GRE Vocab Words

equivocal

not easily understood or explained

lucid

very clear and easy to understand

precipitate

to cause something to happen very quickly or suddenly

assuage

to make an unpleasant feeling less intense

erudite

having or showing great knowledge

opaque

not being able to see through, not easily understood

prodigal

wastefully extravagant

enigma

person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand

fervid

intensely enthusiastic or passionate

placate

to make someone less angry or hostile

zeal

a strong feeling of interest and enthusiasm that makes someone very eager or determined to do something

abstain

to restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something

audacious

willingness to take bold risks

dessicate

remove the moisture from something

gullible

easily persuaded to believe something

laudable

deserving praise and commendation

pedant

a person who makes an excessive display of learning

vacillate

to waver between different opinions or actions

adulterate

to make something impure or weaker by adding something of inferior quality

capricious

given to sudden changes of mood or behavior

engender

to produce, cause, or give rise to something

homogenous

of the same or similar kind

loquacious

tending to talk a great deal

pragmatic

dealing with the problems that exist in a reasonable and logical way without depending on theories

volatile

likely to change rapidly and unpredictably

apathy

lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern

corroborate

to confirm or make more certain

ephemeral

lasting for a very short time

laconic

using few words

mitigate

make less sever, serious, or painful

propriety

the state or quality of being correct or proper

advocate

publicly recommend or support

cacophony

a harsh, unpleasant mixture of sounds

enervate

cause someone or something to be drained of energy

ingenuous

innocent and unsuspecting

misanthrope

a person who dislikes humankind

paradox

a statement that contradicts itself but might be true

venerate

regard with great respect

antipathy

a strong feeling of dislike

deride

to express contempt for; ridicule

eulogy

a speech that praises someone, typically after they die

lethargic

lacking energy

obdurate

stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion

philanthropic

seeking to promote the welfare of others

waver

to go back and fourth between choices or opinions

bolster

to support or strengthen

dissonance

a lack of harmony or agreement

garrulous

excessively talkative

malleable

easily influenced, pliable

ostentation

excessive display of wealth

prevaricate

avoid telling the truth by not directly answering a question