The 357 Best GRE Vocabulary Words: Complete List • PrepScholar GRE (2023)

WordDefinitionabatev. to diminish in intensity

v. to cause to diminish in intensity

aberrantadj. diverging from the standard typeabjurev. to reject or renounceabscondv. to leave secretly, evading detectionabstainv. to voluntarily refrain from doing somethingacumenn. keen judgment and perceptionadmonishv. scold or to advise firmlyadulteratev. to contaminate or make impure by introducing inferior elementsadvocatev. to recommend, support, or advise

n. one who advocates

aestheticadj. concerned with the nature of beauty and artaffectationn. fake or artificial behavior, often meant to impress or conceal the truthaggrandizev. enlarge or increase, esp. wealth, power, reputationalacrityn. promptness and eagernessalleviatev. to relieve a problem or ease a burdenamalgamatev. to combine to or mix togetherambiguousadj. unclear

adj. open to multiple interpretations

ambivalentadj. having mixed or contradictory feelings about someone or somethingamelioratev. to improve or mitigate a situationamenableadj. easily convinced or persuadedanachronismn. something old-fashioned

n. something appearing in a time period where it does not belong

analogousn. comparable

n. appropriate for analogy

anointv. to choose for a particular office or position

v. to use oil on a person in a religious ceremony

anomalyn. an exception or unusual caseantipathyn. strong dislike or hatredantitheticaladj. contrary to the very nature ofapathyn. state of total disinterest or unenthusiasmappeasev. to placate

v. to satisfy (an appetite, a need)

arbitraryadj. seemingly chosen or designated without reason or purposearcaneadj. secret or known only to a select grouparchaicadj. old-fashioned

adj. no longer in the common usage

arduousadj. difficult, taxing, requiring considerable effortarticulateadj. exhibiting considerable communication skills, well-spokenartlessadj. without artifice

adj. natural, untrained

asceticadj. austere or self-denyingassuagev. to provide relief from an unpleasant feeling

v. to satisfy a need or appetite

astonishmentn. total surprise, shockaudaciousadj. very bold or presumptuousaustereadj. severe, unadornedavaricen. greedaverv. to assert or allegebanaladj. boring, clichébeliev. give a false impression (intentional or unintentional) in word, appearance, or deedbenignadj. gentle, harmlessbiasedadj. prejudiced, displaying partialitybolsterv. to shore up or supportbombasticadj. overblown, theatricalbrazenadj. bold or open to the point of shocking

adj. shameless

bucolicadj. pastoral, rustic, countryfiedburgeonv. flourish, bloom, expand or increase quicklycacophonyn. loud and chaotic noisecalumnyn. lie or slandercandidadj. honest, opencanonn. 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

capacityn. 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”)

capriciousadj. mercurial, unpredictable, whimsicalcastigatev. to scold or berate stronglycatalystn. something that speeds up a process or causes actioncausticadj. corrosive

adj. bitterly sarcastic

censurev. to express intense condemnationchauvinistn. someone who believes prejudicially that their own group is the superior onechicaneryn. trickery or deceptionchronologicaladj. ordered by timecoalescev. to come together, esp. from disparate partscogentadj. clearly laid out and persuasivecommensurateadj. in accordance with, proportionalcompellingadj. captivating

adj. very persuasive

comprehensiveadj. complete and thoroughcondonev. to approve or allowconfoundv. to confuse or astonishconnoisseurn. an expert in a particular subject matter area, usually relating to the fine arts or cultural pursuitsconsequentialadj. as a result of

adj. significant or memorable

construev. to interpretconsumptionn. utilization (esp. of a resource)contendv. assert or claim

v. grapple with

contentiousadj. controversial

adj. involving conflict

contriteadj. remorsefulconvolutedadj. roundabout, not straightforwardcopiousadj. plentiful or abundantcosmopolitanadj. of or relating to a city or urban area

adj. sophisticated

covetv. to desire something that does not belong to youcraftn. cunning

n. skill

cravenadj. cowardly to the point of being shamefulcredencen. belief or trustcredulousadj. gullible, naïvedecorumn. appropriate behavior or good mannersdeferencen. respect or polite submissiondeflectv. divert or cause to ricochetdeftnessadj. skill, acumen

