GRE Prep

Abound

be present in large quantities

amorphous

lacking structure, unclear

austere

strict and stern in character

belie

giving a false impression of

capricious

having various moods; fickle

cerebral

related to the brain

congenial

likable and friendly, often due to shared interests

conspicuous

Easily seen or noticed

cursory

hasty, not thorough

daunting

intimidating, causing one to lose courage

deify

to make a god of

didactic

instructive, sometimes in a condescending manner

disseminate

to scatter or spread widely

feasible

possible

flout

to mock

homogeneous

of the same kind

humdrum

boring

insipid

lacking interest or flavor

loquacious

talkative

misanthropic

hating mankind

misnomer

an unsuitable or misleading name

negligent

careless

obsequious

overly submissive and eager to please

placate

to soothe or pacify

proclivity

a natural inclination

puerile

childish

quixotic

idealistic but impractical

spendthrift

one who spends money wastefully

taciturn

quiet

wary

cautious

adulterate

damage the quality of; corrupt

advocate

support; be in favor of

aggrandize

enhance one’s power or standing

alacrity

eagerness to do something

ambivalent

having conflicting emotions; unsure

ameliorate

improve a bad feeling or bad situation

amenable

receptive to change; open

anachronistic

of the wrong time or era

audacious

bold; unafraid of risks

avaricious

greedy; always wanting more

banal

unoriginal and dull; lacking creativity

benign

harmless; having little effect

brazen

shameless and excessively forward

calumny

slander and defamation

candid

honest; without deception

castigate

scold someone harshly

caustic

hostile or bitter

construe

understand something subjectively

contrite

feeling regretful or guilty

convoluted

difficult to understand or follow

covet

strongly desire; yearn for

craven

lacking bravery; weak-kneed

decorum

politeness and proper behavior

deft

highly proficient; skilled

demur

hesitate or object; express doubt

derivative

based on someone else’s work (negative)

dessicate

dry out; remove all moisture

diatribe

an angry rant; verbal abuse

incredulous

doubtful and disbelieving

ingenuous

naive and lacking experience