03 GRE-Core Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering foundational GRE terms.

noisome

Offensive or disgusting, particularly to the sense of smell, suggesting something noxious, harmful, or generally unpleasant and foul-smelling.

• Fetid, noxious, putrid, reeking, offensive

---

The noisome stench from the chemical spill made it impossible to approach the area without protective gear.

infallibility

The inability to be wrong or make an error. This term is often used in theological or philosophical contexts to describe perfect accuracy or immunity from failure.

• Unerringness, impeccability, impeccancy, faultlessness

---

The Pope's infallibility is a doctrine accepted by many Catholics regarding matters of faith and morals.

terse

Brief and direct in speech or writing, often to the point of seeming rude or unfriendly.

• Concise, brief, succinct, abrupt, blunt

---

His terse reply indicated he was not interested in further discussion.

absurd

Extremely silly, foolish, or unreasonable; ridiculously inconsistent with reason or common sense.

• Ridiculous, preposterous, ludicrous, nonsensical, foolish

---

The idea that unicorns might be hiding in the forest is utterly absurd.

obviate

To remove a need or difficulty; to make something unnecessary or prevent it from happening.

• Preclude, prevent, avert, circumvent, forestall

---

The new security system helped obviate the need for constant surveillance patrols.

malignant

Aggressively malicious; highly injurious or evil in nature or intent. In a medical context, it refers to a disease that is very virulent or infectious.

• Malicious, malevolent, hostile, harmful, cancerous

---

The doctor confirmed the presence of a malignant tumor, requiring immediate treatment.

sweeping

Including or involving many things, subjects, or areas; wide-ranging. It describes something broad in scope or extent.

• Extensive, comprehensive, far-reaching, broad, global

---

The government proposed sweeping reforms to the education system.

implacable

Opposed to someone or something in a very angry or determined way that cannot be appeased or changed.

• Unrelenting, unyielding, unforgiving, relentless, inexorable

---

The implacable enemy refused all attempts at negotiation, determined to fight to the end.

available

Easy or possible to get or use; ready for use or at hand. It describes something that is accessible or obtainable.

• Accessible, obtainable, attainable, ready, usable

---

There are several options available to students seeking financial aid.

repudiate

To refuse to accept or support something; to reject as invalid or untrue.

• Reject, renounce, disavow, disown, discard

---

She decided to repudiate the unfair contract after consulting her lawyer.

evenhanded

Not favoring one side or group over another; fair and impartial.

• Impartial, fair, unbiased, equitable, just

---

The judge maintained an evenhanded approach, allowing both sides to present their arguments fully.

peregrinate

To travel or wander from place to place, especially on foot.

Synonyms:

• Wander, travel, roam, traverse, journey

Example Sentence:

---

Monks would often peregrinate across vast lands, spreading their teachings.

comity

Friendly social atmosphere; courtesy and considerate behavior toward others.

• Civility, amiability, cordiality, friendliness, politeness

---

The two rival nations maintained a sense of comity during diplomatic talks despite their disagreements.

snub

/v. To ignore or reject someone or something in a deliberate and insulting way. It means to treat with disdain or contempt, especially by ignoring.

Synonyms:

• Slight, disregard, rebuff, deprecate, ignore

Example Sentence:

She felt deeply hurt when her former friend gave her a deliberate snub at the party.

obstacle

n. Something that impedes progress or prevents something from happening smoothly; a barrier or hindrance. It can be physical or metaphorical.

Synonyms:

• Barrier, impediment, hindrance, obstruction, hurdle

Example Sentence:

Lack of funding proved to be a significant obstacle to completing the ambitious project.

preclude

v. To make impossible by necessary consequence; to prevent something from happening or make it impossible to do. It implies acting in advance to prevent an event.

Synonyms:

• Prevent, obviate, rule out, prohibit, forestall

Example Sentence:

The severe weather conditions precluded any possibility of outdoor activities.

tilt

v. To cause to lean or incline to one side; to slant. It can also mean to move or cause to move into a sloping position.

