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VOCABULARY LISTS > TEST PREP
GRE High Frequency Words 334 words
October 8, 2012 By Sivabalan T.
Barron's GRE 17th Edition High Freq Words
1. abatebecome less in amount or intensity
2. chicanerythe use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)
3. disseminatecause to become widely known
4. gainsaytake exception to
5. latentpotentially existing but not presently evident or realized
6. aberrantmarkedly different from an accepted norm
7. coagulatechange from a liquid to a thickened or solid state
8. dissolutionseparation into component parts
9. garrulousfull of trivial conversation
10. laudpraise, glorify, or honor
11. abeyancetemporary cessation or suspension
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12. codathe closing section of a musical composition
13. dissonancedisagreeable sounds
14. goadstab or urge on as if with a pointed stick
15. lethargicdeficient in alertness or activity
16. abscondrun away; usually includes taking something or somebody along
17. cogentpowerfully persuasive
18. distendcause to expand as it by internal pressure
19. gougean impression in a surface (as made by a blow)
20. leveea pier that provides a landing place on a river
21. abstemiousmarked by temperance in indulgence
22. commensuratecorresponding in size or degree or extent
23. distillundergo condensation; change from a gaseous to a liquid state and fall in drops
24. grandiloquentlofty in style
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25. levitya manner lacking seriousness
26. admonishtake to task
27. compendiuma publication containing a variety of works
28. divergemove or draw apart
29. gregariousinstinctively or temperamentally seeking and enjoying the company of others
30. loga segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
31. adulteratecorrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients withinferior ones
32. complaisantshowing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others
33. divesttake away possessions from someone
34. guilelessfree of deceit
35. loquaciousfull of trivial conversation
36. aestheticconcerning or characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste
37. compliantdisposed or willing to comply
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38. documentanything serving as a representation of a person's thinking by means of symbolic marks
39. gulliblenaive and easily deceived or tricked
40. lucid(of language) transparently clear; easily understandable
41. aggregatea sum total of many heterogenous things taken together
42. conciliatorymaking or willing to make concessions
43. dogmaticof or pertaining to or characteristic of a doctrine or code of beliefs accepted as authoritative
44. haranguea loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
45. luminoussoftly bright or radiant
46. alacrityliveliness and eagerness
47. condoneexcuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with
48. dormantinactive but capable of becoming active
49. homogeneousall of the same or similar kind or nature
50. magnanimityliberality in bestowing gifts; extremely liberal and generous of spirit
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51. alleviateprovide physical relief, as from pain
52. confoundbe confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly
53. dupefool or hoax
54. hyperboleextravagant exaggeration
55. malingerersomeone shirking their duty by feigning illness or incapacity
56. amalgamateto bring or combine together or with something else
57. connoisseuran expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts
58. ebullientjoyously unrestrained
59. iconoclasticcharacterized by attack on established beliefs or institutions
60. malleablecapable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
61. ambiguoushaving more than one possible meaning
62. contentionthe act of competing as for profit or a prize
63. eclecticselecting what seems best of various styles or ideas
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64. idolatrythe worship of idols; the worship of images that are not God
65. mavericksomeone who exhibits great independence in thought and action
66. ambivalencemixed feelings or emotions
67. contentiousinclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits
68. efficacycapacity or power to produce a desired effect
69. immutablenot subject or susceptible to change or variation in form or quality or nature
70. mendaciousgiven to lying
71. ameliorateto make better
72. contritefeeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses
73. effronteryaudacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to
74. impairmake worse or less effective
75. metamorphosisa striking change in appearance or character or circumstances
76. anachronismsomething located at a time when it could not have existed or occurred
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77. conundruma difficult problem
78. elegya mournful poem; a lament for the dead
79. impassivehaving or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
80. meticulousmarked by precise accordance with details
81. analogoussimilar or equivalent in some respects though otherwise dissimilar
82. convergebe adjacent or come together
83. elicitcall forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
84. impedebe a hindrance or obstacle to
85. misanthropesomeone who dislikes people in general
86. anarchya state of lawlessness and disorder (usually resulting from a failure of government)
87. convolutedrolled longitudinally upon itself
88. embellishmake more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
89. impermeablepreventing especially liquids to pass or diffuse through
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90. mitigatelessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
91. anomalousdeviating from the general or common order or type
92. cravenlacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful
93. empiricalderived from experiment and observation rather than theory
94. imperturbablenot easily perturbed or excited or upset; marked by extreme calm and composure
95. mollifycause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
96. antipathya feeling of intense dislike
97. dauntcause to lose courage
98. emulatestrive to equal or match, especially by imitating
99. imperviousnot admitting of passage or capable of being affected
100. moroseshowing a brooding ill humor
101. apathyan absence of emotion or enthusiasm
102. decorumpropriety in manners and conduct
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103. endemicnative to or confined to a certain region
104. implacableincapable of being placated
105. mundanefound in the ordinary course of events
106. appeasemake peace with
107. defaultan option that is selected automatically unless an alternative is specified
108. enervateweaken mentally or morally
109. implicitimplied though not directly expressed; inherent in the nature of something
