GRE vocab w/ example sentences

It seemed providential that they had found a job in the new city so quickly

fortunate, lucky, convenient

the wife of a president has all the perquisites of stardom

thing regarded as a special right or privilege enjoyed as a result of one's position

they believed that wild birds in the house were portents of death

a sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen

the pagans thought it was important to propitiate the gods with sacrifices

win or regain the favor of (a god, spirit, or person) by doing something that pleases them

he is sanguine about prospects for the global economy

optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation

the whole train was denominated a “bull-outfit”

call; name

despite angry remonstrances from residents, the board had already confirmed the planners' approval of two other projects

a forcefully reproachful protest

I disregarded her expostulation at my rudeness

the act of expressing disagreement or complaint

Greed resulted in the dissipation of the country's mineral wealth

the squandering of money, energy, or resources

what happened to all the sanctimonious talk about putting his family first?

making a show of being morally superior to other people

his biography is paradigmatic of the experiences of this generation

serving as a typical example of something

the blandishments of the travel brochure

a flattering or pleasing statement or action used to persuade someone gently to do something

an impervious layer of basaltic clay

not allowing fluid to pass through

The resplendence of the sunset over the Pacific Ocean might take your breath away

a quality of almost unbelievably majestic beauty

he extemporized at the piano

compose, perform, or produce something such as music or a speech without preparation; improvise

Such an approach, however, created insuperable difficulties

(of a difficulty or obstacle) impossible to overcome

They repudiated the ruler's tyrannical and licentious behavior

promiscuous and unprincipled in sexual matters

The novel's opening chapter offers a subtle adumbration of the central theme

faint shadows, outlines, or vague indications of something, often used to describe something that is foreshadowing or prefiguring a later event or concept

They worship at the women's section of the Western Wall with the Torah scroll, prayer shawls, and phylacteries

a small leather box containing Hebrew texts on vellum, worn by Jewish men at morning prayer as a reminder to keep the law

the old aphorism “the child is father to the man”

a pithy observation that contains a general truth, such as, “if it ain't broke, don't fix it.”

the old adage “out of sight out of mind.”

a proverb or short statement expressing a general truth

To declare her dedication to the Catholic faith, Mary wore a reliquary and a cross owned by her Spanish mother

a container for holy relics

One of those elitists regularly vilipends popular culture

regard as worthless or of little value; despise; peak slightingly or abusively of; vilify

It is a sort of ersatz substitute for the hope of heaven

(of a product) made or used as a substitute, typically an inferior one, for something else.

A robustious crowd roared with laughter, throwing confetti into the air during the end-of-season celebration.

strong, sturdy, and lively, often implying a rough or energetic quality

she was resplendent in a sea-green dress

attractive and impressive through being richly colorful or sumptuous

separating authentic and spurious claims

not being what it purports to be; false or fake

he quickly disabused me of my fanciful notions

persuade (someone) that an idea or belief is mistaken

It seemed to augur a new phase in American foreign policy

to foretell or predict, especially from omens

there are team rules governing deportment on and off the field

a person's behavior or manners

he let out a stream of invective

insulting, abusive, or highly critical language

negotiations were conducted under the aegis of the UN

the protection, backing, or support of a particular person or organization

they were working on the supposition that his death was murder

an uncertain belief

The results of remediation varied from each town and local environment

the action of remedying something, in particular of reversing or stopping environmental damage

Scatological humor is of questionable taste, but it's not quite obscene

relating to or characterized by an interest in excrement and excretion

That doesn't sound at all like a person convinced of his own rectitude

morally correct behavior or thinking; righteousness

You leave the bus and find yourself on a vertiginous cliff

causing vertigo, especially by being extremely high or steep.

We've been remarking on the tendency of powerful institutions to act like poltroons when confronted by bullies

an utter coward

Wall will be a doughty fighter for family justice, there's no doubt

brave and persistent

an anodyne to the misery she had put him through

something that relieves pain or distress, either physically or emotionally

the parlous state of the economy

full of danger or uncertainty; precarious

he worked with a pertinacious resistance to interruptions

holding firmly to an opinion or a course of action

there is an apocryphal story about a disgraced rock star who ended up in bankruptcy court

(of a story or statement) of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true

a scurrilous attack on his integrity

making or spreading scandalous claims about someone with the intention of damaging their reputation

an abstruse philosophical inquiry

difficult to understand; obscure

The mayor delivered a warm encomium to the volunteers who worked tirelessly during the storm

a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly

the operetta is a pastiche of 18th century styles

an artistic work in a style that imitates that of another work, artist, or period