Synonyms:

• Lean, slant, incline, angle, tip

Example Sentence:

He tilted his head to get a better look at the painting.

enduring

adj. Lasting or durable; continuing or remaining in existence for a long time. It describes something that withstands hardship or the passage of time.

Synonyms:

• Lasting, durable, persistent, permanent, resilient

Example Sentence:

The enduring legacy of Shakespeare continues to influence literature worldwide.

fickle

adj. Changing often, especially in loyalty, affections, or preferences; not constant or loyal. It implies instability and unpredictability.

Synonyms:

• Capricious, whimsical, inconstant, vacillating, volatile

Example Sentence:

Her fickle nature made it difficult for her to commit to any long-term plan.

constrain

v. To limit or restrict someone's activity or freedom; to compel or force by restriction. It means to hold back or suppress.

Synonyms:

• Restrict, limit, inhibit, curb, compel

Example Sentence:

Budgetary cuts will constrain the project's scope, forcing us to prioritize.

adversarial

adj. Involving two sides who oppose each other; characterized by conflict or opposition. It describes a relationship or situation marked by antagonism.

Synonyms:

• Antagonistic, conflicting, opposing, hostile, combative

Example Sentence:

The two companies had an adversarial relationship, constantly vying for market share.

exacting

adj. Requiring much time, attention, or effort; demanding precise accuracy or strict standards. It describes something rigorous and challenging.

Synonyms:

• Demanding, rigorous, stringent, precise, arduous

Example Sentence:

The sculptor was exacting in his work, ensuring every detail was perfect.

successive

adj. Following one after the other in a sequence, without interruption. It indicates an unbroken series of events or items.

Synonyms:

• Consecutive, sequential, subsequent, uninterrupted, ensuing

Example Sentence:

After five successive victories, the team was confident about winning the championship.

futile

adj. Pointless or useless; incapable of producing any useful result. It describes an effort that is bound to fail.

Synonyms:

• Useless, vain, pointless, hopeless, unproductive

Example Sentence:

Their attempts to reason with the stubbornly closed-minded committee proved futile.

wane

v. To decrease in power, extent, or size; to gradually become smaller or less intense. It is often used to describe the moon's decreasing illuminated phase.

Synonyms:

• Diminish, decline, fade, recede, dwindle

Example Sentence:

The public's interest in the scandal began to wane after a few weeks.

betoken

v. To show or signify something; to be a sign of. It means to indicate or portend an event or a quality.

Synonyms:

• Signify, indicate, portend, herald, foretell

Example Sentence:

The dark clouds in the distance seemed to betoken an approaching storm.

benign

adj. Showing kindness and gentleness; not harmful. In a medical context, it refers to a condition or tumor that is not cancerous.

Synonyms:

• Kind, gentle, benevolent, harmless, mild

Example Sentence:

The doctor confirmed that the growth was benign and posed no threat.

verisimilitude

n. The quality of seeming real or true; the appearance of being true or probable. It refers to the likeness or resemblance to truth, reality, or fact.

Synonyms:

• Realism, authenticity, credibility, plausibility, semblance of truth

Example Sentence:

The special effects in the film enhanced its verisimilitude, making the alien world feel truly alive.

disgruntle

v. To make someone ill-humored or discontented; to put into a state of sulky dissatisfaction. It describes a feeling of strong annoyance or dissatisfaction.

Synonyms:

• Annoy, discontent, dissatisfy, irritate, vex

Example Sentence:

The employees became thoroughly disgruntled after the company announced another round of layoffs.

diversity

n. The quality or state of having many different forms, types, or ideas; variety. It often refers to the inclusion of people from different backgrounds.

Synonyms:

• Variety, assortment, multiplicity, heterogeneity, difference

Example Sentence:

The diversity of cultures in the city made it a vibrant and interesting place to live.

evasive

adj. Tending or intended to evade; not direct or straightforward. It describes an attempt to avoid commitment, direct answers, or detection.

