Kaplan GRE 500 Words

BILK

to cheat; defraud

NOMINAL

existing in name only; negligible

BLIGHT

to afflict; destroy

BLITHE

joyful, cheerful, or without appropriate thought

NUANCE

a subtle expression of meaning or quality

FERVID

intensely emotional; feverish

SPECIOUS

deceptively attractive; seemingly plausible but fallacious

SOLECISM

grammatical mistake; blunder in speech

JETTISON

to discard; get rid of as unnecessary or encumbering

LAMENT

to express sorrow; to grieve

GULLIBLE

easily deceived

FLORID

excessively decorated or embellished

FANATICAL

acting excessively enthusiastic; filled with extreme unquestioned devotion

EPHEMERAL

lasting a short time

SEDITION

behavior that promotes rebellion or civil disorder against the state

GLIB

fluent in an insincere manner; offhand; casual

ABDICATE

to give up a position, right, or power

IRASCIBLE

easily made angry

FLAG

to decline in vigor, strength, or interest

FETID

foul-smelling; putrid

GLOWER

to glare or stare angrily and intensely

MONASTIC

extremely plain or secluded

PEDANT

someone who shows off learning

PATHOGENIC

causing disease

CHAUVINIST

someone prejudiced in favor of a group to which he/she belongs

GUILE

deceit; trickery

SOBRIQUET

nickname

NASCENT

starting to develop; coming into existence

BELFRY

bell tower; room in which a bell is hung

BANAL

predictable; cliched; boring

CRESCENDO

steadily increasing in volume or force

FRUGALITY

tending to be thrifty or cheap

CORROBORATE

to support with evidence

AUSTERE

severe or stern in appearance; undecorated

LUMINOUS

bright; brilliant; glowing

GROVEL

to humble oneself in a demeaning way

SANGUINE

ruddy; cheerfully optimistic

STRATAGEM

trick designed to deceive an enemy

EMULATE

to copy; to try to equal or excel

HEGEMONY

the domination of one state or group over its allies

EXPURGATE

to censor

PARLEY

discussion, usually b/w enemies

FECUND

fertile; fruitful; productive

DISSEMBLE

to present a false appearance; to disguise one's real intentions or character

SPORTIVE

frolicsome; playful

VERDANT

green with vegetation; inexperienced

INIQUITY

sin; evil act

CONDONE

to overlook, pardon, or disregard

FALLOW

dormant; unused

OROTUND

pompous

DOGMATIC

dictatorial in one's opinions

TAWDRY

gaudy, cheap, or showy

SULLY

to tarnish; taint

VERNAL

related to spring; fresh

DROLL

amusing in a wry, subtle way

FURTIVE

secret, stealthy

CIRCUMSPECT

cautious; aware of potential consequences

MALINGER

to evade responsibility by pretending to be ill

ELOQUENT

persuasive and moving, especially in speech

RETICENT

silent; reserved

AUDACIOUS

fearless and daring

DIATRIBE

an abusive, condemnatory speech

SARDONIC

cynical; scornfully mocking

ASSUAGE

to make something unpleasant less severe

DESICCATE

to dry out thoroughly

LAMPOON

to ridicule with satire

SURFEIT

excessive amount

GRIEVOUS

causing grief or sorrow; serious and distressing

FRENETIC

frantic; frenzied

INGENUOUS

showing innocence or childlike simplicity

LAPIDARY

relating to precious stones or the art of cutting them

ZEAL

passion; excitement

INEXORABLE

inflexible; unyielding

MISANTHROPE

a person who dislikes others

ABYSS

an extremely deep hole

PRAGMATIC

practical, as opposed to idealistic

MISSIVE

a written note or letter

NETTLE

to irritate

ABSTAIN

to choose not to do something

SYCOPHANT

a self-serving flatterer; yes-man

LACHRYMOSE

tearful

PASTICHE

piece of literature or music imitating other works

FORD

to cross a body of water by wading

CONTRITE

deeply sorrowful or repentant for a wrong

PULCHRITUDE

beauty

ENUMERATE

to count, list, or itemize

NAIVE

lacking sophistication or experience

JUNCTURE

point of time, especially where two things are joined

CANARD

a lie

GREGARIOUS

outgoing; sociable

WINSOME

charming; happily engaging

VACILLATE

to physically sway or be indecisive

ITINERANT

wandering from place to place; unsettled

SACROSANCT

extremely sacred; beyond criticism

DIURNAL

existing during the day

TACITURN

silent; not talkative

ENDEMIC

belonging to a particular area; inherent

TOADY

one who flatters in the hope of gaining favors

NEOLOGISM

new word or expression

SUPPLANT

to replace (another) by force; to take the place of