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GRE vocab > Vocab. 1 > Flashcards

Vocab. 1 Flashcards

1
Q

acme

A

the highest point; the summit; the highest level or degree attainable (synonyms: apex, peak, summit)

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2
Q

adulterate

A

to make impure (synonyms: debase, doctor, load)

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3
Q

acidulous

A

sour in taste or manner (synonyms: acerbic, acetous, biting, piquant, pungent, tart)

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4
Q

accretion

A

a gradual growth in size; an increase in amount (synonyms: accumulation, buildup)

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5
Q

abyss

A

an extremely deep hole (synonyms: chasm, void)

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6
Q

abstemious

A

moderate in appetite; practicing moderation or abstinence (synonyms: abstinent, continent, self-restraining, sober, temperate)

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7
Q

abstain

A

to choose not to do something (synonyms: forbear, refrain, withhold)

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8
Q

abscond

A

to leave secretly (synonyms: decamp, escape, flee)

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9
Q

abjure

A

to reject; to abandon formally (synonyms: forswear, recall, recant, retract, take back)

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10
Q

abeyance

A

temporary suppression or suspension (synonyms: deferral, delay, dormancy, postponement, remission)

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11
Q

aberrant

A

deviating from what is normal or expect (synonyms: abnormal, anomalous, deviant, divergent, errant, irregular)

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12
Q

abdicate

A

to give up a position, right, or power (synonyms: cede, quit, relinquish, resign, yield)

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13
Q

abate

A

to reduce in amount, degree, or severity (synonyms: ebb, lapse, let up, moderate, relent, slacken, subside, wane)

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14
Q

abase

A

to humble; to disgrace (synonyms: demean, humiliate)

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15
Q

advocate

A

to speak in favor of (synonyms: back, champion, support)

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16
Q

aerie

A

a nest built high in the air; an elevated, often secluded, dwelling (synonyms: perch, stronghold)

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17
Q

aesthetic

A

concerning the appreciation of beauty (synonyms: artistic, tasteful)

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18
Q

affected

A

phony; artificial (synonyms: insincere, pretentious, put-on)

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19
Q

aggrandize

A

to increase in power, influence, and reputation (synonyms: amplify, apotheosize, augment, dignify, elevate, enlarge, ennoble, exalt, glorify, magnify, swell, uplift)

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20
Q

alacrity

A

speed or quickness (synonyms: celerity, dispatch, haste, swiftness)

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21
Q

alleviate

A

to make more bearable (synonyms: ally, assuage, comfort, ease, lessen, lighten, mitigate, palliate, relieve)

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22
Q

amalgamate

A

to combine; to mix together (synonyms: admix, blend, coalesce, combine, commingle, commix, compound, fuse, intermingle, intermix, merge, mingle, mix, unite)

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23
Q

ambiguous

A

doubtful or uncertain; can be interpreted several ways (synonyms: cloudy, doubtful, dubious, equivocal, indeterminate, nebulous, obscure, unclear, vague)

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24
Q

ameliorate

A

to make better; to improve (synonyms: amend, better, improve, pacify, upgrade)

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25
Q

amortize

A

to diminish by installment payments (synonyms: decrease, reduce)

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26
Q

amulet

A

an ornament worn as a charm against evil spirits (synonyms: talisman)

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27
Q

anachronism

A

something out of place in time (synonyms: archaism, incongruity)

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28
Q

analgesia

A

a lessening of pain without loss of consciousness

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29
Q

analogous

A

similar or alike in some way; equivalent (synonyms: alike, comparable, corresponding, equivalent, homogeneous, parallel, similar)

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30
Q

anodyne

A

something that calms or soothes pain (synonyms: narcotic, nepenthe, opiate)

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31
Q

bombastic

A

pompous in speech and manner (synonyms: bloated, declamatory, fustian, grandiloquent, grandiose, high-flown, magniloquent, orotund, pretentious, rhetorical, self-important)

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32
Q

bolster

A

to support; to prop up (synonyms: brace, buttress, crutch, prop, stay, support, sustain, underpin, uphold)

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33
Q

blithe

A

joyful, cheerful, or without appropriate thought (synonyms: carefree, lighthearted, merry)

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34
Q

blight

A

to afflict; to destroy (synonyms: damage, plague)

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35
Q

bilk

A

to cheat; to defraud (synonyms: beat, defraud, overreach)

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36
Q

bifurcate

A

to divide into two parts (synonyms: bisect, split)

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37
Q

bevy

A

a group (synonyms: band, bunch, gang, pack, troop)

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38
Q

belfry

A

a bell tower; the room in which a bell is hung (synonyms: spire, steeple)

