I’ve taken this list from my GRE text completion and sentence equivalence book. This is a list of the most important words to know for the GRE exam.
If you’re looking for practice questions with these words and detailed explanations, get the book!
| Abasement | noun | the action or fact of abasing or being abased; humiliation or degradation |
| Abate | verb | become less intense or widespread |
| Aberrant | adj. | deviating from normal or correct. |
| Aberration | noun | a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected |
| Abeyance | noun | a state of temporary disuse or suspension |
| Abjure | verb | Solemnly renounce (a belief, cause, or claim) |
| Abreast | adjective | Up to date with the latest news, ideas, or information |
| abscond | v. | to leave secretly and hide, often to avoid the law. |
| Abstain | verb | Restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something |
| Abyss | noun | a deep or seemingly bottomless chasm |
| Accession | verb | the action or process of formally joining an association or institution |
| Acerbic | adjective | (Especially of a comment or style of speaking) sharp and forthright |
| Acolyte | noun | a person assisting the celebrant in a religious service or procession |
| Acumen | noun | the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain |
| Adept | adjective | Very skilled or proficient at something |
| advocate | v., n. | to speak, plead, or argue for a cause, or in another’s behalf. (n) — one who advocates. |
| aggrandize | v. | to make greater, to increase, thus, to exaggerate. |
| Agog | adjective | Very eager or curious to hear or see something |
| Allure | noun | the quality of being powerfully and mysteriously attractive or fascinating |
| Altruism | noun | the belief in or practice of selfless concern for the well-being of others |
| amalgamate | v. | to unite or mix. (n) — amalgamation. |
| ambiguous | adj. | vague; subject to more than one interpretation |
| Ambivalent | adjective | having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone |
| ambrosial | adj. | extremely pleasing to the senses, divine (as related to the gods) or delicious (n: ambrosia) |
| anachronism | n. | a person or artifact appearing after its own time or out of chronological order (adj: anachronistic) |
| Annul | verb | Declare invalid |
| Anodyne | adjective | not likely to cause offence or disagreement and somewhat dull |
| anomalous | adj. | peculiar; unique, contrary to the norm (n: anomaly) |
| antediluvian | adj. | ancient; outmoded; (literally,before the flood) |
| antipathy | n. | hostility toward, objection, or aversion to |
| Apathy | noun | Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern |
| Apostle | noun | a vigorous and pioneering advocate or supporter of a particular cause |
| Apprise | verb | Inform or tell (someone) |
| Arbiter | noun | a person who settles a dispute or has ultimate authority in a matter |
| Arbitrary | adjective | Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system |
| arbitrate | v. | to settle a dispute by impulse (n: arbitration) |
| Armada | noun | a fleet of warships |
| Arson | noun | the criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property |
| Artless | adjective | without guile or deception |
| Ascribe | verb | Attribute something to (a cause) |
| assuage | v. | to make less severe; to appease or satisfy |
| attenuate | v. | weaken (adj: attenuated) |
| audacious | adj. | extremely bold; fearless, especially said of human behavior (n: audacity) |
| Austere | adjective | Having an extremely plain and simple style or appearance |
| aver | v. | to declare |
| banal | adj. | commonplace or trite (n: banality) |
| barefaced | adj. | unconcealed, shameless, or brazen |
| Barrage | noun | A concentrated outpouring, as of questions or blows |
| Bevy | noun | a large group of people or things of a particular kind |
| Bilk | verb | Obtain or withhold money from (someone) by deceit or without justification |
| blandishment | n. | speech or action intended to coax someone into doing something |
| Blight | noun | a thing that spoils or damages something |
| Blithe | adjective | showing a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper |
| Blowhard | noun | a person who blusters and boasts in an unpleasant way |
| Bolster | verb | Support or strengthen |
| Bombastic | adjective | High-sounding but with little meaning (pertaining to speech) |
| Boor | noun | an unrefined, ill-mannered person |
| Boycott | noun | a punitive ban that forbids relations with certain groups |
| breach | n., v. | a lapse, gap or break, as in a fortress wall. To break or break through.ex: Unfortunately, the club members never forgot his breach of ettiquette. |
| Bucolic | adjective | Relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life |
| burgeon | v., n. | to grow or flourish; a bud or new growth (adj: burgeoning ) |
| Burlesque | noun | a variety show |
| buttress | v., n. | to support. a support |
