GRE Group 2 Vocab Words

adulterate

damage the quality of, corrupt

advocate

support, be in favor of

aggrandize

enhance one’s power or standing

alacrity

eagerness to do something

ambivalent

having conflicting emotions, unsure

ameliorate

improve a bad feeling or bad situation

amenable

receptive to change, open

anachronistic

of the wrong time or era

audacious

bold, unafraid of risks, rude

avaricious

greedy, always wanting more

banal

unoriginal and dull, lacking creativity

benign

harmless, having little effect, kind

brazen

shameless and excessively forward

calumny

slander and defamation

candid

honest, without deception

castigate

scold someone harshly

caustic

(of speech) hostile and bitter

construe

understand something subjective

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

hesitate or object, express doubt

derivative

copying someone’s work, based on

desiccate

dry out, remove all moisture

diatribe

any angry rant, verbal abuse

incredulous

doubtful and disbelieving

ingenuous

naive and lacking experience