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39
Q

banal

A

predictable; clichéd; boring (synonyms: bland, bromidic, commonplace, fatuous, hackneyed, innocuous, insipid, jejune)

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40
Q

axiom

A

premise; postulate; self-evident truth (synonyms: adage, aphorism, apothegm, maxim, rule)

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41
Q

austere

A

severe or stern in appearance, undecorated (synonyms: bleak, dour, grim, hard, harsh, severe)

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42
Q

august

A

dignified; grandiose (synonyms: admirable, awesome, grand, majestic)

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43
Q

augury

A

a prophecy; a prediction of events (synonyms: auspice, harbinger, omen, portent, presage)

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44
Q

audacious

A

fearless and daring (synonyms: adventuresome, aggressive, assertive, bold, brave)

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45
Q

attenuate

A

to reduce in force or degree; to weaken (synonyms: debilitate, devitalize, dilute, enervate, enfeeble, rarefy, sap, thin, undermine, undo, unnerve, weaken)

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46
Q

assuage

A

to make something pleasant less severe (synonyms: ally, alleviate, appease, comfort, conciliate, ease, lighten, mitigate, mollify, pacify, palliate, placate, propitiate, relieve, sooth, sweeten)

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47
Q

assail

A

to attack; to assault (synonyms: beset, storm, strike)

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48
Q

articulate

A

able to speak clearly and expressively (synonyms: eloquent, expressive, fluent, lucid, silver-tongued, smooth-spoken)

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49
Q

arrogate

A

to claim without justification; to claim for oneself without right (synonyms: appropriate, presume, take)

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50
Q

ardor

A

intense and passionate feeling (synonyms: devotion, enthusiasm, fervency, fervidity, fervidness, fervor, fire, passion, zeal, zealousness)

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51
Q

archaic

A

ancient; old-fashioned (synonyms: antediluvian, antique, bygone, dated, dowdy, fusty, obsolete, outdated, outmoded, passé, prehistoric, stale, superannuated, superseded, vintage)

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52
Q

arbitrate

A

to judge a dispute between two opposing parties (synonyms: adjudge, adjudicate, determine, intermediate, intervene, judge, moderate, referee, rule)

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53
Q

arbitrary

A

determined by chance or impulse (synonyms: changeable, erratic, indiscriminate, random, wayward)

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54
Q

approbation

A

approval and praise (synonyms: acclaim, adulation, applause, commendation, compliments, exaltation, extolment, hail, kudos, praise)

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55
Q

apostate

A

one who renounces a religious faith (synonyms: defector, deserter, traitor)

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56
Q

apocryphal

A

of questionable authority or authenticity (synonyms: disputed, doubtful, fictitious, fraudulent)

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57
Q

apathy

A

lack of interest or emotion (synonyms: coolness, disinterest, disregard, impassivity, indifference, insensibility, lassitude, lethargy, listlessness, phlegm, stolidity, unconcern, unresponsiveness)

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58
Q

antipathy

A

extreme dislike (synonyms: abhorrence, animosity, animus, antagonism, aversion, dislike, enmity, hatred, hostility, loathing, repellence, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion)

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59
Q

antagonize

A

to annoy or provoke to anger (synonyms: clash, conflict, incite, irritate, oppose, pester, provoke, vex)

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60
Q

anomaly

A

deviation from what is normal (synonyms: aberrancy, aberration, abnormality, deviance, deviation, irregularity, preternaturalness)

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61
Q

corroborate

A

to support with evidence (synonyms: authenticate, back, buttress, confirm, substantiate, validate, verify)

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62
Q

convoluted

A

intricate and complicated (synonyms: byzantine, complex, elaborate, intricate, knotty, labyrinthine, perplexing, tangled)

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63
Q

contumacious

A

rebellious (synonyms: factious, insubordinate, insurgent, mutinous, rebellious, seditious)

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64
Q

contrite

A

deeply sorrowful and repentant for a wrong (synonyms: apologetic, regretful, remorseful)

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65
Q

connoisseur

A

a person with expert knowledge or discriminating tastes (synonyms: authority, epicure, expert, gastronome, gourmet)

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66
Q

condone

A

to overlook, pardon, or disregard (synonyms: exculpate, excuse, pardon, remit)

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67
Q

collusion

A

a collaboration, complicity, conspiracy (synonyms: connivance, intrigue, machination)

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68
Q

cogent

A

convincing and well-reasoned (synonyms: convincing, persuasive, solid, sound, telling, valid)

