The 357 GRE Words You Must Know – Complete Word List

Word Definition
abate v. to diminish in intensity to reduce in amount, degree, intensity,

v. to cause to diminish in intensity

deviating from the ordinary, usual, or normal type;
aberrant adj. diverging from the standard type exceptional; abnormal.
abjure v. to reject or renounce to give up, refuse, or
resign usually by formal
abscond v. to leave secretly, evading detection declaration
abstain v. to voluntarily refrain from doing something
acumen n. keen judgment and perception
admonish v. scold or to advise firmly
adulterate v. to contaminate or make impure by introducing inferior elements
advocate v. to recommend, support, or advise
n. one who advocates
10 aesthetic adj. concerned with the nature of beauty and art
affectation n. fake or artificial behavior, often meant to impress or
conceal the truth
aggrandize v. enlarge or increase, esp. wealth, power, reputation
alacrity n. promptness and eagerness
alleviate v. to relieve a problem or ease a burden
amalgamate v. to combine to or mix together
ambiguous adj. unclear
adj. open to multiple interpretations
ambivalent adj. having mixed or contradictory feelings about someone or
something
ameliorate v. to improve or mitigate a situation
amenable adj. easily convinced or persuaded
20 anachronism n. something old-fashioned
n. something appearing in a time period where it does not belong
analogous n. comparable
n. appropriate for analogy
anoint v. to choose for a particular office or position
v. to use oil on a person in a religious ceremony
anomaly n. an exception or unusual case
antipathy n. strong dislike or hatred
antithetical adj. contrary to the very nature of
apathy n. state of total disinterest or unenthusiasm
appease v. to placate
v. to satisfy (an appetite, a need)
arbitrary adj. seemingly chosen or designated without reason or purpose
arcane adj. secret or known only to a select group
 The 357 GRE Words You Must Know – Complete Word List

30 archaic adj. old-fashioned

adj. no longer in the common usage
arduous adj. difficult, taxing, requiring considerable effort
articulate adj. exhibiting considerable communication skills, well-spoken
artless adj. without artifice
adj. natural, untrained
ascetic adj. austere or self-denying
assuage v. to provide relief from an unpleasant feeling
v. to satisfy a need or appetite
astonishment n. total surprise, shock
audacious adj. very bold or presumptuous
austere adj. severe, unadorned
avarice n. greed
40 aver v. to assert or allege
banal adj. boring, cliché
belie v. give a false impression (intentional or unintentional) in word,
appearance, or deed
benign adj. gentle, harmless
biased adj. prejudiced, displaying partiality
bolster v. to shore up or support
bombastic adj. overblown, theatrical
brazen adj. bold or open to the point of shocking
adj. shameless
bucolic adj. pastoral, rustic, countrified
burgeon v. flourish, bloom, expand or increase quickly
50 cacophony n. loud and chaotic noise
calumny n. lie or slander
candid adj. honest, open
canon n. accepted rules and tenets of a discipline
n. sacred works/scripture; in this sense it is also used to refer to
notable literary and artistic works of a culture or discipline
capacity n. the capability to perform a particular action or fulfill a given
function
n. the total amount a container can hold
n. a particular position or role (i.e. “she served in an advisory
capacity”)
capricious adj. mercurial, unpredictable, whimsical
castigate v. to scold or berate strongly
catalyst n. something that speeds up a process or causes action
 The 357 GRE Words You Must Know – Complete Word List

caustic adj. corrosive

adj. bitterly sarcastic
censure v. to express intense condemnation
60 chauvinist n. someone who believes prejudicially that their own group is the
superior one
chicanery n. trickery or deception
chronological adj. ordered by time
coalesce v. to come together, esp. from disparate parts
cogent adj. clearly laid out and persuasive
commensurate adj. in accordance with, proportional
compelling adj. captivating
adj. very persuasive
comprehensive adj. complete and thorough
condone v. to approve or allow
confound v. to confuse or astonish
70 connoisseur n. an expert in a particular subject matter area, usually relating to
the fine arts or cultural pursuits
consequential adj. as a result of
adj. significant or memorable
construe v. to interpret
consumption n. utilization (esp. of a resource)
contend v. assert or claim
v. grapple with
contentious adj. controversial
adj. involving conflict
contrite adj. remorseful
convoluted adj. roundabout, not straightforward
copious adj. plentiful or abundant
cosmopolitan adj. of or relating to a city or urban area
adj. sophisticated
80 covet v. to desire something that does not belong to you
craft n. cunning
n. skill
craven adj. cowardly to the point of being shameful
credence n. belief or trust
credulous adj. gullible, naïve
decorum n. appropriate behavior or good manners
deference n. respect or polite submission
deflect v. divert or cause to ricochet
 The 357 GRE Words You Must Know – Complete Word List

