Card 192
Question
intrepid (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Fearless and willing to face danger or difficulty.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: An intrepid reporter crossed the flooded valley to reach the village.
Card 193
Question
discreet (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Careful in speech or behavior to avoid attention or embarrassment.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The doctor made a discreet inquiry about the patient's safety.
Usage: Unlike discrete, discreet means tactful or unobtrusive.
Card 194
Question
mundane (adjective, daily life) — meaning?
Answer
Ordinary, routine, and lacking excitement.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The memoir finds humor in mundane household tasks.
Card 195
Question
ingenuous (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Innocent, sincere, and lacking deliberate deception.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: His ingenuous question exposed a flaw the experts had overlooked.
Usage: Ingenuous means innocent or candid; ingenious means cleverly inventive.
Card 196
Question
aggrandize (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To increase someone's power or status, or make something seem greater than it is.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The biography aggrandizes its subject while ignoring his failures.
Card 197
Question
taciturn (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Habitually quiet and unwilling to speak much.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The taciturn mechanic answered every question with a nod.
Card 198
Question
fastidious (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Very attentive to detail, cleanliness, or accuracy and often hard to satisfy.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The fastidious editor checked every citation twice.
Card 199
Question
instigate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To cause an event or action to begin, especially a troublesome one.
Part of speech: verb
Example: A false rumor instigated the confrontation.
Card 200
Question
provincial (adjective, outlook) — meaning?
Answer
Narrow in outlook and limited by local experience or convention.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The essay criticized the capital's provincial view of rural life.
Card 201
Question
proliferate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To increase or spread rapidly in number.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Small delivery services proliferated across the city.
Card 202
Question
fortuitous (adjective, chance occurrence) — meaning?
Answer
Happening by chance rather than by design.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: A fortuitous encounter at the station led to their collaboration.
Usage: Fortuitous means accidental; a chance event may be favorable, but the word does not simply mean fortunate.
Card 203
Question
acerbic (adjective, tone) — meaning?
Answer
Sharp, bitter, or cutting in tone.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: His acerbic review mocked both the play and its audience.
Card 204
Question
efface (verb, a mark) — meaning?
Answer
To erase, remove, or make something less noticeable.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Centuries of rain had effaced the inscription.
Card 205
Question
compel (verb, action) — meaning?
Answer
To force or strongly drive someone to act.
Part of speech: verb
Example: A court order compelled the agency to release the records.
Card 206
Question
erratic (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Irregular, inconsistent, or unpredictable.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Erratic rainfall reduced the harvest.
Card 207
Question
rebuke (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To express sharp disapproval or criticism of someone.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The judge rebuked the attorney for withholding evidence.
Card 208
Question
anachronistic (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Belonging to a different time and seeming out of place or outdated.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The film's modern wristwatch looked anachronistic in a medieval scene.
Card 209
Question
esoteric (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Likely to be understood only by a small group with specialized knowledge.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The manual assumes familiarity with esoteric legal terminology.
Card 210
Question
evade (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To avoid or escape from someone, something, or a responsibility.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The witness repeatedly evaded the central question.
Card 211
Question
extol (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To praise someone or something enthusiastically.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The review extolled the novel's precise language.
Card 212
Question
apocryphal (adjective, a story) — meaning?
Answer
Widely repeated but of doubtful truth or authenticity.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The apocryphal tale has never been confirmed by contemporary records.
Card 213
Question
depose (verb, a leader) — meaning?
Answer
To remove a ruler or leader from power.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The generals deposed the president after months of unrest.
Card 214
Question
codify (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To arrange laws, rules, or ideas into a systematic written form.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The new statute codified practices that courts had followed for years.
Card 215
Question
condone (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To accept or allow behavior that is considered wrong.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Silence can appear to condone misconduct.
Card 216
Question
pedantic (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Too concerned with minor rules, details, or displays of learning.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: His pedantic corrections interrupted the useful discussion.
Card 217
Question
preclude (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To prevent something from happening or make it impossible.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The early deadline may preclude a thorough review.
Card 218
Question
mollify (verb, anger) — meaning?