adj. manual dexterity

delineatev. to describe very accurately

v. to clearly demarcate a boundary

v. to render an outline

demurv. to object or raise concernsdenigratev. say negative things about, particularly in a defamatory wayderidev. to mock or ridiculederivativeadj. imitates another work in a way that is unoriginal or uninspiringdesiccatev. to dry out completely

v. to suck out the vitality and passion

desultoryadj. halfhearted

adj. inconsistent or random

detachmentn. objectivity or aloofnessdeterminantn. a strong factor in an outcomediatriben. a rant or angry speech denouncing someone or somethingdidacticadj. educational or with an instructive purpose; often includes an element of moralizingdiffidentadj. shy, timid, or reserved due to a lack of confidencedilettanten. someone with an amateur, nonserious interest in somethingdirgen. funeral or mourning lament

n. any sad, slow song

disabusev. to dispel someone’s illusions or false impressions about somethingdiscernv. to perceivediscrepancyn. inconsistencydisinterestedadj. objective, unbiased

adj. not invested in the outcome

disparagev. to belittledisparateadj. dissimilar to such a degree that comparison is not possibledispassionateadj. impartial or cooldisregardv. to ignore or pay no attention todissemblev. to mislead or conceal the truth, esp. with respect to one’s motivesdisseminatev. to spread widely (esp. information)dissonancen. a clash between two elements that don’t blend welldivergev. to split apart, esp. a road or pathdogman. the official beliefs or tenets of particular sect or groupdupev. to deceive or foolebullientadj. cheerful, enthusiastic, excitedeccentricadj. quirky or unusualeclecticadj. composed of a variety of styles, themes, motifs, etc.efficacyn. effectivenesselegyn. sad poem or song, often in remembrance of someone deceasedelicitv. to provoke a responseeloquenceadj. persuasive and articulate speecheminentadj. well-known, respected, distinguishedempiricaladj. based on evidenceemulatev. to imitate or attempt to equal in accomplishmentenervatev. to exhaust or drain of energyengenderv. to cause or give rise toenhancev. intensify, increase, augmententitlementn. belief that one deserves things one has not earned

n. the rights one is afforded under the law

ephemeraladj. short-lived or transientequableadj. even-tempered

adj. not given to much change or variation

equivocatev. to use ambiguous language in order to mislead or deceiveerroneousadj. incorrecteruditeadj. learnedeschewv. avoid or abstain fromesotericadj. obscure, arcaneestimableadj. deserving respect, esteem, and admirationeulogyn. memorial speech for one who has passed, normally given at a funeralexacerbatev. to make worseexactingadj. challenging, demanding, gruelingexculpatev. to exonerate or vindicateexigentadj. urgent or pressingexoneratev. to clear of charges of wrongdoingexpatiatev. to elaborate on something in great detailexplicatev. to explain in detailexpositionn. a thorough explanation

n. a public show or fair

extraneousadj. irrelevant or superfluousextrapolatev. to estimate or conjecture about the future based on presently available information or factsfacetiousadj. glib or flippantfacilitatev. to make something easier or simplerfallaciousadj. relying on a fallacy and thus incorrect/misinformedfastidiousadj. meticulous

adj. invested in cleanliness

fluctuatev. to shift without apparent patternfomentv. to foster unrest or discontentforestallv. to hold off or try to preventfortuitousadj. fortunate and luckyfrugaladj. economical, thriftygainsayv. deny or opposegalvanizev. to prod someone into actiongarrulousadj. talkativegaucheadj. socially inept, inappropriate, or awkwardgermaneadj. relevant to the matter at handglibadj. talking volubly, but carelessly or insincerelygregariousadj. sociable, genialguilen. craftiness and cunninghackneyedadj. cliché, trite, banalharanguen. diatribe or ranthedonismn. the pursuit of pleasurehierarchicaladj. arranged in rank order or hierarchyhomogenousadj. uniform, identicalhyperbolen. obvious exaggeration for effecticonoclastn. a person who attacks traditional religious and cultural institutionsideologicaladj. relating to a particular belief system or theoryimminentadj. about to happenimmutableadj. unchangeableimpairv. to hinder or weaken someone or somethingimpedimentn. barrier, hindrance, or obstructionimperturbableadj. remaining calm under any circumstanceimplacableadj. unforgiving