deftness adj. skill, acumen

adj. manual dexterity
delineate v. to describe very accurately
v. to clearly demarcate a boundary
v. to render an outline
90 demur v. to object or raise concerns
denigrate v. say negative things about, particularly in a defamatory way
deride v. to mock or ridicule
derivative adj. imitates another work in a way that is unoriginal or uninspiring
desiccate v. to dry out completely
v. to suck out the vitality and passion
desultory adj. halfhearted
adj. inconsistent or random
detachment n. objectivity or aloofness
determinant n. a strong factor in an outcome
diatribe n. a rant or angry speech denouncing someone or something
didactic adj. educational or with an instructive purpose; often includes an
element of moralizing
100 diffident adj. shy, timid, or reserved due to a lack of confidence
dilettante n. someone with an amateur, nonserious interest in something
dirge n. funeral or mourning lament
n. any sad, slow song
disabuse v. to dispel someone's illusions or false impressions about
something
discern v. to perceive
discrepancy n. inconsistency
disinterested adj. objective, unbiased
adj. not invested in the outcome
disparage v. to belittle
disparate adj. dissimilar to such a degree that comparison is not possible
dispassionate adj. impartial or cool
110 disregard v. to ignore or pay no attention to
dissemble v. to mislead or conceal the truth, esp. with respect to one's
motives
disseminate v. to spread widely (esp. information)
dissonance n. a clash between two elements that don't blend well
diverge v. to split apart, esp. a road or path
dogma n. the official beliefs or tenets of particular sect or group
dupe v. to deceive or fool
 The 357 GRE Words You Must Know – Complete Word List

ebullient adj. cheerful, enthusiastic, excited

eccentric adj. quirky or unusual
eclectic adj. composed of a variety of styles, themes, motifs, etc.
120 efficacy n. effectiveness
elegy n. sad poem or song, often in remembrance of someone deceased
elicit v. to provoke a response
eloquence adj. persuasive and articulate speech
eminent adj. well-known, respected, distinguished
empirical adj. based on evidence
emulate v. to imitate or attempt to equal in accomplishment
enervate v. to exhaust or drain of energy
engender v. to cause or give rise to
enhance v. intensify, increase, augment
130 entitlement n. belief that one deserves things one has not earned
n. the rights one is afforded under the law
ephemeral adj. short-lived or transient
equable adj. even-tempered
adj. not given to much change or variation
equivocate v. to use ambiguous language in order to mislead or deceive
erroneous adj. incorrect
erudite adj. learned
eschew v. avoid or abstain from
esoteric adj. obscure, arcane
estimable adj. deserving respect, esteem, and admiration
eulogy n. memorial speech for one who has passed, normally given at a
funeral
140 exacerbate v. to make worse
exacting adj. challenging, demanding, grueling
exculpate v. to exonerate or vindicate
exigent adj. urgent or pressing
exonerate v. to clear of charges of wrongdoing
expatiate v. to elaborate on something in great detail
explicate v. to explain in detail
exposition n. a thorough explanation
n. a public show or fair
extraneous adj. irrelevant or superfluous
extrapolate v. to estimate or conjecture about the future based on presently
available information or facts
150 facetious adj. glib or flippant
 The 357 GRE Words You Must Know – Complete Word List

facilitate v. to make something easier or simpler

fallacious adj. relying on a fallacy and thus incorrect/misinformed
fastidious adj. meticulous
adj. invested in cleanliness
fluctuate v. to shift without apparent pattern
foment v. to foster unrest or discontent
forestall v. to hold off or try to prevent
fortuitous adj. fortunate and lucky
frugal adj. economical, thrifty
gainsay v. deny or oppose
160 galvanize v. to prod someone into action
garrulous adj. talkative
gauche adj. socially inept, inappropriate, or awkward
germane adj. relevant to the matter at hand
glib adj. talking volubly, but carelessly or insincerely
gregarious adj. sociable, genial
guile n. craftiness and cunning
hackneyed adj. cliché, trite, banal
harangue n. diatribe or rant
hedonism n. the pursuit of pleasure
170 hierarchical adj. arranged in rank order or hierarchy
homogenous adj. uniform, identical
hyperbole n. obvious exaggeration for effect
iconoclast n. a person who attacks traditional religious and cultural institutions
ideological adj. relating to a particular belief system or theory
imminent adj. about to happen
immutable adj. unchangeable
impair v. to hinder or weaken someone or something
impediment n. barrier, hindrance, or obstruction
imperturbable adj. remaining calm under any circumstance
180 implacable adj. unforgiving
adj. relentless
implicit adj. implied or insinuated without being directly stated
imprudence n. bad judgment
impudent adj. disrespectful
inadvertent adj. by accident or unintentional
inchoate adj. rudimentary, in the beginning stages
inconclusive adj. indeterminate or unresolved
 The 357 GRE Words You Must Know – Complete Word List