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69
Q

coffer

A

a strongbox; a large chest for money (synonyms: chest, exchequer, treasury, war chest)

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70
Q

coalesce

A

to grow together to form a single whole (synonyms: amalgamate, blend, condense, consolidate, fuse, unite)

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71
Q

cloying

A

sickly sweet, excessive (synonyms: fulsome)

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72
Q

circumspect

A

cautious, aware of potential consequences (synonyms: alert, cautious, heedful, mindful, prudent, solicitous, vigilant, wary)

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73
Q

chicanery

A

deception of means of craft or guile (synonyms: artifice, conniving, craftiness, deception, deviousness, misrepresentation, pettifoggery, shadiness, sneakiness, sophistry, subterfuge, underhandedness)

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74
Q

chauvinist

A

someone prejudiced in favor of a group to which he or she belongs (synonyms: bigot, jingoist, partisan)

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75
Q

chaos

A

great disorder, a confused situation (synonyms: clutter, confusion, disarrangement, disarray, disorder, disorderliness, disorganization, jumble, mess, muddle, scramble, snarl, turmoil)

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76
Q

caustic

A

biting in wit (synonyms: acerbic, biting, mordant, trenchant)

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77
Q

catholic

A

universal, broad and comprehensive (synonyms: extensive, general)

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78
Q

catalyst

A

something that brings about change in something else (synonyms: accelerator, goad, impetus, impulse, incentive, motivation, spur, stimulant)

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79
Q

castigate

A

to punish or criticize harshly (synonyms: admonish, chastise, chide, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, reprove, scold, tax, upbraid)

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80
Q

capricious

A

changing one’s mind quickly and often (synonyms: arbitrary, chance, changeable, erratic, fickle, inconstant, mercurial, random, whimsical, willful)

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81
Q

bonhomie

A

good-natured geniality, an atmosphere of good cheer (synonyms: affability, amiability, cordiality, geniality)

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82
Q

boor

A

a crude person, one lacking manners or taste (synonyms: clod, lout, oaf, vulgarian, yahoo)

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83
Q

burgeon

A

to grow and flourish (synonyms: bloom, prosper, thrive)

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84
Q

burnish

A

to polish (synonyms: buff, luster, polish, scour)

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85
Q

cabal

A

a secret group seeking to overturn something (synonyms: camp, circle, clan, clique, coterie, in-group, mafia, mob, ring)

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86
Q

cacophony

A

a harsh, jarring noise (synonyms: chaos, clamor, din, discord, disharmony, noise)

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87
Q

calumny

A

a false and malicious accusation, misrepresentation (synonyms: defamation, libel, slander)

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88
Q

canard

A

a lie (synonyms: falsehood, falsity, fib, misrepresentation, prevarication, tale, untruth)

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89
Q

candid

A

impartial and honest in speech (synonyms: direct, forthright, frank, honest, open, sincere, straight, straightforward, undisguised)

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90
Q

cartography

A

the science or art of making map (synonyms: charting, surveying, topography)

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91
Q

disparate

A

fundamentally different; entirely unlike (synonyms: different, dissimilar, divergent, diverse, variant, various)

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92
Q

discern

A

to perceive or recognize (synonyms: catch, descry, detect, differentiate, discriminate, distinguish, epsy, glimpse, know, separate, spot, tell)

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93
Q

disabuse

A

to set right, to free from error (synonyms: correct, undeceive)

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94
Q

dirge

A

a funeral hymn or mournful speech (synonyms: elegy, lament)

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95
Q

dilettante

A

someone with an amateurish and superficial interest in a topic (synonyms: amateur, dabbler, superficial, tyro)

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96
Q

dilatory

A

intended to delay (synonyms: dragging, flagging, laggard, lagging, slow, slow-footed, slow-going, slow-paced, tardy)

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97
Q

dilate

A

to make larger, to expand (synonyms: amplify, develop, elaborate, enlarge, expand, expatiate)

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98
Q

diffident

A

lacking self-confidence (synonyms: backward, bashful, coy, demure, modest, retiring, self-effacing, shy, timid)

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99
Q

dictum

A

an authoritative statement (synonyms: adage, aphorism, apothegm, decree, edict)

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100
Q

diatribe

A

an abuse, condemnatory speech (synonyms: fulmination, harangue, invective, jeremiad, malediction, obloquy, tirade)

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101
Q

diaphanous

A

allowing light to show through, delicate (synonyms: gauzy, sheer, tenuous, translucent, transparent)

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102
Q

desultory

A

jumping from one thing to another, disconnected (synonyms: aimless, disconnected, erratic, haphazard, indiscriminate, objectless, purposeless, random, stray, unconsidered, unplanned)