adj. relentless

implicitadj. implied or insinuated without being directly statedimprudencen. bad judgmentimpudentadj. disrespectfulinadvertentadj. by accident or unintentionalInchoateadj. rudimentary, in the beginning stagesinconclusiveadj. indeterminate or unresolvedindebtedadj. owing money

adj. owing gratitude to someone or something

indefatigableadj. cannot be made tiredindolentadj. lazy

adj. idle

inferv. to conclude from implicit evidence (as opposed to explicit facts)ingenuousadj. naïve or innocentinimicaladj. harmful or hostileInnocuousadj. harmlessinscrutableadj. enigmatic, incomprehensibleinsipidadj. bland, uninspired, inaneinsularadj. tight-knit and isolated; uninterested in matters outside one’s immediate sphereintensiveadj. concentrated and in-depthintermediaryn. a go-betweenintimateadj. close (as in a relationship)

adj. particularly private

v. to imply

intractableadj. unmanageable

adj. stubborn or obstinate

intransigentadj. uncompromising, obstinateintrepidadj. bold and adventurousinveterateadj. ingrained, habitualinvulnerableadj. indestructible, impervious to harmirascibleadj. irritable, testy, touchyirresoluteadj. wishy-washy, hesitantlaconicadj. taciturn, reserved, succinctlaudv. to praiselaudableadj. praiseworthylitigationn. legal proceedingsloquaciousadj. talkativelucidadj. clear and coherentluminousadj. full of lightmagnanimityn. generosity and nobility of spiritmaladroitadj. clumsy, awkward, ineptmalignadj. evil or harmful

v. to speak negatively about someone or something

malleableadj. pliant or pliable

adj. easily influenced

maverickn. an unorthodox person or rebelmendacityn. untruthfulness, dishonestymercurialadj. easily changeable, ficklemeticulousadj. paying close attention to detailmisanthropen. person who hates humanitymitigatev. to improve a painful, unpleasant, or negative situationmodestadj. not boastful

adj. not overly showy

mollifyv. placatemonotonyn. boredom and repetitionmundaneadj. everyday, boringmunificentadj. very generousnaïveadj. inexperienced or gulliblenascentadj. just beginning or in the early stagesneglectv. to abandon or leave uncared-fornonplussedadj. confused and bafflednotorietyn. fame for doing something negative or criminalnuancen. subtle shades of differenceobdurateadj. stubborn, obstinateobscureadj. mysterious or not well-known

v. to cover something up or make it more difficult to perceive

obsequiousadj. overly fawning and helpful in a way that is disingenuousobstinateadj. stubborn, uncompromisingobviatev. to forestall the need for something

v. to prevent

occludev. to block or obstructoccultn. the mystical and supernaturaloffsetv. to counterbalance or counteractolfactoryadj. relating to smell or the sense of smellomnisciencen. the quality or state of being all-knowingonerousadj. difficult or burdensomeopaqueadj. not see-through; blocking lightopportunismn. the practice of taking advantage of opportunities as they arise without particular concern for morality or ethicsopprobriumn. criticism or condemnationoscillatev. to swing back and forth between two points, poles, or positionsostentatiousadj. overly showy in a way that is gaudy or vulgaroutstripv. to overtake or outrunovershadowv. to literally cast a shadow over

v. to appear more notable than

painstakingadj. attentive to detail, meticulouspartialadj. incompletepartisann. a devoted supporter of a group, cause, or personpatentadj. blatant, obviouspaucityn. scarcity, povertypedanticadj. overly concerned with irrelevant detail, fussypedestrianadj. boring, monotonous, run-of-the-millperfidyn. treachery or deceitperfunctoryadj. done without much effort, care, or thoughtperipheraladj. on the edge or periphery; not centrally importantpermeatev. to pervade or penetrate throughoutperseverancen. persistence in the face of obstaclesperusev. to read something carefully and closely

v. to read something informally or quickly

(context is critical for this word!)

