Common GRE Words: P

paradox

a contradiction or dilemma

• It is a ____ that those most in need of medical attention are often those least able to obtain it

paragon

model of excellence or perfection

• She is the ____ of what a judge should be: honest, intelligent, hardworking, and just

pedant

someone who shows off learning

• The graduate instructor’s tedious and excessive commentary on the subject soon gained her a reputation as a _____

perfidious

willing to betray one’s trust

• The actress’s _____ companion revealed all of her intimate secrets to the gossip columnist

perfunctory

done in a routine way; indifferent

• The machinelike bank teller processed the transaction and gave the waiting customer a ___ smile

permeate

to penetrate

• This miraculous new cleaning fluid is able to ____ stains and dissolve them in minutes!

philanthrophy

charity; a desire or an effort to promote goodness

• New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art owes much of its collection to the ____ of private collectors who willed their estates to the museum

placate

to soothe or pacify

• The burglar tried to ____ the snarling dog by saying, “Nice doggy,” and offering it a treat

plastic

able to be molded, altered, or bent

• The new material was very _____ and could be formed into products of vastly different shapes

plethora

excess

• Assuming that more was better, the defendant offered the judge a ____ of excuses

pragmatic

practical as opposed to idealistic

• While daydreaming gamblers think they can get rich by frequenting casinos, ____ gamblers realize that the odds are heavily stacked against them

precipitate

to throw violently or bring about abruptly; lacking deliberation

• Upon learning that the couple married after knowing each other only two months, friends and family members expected such a ____ marriage to end in divorce

prevaricate

to lie or deviate from the truth

• Rather than admit that he had overslept again, the employee ___ and claimed that heavy traffic had prevented him from arriving at work on time

pristine

fresh and clean; uncorrupted

• Since concerted measures had been taken to prevent looting, the archaeological site was still ___ when researchers arrived

prodigal

lavish, wasteful

• The ____ son quickly wasted all of his inheritance on a lavish lifestyle devoted to pleasure

proliferate

to increase in number quickly

• Although she only kept two guinea pigs initially, they _____ to such an extent that she soon had dozens

Propitiate

to conciliate; to appease

• The management ____ the irate union by agreeing to raise wages for its members

propriety

correct behavior; obedience to rules and custom

• The aristocracy maintained a high level of ______, adhering to even the most minor social rules

prudence

wisdom, caution, or restraint

• The college student exhibited ____ by obtaining practical experience along with her studies, which greatly strengthened her resume

pungent

sharp and irritating to the senses

• The smoke from the burning tires was extremely ____