GRE Practice Questions Vocab

valorize

verb: to give or ascribe value or validity to something

tolerate

verb: to allow, endure, or put up with something without opposition, even if you dislike or disagree with it

mandate

noun: an official order, authoritative command, or the perceived authorization to act given to a person or group such as a politician or government) by a constituency or court

verb: to make something mandatory or require it by law or rule

deprecate

verb: to express strong disapproval of something, to belittle or disparage it, or in a technology context to label a software feature as obsolete and no longer recommended for use

proscribe

verb: to officially forbid, prohibit, or ban something; to condemn and denounce something as harmful or unlawful

vassal

noun: a person who received land from a lord during the Middle Ages in exchange for pledging loyalty, military service, and political support

mien

noun: a person’s look, appearance, bearing, or manner, especially as it shows their mood, personality, or inner state

decrepitude

noun: the state of being worn out, feeble, or ruined, usually because of old age, neglect, or heavy use

palliative

noun: something that soothes, pacifies, or relieves pain and agitation without curing the root cause of a problem or disease

claque

noun: a group of people hired to attend a theatrical performance to applaud, cheer, or boo

ameliorative

adjective: making or intended to make a bad, harsh, or unsatisfactory situation better, more bearable, or more satisfactory

incipient

adjective: something is in an initial stage, just beginning to happen, develop, or come into existence

preemptive

adjective: taking action before a situation develops, an opponent acts, or an anticipated event occurs, specifically designed to deter, forestall, or prevent that event

dispassionately

adverb: acting, speaking, or thinking in a way that is not influenced by strong emotions, personal bias, or prejudice

unequivocally

adverb: in a way that leaves no doubt, is completely clear, and can only be interpreted in one way

intractably

adjective: hard, stubborn, or impossible to control, manage, solve, or cure

defanging

verb: to render harmless, weaken, or make less powerful

denigrating

verb: to criticize unfairly, disparage, belittle, or attack the reputation of someone or something

divesting

verb: to sell off, dispose of, or rid oneself of assets, investments, or business units (antonym of investing)

mellifluous

adjective: sweetly or smoothly flowing, melodious, or pleasant to hear

voluble

adjective: speaking with a rapid, continuous, and fluent flow of words

fledgling

noun: any person, organization, or system that is new, inexperienced, or underdeveloped

lagniappe

noun: any unexpected bonus, extra benefit, or gratuity given for good measure

avarice

noun: an extreme, insatiable desire for wealth, money, or material possessions

recidivism

noun: any habitual relapse into a previous bad behavior, habit, or illness

fascistic

adjective: describe attitudes, behaviors, or systems that resemble fascism

fascism

noun: a far-right, authoritarianism political ideology characterized by dictatorial power, intense nationalism, and the forcible suppression of opposition

fetid

adjective: having a heavy, strong, or offensively bad smell, typically associated with decay, rot, or stagnation

macabre

adjective: gruesome, horrific, or having death as a subject

obviate

verb: to anticipate and prevent a problem, difficulty, or need before it happens, making it completely unnecessary

proliferate

verb: to grow, multiply, or increase rapidly in number of amount

dwindle

verb: to become gradually smaller, weaker, or less in number, amount, or strength over time

incorrigible

adjective: incapable of being corrected, reformed, improved, or managed

peevish

adjective: easily irritated, grumpy, cranky, or full of petty complaints about minor, unimportant things

wily

adjective: skilled at using clever tricks, craft, or deception to achieve a goal

flagitious

adjective: extremely wicked, deeply criminal, villainous, or shamefully vicious

inscrutable

adjective: impossible to understand, interpret, or fathom

dubious

adjective: doubtful, uncertain, or of questionable truth, quality, or legality

occlude

verb: to block, obstruct, or close off an opening, passage, or view

tranquilize

verb: to make a person or an animal calm, sleepy, or unconscious by using a drug or sedative

discommode

verb: to cause someone trouble, inconvenience, or discomfort

prolix

adjective: using too many words, drawn out, or tediously long in speech or writing

lucid

adjective: very clear, easy to understand, or characterized by clear thinking and rational mental states

terse

adjective: sparing in the use of words, brief, or abruptly short

definitive

adjective: conclusive, final, and authoritative, leaving no room for question or doubt

impenetrable

adjective: impossible to get through, pass through, or understand

enthralling

adjective: completely holding someone’s interest, attention, or fascination, as if by a spell

desiccation

noun: the state of extreme dryness or the process of removing all moisture or water from something

acquiescence

noun: silent agreement, acceptance without protest, or giving in reluctantly without active opposition

dissent

verb: to disagree with an official, majority, or widely held opinion

noun: the act of expressing disagreement

insubordination

noun: a willful and intentional refusal to obey a lawful and reasonable order from a supervisor or person in authority

