GRE General Vocabulary

High Frequency Words

A
abacus frame with balls for calculating
abate to lessen, to subside
abdication giving up control, authority
abdomen stomach and bowels
aberration straying away from what is normal
abeyance suspended action
abhor to hate, to detest
abide be faithful to; endure
abjure promise or swear to give up
abraded rubbed off, worn away by friction
abrasion rubbing, scraping, wearing off
abrogate repeal or annul by authority
abscond to go away suddenly (to avoid arrest)
abstruse difficult to comprehend; obscure
abundant plentiful
abut border on
abysmal bottomless, extreme
acarpous effete, no longer fertile, worn out
accentuate give more force or attention to
acclaimed welcomed with shouts and approval
accolade praise, approval
accretion the growing of separate things into one
acquiesce in agree (without protest)
acquisition something acquired, acquiring
adamant kind of stone; inflexible
adhere remain faithful, stick fast to
adhesion adhering, support
adjacent lying near, next
admonitory containing warning
adorn add beauty; decorate
adulteration making unpure, poorer in quality

1
affinity close connection, relationship
aggravate make worse; irritate
agile active, quick-moving
ail trouble; be ill
alacrity eager and cheerful readiness
alienate estrange
allegiance duty, support, loyalty
alleviate make (pain) easier to bear
alloy to debase by mixing with something inferior
aloof reserved, indifferent
amalgamate mix, combine, unite societies
ambidextrous able to use the left hand or the right equally well
ambiguous doubtful, uncertain
ambivalent having both of two contrary meanings
ameliorate improve, make better
amendment improving
amicable friendly
amortize end (a debt) by setting aside money
amplify make large or fuller, increase the strength
animosity strong dislike
annul put an end to
anticlimax sudden fall
antidote medicine used against a poison or a disease
antithetical direct opposing
apartheid brutal racial discrimination
apathetic indifference
aplomb self-confidence
apostate one who abandons long-held religious or political
convictions
apotheosis deification, glorification to godliness
appease make quiet or calm
apprehensive grasping, understanding; fear, unhappy feeling about future
apprise give notice to, inform
approbation approval
appropriate take for one's own use, acquire, set aside
apropos appropriate to the situation; apt
apt well-suited, quick-witted
arabesque a complex, ornate design

2
arabesque whimsical
arbitrate decide by arbitration
arboreal of connected with trees
ardently with full of ardor
ardor enthusiasm
arduous steep, difficult ascent; laborious
argot jargon, slang
arrant in the highest degree
arrogance proud, superior manner of behavior
articulate speak distinctly, connect by joints
ascend go or come up
ascent the act of ascending
ascertain get to know
ascetic practicing self-denial, austere, stark
ascribe consider to be the origin of or belonging to
asperity roughness, harshness, ill temper, irritability
aspersion slander
assail with attack violently
asset valuable quality, something that has money value
assiduous diligent, hard-working, sedulous
assuage make something (pain, desire) less
assumption something supposed but not proved
asterisk the mark * (e.g.. omitted letters)
astringent substance that shrinks
astute clever; quick at seeing to get an advantage
atonement repayment; death of Jesus
attenuate make thin. weaken, enervate
audacious daring, foolishly bold, impudent
augury omen, sign
august majestic, venerable
auspice protection or support, patronage
auspicious favorable, successful, prosperous
austere severely moral and strict; simple and plain
auxiliary helping, supporting
aver affirm, assert, prove, justify
aversion strong dislike
avid eager, greedy
avow admit. Declare openly

3
B
baleful harmful, ominous, causing evil
balk obstacle; purposely to get on the way of
balloon swell out like balloon
balm sweet-smelling oil; consolation
banal uninteresting
band flat, thin strip of material; range of frequencies
bane cause of injury, poison, source of harm
baneful causing harm or ruin, pernicious, destructive
barrage artificial obstacle built across a river
barren not good enough, unable to have young ones, without value
bask in enjoy warmth and light
bazaar market
beatify to bless, make happy, or ascribe a virtue to
bedizen to adorn, especially in a cheap, showy manner
belie contradict, give a false impression
belittle cause to seem unimportant
bellicose belligerent, pugnacious, warlike
belligerent (person, nation) waging war
belligerently waging war
bend cause something to be out of a straight line
benefactor person who has given help
benevolence wish or activity in doing good
benign kind and gentle; mild (climate)
bequest arrangement to give something at death
berate scold sharply
bereft rob or dispossess of something (material)
bewilder puzzle, confuse
biased prejudice
bigot stubborn, narrow-minded person
bilge bulge, the protuberance of a cask
blandishment flattery, coaxing
blandness polite manner, comforting, uninteresting
blatant noisy and rough, highly obvious
blithe cheerful, casual, carefree
blithe gay and joyous
blueprint plan, scheme, photographic print

4
blunt plain, not troubling to be polite
boggle be alarmed, hesitate, amazed
bogus sham, counterfeit, not genuine
boisterous loud, noisy, rough, lacking restraint
bolster give greatly needed support
boorish crude, offensive, rude
braid strands of hair woven together, something edging sloth
brash hasty, rush; cheeky, saucy
brass yellow metal (mixing copper and zinc)
brazen made of brass
breach opening, broken place, breaking
brisk active, lively
brisket breast of an animal
brittle easily broken
broach bring up, announce, begin to talk about
brook to tolerate, endure
buoyant able to float; light-hearted
burgeon grow forth, send out buds
burnish to polish, rub to a shine
bust run out of money