Answer
To calm someone's anger or anxiety.
Part of speech: verb
Example: A direct apology helped mollify the disappointed client.
Card 219
Question
decry (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To publicly and strongly condemn something.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Civil rights groups decried the discriminatory rule.
Card 220
Question
alacrity (noun) — meaning?
Answer
Cheerful readiness and promptness.
Part of speech: noun
Example: She accepted the difficult assignment with alacrity.
Card 221
Question
eradicate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To destroy or remove something completely.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Vaccination has eradicated the disease in many regions.
Card 222
Question
prescient (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Showing knowledge of an event before it happens.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Her prescient warning anticipated the supply shortage.
Card 223
Question
approbation (noun) — meaning?
Answer
Strong approval or praise.
Part of speech: noun
Example: The proposal received the approbation of the ethics committee.
Card 224
Question
perfunctory (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Done routinely with little care, interest, or effort.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The manager offered a perfunctory apology and changed nothing.
Card 225
Question
abstemious (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Moderate and restrained, especially in eating or drinking.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Despite the lavish meal, she remained abstemious.
Card 226
Question
promulgate (verb, a law or rule) — meaning?
Answer
To officially and publicly announce a law or rule.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The agency promulgated new safety standards.
Card 227
Question
trenchant (adjective, expression) — meaning?
Answer
Expressed sharply, clearly, and effectively.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Her trenchant critique exposed the proposal's central weakness.
Card 228
Question
assiduous (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Showing persistent, careful effort.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Her assiduous research uncovered letters that others had missed.
Card 229
Question
forgo (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To choose to go without something.
Part of speech: verb
Example: They decided to forgo bonuses during the difficult year.
Card 230
Question
impede (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To delay, obstruct, or make progress more difficult.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Heavy snow impeded the rescue effort.
Card 231
Question
arcane (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Known or understood by only a small number of specialists.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The clerk helped applicants navigate the agency's arcane rules.
Card 232
Question
quixotic (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Extremely idealistic but impractical.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The plan to eliminate all traffic in a week was quixotic.
Card 233
Question
curtail (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To reduce or limit something.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Water shortages forced farmers to curtail production.
Card 234
Question
repudiate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To reject a claim, belief, agreement, or connection emphatically.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The candidate repudiated the group's endorsement.
Card 235
Question
sardonic (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Mocking in a grim, scornful, or cynical way.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: He gave a sardonic smile when the promised reform was delayed again.
Card 236
Question
ostracize (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To deliberately exclude someone from a group or society.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Classmates ostracized him after the accusation spread.
Card 237
Question
emulate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To imitate someone or something in an effort to match or surpass it.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Smaller cities tried to emulate the program's success.
Card 238
Question
ubiquitous (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Present or appearing almost everywhere.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Smartphones have become ubiquitous in urban life.
Card 239
Question
engender (verb, a condition) — meaning?
Answer
To cause a feeling, condition, or situation to develop.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Transparent decisions can engender public trust.
Card 240
Question
consolidate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To combine separate parts into a stronger or more effective whole.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The university consolidated three small departments.
Card 241
Question
confiscate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To take property under official authority.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Customs officers confiscated the undeclared goods.
Card 242
Question
vociferous (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Expressing opinions loudly and forcefully.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Vociferous opponents disrupted the meeting.
Card 243
Question
foster (verb, growth) — meaning?
Answer
To encourage the growth or development of something.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The workshop fostered collaboration between the two departments.
Card 244
Question
disseminate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To spread information or ideas widely.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The health department disseminated the guidance in six languages.
Card 245
Question
indict (verb, a criminal charge) — meaning?
Answer
To formally charge someone with a serious crime.
Part of speech: verb
Example: A grand jury indicted the executive on three counts of fraud.
Card 246
Question
ascetic (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Practicing severe self-discipline and avoiding physical comforts or pleasures.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The philosopher followed an ascetic routine of simple meals and long study.
Card 247
Question
placate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To make an angry person calmer.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The mayor promised an inquiry to placate the protesters.
Card 248
Question
obfuscate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To make an idea or situation harder to understand.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Dense jargon obfuscated the report's simple conclusion.
