GregMat GRE Vocabulary Set 29

propitious

giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable

ominous

giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious

detente

the easing of hostility or strained relations, especially between countries

outlandish

looking or sounding bizarre or unfamiliar

abscond

leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection of or arrest for an unlawful action such as theft; run

away; flee; make a break for it; disappear; sneak away

imbroglio

an extremely confused, complicated, or embarrassing situation

languish

weaken, deteriorate, waste away, be disregarded, experience hardship

nimble

quick and light in movement or action; agile; (of the mind) quick to comprehend

prurient

having or encouraging an excessive interest in sexual matters

bawdy

dealing with sexual matters in a comical way; humorously indecent

croon

hum or sing in a soft, low voice, especially in a sentimental manner

aspersion

an attack on the reputation or integrity of someone or something

nadir

the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization

dowdy

(of a person or their clothes) unfashionable and without style in appearance (typically used of a woman)

sadistic

deriving pleasure from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others

echelon

level, rank, position (MILITARY)

depose

remove from office suddenly and forcefully; (LAW) testify to or give (evidence) on oath, typically in a written

statement

apogee

the highest point in the development of something; a climax or culmination

ennui

a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement

collude

cooperate in a secret or unlawful way in order to deceive or gain an advantage over others

conviction

declaration (or pronouncement) of guilt, sentence, judgement; a firmly held belief, the quality of showing that

one is firmly convinced of what one believes or says

conflagration

an extensive fire which destroys a great deal of land or property

chagrin

distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated

contretemps

a minor dispute or disagreement; an unexpected and unfortunate occurrence

commiserate

offer sympathy to, be moved by, condole with

zenith

the time at which something is most powerful or successful

fulcrum

the point on which a lever rests or is supported and on which it pivots; a thing that plays a central or essential

role in an activity, event, or situation

expatiate

speak or write at length or in detail

jocund

cheerful and lighthearted

fraught

(fraught with) (of a situation or course of action) filled with or likely to result in (something undesirable);

causing or affected by anxiety or stress