Common GRE Words: D

Decorum

appropriateness of behavior or conduct; propriety

• The countess complained that the vulgar peasants lacked the _____ appropriate for a visit to the palace

deference

respect, courtesy

• The respectful young law clerk treated the Supreme Court justice with the utmost _____

Deride

to speak of or treat with contempt; to mock

• The awkward child was often ____ by his “cooler” peer

desiccate

to dry out thoroughly

• After a few weeks of lying on the desert’s baking sands, the cow’s carcass became completely _____

desultory

jumping from one thing to another; disconnected

• Diane had a ____ academic records; she had changed majors 12 times in 3 years

diatribe

an abusive, condemnatory speech

• The trucker bellowed a _____ at the driver who had cut him off

diffident

lacking self-confidence

• Steve’s ______ manner during the job interview stemmed from his nervous nature and lack of experience in the field

dilate

to make larger; to expand

• When you enter a darkened room, the pupils of your eyes ____ to let in more light

dilatory

intended to delay

• The congressman used _____ measures to delay the passage of the bill

dilettante

someone with an amateurish and superficial interest in a topic

• Jerry’s friends were such ____ that they seemed to have new jobs and hobbies every week

dirge

a funeral hymn or mournful speech

• Melville wrote the poem “A ___ for James McPherson” for the funeral of a Union general who was killed in 1864

disabuse

to set right; to free from error

• Galileo’s observations ____ scholars of the notion that the Sun revolved around the Earth

discern

to perceive; to recognize

• It is easy to ____ the difference between butter and butter-flavored topping

disparate

fundamentally different; entirely unlike

• Although the twins appear to be identical physically, their personalities are ____

dissemble

to present a false appearance; to disguise one’s real intentions or character

• The villain could ___ to the police no longer - he admitted the deed and tore up the floor to reveal the body of the old man

dissonance

a harsh and disagreeable combination, often of sounds

• Cognitive ____ is the inner conflict produced when long-standing beliefs are contradicted by new evidence

dogma

a firmly held opinion, often a religious belief

• Linus’s central ____ was that children who believed in the Great Pumpkin would be rewarded

dogmatic

dictatorial in one’s opinion

• The dictator was ____ - he, and only he, was right

dupe

to deceive; a person who is easily deceived

• Bugs Bunny was able to ____ Elmer Fudd by dressing up as a lady rabbit