C
cabal a scheme or plot, a group of plotters
cadge to beg, to get by begging
calipers metal supports attached to the legs, measuring instrument
calumniate to slander, present false accusal
calumny slander, aspersion
candid frank, straight-forward
canvass discuss thoroughly; sort of touting
capricious fickle, whimsical, given to change, unpredictable
castigate to chastise, correct by punishing
castigation severe punishment
casual happening by chance, careless
catalyst substance that causes speeding up
caustic biting, sarcastic
censure expression of blame or disapproval; a rebuke
census official counting of the population
centurion leader of a unit of 100 soldiers

5
chary cautious, wary
chastened corrected, punished
chastisement punishment
chauvinist a blindly devoted patriot
chisel steel tool for shaping materials
churl bad-tempered person
cite give as an example
clamor shout, complain with a lot of noise
cleanse make pure, thoroughly clean
cling to resist separation
clot half-solid lump formed from liquid
cloture closing, device (in Parliament) to end a debate by voting
coalescing coming together and uniting into one substance
coax get somebody to do something by kindness
coddle treat with care and tenderness
coerce compel, to force to make obedient
coeval of the same period, coexisting
cogent strong, convincing
cogitate think deeply, mediate
cognition knowing, awareness (emotionless)
cognizant being fully aware of
coherent sticking together
colander bowl-shaped vessel with many holes used to drain off water
collaborate work in partnership
collusion secret agreement for a deceitful purpose
combustion process of burning
commemorate keep the memory of
commend praise
commendable worthy of praise
commingle mingle together
commuter person who travels regularly
complacently with self-satisfaction
complaisance tending to comply, obliging, willingness to please
comply act in accordance
compound mix or combine
comprise be composed of
compunction feeling of regret for one's action
conceal hide, keep secret

6
conceit over-high opinion of, too much pride
conciliatory reconciling, soothing, comforting, mollifying
concord agreement or harmony
concur agree in opinion, happen together
condense increase in density, strength, make laconic
condone forgive
congeal make or become stiff and solid
conjoin to join together
connoisseur a person with good judgment (e.g.. in art)
connotation suggestion in addition to
consent give agreement or permission
consequential pompous, self important
consolation consoling or being consoled
console give comfort or sympathy to
conspicuous easily seen; remarkable
consternation surprise and fear, dismay
constrict make tight or smaller
consume get to the end of
contemn to scorn or despise
contentious argumentative, pugnacious, combative, quarrelsome
contiguous touching, neighboring, near
contrite filled with deep sorrow for wrongdoing
contumacious insubordinate, rebellious
conundrum a riddle, dilemma, enigma
conviction convincing; firm belief
convoke call together, summon
convoluted complicated; coiled, twisted
cord twisted strands
cordial warm and sincere
cordon line (of police acting as a guard)
corporeal physical; of or for the body
correlate have a mutual relation
corroboration additional, strengthening evidence
countenance to favor or approve of
counterfeit forgery
countervail counterbalance
covert disguised
covetous eagerly desirous

7
cower crouch; shrink back
craven cowardly
crease line made by crushing; white line on the ground in cricket
credulity too great a readiness to believe things
credulous ready to believe things
crush press, lose shape, subdue, overwhelm
cryptic secret, with a hidden meaning
cumbersome burdensome, heavy and awkward to carry
curmudgeon bad-tempered person
curriculum course of study
cursory quick, hurried
curtail make shorter then was planned
cynic person who see no good in anything

D
dart quick movement; missile in darts
daunt intimidate, make fearful
dawdler person who is slow; waste of time
dearth shortage
debacle a breakup, overthrow, sudden disaster
decorous polite, decent
decorum propriety, properness
decree order given by authority
decry disapprove of
defer postpone; give way (to show respect)
deference respect
deferential showing respect
defiance open disobedience or resistance
deflect turn aside
defy resist openly
degrade reduce in rank or status
delineate to portray, depict, sketch out
deluge great flood, heavy rush of water
demagogue person appealing not to reasons
demur to hesitate, raise objections
denigrate blacken, belittle, sully, defame
denouement an outcome or solution; the unraveling of a plot

8
denounce give information against
dent hollow, depression mad by a blow
deplete use until none remains
deposition dethronement, depositing
deprave make morally bad; corrupt
deprecate protest against, express disapproval of
dereliction deserting and leaving to fall into ruins
derision ridicule, mockery, deriding
derivative derived, not original or primitive
derivative unoriginal, obtained from another source
derogatory insulting; tending to damage
descry catch sight of, see something in the distance
desiccant substance used to absorb moisture
desiccate to dry up, dehydrate
desuetude cessation of use; disuse
desultory aimless, haphazard, digressing at random
detach separate
deter discourage, hinder
detraction slandering, verbal attack, aspersion
detumescence diminishing or lessening of swelling
deviance being different in moral standards (from normal)
dexterity skill (esp. in handling)
dexterous clever, skillful with hands
diaphanous transparent, gauzy
diatribe bitter and violent attack in words
dictate order
diffidence shyness
diffident lacking in self-confidence
dilate speak comprehensively, become wider, large
dilatory causing delay, procrastinating
disabuse to undeceive, correct a false impression
disallow refuse to allow or accept as a correct
discern see with an effort but clearly
discomfit confuse, embarrass
discomfit to defeat, put down
disconcert upset the self-possession of
discountenance refuse to approve of
discourse speech, lecture,

