Master's & PhD Entrance Exam English Vocabulary

Vocabulary practice flashcards generated from the high-frequency entrance exam word list (1390–1403).

Initial

Existing or occurring at the beginning; primary or first.

Initiate

To begin, set in motion, or introduce someone to a process or organization.

Emerge

To come into view, become apparent, or come forth from hiding.

Haphazard

Lacking any obvious principle of organization; random or accidental.

Superficial

Existing or occurring on the surface; shallow or lacking depth.

Distinct

Recognizably different in nature from something else; separate or clear.

Expose

To make something visible, uncover, or subject to risk or influence.

Diverse

Showing a great deal of variety; very different or varied.

Vulnerability

The state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked, harmed, or injured.

Credibility

The quality of being trusted, believed in, or reliable.

Derive

To obtain, deduce, or trace something from a specified source.

Intense

Existing in an extreme degree; possessing great strength or force.

Resolute

Admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.

Controversy

Prolonged public disagreement, debate, or heated dispute.

Indifference

Lack of interest, concern, sympathy, or enthusiasm.

Enigma

A person, thing, or situation that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand.

Cogent

Clear, logical, persuasive, and convincing.

Ambiguity

The quality of being open to more than one interpretation; lack of clarity.

Compensate

To give something (typically money) in recognition of loss, suffering, or exertion.

Pursue

To follow or chase in order to catch, attain, or accomplish.

Equivocal

Open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous or uncertain.

Devote

To give or apply time, effort, or resources to a particular cause or purpose.

Advent

The arrival or creation of a notable person, thing, or event.

Benefactor

A person who gives financial or other assistance to a person or cause.

Inevitable

Certain to happen; unavoidable.

Confront

To face, stand up to, or address a problem or hostile situation directly.

Elicit

To evoke, draw out, or prompt a response or fact from someone.

Alleviate

To make suffering, pain, or a problem less severe or lighter.

Coerce

To compel or persuade an unwilling person to do something using force or threats.

Ambivalence

The state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something.

Articulate

To express an idea or feeling fluently and clearly; well-spoken.

Abate

To become less intense, severe, or widespread; subside.

Jeopardize

To put someone or something into a situation of risk, danger, or harm.

Scrutinize

To examine or inspect closely and thoroughly.

Implicit

Implied though not plainly or directly expressed.

Autonomous

Having self-government or the freedom to act independently.

Explicit

Stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion or doubt.

Transient

Lasting only for a short time; impermanent or fleeting.

Vacillate

To waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive.

Immutable

Unchanging over time or unable to be changed.

Speculate

To form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence.

Unanimous

Fully in agreement; held or carried by common consent.

Rudimentary

Involving or limited to basic, simple, or elementary principles.

Altruism

Disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.

Integrity

The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; state of being undivided.

Plausible

Seeming reasonable, probable, or believable.

Hamper

To hinder, impede, or obstruct the movement or progress of something.

Dormant

Having physical functions temporarily suspended or slowed; inactive or asleep.

Dilemma

A situation requiring a difficult choice between two equally undesirable alternatives.

Notorious

Famous or well known, typically for some bad quality or ill deed.