Comprehensive Vocabulary Mastery (Groups 1-32)

A complete compilation of high-level vocabulary terms spanning 32 groups, focusing on definitions for GRE-style study and advanced language proficiency.

abound

be present in large quantities

amorphous

lacking structure; unclear

austere

1. (of a person) strict and stern in character 2. (of living conditions) lacking luxury; extremely harsh

belie

give a false impression of; mask

capricious

having varying moods; fickle

cerebral

1. related to the brain 2. intellectual; focused on learning rather than emotion

congenial

1. (of a person) likable and friendly, often due to shared interests 2. (of a thing) enjoyable because it aligns with one's tendencies

conspicuous

easily noticed; obvious

cursory

lacking effort; without care

daunting

scary or frightening; (of a task) seeming impossible

deify

look up to someone or something as a god

didactic

meant for teaching; educational, sometimes in a condescending manner

disseminate

distribute or circulate broadly

feasible

likely to be achieved; practical

flout

break a rule without guilt

homogeneous

composed of similar parts; alike

humdrum

boring; unlikely to excite

insipid

without flavor; lacking energy

loquacious

likely to talk a lot; wordy

misanthropic

having a distaste for humans and society

misnomer

a misleading or inaccurate name

negligent

lacking care or attention

obsequious

excessively submissive to authority

placate

decrease someone's anger or other negative emotion

proclivity

a fondness or liking for something

puerile

immature and childish

quixotic

excessively visionary; unfeasible

spendthrift

someone who spends money recklessly

taciturn

of few words; speaking little

wary

exercising caution; careful

adulterate

damage the quality of; corrupt

advocate

support; be in favor of someone who supports a cause, organization, or person

aggrandize

enhance one's power or standing

alacrity

eagerness to do something

“She accepted the challenging assignment with alacrity, immediately getting to work.“

ambivalent

having conflicting emotions; unsure

ameliorate

improve a bad feeling or bad situation

amenable

(of a person) receptive to change; open (of a thing) responsive to

anachronistic

of the wrong time or era

audacious

1. bold; unafraid of risks 2. rude; exhibiting disrespect

avaricious

greedy; always wanting more

banal

unoriginal and dull; lacking creativity

benign

1. harmless; having little effect 2. (of a person's character) kind hearted; nice

brazen

shameless and excessively forward

calumny

slander and defamation

candid

honest; without deception

castigate

scold someone harshly

caustic

1. (of speech) hostile and bitter 2. (of a chemical) corrosive; acidic

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

1. hesitate or object; express doubt 2. hesitation

derivative

based on someone else's work (often used in a negative sense)

desiccate

dry out; remove all moisture

diatribe

an angry rant; verbal abuse

incredulous

doubtful and disbelieving

ingenuous

naive and lacking experience

abate

decrease in intensity; lessen

abjure

strongly reject (an idea); forgo

anomalous

differing from what is normal; atypical

antipathy

profound hostility or hatred

arcane

comprehended by very few people; secret

arduous

very challenging; needing great effort

"The hikers finally reached the summit after an arduous six-hour trek up the steep, rocky mountain."

artless

1. naive; inexperienced 2. plain and simple 3. lacking skill

ascetic

1. (of a lifestyle) very strict and lacking luxury 2. someone who adopts an ascetic lifestyle

assuage

1. decrease a negative feeling 2. fulfill a certain desire

betray

unknowingly disclose or reveal

bucolic

associated with tranquil rural life

burgeon

quickly increase or grow; skyrocket

cacophonous

extremely noisy; grating

canonize

treat like a god; deeply venerate

censure

strongly criticize or disapprove

chicanery

using deception to attain a certain goal

coalesce

bring elements together; unite

cogent

persuasive and clear; compelling

compelling

1. persuasive and clear 2. attracting interest; fascinating

contend

1. argue a certain point of view; assert 2. compete 3. struggle or attempt to overcome something

copious

existing in great supply; abundant

cosmopolitan

1. (of a city) highly diverse 2. (of a person) sophisticated and urbane

deference

high regard and respect; esteem

desultory

unplanned; without enthusiasm

diffident

reserved or shy; without confidence

"The brilliant engineer was surprisingly diffident, often keeping her groundbreaking ideas to herself during team meetings."

dilatory

slow and unhurried; meant to stall

equivocate

speak evasively; avoid taking a stance

polarize

separate into two opposing groups

prodigal

1. carelessly wasteful; extravagant 2. a person who is excessively wasteful

verbose

excessively talkative; wordy

abstain

avoid taking part in something

approbation

appreciation toward someone

"The opera singer bowed low as the audience roared with shouts of approbation."

cherish

greatly love or protect something

corroborate

lend support to; bolster

disparate

different or contrasting

emulate

imitate someone or something

enervate

sap the energy out of someone; fatigue

ephemeral

extremely short lasting

fervid

excessively energetic or eager

garrulous

tending to talk too much; wordy