9
discredit refuse to believe
disdain look on with contempt
disencumber free from encumbrance
disheveled untidy
disingenuous sophisticated, artful, trying to deceive, cunning
disinter dig up from the earth
dislodge move, force from the place occupied
dismal sad, gloomy, miserable
disparate essentially different
dispassionate free from passion
dissemble speak or behave so as to hide something (in mind)
disseminate distribute (esp. ideas)
dissent have a different opinion, refuse to assent
dissipation going away, dispersing
dissolution disintegration, looseness in morals
distinct easily heard, seen, understood, clearly marked
distorted pulled out of the usual shape, give a false account of
distraught distracted, violently upset in mind
distress great pain; cause discomfort
divergence getting farther apart from a point
diverse of different kinds
divestiture taking off, getting rid of, giving up
divulge make known something secret
doggerel trivial, poorly constructed verse
dogmatic positive, certain, arbitrary, without room for discussion
dogmatism being dogmatic
dolt stupid fellow
dormant in a state of inactivity but awaiting development
dote show much fondness, center one's attention
drone male bee, person who isn't self-employed
drowsiness feeling sleepy, half asleep
dubious feeling doubt
dud no use person, something that fails
dulcet melodious, harmonious
dupe cheat, make a fool of
duplicity deliberate deception
duress threats to compel somebody
dwarf person or somebody much below the usual size

10
dynamo a generator, something that produces electric current

E
earthenware dishes made of baked clay
ebullience exuberance, outburst of feeling
ebullient overflowing with enthusiasm; showing excitement
ecumenical representing the whole Christian world
edacious voracious, devouring
eddy circular or spiral movement (e.g.. of wind)
effete infertile, worn out, weak
efficacy production of a desired result
effluvia outflow in a stream of particles; a noxious odor or vapor
effrontery boldness, impudence, arrogance
egress way out, exit
elaborate worked out with much care in great detail
elate stimulate
elation high-spirits
electorate all the electors
elegy a lament, a melancholy composition
elicit draw out
eloquence fluent speaking; skillful use of language
emaciate make thin and weak
embellish make beautiful
embezzle use in a wrong way for one's own benefit
emergence emerging
emote stir up, excite
empirical relying on experiment
encapsulate enclose in capsule
encomium warm or glowing praise; eulogy, panegyric
encumbrance burden; things that get on the way of
endearing making dear or liked
endemic epidemic
endemic prevailing in a specific area
endorse write one's name on the back of
enduring lasting
enervate weaken, deprive of strength, attenuate
engender cause, produce, give rise to
engrave impress deeply

11
engrossing taken up all the time or attention; writing in large or
formal
engulf swallow up
enigma something that is puzzling
enmity hatred; being an enemy
enormity excessive wickedness; evilness
enormousness great size
entangle put into difficulties
entreat ask earnestly
enzyme catalyst
epicure food lover, a connoisseur of food
Epicurean devoted to pleasure (sensuous enjoyment)
epistle letter
epithet adjective
epitome brief summary; representative example; a typical model
equable steady, regular
equanimity calmness of temperament
equilibrium state of being balanced
equipoise equal distribution of weight; equilibrium
equivocal having a double or doubtful meaning; suspicious
equivocate try to deceive by equivocal language
eradicate get rid of; pull up by the roots
erasure erasing, removing all traces
erode wear away, eat into
erratic irregular in behavior or opinion
erudite learned, scholarly
escalate increase, develop
esoteric abstruse; intended only for a small circle of
espouse marry; give one's support to
eulogy formal praise; panegyric
euphoria elation; state of pleasant excitement
euthanasia easy and painless death
evaluating finding out the value
evaporate change into vapor, disappear, die
evince to show clearly, to indicate
evoke call up, bring out
evolve unfold, develop naturally and gradually
excoriate to flay, strip off the skin; to denounce sharply

12
excoriation severe criticism
exculpate free from blame
exculpate to clear from a charge of guilt
exert but forth; bring into use
exertion instance of exerting
exhaustive complete, thorough
exigency emergency, an urgent situation
exonerate free; clear
exoneration set somebody clear, free (e.g.. from blame)
exorbitant much too high or great
expatiate to roam, wander freely
expedient likely to be useful for a purpose
expiation ending; expiring
exploit brilliant achievement; develop; use selfishly
expostulate argue earnestly to dissuade, correct, or protest
expurgate to remove obscenity, purify, censor
exscind to cut out, cut away
exsert thrust out, push forth
extant still in existence
extensive far-reaching
extenuate reduce the strength of, lessen seriousness, partially
excuse
extinct no longer active
extirpate to destroy, exterminate, cut out, exscind
extol praise highly
extort obtain by threats, violence
extralegal outside the law
extricable that can be freed
extrovert cheerful person
exuberance state of growing vigorously; being full of life

F
facetious humorous, funny, jocular
facile easily done
facilitate make easy (e.g.. a process of something)
fallacious based on error
fallacy false or mistaken belief
fatuous without sense, foolish self-satisfaction

