GRE High Frequency Words
The 40 most frequently appearing vocabulary words on the GRE General Test. These words appear repeatedly across GRE verbal reasoning sections and are essential for a high score.
All Cards in This Deck
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Abjure
Answer
To formally renounce or reject. He abjured his former political beliefs.
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Abnegation
Answer
Self-denial; the rejection of a doctrine or belief. Her abnegation of material comforts impressed others.
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Abstruse
Answer
Difficult to understand; obscure. The philosopher's abstruse arguments confused students.
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Accolade
Answer
An award or privilege granted as a special honor. She received numerous accolades for her research.
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Acerbic
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Sharp and forthright; tasting sour or bitter. His acerbic wit often offended colleagues.
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Aggrandize
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To increase the power or reputation of someone, often in an exaggerated way. He sought to aggrandize himself through false claims.
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Allay
Answer
To diminish or put at rest (fear or concern). The doctor tried to allay her patient's anxiety.
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Amalgamate
Answer
To combine or unite to form one organization or structure. The two companies amalgamated into a single corporation.
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Ambivalent
Answer
Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas. She was ambivalent about accepting the job offer.
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Anachronistic
Answer
Belonging to a period other than that being portrayed. The film was full of anachronistic dialogue.
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Anodyne
Answer
Not likely to cause offense; painkillers (noun). His anodyne remarks failed to address the real issue.
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Antediluvian
Answer
Of, or belonging to, the time before the biblical flood; old-fashioned. His antediluvian views on gender roles were outdated.
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Apocryphal
Answer
Of doubtful authenticity, though widely circulated. The story of his heroics was likely apocryphal.
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Apposite
Answer
Apt in the circumstances or in relation to something. Her apposite remarks summarized the debate perfectly.
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Approbation
Answer
Approval or praise, especially from an authority. The plan received the committee's full approbation.
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Arcane
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Understood by few; mysterious or secret. The spell required arcane knowledge of ancient languages.
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Ardor
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Enthusiasm or passion. He pursued his art with great ardor.
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Arrogate
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To take or claim for oneself without justification. The general arrogated powers that belonged to civilians.
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Ascetic
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Characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention. The ascetic monk owned nothing but a robe.
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Asperity
Answer
Harshness of tone or manner. She spoke with asperity about the repeated delays.
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Assiduous
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Showing great care, attention, and effort. The assiduous editor checked every fact twice.
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Attenuate
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To weaken or reduce in force or density. The signal was attenuated by the thick walls.
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Aver
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To state or assert confidently. The defendant averred his innocence throughout the trial.
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Bolster
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To support or strengthen. New evidence bolstered the prosecution's case.
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Bombastic
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High-sounding but with little real meaning; pompous. His bombastic speech impressed no one.
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Bucolic
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Relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside. She painted bucolic scenes of rolling meadows.
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Burgeon
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To begin to grow or increase rapidly. The startup began to burgeon after its viral launch.
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Capricious
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Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior. The capricious weather ruined the outdoor wedding.
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Castigation
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Severe criticism or punishment. The employee faced castigation for the costly error.
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Chicanery
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The use of deception or subterfuge. The scandal involved financial chicanery at the highest levels.
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Churlish
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Rude in a mean-spirited way. It would be churlish to refuse such a generous offer.
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Coda
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The concluding passage of a piece of music or literature. The final chapter served as a coda to the trilogy.
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Cogitate
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To think deeply about something. She cogitated for hours before making her decision.
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Compunction
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A feeling of guilt or moral scruple. He showed no compunction about lying to the board.
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Confound
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To cause surprise or confusion; to prove wrong. Her recovery confounded the doctors.
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Contentious
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Causing or likely to cause argument; controversial. Immigration remained a contentious political issue.
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Contrite
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Feeling or expressing remorse for one's wrongdoing. The student was genuinely contrite about cheating.
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Conundrum
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A confusing or difficult problem. The ethical conundrum troubled the committee for weeks.
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Corpulence
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The state of being excessively overweight; obesity. His corpulence made physical activity difficult.
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Credulous
Answer
Too willing to believe things; gullible. The credulous investor lost his savings to the scam.