English Vocabulary & Language
40 flashcards
~20 min
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.
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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.
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To formally renounce or reject. He abjured his former political beliefs.
Self-denial; the rejection of a doctrine or belief. Her abnegation of material comforts impressed others.
Difficult to understand; obscure. The philosopher's abstruse arguments confused students.
An award or privilege granted as a special honor. She received numerous accolades for her research.
Sharp and forthright; tasting sour or bitter. His acerbic wit often offended colleagues.
To increase the power or reputation of someone, often in an exaggerated way. He sought to aggrandize himself through false claims.
To diminish or put at rest (fear or concern). The doctor tried to allay her patient's anxiety.
To combine or unite to form one organization or structure. The two companies amalgamated into a single corporation.
Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas. She was ambivalent about accepting the job offer.
Belonging to a period other than that being portrayed. The film was full of anachronistic dialogue.
Not likely to cause offense; painkillers (noun). His anodyne remarks failed to address the real issue.
Of, or belonging to, the time before the biblical flood; old-fashioned. His antediluvian views on gender roles were outdated.
Of doubtful authenticity, though widely circulated. The story of his heroics was likely apocryphal.
Apt in the circumstances or in relation to something. Her apposite remarks summarized the debate perfectly.
Approval or praise, especially from an authority. The plan received the committee's full approbation.
Understood by few; mysterious or secret. The spell required arcane knowledge of ancient languages.
Enthusiasm or passion. He pursued his art with great ardor.
To take or claim for oneself without justification. The general arrogated powers that belonged to civilians.
Characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention. The ascetic monk owned nothing but a robe.
Harshness of tone or manner. She spoke with asperity about the repeated delays.
Showing great care, attention, and effort. The assiduous editor checked every fact twice.
To weaken or reduce in force or density. The signal was attenuated by the thick walls.
To state or assert confidently. The defendant averred his innocence throughout the trial.
To support or strengthen. New evidence bolstered the prosecution's case.
High-sounding but with little real meaning; pompous. His bombastic speech impressed no one.
Relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside. She painted bucolic scenes of rolling meadows.
To begin to grow or increase rapidly. The startup began to burgeon after its viral launch.
Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior. The capricious weather ruined the outdoor wedding.
Severe criticism or punishment. The employee faced castigation for the costly error.
The use of deception or subterfuge. The scandal involved financial chicanery at the highest levels.
Rude in a mean-spirited way. It would be churlish to refuse such a generous offer.
The concluding passage of a piece of music or literature. The final chapter served as a coda to the trilogy.
To think deeply about something. She cogitated for hours before making her decision.
A feeling of guilt or moral scruple. He showed no compunction about lying to the board.
To cause surprise or confusion; to prove wrong. Her recovery confounded the doctors.
Causing or likely to cause argument; controversial. Immigration remained a contentious political issue.
Feeling or expressing remorse for one's wrongdoing. The student was genuinely contrite about cheating.
A confusing or difficult problem. The ethical conundrum troubled the committee for weeks.
The state of being excessively overweight; obesity. His corpulence made physical activity difficult.
Too willing to believe things; gullible. The credulous investor lost his savings to the scam.