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103
Q

desiccate

A

to dry out thoroughly (synonyms: dehydrate, dry, parch)

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104
Q

deride

A

to speak of or treat with contempt; to MOCK (synonyms: give, jeer, mock, ridicule, scoff, sneer, taunt)

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105
Q

demur

A

to express doubts or objections (synonyms: dissent, expostulate, protest, remonstrate)

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106
Q

demagogue

A

a leader or rabble-rouser, usually one appealing to emotion to prejudice (synonyms: agitator, inciter, instigator)

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107
Q

deleterious

A

subtly or unexpected harmful (synonyms: adverse, hurtful, inimical, injurious)

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108
Q

deference

A

respect, courtesy (synonyms: honor, obeisance, respect, reverence, veneration)

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109
Q

deface

A

to mar the appearance of, to VANDALIZE (synonyms: disfigure, impair, spoil)

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110
Q

decorum

A

appropriateness of behavior or conduct, propriety (synonyms: correctness, decency, ETIQUETTE, manners, mores, seemliness)

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111
Q

decorous

A

proper, tasteful, socially correct (synonyms: appropriate, comme il faut, courteous, polite)

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112
Q

declivity

A

a downward slope (synonyms: decline, descent, drop, grace, pitch, slant, slope, tilt)

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113
Q

debutante

A

a young woman making debut in high society (synonyms: lady, maiden)

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114
Q

curmudgeon

A

a cranky person, usually an old one (synonyms: coot, crab, grouch)

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115
Q

cupidity

A

greed, strong desire (synonyms: avarice, covetousness, rapacity)

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116
Q

crescendo

A

steady increase in volume or force (synonyms: acme, capstone, climax, crest, culmination, meridian, peak)

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117
Q

credulous

A

too trusting, GULLIBLE (synonyms: naïve, susceptible, trusting)

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118
Q

craven

A

lacking courage (synonyms: fainthearted, spineless, timid)

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119
Q

coterie

A

an intimate group of persons with a similar purpose (synonyms: clique, set)

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120
Q

cosset

A

to pamper, to treat with great care (synonyms: cater to, cuddle, dandle, fondle, love, pamper, pet, spoil)

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121
Q

ephemeral

A

lasting a short time (synonyms: evanescent, fleeting, momentary, transient)

122
Q

enumerate

A

to count, list, or itemize (synonyms: catalog, index, tabulate)

123
Q

enigma

A

a puzzle; a mystery (synonyms: conundrum, perplexity)

124
Q

engender

A

to produce, cause, or bring about (synonyms: beget, generate, spawn)

125
Q

enervate

A

to reduce in strength (synonyms: debilitate, enfeeble, sap, weaken)

126
Q

endemic

A

belonging to a particular area; inherent (synonyms: indigenous, local, native)

127
Q

encomium

A

warm praise (synonyms: citation, panegyric, salutation, tribute)

128
Q

emulate

A

to copy; to try to equal or excel (synonyms: imitate, simulate)

129
Q

embellish

A

to add ornamental or fictitious details (synonyms: adorn, bedeck, elaborate, embroider, enhance, exaggerate)

130
Q

eloquent

A

persuasive and moving, especially in speech (synonyms: articulate, expressive, fluent, meaningful, significant, smooth-spoken)

131
Q

elegy

A

a sorrowful poem or speech (synonyms: dirge, lament)

132
Q

effrontery

A

impudent boldness; audacity (synonyms: brashness, gall, nerve, presumption, temerity)

133
Q

effigy

A

a stuffed doll; a likeness of a person (synonyms: dummy, figure, image)

134
Q

efficacy

A

effectiveness (synonyms: dynamism, efficiency, force, power, productiveness, proficiency, strength, vigor)

135
Q

edify

A

to instruct morally and spiritually (synonyms: educate, enlighten, guide, teach)

136
Q

eclectic

A

selecting from or made up from a variety of sources (synonyms: broad, catholic)

137
Q

ebullient

A

exhilarated; full of enthusiasm and high spirits (synonyms: ardent, avid, bubbly, zestful)

138
Q

dyspeptic

A

suffering from indigestion; gloomy and irritable (synonyms: acerbic, melancholy, morose, solemn, sour)

139
Q

dupe

A

to deceive (synonyms: beguile, betray, bluff, deceive, delude, fool, hoodwink, humbug, mislead, take in, trick)

140
Q

droll

A

amusing in a wry, subtle way (synonyms: comic, entertaining, funny, risible, witty)