Card 249
Question
diffident (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Shy and lacking confidence in one's abilities.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The diffident student rarely volunteered an answer.
Card 250
Question
abjure (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To formally and publicly renounce a belief, claim, or practice.
Part of speech: verb
Example: To receive the pardon, the rebel had to abjure violence.
Card 251
Question
vilify (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To speak or write about someone as if they were evil or contemptible.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The campaign tried to vilify anyone who questioned its policy.
Card 252
Question
transcend (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To go beyond the usual limits of something.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The music transcended linguistic and cultural boundaries.
Card 253
Question
circumspect (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Careful to consider risks and consequences before acting.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The diplomat was circumspect when discussing the fragile alliance.
Card 254
Question
incite (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To encourage or stir people to take action, often harmful action.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The post was intended to incite violence against the minority group.
Card 255
Question
mendacious (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Dishonest and given to lying.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The witness's mendacious account collapsed under cross-examination.
Card 256
Question
hegemony (noun) — meaning?
Answer
Dominance by one state, group, or idea over others.
Part of speech: noun
Example: The alliance challenged the empire's regional hegemony.
Card 257
Question
venerate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To regard someone or something with deep respect.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Many residents venerate the poet as a national figure.
Card 258
Question
vacillate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To repeatedly waver between different choices or opinions.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The committee vacillated between renovation and replacement.
Card 259
Question
chicanery (noun) — meaning?
Answer
The use of deception or clever tricks to achieve a goal.
Part of speech: noun
Example: Accounting chicanery concealed the firm's losses for years.
Card 260
Question
cacophony (noun) — meaning?
Answer
A harsh, unpleasant mixture of sounds.
Part of speech: noun
Example: A cacophony of horns and alarms filled the tunnel.
Card 261
Question
enervate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To weaken or drain energy from someone or something.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Weeks of extreme heat enervated the workers.
Usage: Enervate means weaken, despite sounding similar to energize.
Card 262
Question
recalcitrant (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Stubbornly resisting authority, control, or guidance.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The recalcitrant contractor ignored repeated safety warnings.
Card 263
Question
exonerate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To officially clear someone of blame or wrongdoing.
Part of speech: verb
Example: DNA evidence exonerated the man after twelve years in prison.
Card 264
Question
inchoate (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Only partly formed and not yet clear or organized.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The committee turned an inchoate idea into a workable proposal.
Card 265
Question
fecund (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Highly fertile or productive.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The river valley's fecund soil supported several harvests each year.
Card 266
Question
credulous (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Too ready to believe claims without enough evidence.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Credulous investors accepted the impossible promise of risk-free returns.
Card 267
Question
sycophant (noun) — meaning?
Answer
A person who flatters someone powerful to gain an advantage.
Part of speech: noun
Example: The ruler surrounded himself with sycophants who never challenged him.
Card 268
Question
munificent (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Extremely generous, especially in giving money or gifts.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: A munificent grant allowed the museum to waive admission fees.
Card 269
Question
deleterious (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Causing harm or damage.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Chronic sleep loss can have deleterious effects on judgment.
Card 270
Question
facetious (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Treating a serious subject with deliberately inappropriate humor.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Her facetious comment was poorly timed during the emergency briefing.
Card 271
Question
opprobrium (noun) — meaning?
Answer
Harsh public criticism, disgrace, or shame.
Part of speech: noun
Example: The fraudulent scheme brought opprobrium on the entire organization.
Card 272
Question
torpor (noun) — meaning?
Answer
A state of physical or mental inactivity and sluggishness.
Part of speech: noun
Example: The long heat wave left the town in a state of torpor.
Card 273
Question
garrulous (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Excessively talkative, especially about unimportant matters.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The garrulous passenger narrated his entire journey.
Card 274
Question
scrutinize (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To examine something very closely and carefully.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Reviewers scrutinized the data for signs of bias.
Card 275
Question
demur (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To raise an objection or show reluctance.
Part of speech: verb
Example: She agreed to the budget but demurred at the proposed deadline.
Card 276
Question
calumny (noun) — meaning?