pervasiveadj. found everywhere, widespread; often has a negative connotationphenomenan. things that happenphlegmaticadj. cool and unruffledpithn. the essential substance of somethingplacatev. to calm, esp. an angry or upset personplasticadj. easily shaped or molded

adj. made of plastic

platituden. a trite or cliché statementplausibleadj. believable, reasonableplethoran. a surplus or overabundance of somethingplummetv. to fall quickly and farpolarizev. to cause a sharp division between two groupspolemicaladj. angry, hostile, harshly criticalpragmaticadj. practicalprecariousadj. uncertain or unstableprecededadj. went beforeprecipitatev. to cause

adj. hastily and not well-considered

n. particulate matter formed within a solution

precursorn. a forerunnerprescientadj. knowing things before they happen, propheticpresumptuousadj. overly familiar; invades social boundariesprevailv. to succeed, esp. with respect to vanquishing an opponent

v. to convince or persuade

prevaricatev. to evade or deceive without outright lyingpristineadj. untouched, clean, pureprobityn. integrity and honorprodigaln. a reckless spenderprodigiousadj. enormous, immense, giganticprofligateadj. extravagant and wasteful, esp. in an immoral wayproliferatev. to multiply and spread rapidlypropitiatev. to obtain special favor from someone, esp. a powerful person or deity, by performing a pleasing action

v. to appease someone who is angry

proprietyn. appropriateness, manners, decorumprospectiveadj. potential or likely

adj. applicable to the future

qualificationn. credential

n. a modifying statement

quotidianadj. relating to the everyday or mundanerationalizev. to attempt to justify with reasons that are only superficially validreconcilev. to bring into harmony

v. to repair a relationship

reconditeadj. arcane or obscurerefutev. to rebut or disproverelentlessadj. never stopping, constantrelevantadj. relating to the topic or issue at handreproachv. to scold or express criticismrepudiatev. to renounce or disownrescindv. to take back or retract (an offer or statement)respectivelyadv. in the sequential order previously givenreticentadj. hesitant to speak

adj. introverted or silent

reverentadj. solemn and respectfulrhetoricn. the art of effective communication (written or verbal)salubriousadj. health-promotingsanctionv. to give official permission

v. to impose a penalty for a particular action

n. punishments imposed for breaking a regulation

satiatev. to completely satisfy (with respect to hunger or appetite)secularadj. of or relating to the world or worldly matters (as opposed to religious ones)sedimentn. material that settles at the bottom of a body of watersedulousadj. dedicated and carefulsimultaneousadj. occurring at the same momentsolicitousadj. considerate, attentivesoporificadj. makes sleepysparseadj. scattered or scarce

adj. austere and unadorned

speciousadj. spurious; appearing true but actually falsesporadicadj. occasional or scatteredspuriousadj. fake or falsestolidadj. calm and dependablesubjectiveadj. open to personal interpretation; not based in objective factsubstantiatev. to corroborate or give evidence of somethingsubversiveadj. meant to undercut established institutions or normssufficientadj. enough for a given purposesuperblyadv. excellentlysupineadj. laying back with the face upward (opposite position to prone)supplantv. to overtake or replacesycophantn. a fawning, insincere admirersynthesizev. to combine disparate parts into a coherent wholetacitadj. unspoken; implicittaciturnadj. reticent or reserved; tending towards silencetemperancen. moderation and restraint, sometimes used to specifically describe abstinence from alcoholtenuousadj. weak, flimsy, insubstantialtimorousadj. meek or timidtiraden. an angry ranttorporn. tiredness, lethargytortuousadj. winding or twisty

adj. complicated

tractableadj. can be easily influenced or managedtransientadj. passes quickly; short-livedubiquitousadj. ever-present or universalunadornedadj. plain; unembellishedunderminev. to weaken or compromiseunderscorev. to line underneath for emphasis

v. to emphasize

untenableadj. weak or unsupportable, esp. with respect to an opinion or situationvacillatev. to shift between multiple options or opinionsvenalityn. the state of being capable of being bribedveneratev. to give a high degree of respect; may border on worshipveracityn. Truth and factual accuracyverboseadj. long-winded; loquaciousvexationn. state of being frustrated, irritated, or concerned.volatileadj. easily changeable or extreme; unstablewhimsicaladj. fanciful or capriciouszealn. passion or fervor