141
Q

dogmatic

A

dictatorial in one’s opinion (synonyms: authoritarian, bossy, dictatorial, doctrinaire, domineering, imperious, magisterial, masterful, overbearing, peremptory)

142
Q

dogma

A

a firmly held opinion, especially a religious belief (synonyms: creed, doctrine, teaching, tenet)

143
Q

doctrinaire

A

rigidly devoted to theories without regard for practicality; dogmatic (synonyms: dictatorial, inflexible)

144
Q

divine

A

to foretell or know by inspiration (synonyms: auger, foresee, intuit, predict, presage)

145
Q

diurnal

A

active or occurring during the day (synonyms: daylight, daytime)

146
Q

dither

A

to act confusedly or without clear purpose (synonyms: falter, hesitate, vacillate, waffle, waver)

147
Q

distend

A

to swell, inflate, or bloat (synonyms: broaden, bulge)

148
Q

distaff

A

the female branch of a family (synonyms: maternal)

149
Q

dissonance

A

a harsh and disagreeable combination, especially of sounds (synonyms: clash, contention, discord, dissension, dissent, dissidence, friction, strife, variance)

150
Q

dissemble

A

to present a false appearance; to disguise one’s real intentions or character (synonyms: act, affect, assume, camouflage, cloak, counterfeit, cover up, disguise, dissimulate, fake, feign, mask, masquerade, pose, pretend, put on, sham)

151
Q

flag

A

to decline in vigor, strength, or interest (synonyms: dwindle, ebb, slacken, subside, wane)

152
Q

fetid

A

foul-smelling; putrid (synonyms: funky, malodorous, noisesome, rank, stinky)

153
Q

fervid

A

intensely emotional; feverish (synonyms: burning, impassioned, passionate, vehement, zealous)

154
Q

fecund

A

fertile; fruitful; productive (synonyms: flourishing, prolific)

155
Q

fawn

A

to grovel (synonyms: bootlick, pander, toady)

156
Q

fatuous

A

stupid; foolishly self-satisfied (synonyms: absurd, ludicrous, preposterous, ridiculous, silly)

157
Q

fanatical

A

acting excessively enthusiastic; filled with extreme, unquestioned devotion (synonyms: extremist, fiery, frenzied, zealous)

158
Q

fallow

A

dormant; unnused (synonyms: idle, inactive, unseeded)

159
Q

expurgate

A

to censor (synonyms: bowdlerize, cut, sanitize)

160
Q

exponent

A

one who champions or advocates (synonyms: representative, supporter)

161
Q

explicit

A

clearly stated or shown; forthright in expression (synonyms: candid, clear-cut, definite, definitive, express, frank, specific, straightforward, unambiguous, unequivocal)

162
Q

exonerate

A

to clear of blame (synonyms: absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, vindicate)

163
Q

exigent

A

urgent; requiring immediate action (synonyms: critical, imperative, needed, urgent)

164
Q

exculpate

A

to clear from blame; to prove innocent (synonyms: absolve, acquit, clear, exonerate, vindicate)

165
Q

exacerbate

A

to make worse (synonyms: aggravate, annoy, intensify, irritate, provoke)

166
Q

euphony

A

pleasant, harmonious sound (synonyms: harmony, melody, music, sweetness)

167
Q

euphemism

A

use of an inoffensive word or phrase in place of a more distasteful one (synonyms: circumlocution, delicacy)

168
Q

eulogy

A

a speech in praise of someone (synonyms: commendation, tribute)

169
Q

ethos

A

the beliefs or character of a group (synonyms: culture, ethic, philosophy)

170
Q

estimable

A

admirable (synonyms: commendable, creditable, honorable, laudable, meritorious, praiseworthy, respectable, venerable, worthy)

171
Q

esoteric

A

known or understood only by a few (synonyms: abstruse, arcane, obscure)

172
Q

eschew

A

to shun; to avoid (as something wrong or distasteful) (synonyms: avoid, elude, escape, evade, shun, shy)

173
Q

erudite

A

learned; scholarly, bookish (synonyms: scholastic, wise)

174
Q

ersatz

A

fake (synonyms: artificial, dummy, false, imitation, mock, sham, simulated, spurious, substitute)

175
Q

erratic

A

wandering and unpredictable (synonyms: capricious, inconstant, irresolute, whimsical)

176
Q

equivocate

A

to use expressions of double meaning in order to mislead (synonyms: be ambiguous, evade, waffle)

177
Q

epicure

A

a person with refined taste in food and wine (synonyms: bon vivant, connoisseur, gastronome, gastronomist, gourmand, gourmet)

