GRE common vocab 1

veracious

truthful

iconoclast

someone who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions

intimate

to suggest something subtly

belie

to give a false representation to; misrepresent

parsimonious

extremely frugal

upbraid

to scold

venerate

to respect deeply

ambivalent

mixed or conflicting emotions about something

mercurial

prone to unexpected and unpredictable changes in mood

censure

to express strong disapproval

qualify

to make less severe; to limit (a statement)

wanting

lacking

profligate

ADJ: spending resources recklessly or wastefully

NOUN: someone who spends resources recklessly or wastefully

harangue

NOUN: a long pompous speech; a tirade

VERB: to deliver a long speech or tirade

calumny

making of a false statement meant to injure a person’s reputation

demur

to object or show reluctance

amorphous

shapeless

equivocal

confusing or ambiguous

impertinent

being disrespectful; improperly forward or bold

castigate

to reprimand harshly

anomalous

not normal

maintain

to assert

extant

still inn existence (usually refers to documents)

parochial

narrowly restricted in scope or outlook

innocuous

harmless and doesn’t produce any ill effects

venality

the condition of being susceptible to bribes or corruption

laconic

using very few words

acrimony

bitterness and ill will

galvanize

to excite or inspire (someone) to action

aberration

a deviation from what is normal or expected

auspicious

favorable, the opposite of sinister

enervate

to sap energy from

vindicate

to clear accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with supporting arguments or proof

prodigal

rashly or wastefully extravagant

undermine

to weaken (usually paired with an abstract term)

involved

complicated, and difficult to comprehend

prevaricate

to speak in an evasive way

artful

ADJ: exhibiting artistic skill

ADJ: clever in a cunning way

gregarious

to be likely to socialize with others

amalgam

mixture of multiple things

chastise

to reprimand harshly

amenable

easily persuaded

frugal

not spending much money (but spending wisely)

betray

to reveal or make known something, usually unintentionally

egregious

standing out in a negative way; shockingly bad

ingenuous

to be naive and innocent

commensurate

to be in proportion or corresponding in degree or amount

disinterested

unbiased; neutral

restive

restless