indebted adj. owing money

adj. owing gratitude to someone or something
indefatigable adj. cannot be made tired
indolent adj. lazy
adj. idle
190 infer v. to conclude from implicit evidence (as opposed to explicit facts)
ingenuous adj. naïve or innocent
inimical adj. harmful or hostile
innocuous adj. harmless
inscrutable adj. enigmatic, incomprehensible
insipid adj. bland, uninspired, inane
insular adj. tight-knit and isolated; uninterested in matters outside one's
immediate sphere
intensive adj. concentrated and in-depth
intermediary n. a go-between
intimate adj. close (as in a relationship)
adj. particularly private
v. to imply
200 intractable adj. unmanageable
adj. stubborn or obstinate
intransigent adj. uncompromising, obstinate
intrepid adj. bold and adventurous
inveterate adj. ingrained, habitual
invulnerable adj. indestructible, impervious to harm
irascible adj. irritable, testy, touchy
irresolute adj. wishy-washy, hesitant
laconic adj. taciturn, reserved, succinct
laud v. to praise
laudable adj. praiseworthy
210 litigation n. legal proceedings
loquacious adj. talkative
lucid adj. clear and coherent
luminous adj. full of light
magnanimity n. generosity and nobility of spirit
maladroit adj. clumsy, awkward, inept
malign adj. evil or harmful
v. to speak negatively about someone or something
malleable adj. pliant or pliable
adj. easily influenced
 The 357 GRE Words You Must Know – Complete Word List

maverick n. an unorthodox person or rebel

mendacity n. untruthfulness, dishonesty
220 mercurial adj. easily changeable, fickle
meticulous adj. paying close attention to detail
misanthrope n. person who hates humanity
mitigate v. to improve a painful, unpleasant, or negative situation
modest adj. not boastful
adj. not overly showy
mollify v. placate
monotony n. boredom and repetition
mundane adj. everyday, boring
munificent adj. very generous
naïve adj. inexperienced or gullible
230 nascent adj. just beginning or in the early stages
neglect v. to abandon or leave uncared-for
nonplussed adj. confused and baffled
notoriety n. fame for doing something negative or criminal
nuance n. subtle shades of difference
obdurate adj. stubborn, obstinate
obscure adj. mysterious or not well-known
v. to cover something up or make it more difficult to perceive
obsequious adj. overly fawning and helpful in a way that is disingenuous
obstinate adj. stubborn, uncompromising
obviate v. to forestall the need for something
v. to prevent
240 occlude v. to block or obstruct
occult n. the mystical and supernatural
offset v. to counterbalance or counteract
olfactory adj. relating to smell or the sense of smell
omniscience n. the quality or state of being all-knowing
onerous adj. difficult or burdensome
opaque adj. not see-through; blocking light
opportunism n. the practice of taking advantage of opportunities as they arise
without particular concern for morality or ethics
opprobrium n. criticism or condemnation
oscillate v. to swing back and forth between two points, poles, or positions
250 ostentatious adj. overly showy in a way that is gaudy or vulgar
outstrip v. to overtake or outrun
 The 357 GRE Words You Must Know – Complete Word List

