GRE Vocab Practice

Abase

to lower in rank, office, or esteem; to humiliate or degrade

Abashed

feeling embarrassed or ashamed due to a loss of self-confidence or sudden awareness of flaws

Abate

to lessen in intensity or degree; to reduce, diminish, or decrease

Aberration

a departure from the normal or typical course; an anomaly or deviation from expected behavior

Abeyance

a state of temporary inactivity or suspension; a condition in which something is held in check or deferred

Abhor

to regard with extreme repugnance; to detest or loathe

Abject

extremely bad, unpleasant, or degrading; wretched or miserable

Abnegate

to renounce or reject a belief or doctrine; to reject something valued or desired

Abomination

a thing that causes disgust or hatred; a detestable act or condition

Aboriginal

relating to the original inhabitants of a region; native or indigenous peoples

Abort

to terminate a process or operation before completion

Abound

to exist in large numbers or amounts; to be plentiful

Abrasive

having a rough surface that can wear away materials; capable of causing irritation or annoyance

Abridge

to shorten a text or speech without losing its essential content

Abrogate

to formally repeal or do away with a law or agreement

Abscission

the act of cutting off or removing parts of a plant or other structure, often referring to the shedding of leaves or fruit

Absolute

not limited or restricted; unconditional

Absolve

to declare someone free from blame, guilt, or responsibility

Abstemious

characterized by moderation or self-restraint, especially in the consumption of food or drink

Abstruse

difficult to understand; obscure

Abysmal

extremely bad; appalling

Accede

to agree or yield to a request or demand

Accolade

an award or privilege granted as a special honor

Accretion

the process of growth or increase, typically by the gradual accumulation of additional layers or matter

Accumulate

to collect or gather over time, often in increasing amounts

Acerbic

having a sharp or biting taste or temper; sarcastically critical

Acidulous

having a sour or acid-like taste; slightly acidic

Acme

the highest point or peak of something, often representing the best or most successful stage

Acquisitive

eager to acquire and possess material wealth or knowledge; greedy

Acrimonious

angry and bitter in tone or language, often used to describe disputes or relationships

Acumen

the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain or area

Adamant

refusing to be persuaded or change one's mind; unyielding

Adept

skilled or proficient at something, demonstrating talent and expertise in a particular area

Adequate

sufficient, acceptable in quality or quantity; meeting the minimum requirements

Adhere

to stick fast to a surface or substance; to comply with rules or standards

Admonished

cautioned or reprimanded firmly about a behavior or action

Adorned

decorated or embellished with ornaments or attractive features

Adroit

clever or skillful in using the hands or mind

Adulation

excessive praise or admiration

Adulterate

to make something poorer in quality by adding another substance

Adversary

one's opponent in a contest or conflict

Advocate

to publicly recommend or support a particular cause or policy

Aegis

protection, support, or defense

Aesthetic

concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty

Affable

friendly, pleasant, and easy to talk to

Affectation

a behavior or speech that is not natural, intended to impress others

Affiliated

associated or connected with

Affront

an action or remark that causes outrage or offense

Aggrandized

to increase the power, status, or wealth of something or someone

Aghast

filled with shock or horror

Alacrity

brisk and cheerful readiness to do something

Algorithm

a set of rules or procedures for solving a problem or performing a task, often used in computing and mathematics

Alleviate

to make suffering or a problem less severe

Allusion

an indirect reference to a person, event, or literary work

Altruistic

showing selfless concern for the well-being of others; unselfish

Amalgamate

to combine or unite to form one organization or structure

Ambiguity

the quality of being open to more than one interpretation; vagueness

Ambivalence

the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

Ameliorated

to make something better or improve a situation

Amenable

willing to cooperate or be influenced; open to suggestions

Amicable

characterized by friendliness and lack of conflict; a peaceful resolution between parties

Amortize

to gradually pay off a debt over time, typically through regular payments

Ample

sufficient or more than enough; generous in amount or capacity

Anachronism

something that is out of its proper time period, often used to highlight an inconsistency or historical error in context

Analogue

a person or thing that is comparable to another in certain respects, often used for comparison or analogy

Anathema

a person or thing that is greatly detested or shunned, often due to conflicting beliefs or practices

Anile

having or showing the weaknesses or degenerate qualities of old age; senile

Animosity

a strong feeling of hostility or resentment towards someone or something

Annotation

a critical or explanatory note added to a text, often for clarification or commentary

Annul

to declare invalid or nullify a legal agreement, decision, or act

Anodyne

a source of comfort or relief, often referring to something that calms or soothes

Anomaly

something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected

Antedate

to precede in time or date

Antediluvian

referring to something extraordinarily old or ancient, often used to describe the period before the biblical flood

Antipode

a place or region that is diametrically opposite to another on the globe

Antithesis

a contrast or opposition between two ideas or concepts, often used to highlight a difference or contradiction

Apace

swiftly or quickly, often used to describe something happening with speed or in a prompt manner

Apartheid

a policy or system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination that existed in South Africa from 1948 until the early 1990s

Aplomb

self-confidence or assurance, especially in a demanding situation

Apocryphal

of doubtful authenticity, often referring to a story or statement that is widely circulated as true but lacks verifiable evidence

Apoplectic

overcome with anger or fury; extremely furious

Apostle

a messenger and representative, often referring to one of the early leaders who spread Christianity

Apothegm

a concise and instructive saying or maxim

Apotheosis

the elevation of someone to divine status, or the highest point of development

Appease

to bring to a state of peace, quiet, or calm, often by yielding to demands or requests

Apportion

to divide and allocate something in proportions

Apposite

relevant, appropriate, or suitable for a particular situation

Approbation

approval or praise, often formal or official

Apropos

with reference to; concerning

Arbitrary

based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system

Arcane

understood by few; mysterious

Arch

understood by few; mysterious

Archaic

relating to ancient times; outdated or no longer in common use

Arduous

involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring

Arid

extremely dry; lacking moisture

Arrogate

to take or claim something for oneself without justification

Articulate

able to express thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively in speech or writing

Artifice

clever or cunning devices used to deceive others

Artless

lacking guile or deception; innocent and simple

Ascendancy

the state of being in a dominant or controlling position, often in a political context.