110. negatemake ineffective by counterbalancing the effect of
111. appriseinform (somebody) of something
112. deferencecourteous regard for people's feelings
113. engendermake children
114. implodeburst inward
115. neophyteany new participant in some activity
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116. approbationofficial approval
117. delineaterepresented accurately or precisely
118. enhanceincrease
119. inadvertentlywithout knowledge or intention
120. obduratestubbornly persistent in wrongdoing
121. appropriatesuitable for a particular person or place or condition etc
122. denigratecharge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
123. ephemeralanything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a day in its winged form
124. inchoateonly partly in existence; imperfectly formed
125. obsequiousattempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
126. arduouscharacterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
127. deridetreat or speak of with contempt
128. equanimitysteadiness of mind under stress
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129. incongruitythe quality of disagreeing; being unsuitable and inappropriate
130. obviatedo away with
131. artlesssimple and natural; without cunning or deceit
132. derivativea compound obtained from, or regarded as derived from, another compound
133. equivocatebe deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information
134. inconsequentiallacking worth or importance
135. occludeblock passage through
136. asceticsomeone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
137. desiccatelacking vitality or spirit; lifeless
138. eruditehaving or showing profound knowledge
139. incorporatemake into a whole or make part of a whole
140. officiousintrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
141. assiduousmarked by care and persistent effort
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142. desultorymarked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another
143. esotericconfined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle
144. indeterminatenot precisely determined or established; not fixed or known in advance
145. onerousnot easily borne; wearing
146. assuageprovide physical relief, as from pain
147. deterrentsomething immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
148. eulogya formal expression of praise for someone who has died recently
149. indigencea state of extreme poverty or destitution
150. opprobriuma state of extreme dishonor
151. attenuatebecome weaker, in strength, value, or magnitude
152. diatribethunderous verbal attack
153. euphemisman inoffensive or indirect expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive or too harsh
154. indolentdisinclined to work or exertion
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155. oscillatemove or swing from side to side regularly
156. audaciousdisposed to venture or take risks
157. dichotomybeing twofold; a classification into two opposed parts or subclasses
158. exacerbatemake worse
159. inertunable to move or resist motion
160. ostentatiousintended to attract notice and impress others
161. austereof a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
162. diffidencelack of self-confidence
163. exculpatepronounce not guilty of criminal charges
164. pateliver or meat or fowl finely minced or ground and variously seasoned
165. ingenuouslacking in sophistication or worldliness
166. paragonan ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept
167. autonomousexisting as an independent entity
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168. diffusespread out; not concentrated in one place
169. exigencya pressing or urgent situation
170. inherentexisting as an essential constituent or characteristic
171. partisana fervent and even militant proponent of something
172. averto declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
173. digressiona turning aside (of your course or attention or concern)
174. extrapolationan inference about the future (or about some hypothetical situation) based on known facts and observations
175. innocuousnot injurious to physical or mental health
176. pathologicalof or relating to the practice of pathology
177. banalrepeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
178. dirgea song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person
179. facetiouscleverly amusing in tone
180. insensiblebarely able to be perceived
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181. paucityan insufficient quantity or number
182. beliebe in contradiction with
183. disabusefree somebody (from an erroneous belief)
184. facilitatemake easier
185. insinuategive to understand
186. pedanticmarked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects
187. beneficentdoing or producing good
188. discerninghaving or revealing keen insight and good judgment
189. fallaciouscontaining or based on a fallacy
190. insipidlacking interest or significance or impact
191. penchanta strong liking
192. bolstersupport and strengthen
193. discordantnot in agreement or harmony
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194. fatuousdevoid of intelligence
195. insularitythe state of being isolated or detached
196. penurya state of extreme poverty or destitution
197. bombasticostentatiously lofty in style
198. discreditthe state of being held in low esteem
199. fawningattempting to win favor by flattery
200. intractablenot tractable; difficult to manage or mold
201. perenniallasting three seasons or more
202. boorishill-mannered and coarse and contemptible in behavior or appearance
203. discrepancya difference between conflicting facts or claims or opinions
204. felicitousexhibiting an agreeably appropriate manner or style
205. intransigencethe trait of being intransigent; stubbornly refusing to compromise
206. perfidioustending to betray; especially having a treacherous character as attributed to the Carthaginians by the Romans
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207. burgeongrow and flourish
208. discreteconstituting a separate entity or part
209. fervorfeelings of great warmth and intensity
210. inundatefill or cover completely, usually with water
211. perfunctoryhasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
212. burnishpolish and make shiny
213. disingenuousnot straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness
214. flagemblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
215. inuredmade tough by habitual exposure
216. permeableallowing fluids or gases to pass or diffuse through
217. buttressa support usually of stone or brick; supports the wall of a building
218. disinterestedunaffected by self-interest
219. fledglingyoung bird that has just fledged or become capable of flying
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220. invectiveabusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will
221. pervasivespreading or spread throughout
222. cacophonoushaving an unpleasant sound