13
faucet device for controlling the outflow of a liquid
fawn young deer, try to win smb's favor
feckless futile, irresponsible, inefficient
feckless lacking purpose or vitality; ineffective; careless
fecund fertile
feint pretend
felicitous apt; suitably expressed, well chosen, apropos
felon person guilty of murder
ferment substance; become excited
ferocity savage cruelty
ferret discover by searching; search
fertile producing much, full of ideas
fertilize make fertile or productive
fervid intense, zealous
fervid showing earnest feeling
fervor warmth of feelings; earnestness
fetter to shackle, put in chains
feud bitter quarrel over a long period of time
fidelity loyalty, accuracy
fidget move restlessly, make nervous
figurehead carved image on the prow of a ship
finesse delicate way of dealing with a situation
finical too fussy about food, clothing, etc.
finicky finical
finite limited, having bounds
fission splitting or division (esp. of cells)
fixate stare at
flamboyant brightly colored, florid
flammable having tendency to burst into flames
flaunting show off complacently
flaw crack, lessen value
flax pale yellow (hair); a plant
fledged able to fly, trained, experienced
fleet number of ships, quick-moving
fleeting passing quickly
flexibility easily bent without braking
flinch draw, move back, wince
florid very much ornamented; naturally red (e.g.. of face)

14
floridness ruddiness; heavily decorated; ornateness
flout reject, mock, to go against (as in going against tradition)
fluster make nervous or confused
foible defect of character (a person is wrongly proud)
foil prevent from carrying out; contrast
foment put something warm (to lessen the pain)
foppish like a man who pays too much attention to his clothes
forbear refrain from, be patient; ancestor
forbearance patience, willingness to wait
ford shallow place in a river (to cross)
forestall prevent by taking action in advance, preempt
forfeit suffer the loss of something
forge workshop for the shaping of metal; to shape metal; lead
forgery counterfeit
forswear renounce, disallow, repudiate
fortify strengthen
fortuitous happening by chance
foster nurture, care for
fragile easily injured, broken or destroyed
fragrant sweet-smelling
franchise special right given by authority
frantic wildly excited with joy, pain, anxiety
frenetic frantic, frenzied
fret worry; irritation; wear away
friction the rubbing of one thing against another, difference of
opinion
fringe edge; ornamental border; part of hair over the forehead
froward intractable, not willing to yield or comply, stubborn
frugal careful, economical
fulminate berate, vituperate, to thunder out, to explode
fulmination bitter protest
fulsome disgusting, offensive due to excessiveness

G
gainsay to deny, declare false, to oppose
gambol quick, playful jumping
garment article of clothing
garner to gather and save; to store up

15
garrulity talkativeness
garrulous too talkative
gaucherie socially awkward, tactless behavior
germane relevant; pertinent to
gist the point, general sense
glean gather facts in small quantities
glib ready and smooth but not sincere
gloat over look at with selfish delight
glut supply to much, fill to excess
gnaw waste away; bite steadily
goad something urging a person to action
gossamer soft, light, delicate material
gouge tool for cutting grooves in wood
grace favor
grave serious, requiring consideration
gregarious living in societies; liking the company
grievance cause for complaint or protest
grievous causing grief or pain; serious, dire, grave
grimace twisted expression of a face
grind crush, polish
grooves long channel in the surface, habitual way of living
grovel crawl, humble oneself
guile deceit, cunning
guileless straight-forward, candid
gull cheat, deceive
gullible easily gulled
gust outburst of feeling; sudden rain, wind, fire, etc.

H
hack cut roughly; hired horse
hallow to make holy; consecrate
hamper basket with a lid, prevent free movement or activity
hapless unlucky, unfortunate
harangue a long, passionate speech
harbinger something or somebody that foretells the coming of
harrow to distress, create stress or torment
harsh rough, cruel, stern
haughty arrogant; conceited

16
haven harbor, safety place
heed pay attention; notice
heinous odious (of crime)
heresy belief contrary to what is generally accepted
hermetic sealed by fusion
heterogeneous made up of different kinds
hew make by hard work; cut (by striking)
hirsute hairy, shaggy
hoax mischievous trick played on somebody for a joke
hoi polloi the masses; the rabble
hollow not soled, with hole
holster leather case for a pistol
hone stone used for sharpening tools
hoodwink trick, mislead
hospitable liking to give hospitality
hubris arrogant pride
hurdle light frame, fence to be jumped over
husk worthless outside part of anything
hypocrisy falsely making oneself appear to be good

I
iconoclast person who attacks popular beliefs
iconoclastic attacking cherished beliefs
idiosyncrasy personal mannerism
idolatrous worshipping idols
idolatry excessive admiration of
idyll a carefree episode or experience
ignoble dishonorable, common, undignified
ignominious shameful, dishonorable, undignified, disgraceful
illicit unlawful, forbidden
illusory deceptive; an illusion
imbroglio complicated and embarrassing situation
immaculate pure, faultless
immerse absorb; put under the surface of
imminent likely to come or happen soon
immutable that cannot be changed
impair worsen, diminish in value
impaired damaged, weakened

17
impassive unmoved; feeling no sign of passion
impecunious having little or no money
impede hinder; get in the way of
impediment something that hinders (e.g. stammer)
impending imminent, being about to happen, expected
imperative urgent, essential
imperious commanding, haughty, arrogant
imperviousness haughty, arrogant, commanding
impermeable that cannot be permeated
imperturbable calm; not capable of being excited
impervious not allowing to pass through (of materials)
imperviousness arrogance, commanding presence, overbearing
impetuous having sudden energy, impulsive, thrusting ahead, forceful
impiety lack of reverence or dutifulness
implacable incapable of being placated, unpleasable
implausibility incredibility
implicate show that somebody has a share
implicit implied though not plainly expressed
implosion collapse; bursting inward
imply make a suggestion
importune beg urgently; solicit (of a prostitute)
imprecation an invocation of evil; a curse
impromptu without preparation
impudence being rash, indiscreet
impudent rash, indiscreet
impugned challenged, to be doubted
impute to attribute to a cause or source, ascribe
inadvertent not paying proper attention
inane silly, senseless
inasmuch since, because
incense make angry
incessant often repeated, continual
inchoate not yet fully formed, rudimentary, elementary
incise engrave, make a cut in
incite stir up, rouse
inclined directing the mind in a certain direction
incoherently not consistently, unclearly
incongruous out of place, not in harmony or agreement