| Cacophony | noun | a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds |
| cadge | v. | to get something by taking advantage of someone |
| Canard | noun | an unfounded rumor or story |
| Canonical | adjective | (Of an artist or work) belonging to the literary or artistic canon |
| Capricious | adjective | given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior |
| castigate | v. | to chastise or criticize severely |
| catalyst | n. | an agent of change (adj: catalytic; v. catalyze) |
| Catharsis | noun | the process of releasing and providing relief from strong or repressed emotions |
| caustic | adj. | capable of dissolving by chemical action; highly critical: “His caustic remarks spoiled the mood of the party.” |
| Chauvinism | noun | Excessive or prejudiced loyalty or support for one’s own cause, group, or gender |
| chicanery | n. | deception by trickery |
| Chronic | adjective | (Of a problem) long lasting and difficult to eradicate |
| Circumspect | adjective | Wary and unwilling to take risks |
| Cloture | noun | (in a legislative assembly) a procedure for ending a debate and taking a vote |
| Coalesce | verb | Come together and form one mass or whole |
| Coda | noun | a concluding event, remark or section |
| Coffer | noun | the funds or financial reserves of a group or institution |
| Compendium | noun | a collection of concise but detailed information about a particular subject |
| complaisant | adj. | willingly compliant or accepting of the status quo (n: complaisance) |
| Condone | verb | Accept and allow (behavior that is considered morally wrong or offensive) |
| conflagration | n. | a great fire |
| Confound | verb | Prove (a theory, expectation, or prediction) wrong |
| Conscript | verb | Enlist (someone) compulsorily |
| Contrite | adjective | Feeling or expressing remorse or penitence |
| corporal | adj. | of the body: “corporal punishment.” a non-commissioned officer ranked between a sergeant and a private. |
| corporeal | adj. | of or having to do with material, as opposed to spiritual; tangible. (In older writings, coeporeal could be a synonym for corporal. This usage is no longer common) |
| corroborate | v. | to strengthen or support: “The witness corroborted his story.” (n: corroboration) |
| Cosset | verb | Care for and protect in an overindulgent way |
| Coterie | noun | a small group of people with shared interests or tastes |
| craven | adj., n. | cowardly; a coward |
| Credulous | adjective | having or showing too great a readiness to believe things |
| culpable | adj. | deserving of blame (n: culpability) |
| Daguerreotype | noun | A photograph taken by an early photographic process employing an iodine-sensitized silvered plate and mercury vapor |
| dearth | n. | lack, scarcity: “The prosecutor complained about the dearth of concrete evidence against the suspect.” |
| deference | n. | submission or courteous yielding: “He held his tongue in deference to his father.” (n: deferential. v. defer) |
| Deign | verb | Do something that one considers to be beneath one’s dignity |
| Demur | verb | Raise doubts or objections or show reluctance |
| depict | v. | to show, create a picture of. |
| Depravity | noun | Moral corruption; wickedness |
| deprecation | n. | belittlement. (v. deprecate) |
| depredation | n. | the act of preying upon or plundering: “The depredations of the invaders demoralized the population.” |
| Deride | verb | Express contempt for; ridicule |
| descry | v. | to make clear, to say |
| desiccate | v. | to dry out thoroughly (adj: desiccated) |
| diatribe | n. | a bitter abusive denunciation. |
| Diatribe | noun | a forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something |
| Dictum | noun | a short statement that expresses a general truth or principle |
| diffident | adj. | lacking self-confidence, modest (n: diffidence) |
| Diffuse | verb | Spread out over a large area |
| Dilate | verb | Make or become wider, larger, or more open |
| Dilettante | noun | a person who cultivates an area of interest without real commitment or knowledge |
| disabuse | adj. | to free a person from falsehood or error: “We had to disabuse her of the notion that she was invited.” |
| Discordant | adjective | Disagreeing or incongruous |
| Disingenuous | adjective | not candid or sincere |
| disparaging | adj. | belittling (n: disparagement. v. disparage) |
| dispassionate | adj. | calm; objective; unbiased |
| dissemble | v. | to conceal one’s real motive, to feign |
| Diurnal | adjective | (Of animals) active in the daytime |
| Divest | verb | Rid oneself of something that one no longer wants or requires, such as a business interest or investment |
| Docile | adjective | Ready to accept control or instruction; submissive |
| Doff | verb | Remove (an item of clothing) |
| dogged | adj. | stubborn or determined: “Her dogged pursuit of the degree eventually paid off.” |
| dogmatic | adj. | relying upon doctrine or dogma, as opposed to evidence |
| Dote | verb | be extremely and uncritically fond of |