223. disjointedtaken apart at the joints
224. flouttreat with contemptuous disregard
225. irasciblequickly aroused to anger
226. phlegmaticshowing little emotion
227. capriciousdetermined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
228. dismissstop associating with
229. fomenttry to stir up public opinion
230. irresoluteuncertain how to act or proceed
231. pietyrighteousness by virtue of being pious
232. castigationverbal punishment
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233. disparageexpress a negative opinion of
234. forestallkeep from happening or arising; make impossible
235. itineraryan established line of travel or access
236. placatecause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
237. catalyst(chemistry) a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected
238. disparatefundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind
239. frugalityprudence in avoiding waste
240. laconicbrief and to the point; effectively cut short
241. plasticitythe property of being physically malleable; the property of something that can be worked or hammered or shaped withoutbreaking
242. causticof a substance, especially a strong acid; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action
243. dissemblebehave unnaturally or affectedly
244. futileproducing no result or effect
245. lassitudea feeling of lack of interest or energy
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246. platitudea trite or obvious remark
247. plethoraextreme excess
248. propitiatemake peace with
249. rescindcancel officially
250. sporadicrecurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instances
251. tractableeasily managed (controlled or taught or molded)
252. plummetdrop sharply
253. proprietycorrect or appropriate behavior
254. resolutionfinding a solution to a problem
255. stigmaa symbol of disgrace or infamy
256. transgressionthe act of transgressing; the violation of a law or a duty or moral principle
257. porousfull of pores or vessels or holes
258. proscribecommand against
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259. resolvefind the solution
260. stintsupply sparingly and with restricted quantities
261. truculenceobstreperous and defiant aggressiveness
262. pragmaticconcerned with practical matters
263. pungentstrong and sharp;"the pungent taste of radishes"
264. reticentreluctant to draw attention to yourself
265. stipulatespecify as a condition or requirement in a contract or agreement; make an express demand or provision in an agreement
266. vacillatebe undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
267. preamblea preliminary introduction to a statute or constitution (usually explaining its purpose)
268. qualifiedmeeting the proper standards and requirements and training for an office or position or task
269. reverentfeeling or showing profound respect or veneration
270. stolidhaving or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
271. venerateregard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of
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272. precariousnot secure; beset with difficulties
273. quibbleevade the truth of a point or question by raising irrelevant objections
274. sagea mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom
275. striatemarked with stria or striations
276. veracioushabitually speaking the truth
277. precipitatebring about abruptly
278. quiescentbeing quiet or still or inactive
279. salubriouspromoting health; healthful
280. strutto walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others
281. verboseusing or containing too many words
282. precursorsomething that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
283. rarefiedof high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
284. sanctionofficial permission or approval
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285. subpoenaa writ issued by court authority to compel the attendance of a witness at a judicial proceeding; disobedience may bepunishable as a contempt of court
286. viablecapable of life or normal growth and development
287. presumptuousexcessively forward
288. recalcitrantstubbornly resistant to authority or control
289. satiatefill to satisfaction
290. subsidesink to a lower level or form a depression
291. viscoushaving a relatively high resistance to flow
292. prevaricatebe deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information
293. recantformally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
294. saturateinfuse or fill completely
295. substantiateestablish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
296. vituperativemarked by harshly abusive criticism
297. pristineimmaculately clean and unused
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298. recluseone who lives in solitude
299. savorthe taste experience when a savoury condiment is taken into the mouth
300. supersedetake the place or move into the position of
301. volatilea volatile substance; a substance that changes readily from solid or liquid to a vapor
302. probitycomplete and confirmed integrity; having strong moral principles
303. reconditedifficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge
304. secretegenerate and separate from cells or bodily fluids
305. suppositionthe cognitive process of supposing
306. unwarrantedincapable of being justified or explained
307. problematicmaking great mental demands; hard to comprehend or solve or believe
308. refractorystubbornly resistant to authority or control
309. sharda broken piece of a brittle artifact
310. tacitimplied by or inferred from actions or statements
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311. warymarked by keen caution and watchful prudence
312. prodigalrecklessly wasteful
313. refuteoverthrow by argument, evidence, or proof
314. skepticsomeone who habitually doubts accepted beliefs
315. tangentialof superficial relevance if any
316. weltera confused multitude of things
317. profoundsituated at or extending to great depth; too deep to have been sounded or plumbed
318. relegateassign to a lower position; reduce in rank
319. solicitousfull of anxiety and concern
320. tenuousvery thin in gauge or diameter
321. whimsicaldetermined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
322. prohibitivetending to discourage (especially of prices)
323. reproachexpress criticism towards
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324. soporificsleep inducing
325. tiradea speech of violent denunciation
326. zealota fervent and even militant proponent of something
327. proliferategrow rapidly
328. reprobatea person without moral scruples
329. speciousplausible but false
330. torpora state of motor and mental inactivity with a partial suspension of sensibility
331. propensitya natural inclination
332. repudiaterefuse to acknowledge, ratify, or recognize as valid
333. spectruma broad range of related objects or values or qualities or ideas or activities
334. tortuousmarked by repeated turns and bends