18
incorrigibility cannot be cured or corrected
incredulous skeptical, unwilling to believe
inculcate fix firmly by repetition
incumbents official duties
incursion a raid, a sudden attack
indefatigability not easily exhaustible; tirelessness
indelible that cannot be rubbed out
indelicate immodest; lacking in refinement
indigence poverty
indigenous native
indistinct not easily heard, seen, clearly marked
indolence laziness
indomitable not easily discouraged or subdued
indulge gratify, give way to, satisfy; allow oneself
indulgent inclined to indulge
ineffable to great to be described in words
ineluctable certain, inevitable
inept unskillful; said or done at the wrong time
infertile not fertile, barren
inflame become red, angry
inflammatory tending to inflame
infuriate fill with fury or rage
infuse put, pour, fill
ingenuous naive, young, artless, frank, honest, sincere
ingest take in by swallowing
inherent existing as a natural part
inhibit hinder, restrain
inimical harmful or friendly
inimitable defying imitation, unmatchable
innocuous causing no harm
inscrutable incapable of being discovered or understood
insensible unconscious, unresponsive, unaffected
insinuate suggest unpleasantly; make a way for something gently
insipid without taste or flavor
insouciant unconcerned, carefree
insularity narrow-mindedness, isolated
insurrection rising of people to open resistance to
interdict prohibit, forbid

19
interim as an installment
intersperse place here and there
intervene come between; interfere to change the result
intractable unruly, refractory, stubborn
intransigence unwillingness to compromise, stubbornness,intractability
intransigent uncompromising
intrepid fearless, brave, undaunted
introspection examining one's own thoughts and feelings
inundate flood; cover by overflowing
inured accustomed to, adapted
invective abusive language, curses
inveigh to attack verbally, denounce, deprecate
inveterate deep-rooted. long-established
involute complex
irascible irritable, easily angered
irate angry
ire anger
irksome tiresome
irreconcilable cannot be brought into harmony
irrelevant not relevant, not connected
irresolute hesitating; undecided
irrevocable final and unalterable
itinerary plan for a journey, details or records of a route
itinerate to travel from place to place, to peregrinate

J
jabber talk excitedly; utter rapidly
jeopardize put in danger
jibe gibe, make fun of
jocular meant as a joke
judicious sound in judgment; wise

K
knit draw together, unite firmly

20
labyrinthine to entangle the state of affairs
lachrymose causing tears, tearful
lackluster (of eyes) dull
laconic brief, to the point, terse
lag go too slow
lament show, feel great sorrow
lassitude weariness, tiredness
latent present but not yet active, developed or visible
laudatory expressing or giving praise
lavish giving or producing freely, liberally or generously
leakage the process of leaking
legacy something handed down from ancestors
libel statement that damages reputation
liberality free giving; generosity
libertine immoral person
lien legal claim until a debt on it is repaid
limn paint, portray
limp lacking strength, walking unevenly
lithe bending, twisting
loll rest, to sit or stand in a lazy way; hang (dog's tongue)
loquacious talkative, garrulous
lubricant substance that makes work easier
lubricate put oil to make work easily
lubricious lewd, wanton, greasy, slippery
lucubrate write in scholarly fashion
luculent easily understood, lucid, clear
lugubrious mournful, excessively sad
lull become quiet or less active
luminary star, light-giving body
lustrous being bright, polished

M
macabre gruesome, suggesting death
machination plot, scheme (esp. evil)
maladroit tactless, clumsy
malapropism misuse of a word (for one that resembles it)
malevolence wishing to do evil
malign injurious, speak ill of somebody, tell lie

21
malinger to fake illness or injury, in order to shirk a duty
malleable yielding; easily shaped; moldable; adapting
manacle chains for the hands or feet
martial brave, of associated with war
massacre cruel killing of a large number of people
matriculation be admitted, enter a university as a student
mature come to full development, to a state ready for use
maudlin sentimental in a silly or tearful way
maverick rebel, nonconformist
mellifluous sweetly flowing
mendacious false
mendacity dishonesty
mendicant a beggar
mercurial quick, changeable in character, fleeting
meretricious attractive on the surface but of little value
mesmerize hypnotize
meticulous giving great attention to details
mettle quality of endurance or courage
mettlesome courageous, high-spirited
middling fairly good but not very good
minatory menacing, threatening
mince pronounce or speak affectedly, euphemize
misanthrope person who hates mankind
mischievous harmful, causing mischief
miser person who loves wealth and spends little
misogynist one who hates women/females
missile something that is thrown or shot
mitigate make less severe or painful
moderation quality of being limited, not extreme
mollify make calmer or quieter
molt moult, lose hair, feathers before new growing
morbid diseased, unhealthy (e.g.. about ideas)
morose ill-tempered, unsocial
mortuary place where dead bodies are taken to be kept until burial
multifarious varied, motley, greatly diversified
mundane worldly as opposed to spiritual; commonplace,everyday
myriad very great number