surfeit

noun: an excessive amount of something, an overabundance, or an immoderate indulgence

intuitive

adjective: knowing, understanding, or perceiving something immediately through a “gut feeling” or natural instinct, without needing conscious reasoning, logic, or step-by-step proof

tedious

adjective: tiresome, boring, and dull because of length, repetition, or slowness

cumbersome

adjective: difficult to handle, manage, or carry because of its size, weight, shape, or complexity

conventional

adjective: normal, ordinary, typical, and conforming to established standards, customs, behavior, or traditions

streamlined

adjective: made simpler, more efficient, or stripped of unnecessary parts

alcazar

noun: a Spanish fortress or palace

donjon

noun: the massive, heavily fortified main inner tower or keep of a medieval castle

charnel

noun: a vault, building, or chamber used to store dead bodies or human bones

pestilence

noun: a contagious, infectious, or virulent epidemic disease that spreads quickly and causes many deaths

noun: something very harmful, destructive, or evil that is hard to stop

ascendancy

noun: a state of dominant power, control, or influential superiority over another person, group, or force

plenitude

noun: an abundance, a large quantity, or the state of being full and complete

myrmidon

noun: a loyal follower or subordinate who executes a leader’s orders unquestioningly, strictly, or unscrupulously

abdication

noun: the formal act of giving up a throne, high office, authority, or a solemn responsibility

prepotency

noun: the quality or state of being superior in power, force, influence, or predominance over others

fealty

noun: intense loyalty, faithfulness, or allegiance

inconstancy

noun: the quality or state of being changeable, variable, or lacking steadfastness in behavior, opinions, temperament, or affection

brio

noun: enthusiastic vigor, liveliness, spirit, or style

succored (succor)

verb: to give urgent help, aid, or relief to someone in distress, difficulty, or suffering

deposed (depose)

verb: to remove a powerful leader from office (such as a king or dictator)

verb: to testify and give evidence under oath in a legal setting

slighted (slight)

verb: to intentionally neglect, disregard, or treat with disdain

idiosyncrasy

noun: a distinctive physical or behavioral trait, habit, quirk, or mannerism that is peculiar to a specific individual or group

apothegm

noun: a short, pithy, and instructive saying that expresses a fundamental truth, general rule, or maxim

scansion

noun: the analysis and visual marking of a poem’s rhythm and meter

interpolation

noun: the insertion of something additional or alien into a text, conversation, or sequence

morasses

noun: a complicated, confusing, or entrapping situation that is difficult to escape

anchorite

noun: a religious recluse who withdraws from secular society to live a solitary life of prayer and contemplation

permeated (permeate)

verb: to spread through something completely and be present in every part of it

polarized

adjective: divided into 2 completely opposing groups, camps, or sets of opinions with little to no middle ground or agreement

ascribed (ascribe)

verb: to attribute, credit, or assign something to a specific cause, source, author, or oritin

erudite

adjective: having, showing, or characterized by profound knowledge, deep learning, or scholarship

imperturbable

adjective: unable to be upset, excited, or agitated; marked by extreme calm, composure, and steadiness, especially in high-pressure or chaotic situations

insular

adjective: uninterested in, ignorant of, or closed off to new ideas, cultures, or people outside of one’s own immediate group or community

imprecatory

adjective: invoking evil, cursing, or expressing a wish for harm or misfortune to fall upon someone

despondent

adjective: extremely sad, discourage, and without hope

dissembling

verb: concealing one’s true motives, feelings, or beliefs

detaching

verb: to separate, disengage, or remove something from a larger mass or connection without causing damage

extolling

verb: to praise, glorify, or laud someone or something with enthusiastic, wholehearted admiration

antagonizing

verb: to provoke, alienate, or actively cause someone to become hostile, angry, or unfriendly

distracting

verb: to draw, direct, or turn someone’s attention, mind, or focus away from a particular object, task, or course to a different direction

vindictive

adjective: having or showing a strong, often unreasoning or unforgiving desire for revenge or payback against someone who has caused harm or a perceived slight

pecuniary

adjective: relating to, consisting of, or measured in money

impassable

adjective: impossible to pass, cross, or travel through, typically because it is blocked, damaged, or obscured by severe weather

reverential

adjective: showing, feeling, or characterized by deep respect, admiration, or solemn awe

circumvention

noun: the act of cleverly or illegally bypassing, avoiding, or finding a way around a rule, law, obstacle, or obligation

impasse

noun: a situation in which no progress or no advancement can be made, often because people or groups disagree and refuse to compromise

complacent

adjective; self-satisfied, smug, or unconcerned

aplomb

noun: great coolness, poise, self-assurance, and composure, especially in a demanding, stressful, or difficult situation