178
Q

florid

A

excessively decorated or embellished (synonyms: baroque, elaborate, flamboyant, ornate, ostentatious, rococo)

179
Q

foment

A

to arouse or incite (synonyms: agitate, impassion, inflame, instigate, kindle)

180
Q

ford

A

to cross a body of water by wading (synonyms: traverse, wade)

181
Q

lament

A

to express sorrow; to grieve; to regret (synonyms: bewail, deplore, grieve, mourn)

182
Q

laconic

A

using few words (synonyms: concise, curt, pithy, taciturn, terse)

183
Q

lachrymose

A

tearful (synonyms: teary, weeping)

184
Q

kudos

A

fame, glory, or honor (synonyms: acclaim, accolade, encomium, homage, praise)

185
Q

knell

A

sound of a funeral bell; omen of death or failure (synonyms: chime, peal, toll)

186
Q

kinetic

A

relating to motion; characterized by movement (synonyms: active, dynamic, mobile)

187
Q

kindle

A

to set fire or ignite; to excite or inspire (synonyms: arouse, awaken, light, spark)

188
Q

keen

A

having a sharp edge; intellectually sharp; perceptive (synonyms: acute, canny, quick)

189
Q

juncture

A

a point of time, especially one where two things are joined (synonyms: confluence, convergence, crisis, crossroads, moment)

190
Q

judicious

A

sensible; showing good judgement (synonyms: circumspect, prudent, sagacious, sapient)

191
Q

gullible

A

easily deceived (synonyms: credulous, exploitable, naive)

192
Q

guile

A

deceit; trickery (synonyms: artifice, chicanery, connivery, duplicity)

193
Q

grovel

A

to humble oneself in a demeaning way (synonyms: bootlick, cringe, fawn, knowtow, toady)

194
Q

grievous

A

causing grief or sorrow; serious and distressing (synonyms: dire, dolorous, grave, mournful)

195
Q

gregarious

A

outgoing; sociable (synonyms: affable, communicative, congenial, sociable)

196
Q

gradation

A

a degree or stage in a process; a variation in color (synonyms: nuance, shade, step, subtlety)

197
Q

glower

A

to glare or stare angrily and intensely (synonyms: frown, lower, scowl)

198
Q

glib

A

fluent in an insincere manner; offhand; casual (synonyms: easy, superficial)

199
Q

gestation

A

the growth process from conception to birth (synonyms: development, gravidly, pregnancy)

200
Q

garrulous

A

tending to talk a lot (synonyms: effusive, loquacious)

201
Q

garner

A

to gather and store (synonyms: acquire, amass, glean, harvest, reap)

202
Q

gambol

A

to dance or skip around playfully (synonyms: caper, cavort, frisk, frolic, rollick, romp)

203
Q

furtive

A

secret; stealthy (synonyms: clandestine, covert, shifty, surreptitious, underhand)

204
Q

frugality

A

tending to be thrifty or cheap (synonyms: economy, parsimony, prudence, sparingness)

205
Q

frenetic

A

frantic; frenzied (synonyms: corybantic, delirious, feverish, mad, rabid, wild)

206
Q

fractious

A

unruly; rebellious (synonyms: contentious, cranky, peevish, quarrelsome)

207
Q

fortuitous

A

happening by chance; fortunate (synonyms: chance, fortunate, haphazard, lucky, propitious, prosperous)

208
Q

forestall

A

to prevent or delay; to anticipate (synonyms: avert, deter, hinder, obviate, preclude)

209
Q

jingoism

A

belligerent support of one’s country (synonyms: chauvinism, nationalism)

210
Q

jocular

A

playful; humorous (synonyms: amusing, comical)

211
Q

jettison

A

to discard; to get rid of as unnecessary or encumbering (synonyms: dump, eject)

212
Q

jargon

A

nonsensical talk; specialized language (synonyms: argot, cant, dialect, idiom, slang)

213
Q

itinerant

A

wandering from place to place; unsettled (synonyms: nomadic, vagrant)

214
Q

irascible

A

easily made angry (synonyms: cantankerous, irritable, ornery, testy)

215
Q

invidious

A

envious, obnoxious, or offensive; likely to promote ill-will (synonyms: discriminatory, insulting, jaundiced, resentful)

216
Q

investiture

A

ceremony conferring authority (synonyms: inaugural, inauguration, induction, initiation, installation)

217
Q

invective

A

abusive language (synonyms: denunciation, revilement, vituperation)

218
Q

insure

A

to harden; accustom (synonyms: condition, familiarize, habituate)

219
Q

inundate

A

to overwhelm; to cover with water (synonyms: deluge, drown, engulf, flood, submerge)