22
N
nadir lowest, weakest point
nascent coming into existence, emerging
nebulous cloud-like; hazy; vague; indistinct
negligent taking too little care
neophyte person who has been converted to a belief
nexus a connection, tie, or link
nibble show some inclination to accept (an offer)
nice precise, sensitive to subtleness
noisome offensive, disgusting (smell)
nonchalant not having interest
nonplused greatly surprised
nostrum a quack remedy, an untested cure
notion nominal, token
noxious harmful
nullify make void and null
numb without ability to feel or move
numbness without ability to move a finger

O
obdurate hardened and unrepenting; stubborn, inflexible
obfuscate to darken, make obscure, muddle
oblivious unaware, having no memory
obloquy abusively detractive language, sharp criticism,
vituperation
obsequious too eager to obey or serve
obsolete no longer used
obstreperous noisy, loud
obtain to be established, accepted, or customary
obtrusive projecting, prominent, undesirably noticeable
obviate to make unnecessary, get rid of
occluded blocked up
occult hidden, concealed, beyond comprehension
odious repulsive, hateful
odium contempt, dislike, aversion
odor smell; favor; reputation
officious too eager or ready to help, offer advice

23
onerous needing effort, burdensome
opprobrious showing scorn or reproach
ossify to turn to bone; to settle rigidly into an idea
ostensible seeming, appearing as such, professed
ostentation display to obtain admiration or envy
ostentatious fond of showing ostentation
ostracism shut out from society, refuse to meet, talk
ostrich fast-running bird unable to fly
outset start
overhaul examine thoroughly to learn about the condition
overweening presumptuously arrogant, overbearing, immoderate, being a
jerk
overwhelm weigh down, submerge

P
paean song of praise or triumph
palate roof of the mouth; sense of taste
palatial magnificent
palliate lessen the severity of
palliate to make something appear less serious,to alleviate,to gloss
over
palpability can be felt, touched, understood
palpitate tremble, beat rapidly and irregularly
panegyric formal praise, eulogy
paradigm a model, example, or pattern
parenthesis sentence within another one, something separated
pariah an outcast, a rejected and despised person
parsimonious too economical, miserly
partisan one-sided, committed to a party, biased or prejudiced
patron regular customer; person who gives support
paucity scarcity, a lacking of
peccadillo small sin; small weakness in one's character
pedantic bookish, showing off learning
pedestrian commonplace, trite, unremarkable
pellucid transparent, easy to understand
penchant strong inclination, a liking
penitent feeling or showing regret
penury extreme poverty

24
peregrination traveling about, wandering
peremptory urgent, imperative, unchallengeable, ending debate
perennial lasting for a long time (e.g.. a year)
perfidious treacherous, faithless
perfidy treachery; breaking of faith
perfunctory done as a duty without care
perilous dangerous
peripatetic wandering
perish be destroyed; decay
perjury willful false statement, unlawful act
permeate spread into every part of
pernicious harmful, injurious
perpetrate be guilty; commit (a crime)
persevere keep on steadily, continue
personable pleasing in appearance, attractive
perspicacity quick judging and understanding
pertain belong as a part, have reference
pest destructive thing or a person who is nuisance
petrified taken away power (to think, feel, act)
petrify to make hard, rocklike
petrous like a rock, hard, stony
petulant unreasonably impatient
philistine a smug ignorant person; one who lacks knowledge
phlegmatic calm, sluggish temperament; unemotional
picaresque involving clever rogues or adventurers
pied of mixed colors
pinch be too tight, take between the thumb and finger
pious dutiful to parents; devoted to religion
piquant agreeably pungent, stimulating
pique hurt the pride or self-respect, stir (curiosity)
pitfall covered hole as a trap, unsuspected danger
pith essential part, force, soft liquid substance
pivotal of great importance (others depend on it)
placate soothe, pacify, calm
plaintive mournful, melancholy, sorrowful
plaque flat metal on a wall as a memorial
platitude a trite or banal statement; unoriginality
plea request

25
plead address a court of law as an advocate
plethora glut
pliant pliable, easily bent, shaped or twisted
plod continue doing something without resting
pluck pull the feathers off, pick (e.g.. flowers)
plumb get to the root of
plummet fall, plunge, steeply
plunge move quickly, suddenly and with force
poignant deeply moving; keen
poise be ready, be balanced, self-possession
polemical controversial, argued
ponderous heavy, bulky, dull
portent omen; marvelous; threatening
poseur someone taking on airs to impress others; a phony
posture state, attitude; adopt a vain
poverty state of being poor
pragmatic practical, favoring utility
precarious uncertain, risky, dangerous
precept moral instruction
precepts rules establishing standards of conduct
precipitate throw something violently down from a height
preclude prevent, make impossible
precursory preliminary, anticipating
predilection special liking, mental preference
predominate have more power than others
preempt obtain by preemption or in advance
premature doing or happening something before the right time
preponderance greatness in number, strength, weight
presage warning sign
preternatural not normal or usual
prevalent common
prevaricate to equivocate, to stray from the truth
prim neat; formal
pristine primitive, unspoiled, pure, as in earlier times,
unadulterated
probity uprightness, incorruptibility, principle
proclivity inclination
procrastination keeping on putting off