| Droll | adjective | Curious or unusual in a way that provokes dry amusement |
| Dross | noun | something regarded as worthless |
| Dyspeptic | adjective | Of or having indigestion or consequent irritability or depression |
| Ebullient | adjective | Cheerful and full of energy |
| Echelon | noun | a level or rank in an organization, a profession, or society |
| eclectic | adj. | selecting or employing individual elements from a variety of sources: “Many modern decorators prefer an eclectic style.” (n: eclecticism) |
| Eddy | verb | (of water, air, or smoke) move in a circular way |
| Edify | verb | Instruct or improve (someone) morally or intellectually |
| efficacy | n. | effectiveness; capability to produce a desired effect |
| Effigy | noun | a sculpture or model of a person |
| effluent | adj., n | the quality of flowing out. something that flows out, such as a stream from a river (n: effluence) |
| Egress | noun | the action of going out of or leaving a place |
| Elucidate | verb | Make (something) clear |
| emollient | adj., n. | softening; something that softens |
| emulate | v. | to strive to equal or excel (n: emulation) |
| encomium | n. | a formal eulogy or speech of praise |
| endemic | adj. | prevalent in or native to a certain region, locality, or people: “The disease was endemic to the region.” Don’t confuse this word with epidemic. |
| Endemic | adjective | (Of a disease or condition) regularly found among particular people or in a certain area |
| Endow | verb | Provide with a quality, ability, or asset |
| enervate | v. | to weaken or destroy the strength or vitality of: “The heatenervated everyone.” (adj: enervating) |
| engender | v. | to give rise to, to propagate, to cause: “His slip of the toungue engendered much laughter.” |
| enigma | n. | puzzle; mystery: “Math is an enigma to me.” (adj: enigmatic) |
| Ephemeral | adjective | Lasting for a very short time |
| Epistemology | noun | the theory of knowledge, especially with regard to its methods, validity, and scope |
| Epithet | noun | an adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing; a term of abuse |
| equivocal | adj. | ambiguous; unclear; subject to more than one interpretation — often intentionally so: “Republicans complained that Bill Clinton’s answers were equivocal.” (v. equivocate) |
| Errant | adjective | Erring or straying from the proper course or standards |
| Ersatz | adjective | (Of a product) used as a substitute, typically an inferior one, for something else |
| Erstwhile | adjective | former |
| erudite | adj. | scholarly; displaying deep intensive learning. (n: erudition) |
| Esoteric | adjective | Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest |
| Ethos | noun | the characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community |
| eulogy | n. | a spoken or written tribute to the deceased (v. eulogize) |
| Euphony | noun | the quality of being pleasing to the ear |
| exacerbate | v. | to increase the bitterness or violence of; to aggravate: “The decision to fortify the border exacerbated tensions.” |
| exculpate | v. | to demonstrate or prove to be blameless: “The evidence tended to exculpate the defendant.”(adj: exculpatory) |
| Exemplar | noun | a person or thing serving as a typical example or excellent model |
| exorbitant | adj. | exceeding customary or normal limits, esp. in quantity or price: “The cab fare was exorbitant.” |
| Expiate | verb | Atone for (guilt or sin) |
| explicit | adj. | fully and clearly expressed |
| extant | adj. | in existence, still existing: The only extant representative of that species.” |
| Extol | verb | Praise enthusiastically |
| Façade | noun | the face of a building |
| Facetious | adjective | Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor |
| Faction | noun | a small, organized, dissenting group within a larger one, especially in politics |
| Fallow | adjective | Inactive |
| Falter | verb | Move unsteadily or in a way that shows lack of confidence |
| fathom | n., v. | a measure of length (six feet) used in nautical settings. to penetrate to the depths of something in order to understand it: “I couldn’t fathom her reasoning on that issue.” |
| fawn | v. | to seek favor or attention; to act subserviantly (n, adj: fawning) |
| feign | v. | to give false appearance or impression: “He feigned illness to avoid going to school.” (adj: feigned) |
| fervent | adj. | highly emotional; hot: “The partisans displayed a fervent patriotism.” (n: fervor) |
| Fetid | adjective | smelling extremely unpleasant |
| Flail | verb | Flounder; struggle uselessly |
| fledgling | n., adj. | a baby bird; an inexperienced person; inexperienced. |
| Florid | adjective | using unusual words or complicated rhetorical constructions |
| floundering | adj. | struggling: “We tried to save the floundering business.” |
| Flout | verb | Openly disregard |
| Fluke | noun | Unlikely chance occurrence, especially a surprising piece of luck |