220
Q

intrepid

A

fearless; resolutely courageous (synonyms: brave)

221
Q

intransigent

A

uncompromising; refusing to be reconciled (synonyms: implacable, inexorable, irreconcilable, obdurate, obstinate, remorseless, rigid, unbending, unrelenting, unyielding)

222
Q

intractable

A

not easily managed or manipulated (synonyms: stubborn, unruly)

223
Q

interregnum

A

a period between reigns (synonyms: interval)

224
Q

inter

A

to bury (synonyms: entomb, inhume)

225
Q

insurrection

A

rebellion (synonyms: mutiny, revolt, revolution, uprising)

226
Q

insipid

A

lacking interest or flavor (synonyms: banal, bland, dull, stale, vapid)

227
Q

inquest

A

an investigation; an inquiry (synonyms: probe, quest, research)

228
Q

innocuous

A

harmless (synonyms: benign, inoffensive, insipid)

229
Q

iniquity

A

a sin; an evil act (synonyms: enormity, immorality, injustice, vice, wickedness)

230
Q

inimical

A

hostile; unfriendly (synonyms: adverse, antagonistic, dissident, recalcitrant)

231
Q

ingratiate

A

to gain favor with another by deliberate effort; to seek to please somebody so as to gain an advantage (synonyms: curry favor, flatter)

232
Q

ingrate

A

an ungrateful person (synonyms: cad, churl)

233
Q

ingenuous

A

showing innocence or childlike simplicity (synonyms: artless, guileless, innocent, naive, simple, unaffected)

234
Q

inexorable

A

inflexible; unyielding (synonyms: adamant, obdurate, relentless)

235
Q

indolent

A

habitually lazy or idle (synonyms: faineant, languid, lethargic, slothful, sluggish)

236
Q

inculcate

A

to teach; to impress in the mind (synonyms: implant, indoctrinate, instill, preach)

237
Q

inchoate

A

not fully formed; disorganized (synonyms: amorphous, incoherent, incomplete, unorganized)

238
Q

incarnadine

A

blood-red in color (synonyms: reddened, ruby, ruddy)

239
Q

impugn

A

to call into question; to attack verbally (synonyms: challenge, dispute)

240
Q

imprecation

A

a curse (synonyms: damnation)

241
Q

implacable

A

unable to be calmed down or made peaceful (synonyms: inexorable, intransigent, irreconcilable, relentless, remorseless, unforgiving, unrelenting)

242
Q

impious

A

not devout in religion (synonyms: immoral, irreverent, profane)

243
Q

impetuous

A

quick to act without thinking (synonyms: impulsive, precipitate, rash, reckless, spontaneous)

244
Q

impervious

A

impossible to penetrate; incapable of being affected (synonyms: impregnable, resistant)

245
Q

imperturbable

A

not capable of being disturbed (synonyms: composed, dispassionate, impassive, serene, stoical)

246
Q

impecunious

A

poor; having no money (synonyms: destitute, impoverished, indigent, needy, penniless)

247
Q

impasse

A

a blocked path; a dilemma with no solution (synonyms: cul-de-sac, deadlock, stalemate)

248
Q

imbue

A

to infuse, dye, wet, or moisten (synonyms: charge, freight, impregnate, permeate, pervade)

249
Q

ignoble

A

having low moral standards; not noble in character; mean (synonyms: lowly, vulgar)

250
Q

idiosyncrasy

A

peculiarity of temperament; eccentricity (synonyms: humor, oddity, quirk)

251
Q

iconoclast

A

one who opposes established beliefs, customs, and institutions (synonyms: maverick, nonconformist, rebel, revolutionary)

252
Q

hyperbole

A

purposeful exaggeration for effect (synonyms: embellishment, inflation, magnification)

253
Q

husband

A

to manage economically; to use sparingly (synonyms: conserve, ration)

254
Q

homogeneous

A

of a similar kind (synonyms: consistent, standardized, uniform, unvarying)

255
Q

hoary

A

very old; whitish or gray from age (synonyms: ancient, antediluvian, antique, venerable, vintage)

256
Q

heterogenous

A

composed of unlike parts; different; diverse (synonyms: assorted, miscellaneous, mixed, motley, varied)

257
Q

hermetic

A

tightly sealed (synonyms: airtight, impervious, watertight)

258
Q

hegemony

A

the domination of one state or group over its allies (synonyms: authority, power)

259
Q

hapless

A

unfortunate; having bad luck (synonyms: ill-fated, ill-starred, jinxed, luckless, unlucky)

260
Q

legerdemain

A

trickery (synonyms: chicanery, conjuring)