26
prodigal wasteful, reckless with money
prodigious enormous, wonderful
profane worldly, having contempt for God
profligate wasteful, prodigal, licentious, extravagant
profundity depth
proliferate grow, reproduce by rapid multification
prolix tiring because too long
prone prostrate; inclined to (undesirable things)
propagation increasing the number, spreading, extending
propinquity nearness in time or place, affinity of nature
propitiate do something to take away the anger of
propitiatory conciliatory, appeasing, mitigating
propitious auspicious, presenting favorable circumstances
prosaic everyday, mundane, commonplace, trite, pedestrian
proscribe denounce as dangerous
protracted prolonged
provident frugal; looking to the future
provisional of the present time only
provoke make angry; vax
prudence careful forethought
prudish easily shocked, excessively modest
prune dried plum, silly person
pry get something; inquire too curiously
pugnacious fond of, in the habit of fighting
punch strike with the fist; tool for cutting holes; alc.drink
punctilious precise, paying attention to trivialities
pundit pedant, authority on a subject
pungency sharpness; stinging quality
purvey provide, supply
pusillanimous cowardly, craven
pyre large pile of wood for burning

Q
quack person dishonestly claiming to something
quaff drink deeply
quail lose courage, turn frightened
qualm feeling of doubt, temporary feeling of sickness
quell suppress, subdue

27
quibble try to avoid by sophistication
quiescent at rest, dormant, torpid
quirk habit or action peculiar to somebody or something
quixotic generous, unselfish
quotidian banal; everyday

R
rabble mob, crowd; the lower classes of populace
raconteur person who tells anecdotes
radiant bright, shining
raffish low, vulgar, base, tawdry
rail at find fault, utter reproaches
ramify to be divided or subdivided; to branch out
rancorous feeling bitterness, spitefulness
rant use extravagant language
rapacious greedy (esp for money)
rarefy to make thin, to make less dense, to purify or refine
reactionary opposing progress
rebuff snub
recalcitrant disobedient
recant take back as being false; give up
recast cast or fashion anew
recidivism relapse into antisocial or criminal behavior
reciprocity granting of privileges in return for similar
recitals a number of, performance of music
recluse person who lives alone and avoids people
recompense make payment to; reward, punish
reconcile settle a quarrel; restore peace
recondite little known; abstruse
recourse something turned to for help
recreancy cowardice, a cowardly giving up
recuperate become strong after illness, loss, exhaustion
redeem get back by payment; compensate
redemptive serving to redeem
redoubtable formidable, causing fear
refine make or become pure, cultural
refractory stubborn, unmanageable, untractable

28
refulgent shining, brilliant
regale to delight or entertain; to feast
regicide crime of killing a king
reiterate say or do again several times
rejuvenation becoming young in nature or appearance
relapse fall back again
relinquish give up
reluctant unwilling or disinclined
remonstrate to protest, object
render deliver, provide, represent
renovate restore something to better condition
renowned celebrated, famous
rent regular payment for the use of something, division or split
repast meal
repine at be discontented with
reproach scold, upbraid
reprobate person hardened in sin; one devoid of decency
repudiate disown, refuse to accept or pay
repulsive causing a feeling of disgust
requite repay, give in return
resigned unresisting, submissive
resilience quality of quickly recovering the original shape
resolve determine
resort to frequently visit
restive refusing to move; reluctant to be controlled
resurrect bring back into use
resuscitation coming back to consciousness
retard check, hinder
reticent reserved, untalkative, silent, taciturn
revere have deep respect for
rift split, crack, dissension
rivet fix, take up, secure; metal pin
roll call calling of names
rope thick strong cord made by twisting
rotund rich and deep; plump and round
rubric heading, title, or category
ruffian violent, cruel man

29
S
sagacious having sound judgment; perceptive, wise; like a sage
salacious obscene
salient prominent, protruding, conspicuous, highly relevant
salubrious healthful
salutary remedial, wholesome, causing improvement
sanctimony self-righteousness, hypocritical, with false piety
sanction approval (by authority); penalty
sanguine cheerful, confident, optimistic
sanity health of mind; soundness of judgement
sap weaken
sate satiate
satiate satisfy fully
saturnine gloomy, dark, sullen, morose
savant person of great learning
savor taste, flavor something
sawdust tiny bits of wood
scabbard sheath for the blade
scent smell (esp pleasant)
scribble write hastily
scurvy mean, contemptible
seal piece of wax, lead, etc stamped on the document
secular material (not spiritual); living outside monasteries
sedulous persevering
seminal like a seed; constituting a source, originative
sententious short and pithy, full of maxims/proverbs
sequence succession, connected line of
serrated having a toothed edge
serration having a toothed edge
servile like a slave, lacking independence
severance severing
shaft arrow or spear, something long and narrow
shallow little depth; not earnest
shard piece of broken earthenware
sheath cover for the blade of a weapon or a tool
shove push
shrewd astute; showing sound judgement
shrill sharp, piercing