| Foible | noun | a minor weakness or eccentricity in someone’s character |
| Forage | verb | (of a person or animal) search widely for food or provisions |
| Forestall | verb | Prevent or obstruct (an anticipated event or action) by taking action ahead of time |
| Fortuitous | adjective | Happening by a lucky chance |
| Fracas | noun | a noisy disturbance or quarrel |
| Frenetic | adjective | Fast and energetic in a rather wild and uncontrolled way |
| Frieze | noun | a broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration, especially on a wall near the ceiling |
| Fringe | noun | the unconventional, extreme, or marginal wing of a group or sphere of activity |
| Fusillade | noun | a series of shots fired or missiles thrown all at the same time or in quick succession |
| Gaffe | noun | an unintentional act or remark causing embarrassment to its originator |
| Gainsay | verb | Speak against or oppose (someone) |
| Gall | noun | Bold, impudent behavior |
| Galvanize | verb | Shock or excite (someone), typically into taking action |
| Gambit | noun | a device, action, or opening remark, typically one entailing a degree of risk, that is calculated to gain an advantage |
| Garner | verb | Gather or collect (something, especially information or approval) |
| garrulous | adj. | verbose; talkative; rambling: “We tried to avoid our garrulous neighbor.” |
| Gerontocracy | noun | a state, society, or group governed by old people |
| Gist | noun | the substance or essence of a speech or text |
| Goad | verb | Provoke or annoy (someone) so as to stimulate some action or reaction |
| Gossamer | adjective | Used to refer to something very light, thin, and insubstantial or delicate |
| Gouge | verb | Overcharge; swindle |
| Grandiloquent | adjective | Pompous or extravagant in language, style, or manner |
| Grouse | verb | complain pettily; grumble |
| Grovel | verb | Act in an obsequious manner in order to obtain someone’s forgiveness or favor |
| guile | n. | skillful deceit: “He was well known for his guile.” |
| guileless | adj. | honest; straightforward (n: guilelessness) |
| Halcyon | adjective | Denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful |
| Hapless | adjective | (Especially of a person) unfortunate |
| Harangue | noun | a lengthy and aggressive speech |
| headlong | adj., adv. | headfirst; impulsive; hasty. impulsively; hastily; without forethought: “They rushed headlong into marriage.” |
| Hegemony | noun | Leadership or dominance, especially by one group over others |
| Hermetic | adjective | Insulated or protected from outside influences |
| Heterodox | adjective | not conforming with accepted or orthodox standards or beliefs |
| Homage | noun | Special honour or respect shown publicly |
| homogenous | adj. | similar in nature or kind; uniform: “a homogeneous society.” |
| iconoclast | n. | one who attacks traditional ideas or institutions or one who destroys sacred images (adj: iconoclastic) |
| Idyll | noun | an extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque episode or scene |
| Ignoble | adjective | not honorable in character or purpose |
| Imbue | verb | Inspire or permeate with a feeling or quality |
| Immutable | adjective | Unchanging over time or unable to be changed |
| Impasse | noun | a situation in which no progress is possible, especially because of disagreement |
| impecunious | adj. | penniless; poor |
| imperious | adj. | commanding |
| Impetuous | adjective | Acting or done quickly and without thought or care |
| implication | n. | insinuation or connotation (v. implicate) |
| imply | v. | to suggest indirectly; to entail: “She implied she didn’t believe his story.” (n: implication) |
| improvidence | n. | an absence of foresight; a failure to provide for future needs or events: “Their improvidence resulted in the loss of their home.” |
| Impugn | verb | Dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of (a statement or motive) |
| inchoate | adj. | in an initial or early stage; incomplete; disorganized: “The act of writing forces one to clarify incohate thoughts.” |
| Incise | verb | Mark or decorate (an object or surface) with a cut or a series of cut |
| incorrigible | adj. | not capable of being corrected: “The school board finally decided the James was incorrigible and expelled him from school.” |
| Incubus | noun | a cause of distress or anxiety |
| Inculcate | verb | Instill (an attitude, idea, or habit) by persistent instruction |
| indelible | adj. | permanent; unerasable; strong: “The Queen made an indelible impression on her subjects.” |
| Indictment | noun | a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime |
| Indolence | noun | Avoidance of activity or exertion |
| ineffable | adj. | undescribable; inexpressible in words; unspeakable |
| Inert | adjective | Lacking vigor |
| infer | v. | to deduce: “New genetic evidence led some zoologists to infer that the red wolf is actually a hybrid of the coyote and the gray wolf.” |
