Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

GRE > Vocabulary Section (Essential) > Flashcards

Vocabulary Section (Essential) Flashcards

(134 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

Idiosyncrasy

A

personality tick

A mode of behavior or way of thought peculiar to an individual

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Obstinate

A

Stubborn

Stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so.

Difficult to change or overcome.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Languid

A

Tired

(of a person, manner, or gesture) displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.

weak or faint from illness or fatigue.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Ignominious

A

Negative

deserving or causing public disgrace or shame.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Gainsay

A

Oppose

  1. deny or contradict (a fact or statement)
  2. speak against or oppose (someone).
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Chauvinist

A

Bigot

  1. a person displaying excessive or prejudiced support for their own cause or group, in particular a man prejudiced against women.
  2. Exaggerated patriotism.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Minatory

A

threatening

Expressing or conveying a threat.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Didactic

A

instructional or condescending

  1. intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive.
  2. in the manner of a teacher, particularly so as to treat someone in a patronizing way.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Glib

A

well spoken and insincere

(of words or the person speaking them) fluent and voluble but insincere and shallow.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Prodigious

A

very impressive or monstrous

  1. remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree.
  2. unnatural or abnormal.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Credulous

A

gullible

having or showing too great a readiness to believe things.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Sophistry

A

deceptive

the use of fallacious arguments, especially with the intention of deceiving.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Mores

A

norms

the essential or characteristic customs and conventions of a community.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Repudiate

A

deny or dissavow

refuse to accept or be associated with.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Inveterate

A

established as a habit

having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Sportive

A

playful or sports enthusiast

  1. playful; lighthearted.
  2. relating to, interested in, or good at sport
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Commensurate

A

proportionate

corresponding in size or degree; in proportion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Timorous

A

fearful

showing or suffering from nervousness, fear, or a lack of confidence.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Intractable

A

unmanageable

  1. hard to control or deal with
  2. Stubborn
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Apocryphal

A

inauthentic

(of a story or statement) of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Polemical

A

critical and verbose

expressing or constituting a strongly critical attack on or controversial opinion about someone or something.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Laconic

A

concise

(of a person, speech, or style of writing) using very few words.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Loquacious

A

chatty

tending to talk a great deal; talkative.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Mollify