He was a colorful raconteur

a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way

it's terrible to feel our livelihood hinges on a capricious boss

given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior

Two officials were dismissed by the bank for malfeasance, a scapegoat gesture.

wrongdoing, especially by a public official.

the plangent sound of a harpsichord

(of a sound) loud, reverberating, and often melancholy

they were indolent and addicted to a life of pleasure

wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy

she accepted both the good and the bad with equanimity

mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation

The intellectuals had been cowed into silence

Cause someone to submit to one’s wishes through intimidation

He offered profuse apologies for being late.

plentiful, copious, or abundant

He launched a diatribe against the Roman Catholic Church.

a forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something

she admonished me for appearing at breakfast unshaven

warn or reprimand someone firmly

The politician tried to impugn his opponent's character by pointing out past controversies

to attack someone's reputation or character by challenging their honesty, integrity, or motives

he regaled her with a colorful account of that afternoon's meeting

entertain or amuse (someone) with talk

the fans made an awful din

a loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise

If it still tastes too astringent, add a pinch of sugar and boil for a few more minutes.

biting, severe, harsh, cutting

it succinctly covered all the salient points of the case

most noticeable or important

the principle of meritocracy is discordant with claims of inherited worth

disagreeing or incongruous

the Watergate imbroglio

an extremely confused, complicated, or embarrassing situation

The comedian received an effusive welcome from the audience

expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner

the receptionist was subject to a tirade of abuse from the angry customer

a long, angry speech of criticism or accusation

his lively, alert manner belied his years

give a false impression of, contradict, deny, disguise

we sat ruminating on the nature of existence

think deeply about something

We are at sea and descry a vessel with a flag of distress

observe or discern, detect, perceive

he was not noticeably discomfited by her tone

make (someone) feel uneasy or embarrassed

His opponents cast aspersions on his patriotism

an attack on the reputation or integrity of someone or something

They uttered calumnies against him

the making of false and defamatory statements about someone in order to damage their reputation; slander

They had quixotic dreams about the future

exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical

The selfie stick has been framed by my peers as a risible technology of which ownership is akin to the forfeiture of good taste.

such as to provoke laughter

The government fell the following February and soon the agreement was abrogated

repeal or do away with (a law, right, or formal agreement)

She lived as a homeless mendicant on the streets of Philadelphia

a pauper who lives by begging

Their effortless and witty repartee rivals any comedy duo that came before or after

conversation or speech characterized by quick, witty comments or replies

he had been dilatory in appointing a solicitor

slow to act

Mother Teresa is venerated as a saint

regard with great respect; revere

four-day cooking classes are offered to neophytes and experts

a person who is new to a subject, skill, or belief

her comments were intended to be taken in a light-hearted and jocular fashion

fond of or characterized by joking; humorous or playful

They broke the law with (complete/total) impunity

freedom from punishment, harm, or loss

while some thought I was malingering, they couldn't see the pain I dealt with

exaggerate or feign illness in order to escape duty or work

He seems to defy political typecasting, reveling in the role of maverick

a person who may be seen as unconventional, nonconformist, or rebel

he gave a very glib explanation for his absence

readily fluent, often thoughtlessly, superficially, or insincerely

the limpid waters of the Caribbean

free of anything that darkens; completely clear.

airline food used to be bland and insipid

lacking flavor, impact, dull or flat

This minatory approach hasn't scared children off hard drugs

expressing or conveying a threat

the vagaries of the weather

an unexpected and inexplicable change

I thought it right to apprise Chris of what had happened

to inform or tell

The rain was a boon for the parched crops,

a timely benefit, favor, or blessing

he hoped to aggrandize himself by dying a hero's death

increase the power, status, or wealth of

he was rich beyond the dreams of avarice

extreme greed for wealth or material gain

it took some adroit maneuvering to get the car parked

clever or skillful in using the hands or mind

he was punctilious in providing every amenity for his guests

showing great attention to detail or correct behavior

there is a tendency to denigrate the poor

criticize unfairly; disparage

this argument is clearly untenable

not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection

Because my husband’s perfidy hurt me terribly, I served him with divorce papers.

behavior that shows that someone cannot be trusted

The detective’s perspicacity allowed him to easily recognize the criminal in the crowd.

the ability to notice and understand things that are not obvious

Reading a good book can be a very edifying experience

providing moral or intellectual instruction