| ingenious | adj. | clever: “She developed an ingenious method for testing her hypothesis.”(n: ingenuity) |
| ingenuous | adj. | unsophisticated; artless; straightforward; candid: “Wilson’s ingenuous response to the controversial calmed the suspicious listeners.” |
| Ingrate | noun | an ungrateful person |
| inhibit | v. | to hold back, prohibit, forbid, or restrain (n: inhibition, adj: inhibited) |
| innocuous | adj. | harmless; having no adverse affect; not likely to provoke strong emotion |
| Inquest | noun | a judicial inquiry to ascertain the facts relating to an incident, such as a death |
| insensible | adj. | numb; unconscious: “Wayne was rendered insensible by a blow to the head.” unfeeling; insensitive: “They were insensibile to the suffering of others.: |
| Insipid | adjective | Lacking vigour or interest |
| insular | adj. | of or pertaining to an island, thus, excessively exclusive: “Newcomers found it difficult to make friends in the insular community.” |
| intransigent | adj. | stubborn; immovable; unwilling to change: “She was so intransigent we finally gave up trying to convince her.” (n: intransigence) |
| Irascible | adjective | having or showing a tendency to be easily angered |
| Itinerant | adjective | Traveling from place to place |
| Knell | noun | the sound of a bell, especially when rung solemnly for a death or funeral |
| Lachrymose | adjective | Inducing tears; sad |
| laconic | adj. | using few words; terse: “a laconic reply.” |
| Laconic | adjective | (of a person, speech, or style of writing) using very few words |
| Lacuna | noun | an unfilled space or interval; a gap |
| Lambaste | verb | Criticize (someone or something) harshly |
| Larceny | noun | Theft of personal property |
| Largesse | noun | Generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others |
| latent | adj. | present or potential but not evident or active (n: latency) |
| laudable | adj. | praiseworthy; commendable (v. laud) |
| Lax | adjective | Not sufficiently strict, severe, or careful |
| Leery | adjective | Cautious or wary due to realistic suspicions |
| leviathan | n. | giant whale, therefore, something very large |
| Libertine | adjective | a person who rejects accepted opinions in matters of religion |
| Limpid | adjective | (especially of writing or music) clear and accessible or melodious |
| Listless | adjective | (Of a person or their manner) lacking energy or enthusiasm |
| Livid | adjective | furiously angry |
| Loll | verb | Sit, lie, or stand in a lazy, relaxed way |
| loquacious | adj. | talkative |
| Lucid | adjective | Showing ability to think clearly |
| Lugubrious | adjective | Looking or sounding sad and dismal |
| Lurid | adjective | Presented in vividly shocking or sensational terms |
| Maelstrom | noun | a situation or state of confused movement or violent turmoil |
| magnanimity | n. | generosity and nobility. (adj: magnanimous) |
| Magnate | noun | a wealthy and influential businessman or businesswoman |
| Malaproprism | noun | the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect |
| malevolent | adj. | malicious; evil; having or showing ill will: “Some early American colonists saw the wilderness as malevolent and sought to control it.” |
| Malign | adjective | evil in nature or effect |
| Mar | verb | Impair the quality or appearance of |
| Maudlin | adjective | Self-pityingly or tearfully sentimental |
| Milieu | noun | a person’s social environment |
| Mince | verb | Use polite or moderate expressions to indicate disapproval |
| Minion | noun | a follower or underling of a powerful person |
| Mire | verb | involve someone or something in (a difficult situation) |
| Mirth | noun | Amusement, especially as expressed in laughter |
| Misanthropy | noun | a dislike of humankind |
| misnomer | n. | incorrect name or word for something |
| misogynist | n. | one who hates women |
| mitigate | v. | to make less forceful; to become more moderate; to make less harsh or undesirable: “He was trying to mitigate the damage he had done.” (n: mitigation) |
| Modest | adjective | not excessively large, elaborate, or expensive |
| Modish | adjective | Conforming to or following what is currently popular and fashionable |
| Monolithic | adjective | large, powerful, and intractably indivisible and uniform |
| Morose | adjective | Sullen and ill-tempered |
| Munificent | adjective | Larger or more generous than is usual or necessary |
| Muse | noun | a person or personified force who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist |
| Myopic | adjective | nearsighted |
| Nadir | noun | the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization |
| Nascent | adjective | just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential |
| Natty | adjective | (of a person or an article of clothing) smart and fashionable |
| nefarious | adj. | wicked, evil: “a nefarious plot.” |
| Neophyte | noun | a person who is new to a subject, skill, or belief |
| Nexus | noun | a connection or series of connections linking two or more things |