Synonyms:

• Elusive, indirect, vague, cagey, tricky

Example Sentence:

His evasive answers only made the interrogator more suspicious.

charity

n. The act of giving help to those in need; benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity. It also refers to an organization set up to help those in need.

Synonyms:

• Benevolence, philanthropy, altruism, aid, assistance

Example Sentence:

Many charities organize food drives to help feed the homeless during the holidays.

ridicule

n. The act of making fun of someone or something in a mocking or contemptuous way; contemptuous laughter or derision. It can also be a verb: to scorn or mock.

Synonyms:

• Mockery, derision, scorn, taunt, sarcasm

Example Sentence:

She endured the ridicule of her classmates for her unusual fashion choices.

cower

v. To shrink away or crouch down in fear or shame. It describes a person or animal exhibiting fear or submissiveness.

Synonyms:

• Cringe, flinch, quail, recoil, shrink

Example Sentence:

The dog would cower under the table during thunderstorms.

jettison

v. To throw or drop something from an aircraft or ship, typically to lighten the load; to abandon or discard something that is no longer wanted or needed. It implies getting rid of something quickly.

Synonyms:

• Discard, abandon, dump, cast off, relinquish

Example Sentence:

The company decided to jettison the failing product line to focus on more profitable ventures.

nonconformist

n. A person who does not behave or think the way most people behave or think; one who refuses to conform to an established practice or expectation. This individual challenges societal norms.

Synonyms:

• Individualist, rebel, maverick, dissident, iconoclast

Example Sentence:

She was always a nonconformist, preferring to forge her own path rather than follow the crowd.

adhoc

adj. Fashioned from whatever is immediately available; formed, arranged, or done for a particular purpose only. It describes something improvised or temporary.

Synonyms:

• Improvised, makeshift, impromptu, provisional, temporary

Example Sentence:

The committee formed an ad hoc group to address the immediate crisis.

alacrity

n. A quick and cheerful readiness to do something; brisk and eager action or attitude. It describes enthusiastic promptness.

Synonyms:

• Eagerness, readiness, briskness, enthusiasm, zeal

Example Sentence:

She accepted the new challenges with alacrity, eager to prove her capabilities.

antediluvian

adj. Very old or old-fashioned; literally, belonging to the time before the biblical Flood. It is used to describe something extremely archaic or outmoded.

Synonyms:

• Ancient, archaic, prehistoric, obsolete, antiquated

Example Sentence:

His antediluvian views on gender roles were outdated and out of touch with modern society.

dreary

adj. Causing unhappiness or sad feelings; dull, gloomy, and depressing. It describes something monotonous and cheerless.

Synonyms:

• Gloomy, depressing, bleak, dismal, monotonous

Example Sentence:

The dreary weather matched her mood after receiving the bad news.

exasperation

n. The state of being very annoyed, frustrated, or irritated; a feeling of intense irritation or annoyance. It often arises from repeated annoyances or unmet expectations.

Synonyms:

• Annoyance, frustration, irritation, vexation, anger

Example Sentence:

He sighed in exasperation as he tried to fix the broken machine for the tenth time.

onset

n. The beginning of something, especially something unpleasant or difficult. It marks the initial stage or commencement of an event.

Synonyms:

• Start, beginning, commencement, inauguration, genesis

Example Sentence:

The onset of winter brought with it freezing temperatures and heavy snow.

sordid

adj. Very dirty or very bad; involving ignoble actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt. It implies a lack of moral principle and often refers to something squalid or morally base.

Synonyms:

• Squalid, seedy, ignoble, depraved, wretched

Example Sentence:

The sordid details of the financial scandal were exposed in the newspaper.

overwhelming

adj. Tending or serving to overwhelm; very great in amount, power, or effect. It describes something extremely powerful or intense that can overcome resistance or comprehension.

Synonyms:

• Staggering, powerful, immense, irresistible, overpowering

Example Sentence:

The support from the community was overwhelming, far exceeding their expectations.

compulsory

adj. Mandatory or enforced; required by law or a rule. It describes something that must be done.