Answer
A false and malicious statement intended to damage someone's reputation.
Part of speech: noun
Example: The court found that the accusation was a deliberate calumny.
Card 277
Question
usurp (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To take power or a position without legal right.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The general usurped the throne while the heir was abroad.
Card 278
Question
equanimity (noun) — meaning?
Answer
Calmness and emotional balance, especially under stress.
Part of speech: noun
Example: She handled the hostile questions with equanimity.
Card 279
Question
bucolic (adjective, rural life) — meaning?
Answer
Relating to an idealized, pleasant rural life or landscape.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The painter's bucolic scenes omit the hardship of farm labor.
Card 280
Question
suppress (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To prevent an activity, expression, or process from continuing or becoming known.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The regime tried to suppress reports of the protest.
Card 281
Question
impecunious (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Having little or no money.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The impecunious student repaired the old bicycle instead of replacing it.
Card 282
Question
lacuna (noun) — meaning?
Answer
A gap or missing part in a text, argument, or body of knowledge.
Part of speech: noun
Example: The missing decade is a major lacuna in the archive.
Card 283
Question
exigent (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Urgent and demanding immediate attention or action.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The hospital reserved extra staff for exigent cases.
Card 284
Question
diatribe (noun) — meaning?
Answer
A long, bitter verbal or written attack.
Part of speech: noun
Example: The editorial became a diatribe against anyone who favored compromise.
Card 285
Question
sanction (verb, approval) — meaning?
Answer
To give official permission or approval.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The governing body sanctioned the new competition format.
Usage: Sanction can also mean to impose a penalty; as a noun, it can mean either approval or a penalty.
Card 286
Question
commensurate (adjective, degree) — meaning?
Answer
Matching something else in size, degree, or importance.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The salary should be commensurate with the role's responsibilities.
Card 287
Question
onerous (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Requiring great effort or imposing a heavy burden.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Small clinics struggled with the onerous reporting requirement.
Card 288
Question
yield (verb, resistance) — meaning?
Answer
To give way, surrender, or stop resisting.
Part of speech: verb
Example: After hours of debate, the minority finally yielded.
Card 289
Question
bombastic (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Using grand, inflated language with little real meaning.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The candidate's bombastic speech offered no practical plan.
Card 290
Question
obsequious (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Excessively obedient or flattering toward someone powerful.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The aide's obsequious praise made the director uncomfortable.
Card 291
Question
paucity (noun) — meaning?
Answer
A shortage or insufficient amount of something.
Part of speech: noun
Example: A paucity of reliable records limits what historians can conclude.
Card 292
Question
pernicious (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Causing serious harm, often gradually or in a way that is hard to notice.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The study examined the pernicious effects of persistent misinformation.
Card 293
Question
convivial (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Friendly, lively, and enjoyable in company.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The formal meeting ended with a convivial dinner.
Card 294
Question
temerity (noun) — meaning?
Answer
Excessive confidence or boldness that may seem reckless or rude.
Part of speech: noun
Example: He had the temerity to blame the volunteers for his own error.
Card 295
Question
intransigent (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Unwilling to compromise or change one's position.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Both sides remained intransigent, so the talks collapsed.
Card 296
Question
ephemeral (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Existing or popular for only a short time.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The artist built an ephemeral sculpture from snow.
Card 297
Question
desiccate (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To remove moisture from something or cause it to dry out completely.
Part of speech: verb
Example: Hot winds desiccated the unprotected seedlings.
Card 298
Question
sagacious (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Showing wise judgment and practical insight.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: Her sagacious advice prevented an expensive mistake.
Card 299
Question
rescind (verb) — meaning?
Answer
To officially cancel or revoke a decision, law, or agreement.
Part of speech: verb
Example: The university rescinded the offer after discovering false records.
Card 300
Question
implacable (adjective) — meaning?
Answer
Unable to be calmed, satisfied, or persuaded to change.
Part of speech: adjective
Example: The prosecutor remained an implacable opponent of the pardon.
300 cards
GRE Vocabulary Flashcards: 300 Words with Definitions & Examples
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