261
Q

leery

A

suspicious (synonyms: distrustful, guarded, wary)

262
Q

lavish

A

extremely generous or extravagant; giving unsparingly (synonyms: extravagant, exuberant, luxuriant, opulent, prodigal, profuse, superabundant)

263
Q

laud

A

to give praise; to glorify (synonyms: acclaim, applaud, commend, compliment, exalt, extol, hail, praise)

264
Q

latent

A

potentially available, but not readily apparent (synonyms: concealed, dormant, inert, potential, quiescent)

265
Q

lassitude

A

a state of diminished energy (synonyms: debilitation, enervation, fatigue, languor, listlessness, tiredness, weariness)

266
Q

largess

A

generous giving (as of money) to others who may seem inferior (synonyms: benevolence, boon, compliment, favor, present)

267
Q

larceny

A

theft of property (synonyms: burglary, robbery, stealing)

268
Q

lapidary

A

relating to precious stones or the art of cutting them

269
Q

languid

A

lacking energy; indifferent; slow (synonyms: lackadaisical, listless, sluggish, weak)

270
Q

lampoon

A

to ridicule with satire (synonyms: tease)

271
Q

metaphor

A

figure of speech comparing two different things (synonyms: allegory, analogy, simile, symbol)

272
Q

meretricious

A

gaudy; falsely attractive (synonyms: flashy, insincere, loud, specious, tawdry)

273
Q

mercurial

A

quick, shrewd, unpredictable (synonyms: clever, crafty, volatile, whimsical)

274
Q

mendicant

A

beggar (synonyms: panhandler, pauper)

275
Q

mendacious

A

dishonest (synonyms: deceitful, false, lying, untruthful)

276
Q

maudlin

A

overly sentimental (synonyms: bathetic, mawkish, saccharine, weepy)

277
Q

martinet

A

strict disciplinarian; one who rigidly follows rules (synonyms: dictator, stickler, tyrant)

278
Q

mar

A

to damage or deface; to spoil (synonyms: blemish, disfigure, impair, injure, scar)

279
Q

mannered

A

artificial or stilted in character (synonyms: affected, unnatural)

280
Q

malleable

A

capable of being shaped (synonyms: adaptable, ductile, plastic, pliable, pliant)

281
Q

malinger

A

to evade responsibility by pretending to be ill (synonyms: shirk, slack)

282
Q

malediction

A

a curse; a wish of evil upon another (synonyms: anathema, imprecation)

283
Q

magnate

A

powerful or influential person (synonyms: dignitary, luminary, nabob, potentate, tycoon)

284
Q

maelstrom

A

whirlpool; turmoil; agitated state of mind (synonyms: eddy, turbulence)

285
Q

machination

A

plot or scheme (synonyms: cabal, conspiracy, design, intrigue)

286
Q

luminous

A

bright; brilliant; glowing (synonyms: incandescent, lucent, lustrous, radiant, resplendent)

287
Q

lumber

A

to move slowly and awkwardly (synonyms: galumph, hulk lurch, stumble)

288
Q

lugubrious

A

sorrowful; mournful; dismal (synonyms: funereal, gloomy, melancholy, somber, woeful)

289
Q

lucid

A

clear and easily understood (synonyms: clear, coherent, explicit, intelligible, limpid)

290
Q

loquacious

A

talkative (synonyms: effusive, garrulous, verbose)

291
Q

livid

A

discolored from a bruise; pale; reddened with anger (synonyms: ashen, black-and-blue, furious, pallid)

292
Q

listless

A

lacking energy and enthusiasm (synonyms: faineant, indolent, languid, lethargic, sluggish)

293
Q

lissome

A

easily flexed; limber; agile (synonyms: graceful, lithe, supple)

294
Q

lionize

A

to treat as a celebrity (synonyms: feast, honor, regale)

295
Q

limpid

A

clear; transparent (synonyms: lucid, pellucid, serene)

296
Q

licentious

A

immoral; unrestrained by society (synonyms: lewd, wantom)

297
Q

libertine

A

a free thinker (usually used disparagingly); one without moral restraint (synonyms: hedonist)

298
Q

liberal

A

tolerant or broad-minded; generous or lavish (synonyms: bounteous, latitudinarian, munificent, permissive, progressive)

299
Q

levity

A

an inappropriate lack of seriousness; an overly casual atmosphere (synonyms: amusement, humor)

300
Q

lethargic

A

acting in an indifferent or slow, sluggish manner (synonyms: apathetic, lackadaisical, languid, listless, torpid)

GRE vocab (2 decks)

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