Synonyms:

• Obligatory, mandatory, required, necessary, essential

Example Sentence:

Attendance at the weekly team meeting is compulsory for all staff members.

quirky

adj. Odd or unpredictable in character, appearance, or behavior; slightly strange or unusual, often in an appealing way. It describes a distinctive individual peculiarity.

Synonyms:

• Peculiar, eccentric, unconventional, idiosyncratic, offbeat

Example Sentence:

Her quirky sense of humor endeared her to everyone she met.

dubious

adj. Unsure or uncertain; full of doubt; also, of questionable quality or character. It suggests hesitancy, suspicion, or unreliability.

Synonyms:

• Doubtful, questionable, suspect, equivocal, uncertain

Example Sentence:

The claims made by the unreliable witness were highly dubious.

mimic

v. To imitate someone or something, especially in an amusing or satirical way; to copy the behavior or speech of others. It can also refer to something that resembles something else.

Synonyms:

• Imitate, ape, impersonate, copy, mock

Example Sentence:

The comedian was known for his ability to perfectly mimic various politicians.

dummy

n. Something that is not real or is used as a substitute; an imitation or model, often used for display or practice. It can also refer to a person who is stupid.

Synonyms:

• Mannequin, model, substitute, replica, stand-in

Example Sentence:

The firefighter practiced rescue techniques on a life-sized dummy.

drab

adj. Dull or colorless; lacking brightness or interest; cheerless. It implies a lack of vivacity or appeal.

Synonyms:

• Dull, grim, dreary, colorless, bleak

Example Sentence:

The old apartment building was painted a drab gray, reflecting its neglected state.

nuanced

adj. Characterized by subtle distinctions or variations; having subtle differences in meaning, expression, or sound. It implies a sophisticated understanding of complexities.

Synonyms:

• Subtle, intricate, delicate, refined, complex

Example Sentence:

The philosopher presented a nuanced argument that acknowledged the complexities of morality.

intentionally

adv. Done with a purpose or design; deliberately. It refers to an action carried out with conscious will and planning.

Synonyms:

• Deliberately, purposefully, consciously, knowingly, voluntarily

Example Sentence:

She intentionally left the door ajar, hoping her brother would follow her inside.

mock

v. To ridicule or imitate, often in contempt or derision; to tease or make fun of. It also means to mimic, especially in satire.

Synonyms:

• Ridicule, taunt, scoff, mimic, deride

Example Sentence:

The children began to mock their younger sibling's pronunciation of the word.

vigorous

adj. Done with great force, energy, or enthusiasm; strong, healthy, and full of energy. It describes something robust and energetic.

Synonyms:

• Energetic, robust, strenuous, strong, forceful

Example Sentence:

The team made a vigorous effort to win the championship, training tirelessly every day.

earthy

adj. Grounded in reality; unpretentious and natural; relating to or characteristic of earth or soil. It often refers to something rustic, simple, or unrefined.

Synonyms:

• Rustic, unpretentious, natural, robust, coarse

Example Sentence:

Her earthy personality and straight-talking manner made her very approachable.

mortify

v. To humiliate or shame someone deeply; to cause someone to feel extremely embarrassed or ashamed. It implies severe social discomfort.

Synonyms:

• Humiliate, embarrass, shame, humble, abash

Example Sentence:

Forgetting his lines on stage mortified the aspiring actor.

patience

n. The capacity to accept delay, trouble, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious; the ability to wait calmly. It is a virtue of enduring difficult circumstances with composure.

Synonyms:

• Tolerance, forbearance, composure, endurance, perseverance

Example Sentence:

Teaching young children requires a great deal of patience and understanding.

fanaticism

n. Excessive enthusiasm or zeal, especially for a political or religious cause; intense, uncritical devotion. It is characterized by an extreme, unreasoning enthusiasm.

Synonyms:

• Extremism, zealotry, bigotry, dogmatism, obsession

Example Sentence:

The crowd's fanaticism for their sports team sometimes led to unruly behavior.

diligent

adj. Characterized by steady, earnest, and careful effort; hardworking and painstaking. It describes someone who applies themselves conscientiously to a task.

Synonyms:

• Industrious, assiduous, painstaking, conscientious, sedulous

Example Sentence:

The student was diligent in her studies, always completing her assignments on time.

hopeful

adj. Full of hope; feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event. It describes a positive expectation for what is to come.

Synonyms:

• Optimistic, promising, encouraging, sanguine, auspicious

Example Sentence:

She remained hopeful even after receiving several rejections from universities.

probable

adj. Likely to happen or be true; likely to occur or be so, but not certain. It indicates a high degree of likelihood.

Synonyms:

• Likely, conceivable, credible, plausible, possible

Example Sentence:

It's highly probable that the flight will be delayed due to the heavy fog.

plausible

adj. Seemingly reasonable, believable, or probable; having an appearance of truth or reason. It describes something that could conceivably be true.

Synonyms:

• Believable, credible, conceivable, reasonable, likely

Example Sentence:

Her excuse for being late was plausible enough, given the traffic conditions.

fecundity

n. The ability to produce abundant healthy growth or offspring; fertility. It refers to a state of being fruitful or productive.

Synonyms:

• Fertility, productiveness, prolificacy, fruitfulness, generativity

Example Sentence:

The fecundity of the soil in the delta region ensured bountiful harvests each year.

rationalism

n. A theory emphasizing reason as the primary source of knowledge or justification; the practice or principle of basing opinions and actions on reason and knowledge rather than on religious belief or emotional response. It contrasts with empiricism.

Synonyms:

• Logic, reason, intellect, empiricism (broad philosophical contrast often debated with)

Example Sentence:

The Enlightenment era popularized rationalism, advocating for scientific inquiry over superstition.

requisite

adj. Necessary for a particular purpose, position, or outcome; required. It denotes something that is essential or indispensable.

Synonyms:

• Required, necessary, essential, indispensable, obligatory

Example Sentence:

Mastering advanced mathematics is a requisite skill for aspiring astrophysicists.

appalling

adj. Shocking or horrifying; very bad or unpleasant. It describes something that evokes strong disapproval, dismay, or terror.

Synonyms:

• Dreadful, horrendous, horrific, terrible, shocking

Example Sentence:

The living conditions in the refugee camp were truly appalling.

meticulous

adj. Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise. It describes someone who is extremely thorough and precise.

Synonyms:

• Careful, scrupulous, thorough, precise, assiduous

Example Sentence:

The artist was meticulous in her brushstrokes, ensuring every color blend was perfect.

innate

adj. Existing from birth; inherent or natural. It describes a quality or characteristic that is intrinsic rather than learned or acquired.

Synonyms:

• Inborn, inherent, intrinsic, natural, inbred

Example Sentence:

He had an innate talent for music, playing complex melodies by ear from a young age.

scrutinize

v. To examine closely and thoroughly; to inspect meticulously. It implies a critical and detailed examination.

Synonyms:

• Examine, inspect, pore over, analyze, investigate

Example Sentence:

The detective scrutinized every detail of the crime scene for clues.

demure

adj. Modest or reserved in manner or behavior; shy and proper. It often describes a woman or girl who is quiet, modest, and well-behaved.

Synonyms:

• Modest, reserved, shy, decorous, diffident

Example Sentence:

The demure young woman blushed when she received the compliment.

vigilance

n. The action or state of keeping careful watch, especially for possible danger or difficulties; watchfulness. It implies constant careful attention.

Synonyms:

• Watchfulness, alertness, attentiveness, caution, carefulness

Example Sentence:

airport security requires constant vigilance to prevent any threats.

ubiquitous

adj. Present, appearing, or found everywhere; constantly encountered. It describes something omnipresent or very common.

Synonyms:

• Omnipresent, pervasive, everywhere, commonplace, universal

Example Sentence:

In today's digital age, smartphones have become ubiquitous.

ephemeral

adj. Lasting for a very short time; transient or fleeting. It describes something that is momentary or brief.

Synonyms:

• Fleeting, transient, momentary, short-lived, transitory

Example Sentence:

The beauty of cherry blossoms is ephemeral, lasting only a few weeks each spring.

cacophony

n. A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds; a chaotic and unpleasant blend of noises. It describes a jarring and often disturbing auditory experience.

Synonyms:

• Discord, noise, dissonance, din, clamor

Example Sentence:

The crowded marketplace was a cacophony of vendors shouting and shoppers bargaining.

licentious

adj. Disregarding accepted rules or conventions, especially morally or sexually; promiscuous and unprincipled. It describes behavior that is unrestrained and often immoral.

Synonyms:

• Immoral, promiscuous, lewd, debauched, wanton

Example Sentence:

The king's licentious lifestyle caused much scandal among his conservative subjects.

parsimonious

adj. Unwilling to spend money or resources; extremely stingy or frugal to an excessive degree. It implies an extreme reluctance to spend.

Synonyms:

• Stingy, frugal, cheap, miserly, avaricious

Example Sentence:

His parsimonious habits meant he rarely treated himself to anything luxurious.

eschew

v. To deliberately avoid using; to abstain from. It means to deliberately stay away from something undesirable.

Synonyms:

• Avoid, abstain from, forgo, renounce, shun

Example Sentence:

Doctors advise patients to eschew unhealthy foods for better health.

taciturn

adj. Reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little. It describes someone who is habitually quiet and disinclined to talk.

Synonyms:

• Reserved, uncommunicative, reticent, quiet, laconic

Example Sentence:

Despite her taciturn demeanor, she had a sharp wit and keen observations.

gregarious

adj. Fond of company; sociable; outgoing. It describes someone who enjoys being with other people.

Synonyms:

• Sociable, outgoing, convivial, genial, friendly

Example Sentence:

She was a gregarious host, mingling with all her guests and ensuring everyone had a good time.

perfunctory

adj. (Of an action or gesture) carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection; done superficially as a matter of routine. It implies a lack of genuine interest or thoroughness.

Synonyms:

• Cursory, superficial, brief, routine, unenthusiastic

Example Sentence:

The security guard gave a perfunctory glance at my ID before waving me through.

ostentatious

adj. Characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice, often unfavorably; showy. It describes an excessive display of wealth or luxury.

Synonyms:

• Showy, pretentious, flashy, flamboyant, gaudy

Example Sentence:

The millionaire's ostentatious mansion was filled with gold statues and velvet drapes.

zealous

adj. Having or showing great energy or enthusiasm for a cause or objective; fervent. It describes someone passionately devoted to a pursuit.

Synonyms:

• Fervent, passionate, enthusiastic, devoted, eager

Example Sentence:

The zealous activists tirelessly campaigned for environmental protection.

mitigate

v. To make less severe, serious, or painful; to alleviate or soften. It means to lessen the gravity of something undesirable.

Synonyms:

• Alleviate, lessen, ease, diminish, assuage

Example Sentence:

Emergency aid was sent to mitigate the effects of the drought in the affected regions.

prosaic

adj. Commonplace; unromantic and dull; lacking imagination or originality. It describes something ordinary, factual, and uninspired.

Synonyms:

• Ordinary, mundane, commonplace, dull, uninspired

Example Sentence:

The writer was criticized for his prosaic prose, which lacked any imaginative spark.

sanguine

adj. Optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation; cheerfully optimistic. It describes a hopeful and confident outlook.

Synonyms:

• Optimistic, hopeful, positive, confident, cheerful

Example Sentence:

Despite the economic downturn, the CEO remained sanguine about the company's future prospects.

obsequious

adj. Obedient or attentive to an excessive, servile, or fawning degree; excessively eager to please or obey. It describes behavior that is excessively deferential or flattering.

Synonyms:

• Servile, fawning, sycophantic, subservient, flattering

Example Sentence:

The new employee's obsequious attempts to flatter the boss were met with disdain by his colleagues.