overshadow v. to literally cast a shadow over

v. to appear more notable than
painstaking adj. attentive to detail, meticulous
partial adj. incomplete
partisan n. a devoted supporter of a group, cause, or person
patent adj. blatant, obvious
paucity n. scarcity, poverty
pedantic adj. overly concerned with irrelevant detail, fussy
pedestrian adj. boring, monotonous, run-of-the-mill
260 perfidy n. treachery or deceit
perfunctory adj. done without much effort, care, or thought
peripheral adj. on the edge or periphery; not centrally important
permeate v. to pervade or penetrate throughout
perseverance n. persistence in the face of obstacles
peruse v. to read something carefully and closely
v. to read something informally or quickly
(context is critical for this word!)
pervasive adj. found everywhere, widespread; often has a negative
connotation
phenomena n. things that happen
phlegmatic adj. cool and unruffled
pith n. the essential substance of something
270 placate v. to calm, esp. an angry or upset person
plastic adj. easily shaped or molded
adj. made of plastic
platitude n. a trite or cliché statement
plausible adj. believable, reasonable
plethora n. a surplus or overabundance of something
plummet v. to fall quickly and far
polarize v. to cause a sharp division between two groups
polemical adj. angry, hostile, harshly critical
pragmatic adj. practical
precarious adj. uncertain or unstable
280 preceded adj. went before
precipitate v. to cause
adj. hastily and not well-considered
n. particulate matter formed within a solution
precursor n. a forerunner
prescient adj. knowing things before they happen, prophetic
 The 357 GRE Words You Must Know – Complete Word List

presumptuous adj. overly familiar; invades social boundaries

prevail v. to succeed, esp. with respect to vanquishing an opponent
v. to convince or persuade
prevaricate v. to evade or deceive without outright lying
pristine adj. untouched, clean, pure
probity n. integrity and honor
prodigal n. a reckless spender
290 prodigious adj. enormous, immense, gigantic
profligate adj. extravagant and wasteful, esp. in an immoral way
proliferate v. to multiply and spread rapidly
propitiate v. to obtain special favor from someone, esp. a powerful person or
deity, by performing a pleasing action
v. to appease someone who is angry
propriety n. appropriateness, manners, decorum
prospective adj. potential or likely
adj. applicable to the future
qualification n. credential
n. a modifying statement
quotidian adj. relating to the everyday or mundane
rationalize v. to attempt to justify with reasons that are only superficially valid
reconcile v. to bring into harmony
v. to repair a relationship
300 recondite adj. arcane or obscure
refute v. to rebut or disprove
relentless adj. never stopping, constant
relevant adj. relating to the topic or issue at hand
reproach v. to scold or express criticism
repudiate v. to renounce or disown
rescind v. to take back or retract (an offer or statement)
respectively adv. in the sequential order previously given
reticent adj. hesitant to speak
adj. introverted or silent
reverent adj. solemn and respectful
310 rhetoric n. the art of effective communication (written or verbal)
salubrious adj. health-promoting
sanction v. to give official permission
v. to impose a penalty for a particular action
n. punishments imposed for breaking a regulation
satiate v. to completely satisfy (with respect to hunger or appetite)
 The 357 GRE Words You Must Know – Complete Word List

secular adj. of or relating to the world or worldly matters (as opposed to

religious ones)
sediment n. material that settles at the bottom of a body of water
sedulous adj. dedicated and careful
simultaneous adj. occurring at the same moment
solicitous adj. considerate, attentive
soporific adj. makes sleepy
320 sparse adj. scattered or scarce
adj. austere and unadorned
specious adj. spurious; appearing true but actually false
sporadic adj. occasional or scattered
spurious adj. fake or false
stolid adj. calm and dependable
subjective adj. open to personal interpretation; not based in objective fact
substantiate v. to corroborate or give evidence of something
subversive adj. meant to undercut established institutions or norms
sufficient adj. enough for a given purpose
superbly adv. excellently
330 supine adj. laying back with the face upward (opposite position to prone)
supplant v. to overtake or replace
sycophant n. a fawning, insincere admirer
synthesize v. to combine disparate parts into a coherent whole
tacit adj. unspoken; implicit
taciturn adj. reticent or reserved; tending towards silence
temperance n. moderation and restraint, sometimes used to specifically
describe abstinence from alcohol
tenuous adj. weak, flimsy, insubstantial
timorous adj. meek or timid
tirade n. an angry rant
340 torpor n. tiredness, lethargy
tortuous adj. winding or twisty
adj. complicated
tractable adj. can be easily influenced or managed
transient adj. passes quickly; short-lived
ubiquitous adj. ever-present or universal
unadorned adj. plain; unembellished
undermine v. to weaken or compromise
underscore v. to line underneath for emphasis
v. to emphasize
 The 357 GRE Words You Must Know – Complete Word List

untenable adj. weak or unsupportable, esp. with respect to an opinion or

situation
vacillate v. to shift between multiple options or opinions
350 venality n. the state of being capable of being bribed
venerate v. to give a high degree of respect; may border on worship
veracity n. truth and factual accuracy
verbose adj. long-winded; loquacious
vexation n. state of being frustrated, irritated, or concerned.
volatile adj. easily changeable or extreme; unstable
whimsical adj. fanciful or capricious
zeal n. passion or fervor