A

soothe

appease the anger or anxiety of (someone).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Gradation
*move along a gradient* 1. a scale or a series of successive changes, stages, or degrees 2. a stage or change in a series of successive degrees. 3. a minute change from one shade, tone, or color to another.
26
Cajole
*persuade through pestering or flattery* persuade (someone) to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery.
27
Rankle
*cause or feel irritation* 1. to cause anger, irritation, or deep bitterness 2. to feel anger or irritation
28
Spendthrift
*spends a lot* 1. a person who spends improvidently or wastefully 2. given to spending money freely or foolishly : wasteful with money
29
Wily
*crafty* Full of tricks or strategies
30
Taciturn
*reserved or silent* temperamentally disinclined to talk
31
Acrimony
*bitter or sharp in tone*
32
Prodigal
*wasteful* Exceedingly or recklessly wasteful
33
Reproach
*disdain* A feeling of disdain or disapproval towards someone or something
34
Glut
*excess* An excess or surplus of something
35
Obsequious
*people pleaser* Showing excessive willingness to serve or please someone in a subservient manner
36
Pugnacious
*aggressive* Aggressively quarrelsome or combative
37
Aberrant
*irregular* Irregular, or deviating from the norm
38
Disquieting
*disturbing* Disturbing or unsettling in a way that causes anxiety or unease
39
Levity
*unserious* Lightness of manner or speech; lack of seriousness or earnestness
40
Salubrious
*healthy* Beneficial to one’s overall health or wellbeing
41
Enervate
*drain* Weaken or drain of energy or vitality
42
Parsimonious
*frugal, derogatory* Stingy or frugal; unwilling to spend money or use resources
43
Eschew
*shun* To shun or avoid something (especially something considered wrong or distasteful)
44
Appreciable
*noteworthy* Significant, notable, able to be perceived or mentioned
45
Belie
*front* Give me a false impression of something or someone
46
Extirpate
*exterminate* Remove or destroy completely
47
Errant
*wrong* Being mistaken, incorrect, or deviating from the proper course
48
Gawky
*clumsy* Awkward or clumsy in movement or posture
49
Deference
*leaving it up to others* Respectful submission or yielding to the judgement, opinion, or will of another person
50
Adulation
Excessive admiration or praise for someone or something
51
Divine
*figure out* Discover or understand something through intuition or insight
52
Abstemious
*to abstain* Practicing restraint, especially from pleasurable activities
53
Abstruse
*obscure* Difficult to understand
54
Ascetic
*devoutly unhedonistic* A person who practices self-discipline and abstains from indulgences for spiritual or religious reasons
55
Garrulous
*chatterbox* Verbally or excessively talkative; inclined to ramble or chatter
56
Stolid
*unemotional* Showing little or no emotion
57
Exacting
*diligent* Requiring great precision, care, or effort
58
Acme
*zenith* The peak, highest point, or pinnacle of something
59
Torpor
A state of physical or mental inactivity or sluggishness; lethargy
60
Credulity
Belief in something too easily or readily, without questioning or critical thinking
61
Lucid
*clear* Easy to understand; rational and logical
62
Tenuous
Having little substance or strength; weak and fragile
63
Exponent
*advocate* A person who promotes or advocates for an idea or cause
64
Obviate
*prevent* Remove or prevent something
65
Insidious
*subtle harm* Causing harm in a gradual and subtle way
66
Circumlocution
*scenic route* A roundabout or indirect way of expressing something
67
Natty
*stylish* Stylish, smart, and fashionable in appearance; neat and well groomed
68
Sycophant
*suck up* A person who uses flattery or praise to gain personal advantage
69
Sanction
Penalty
70
Gregarious
*outgoing* Social, enjoying the company of others
71
Gregarious
*outgoing* Social, enjoying the company of others
72
Guile
Cunning or sly intelligence
73
Countenance
Tolerate or approve of something
74
Soporific
Causing sleep or drowsiness
75
Veracious
Reliable and truthful
76
Potentate
An influential and powerful ruler or monarch
77
Mendacious
Deceitful, not truthful
78
Preclude
Prevent or make impossible
79
Foment
*instigate* Stir up the growth, development, or activity of something
80
Perfidious
Deceitful or untrustworthy
81
Ephemeral
Lasting for a very short time
82
Profligate
Extremely wasteful or extravagant
83
Salutary
Beneficial or promoting good health
84
Din
A loud, continuous noise or uproar
85
Peccadillo
A small or minor fault or mistake
86
Extant
In existence
87
Paucity
Lack or shortage of something
88
Spate
Sudden and large amount or burst of something, usually referring to water or other liquids
89
Replete
Full, abundant, plentiful
90
Balk
Hesitate or refuse to proceed or to accept an idea or task
91
Gratuitous
Unnecessary, given without payment, free
92
Relegate
Demote or downgrade someone or something to a lower position
93
Antipathy
Strong dislike or aversion towards someone or something
94
Founder
Fail or collapse as a result of pressure or turmoil
95
Trifling
Insignificant or trivial, of little value or importance
96
Tacit
Understood or implied without being stated openly or directly
97
Perfidy
Deceitfulness, betrayal, or untrustworthiness
98
Exculpate
Clear someone of blame or fault
99
Lassitude
*weariness* A state of physical or mental fatigue or lack of energy
100
Craven
*cowardly* Lacking courage
101
Obloquy
Harsh or critical statements made against someone to damage their reputation
102
Libertine
A person who has little regard for moral principles
103
Plastic
Capable of being molded or shaped easily
104
Desiccate
To dry out something completely by removing all moisture
105
Germane
*relevant* Closely related to the topic or subject at hand
106
Trite
*Commonplace* Overused or lacking in originality
107
Urbane
Worldly and sophisticated
108
Requite
Reward or repay someone for their actions or feelings
109
Transient
*Temporary* Fleeting or passing away
110
Tractable
*Docile* Easily managed or controlled
111
Stark
*Harsh* Severe or completely without decoration or embellishment
112
Castigate
Criticize or reprimand severely
113
Petulant
Sulky and easily irritated or annoyed; especially in a childish or rude manner
114
Aver
State or declare something to be true or factual
115
Iconoclastic
Rebellious or non-conforming, especially towards traditional beliefs or practices
116
Aspersion
A derogatory or damaging remark directed at someone or something
117
Forbearance
The ability to endure or remain patient in the face of challenges, difficulties, or provocation
118
Mendacity
Tendency to lie or deceive
119
Specious
Misleading or deceptive in appearance or behavior
120
Scrupulous
Very careful and precise
121
Scrupulous
Very careful and precise
122
Provincial
1. Limited in perspective or narrow minded 2. Pertaining to a specific region right outside of a city
123
Restive
*Restless* Unwilling to be controlled or restrained
124
Quotidian
Happening or occurring daily
125
Transitory
*temporary*
126
Hackneyed
Overused or unoriginal
127
Exhort
Strongly encourage someone to do something
128
Censure
Criticize or reprimand someone or something formally
129
Rarefy
To make something less dense; to make something less concentrated
130
Reticent
Reluctant or hesitant to speak or reveal one’s thoughts or feelings
131
Diffidence
Insecurity or lack of self-confidence in one’s abilities or appearance
132
Mercurial
Characterized by sudden or unprecedented changes in mood or behavior
133
Incipient
Emerging or beginning to develop
134
Fleece
To swindle or cheat someone, usually financially

GRE (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions