Kaplan GRE Vocabulary Master List

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards derived from the provided lecture notes, formatted as term-definition pairs for effective study.

Abase

to humble; disgrace

Abate

to reduce in amount, degree, or severity

Abdicate

to give up a position, right, or power

Aberrant

deviating from what is normal

Abeyance

temporary suspension

Abjure

to reject or abandon formally

Abscond

to leave secretly

Abstain

to choose not to do something

Abstemious

moderate in appetite; practicing moderation

Abyss

an extremely deep hole

Accretion

growth in size or amount

Acidulous

sour in taste or manner

Acme

highest point; summit

Adulterate

to make impure

Advocate

to speak in favor of

Aerie

a nest built high in the air

Aesthetic

concerning the appreciation of beauty

Affected

phony; artificial

Aggrandize

to increase in power, influence, or reputation

Alacrity

speed or quickness

Alleviate

to make more bearable

Amalgamate

to combine; to mix together

Ambiguous

doubtful or uncertain; open to interpretation

Ameliorate

to make better; to improve

Amortize

to diminish by installment payments

Amulet

ornament worn as a charm against evil

Anachronism

something out of place in time

Analgesia

a lessening of pain without loss of consciousness

Analogous

similar or alike in some way

Anodyne

something that calms or soothes pain

Anomaly

deviation from what is normal

Antagonize

to annoy or provoke to anger

Antipathy

extreme dislike

Apathy

lack of interest or emotion

Apocryphal

of questionable authority or authenticity

Apostate

one who renounces a religious faith

Approbation

approval and praise

Arbitrary

determined by chance or impulse

Arbitrate

to judge a dispute between parties

Archaic

ancient; old-fashioned

Ardor

intense and passionate feeling

Arrogate

to claim without justification

Articulate

able to speak clearly and expressively

Assail

to attack; assault

Assuage

to make something unpleasant less severe

Attenuate

to reduce in force; weaken

Audacious

fearless and daring

Augury

prophecy; prediction of events

August

dignified; grandiose

Austere

severe or stern in appearance; undecorated

Axiom

self-evident truth

Banal

predictable; clichéd; boring

Belfry

bell tower

Bevy

a group

Bifurcate

to divide into two parts

Blight

to afflict; destroy

Bilk

to cheat; defraud

Bolster

to support; prop up

Blithe

joyful, cheerful, or carefree

Bonhomie

good-natured geniality

Bombastic

pompous in speech and manner

Boor

crude person lacking manners

Burgeon

to grow and flourish

Burnish

to polish

Cabal

a secret group seeking to overturn something

Cacophony

harsh, jarring noise

Calumny

false and malicious accusation

Canard

a lie

Candid

impartial and honest in speech

Capricious

changing one’s mind quickly and often

Cartography

science or art of making maps

Castigate

to punish or criticize harshly

Catalyst

something that brings about a change

Catholic

universal; broad and comprehensive

Caustic

biting in wit; corrosive

Chaos

great disorder or confusion

Chauvinist

someone prejudiced in favor of their group

Chicanery

deception by means of craft

Circumspect

cautious; aware of consequences

Cloying

sickly sweet; excessive

Coalesce

to grow together; unite

Coffer

strongbox for money

Cogent

convincing and well-reasoned

Collusion

complicity; conspiracy

Condone

to overlook or pardon

Connoisseur

expert with discriminating taste

Contrite

deeply sorrowful and repentant

Contumacious

rebellious

Convoluted

intricate and complicated

Corroborate

to support with evidence

Cosset

to pamper; treat with care

Coterie

intimate group with a purpose

Craven

cowardly

Credulous

too trusting; gullible

Crescendo

steady increase in volume or force

Cupidity

greed; strong desire

Curmudgeon

cranky, stubborn person

Debutante

young woman making debut in society

Declivity

downward slope

Decorous

proper; tasteful; socially correct