30
shun keep away from; avoid
shunt send from one track to another; lay aside; evade discussion
sidestep step to one side
sinuous winding, undulating, serpentine
skiff small boat
skit short piece of humorous writing
slack sluggish; dull; not tight
slake to assuage, to satisfy, allay
slate king of blue-grey stone; propose; criticize
sluggard lazy, slow-moving person
soar rise, fly high
sober self-controlled
sobriety quality or condition of being sober
sodden soaked, saturated
soggy heavy with water
solvent of the power of forming a solution
somatic of the body
soot black powder in smoke
sophisticated complex, subtle, refined
sophistry fallacious reasoning, faulty logic
sophomoric self-assured though immature, affected, bombastic,
overblown
sordid wretched, comfortless, contemptible
spear weapon with a metal point on a long shaft
specious illogical, of questionable truth or merit
splenetic bad-tempered, irritable
splice join (two ends)
sponge porous rubber for washing; live at once expense
spurious false, counterfeit
spurn have nothing to do; reject or refuse
squalid foul, filthy
squander spend wastefully
stanch to stop the flow of a fluid
steeply rising or falling sharply
stentorian extremely loud and powerful
stickler person who insists on importance of something
stigma mark of shame or disgrace
stigmatize describe somebody scornfully

31
sting something sharp
stingy spending, using unwillingly
stint to be thrifty, to set limits
stipulate state or put forward as a necessary condition
stolid showing no emotion; impassive
strands something twisted together into a rope, line of development
stray wander, lose one's way
streak long, thin; move very fast
striated striped, grooved, or banded
stride walk with long steps
strut a supporting bar
stygian hence, dark, gloomy
stymie to hinder, obstruct, or block
subdue overcome, bring under control
sublime extreme; astounding
submerge put under water, liquid, sink out of sight
suborn induce by bribery or something to commit perjury
subpoena written order requiring a person to appear in a law court
subsume include under a rule
succor assistance, relief in time of distress
suffice be enough
sullied to be stained or discredited
summarily briefly; without delay
sumptuous magnificent
sundry various, miscellaneous, separate
supercilious disdainful; characterized by haughty scorn
superfluous more then is needed or wanted
superimpose put something on the top
supersede take the place of
supine lying on the back; slow to act, passive
suppliant asking humbly, beseeching
supplicate make a humble petition to
suppress prevent from being known; put an end to
surfeit satiate, feed to fulness or to excess
susceptibility sensitiveness
sustain keep from falling; maintain; suffer; give a decision
sycophant person who flatter to the rich and powerful
synopsis summary or outline

32
T
taciturn untalkative, silent
talon claw of a bird of prey
tamp tap or drive down by repeated light blows
tamper interfere with
tangential suddenly changeable
tarnished lost brightness
taunt contemptuous reproach, hurtful remark
taut tightly stretched
tautology a repetition, a redundancy
tawdry cheap, gaudy, showy, tacky
tease annoy; puzzling question
tedious tiresome
teetotal oppose to alcohol
temerity boldness, brashness, intrepidness
temperance abstinence from alcohol, self-control, moderation
temperate showing self-control
tenacity firmness, persistency, adhesiveness, tending to hang on
tenuous insubstantial, flimsy, weak
terse brief and to the point
thrift care, economy, thriving, prosperous
timid shy, easily frightened
timorous fearful, timid, afraid
tolerable fairly good
tonic something giving strength or energy
topple be unsteady and overturn
torment severe pain or suffering
torpid sleeping, sluggish, lethargic, dormant
tortuous full of twists and bends
tout person who worries others to buy something, to use his
service
touting act as tout
toy think not seriously, handle absent-mindedly
tractable easily controlled or guided
transgress break, go beyond (a limit)
transient temporary, fleeting
transitory brief

33
trenchant forceful, effective, vigorous; extremely
perceptive,incisive
trend tendency, general direction
trepidation alarm, excited state of mind
trifling unimportant
trite not new
truculence aggressiveness, ferocity
trudge walk heavily
turbid muddy, having the sediment stirred up
turbulence being uncontrolled, violent
turgid excessively ornate; swollen or bloated
turmoil trouble, disturbance
turpitude wickedness, shamefulness
tyro tiro, beginner

U
ulterior situated beyond
umbrage offense, resentment
uncouth rough, awkward
underbid make a lower bid then somebody else
undermine weaken gradually, at the base, make something under
undulate to move in wavelike fashion, fluctuate
unencumbered easy-going, trifle
unfeigned not pretended, sincere
unscathed unharmed, unhurt
untoward unfortunate, inconvenient
upbraid scold, reproach
urbane elegant, refined in manners

V
vacillation being uncertain, hesitating
vagary strange act or idea
vain without use, result; conceited
valiant brave
valorous brave
vanquish conquer
vapor stim, mist

34
veer change direction
venal ready to do something dishonest
veneer surface appearance covering the true nature
veneration regard with deep respect
veracity truth
verisimilitude appearing true or real
veritable real, rightly named
verve spirit, vigor, enthusiasm
vex annoy, distress, trouble
vigilance watchfulness, self-appointed group who maintain order
vigilant member of a vigilance committee
vigorous strong, energetic
vilify slander, say evil things
vindictive having a desire to revenge
virago a loud, domineering woman; a scold or nag
visceral of the internal organs of the body
vitiate lower the quality; weaken the strength
vituperate curse, abuse in words
vivacious lively, high-spirited
volatile changeable, inconstant, fickle, unstable, explosive
volubility fluency, verbosity, easy use of spoken language
voluble fluent
voluminous occupying much space

W
waft scent, waving movement; carry lightly through
wag merry person
wage payment, carry on, engage in (war)
warmonger person who stirs up war
warp become bent
warrant authority, written order, guarantee
wary cautious
weave make (threads) into cloth
weigh measure how heavy something is
welter turmoil; a bewildering jumble
wend to go, proceed
whimsical full of odd and fanciful ideas
wince show bodily or mental pain

35
woo try to win

Y
yarn tale, story; fibers for knitting

36