GRE - reading section

iconoclastic

characterized by attack on cherished belief/institutions

fortuitous

by chance or luck

arcane

mysterious and secret

belie

to give a false impression

contentious

controversial or involving conflic

disparate

essentially different or distinct

enigma

a person or thing that is mysterious or difficult to understand

esoteric

known or understood by very few people

exacerbate

make worse

nebulous

not clear/vague

pervasive

spread widely throughout an area (negative connotation)

preclude

prevent from happening

prosaic

not challenging, dull

tenuous

weak, unimportant or in doubt