| Noisome | adjective | having an extremely offensive smell |
| Nonplussed | adjective | (Of a person) surprised and confused so much that they are unsure how to react |
| Normative | adjective | Establishing, relating to, or deriving from a standard or norm |
| Nostrum | noun | a pet scheme or favorite remedy, especially one for bringing about some social or political reform or improvement |
| obdurate | adj. | hardened against influence or feeling; intractable. |
| Oblique | adjective | Not explicit or direct in addressing a point |
| obviate | v. | to prevent by anticipatory measures; to make unnecessary: |
| Occlude | verb | Stop, close up, or obstruct |
| opaque | adj. | not transparent or transluscent; dense; difficult to comprehend, as inopaque reasoning |
| Opine | verb | Hold and state as one’s opinion |
| ossified | adj. | turned to bone; hardened like bone; Inflexible: “The ossified culture failed to adapt to new economic conditions and died out.” |
| Overwrought | adjective | (of a piece of writing or a work of art) too elaborate or complicated in design or construction |
| Paean | noun | a song of praise or triumph |
| Pallid | adjective | (of a person’s face) pale, typically because of poor health |
| Panache | noun | Flamboyant confidence of style or manner |
| panegyric | n. | a writing or speech in praise of a person or thing |
| Panoply | noun | a complete or impressive collection of things |
| Paragon | noun | a person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality |
| Parry | verb | Answer (a question or accusation) evasively |
| Pastiche | noun | an artistic work consisting of a medley of pieces taken from various sources |
| Paucity | noun | the presence of something only in small or insufficient quantities or amounts |
| peccadillo | n. | a small sin or fault |
| pedantic | adj. | showing a narrow concern for rules or formal book learning; making an excessive display of one’s own learning: “We quickly tired of his pedantic conversation.” (n: pedant, pedantry). |
| Pellucid | adjective | Lucid in style or meaning; easily understood |
| Penchant | noun | A strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something |
| perfidious | adj. | deliberately treacherous; dishonest (n: perfidy) |
| Pertain | verb | be appropriate, related, or applicable |
| petulant | adj. | easily or frequently annoyed, especially over trivial matters; childishly irritable |
| Phalanx | noun | a body of troops or police officers standing or moving in close formation |
| philanthropy | n. | tendency or action for the benefit of others, as in donating money or property to a charitible organization |
| Philistine | noun | A person who is hostile or indifferent to culture and the arts |
| phlegmatic | adj. | not easily excited; cool; sluggish |
| Pine | verb | Miss and long for the return of |
| Pique | noun | a feeling of irritation or resentment resulting from a slight |
| Pithy | adjective | (of language or style) terse and vigorously expressive |
| placate | v. | to calm or reduce anger by making concessions: “The professor tried to placate his students by postponing the exam.” |
| plastic | adj. | related to being shaped or molded; capable of being molded. (n: plasticity n: plastic) |
| Platitude | noun | A remark or statement, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful |
| Plethora | noun | a large or excessive amount |
| Polemic | noun | a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something |
| ponderous | adj. | heavy; massive; awkward; dull: “A ponderous book is better than a sleeping pill.” |
| Posit | verb | Put forward as fact or as a basis for argument |
| pragmatic | adj. | concerned with facts; practical, as opposed to highly principled or traditional: “His pragmatic approach often offended idealists.” (n: pragmatism) |
| precipice | n. | cliff with a vertical or nearly vertical face; a dangerous place from which one is likely to fall; metaphorically, a very risky circumstance |
| precipitate | v., n. | to fall; to fall downward suddenly and dramatically; to bring about or hasten the occurrence of something: “Old World diseases precipitated a massive decline in the American Indian population.” |
| Précis | noun | a summary or abstract of a text or speech |
| precursor | n. | something (or someone) that precedes another: “The assasination of the Archduke was a precursor to the war.” |
| Presage | verb | be a sign or warning of (an imminent event, typically an unwelcome one) |
| prevaricate | v. | to stray away from or evade the truth: “When we asked him what his intentions were, he prevaricated.”(n: prevarication; prevaricator) |
| Prodigal | noun | a person who leaves home and behaves recklessly, but later makes a repentant return |
| Prolific | adjective | (of an artist, author, or composer) producing many works |
| Prophetic | adjective | Accurately describing or predicting what will happen in the future |
| propitiate | v. | to conciliate; to appease: “They made sacrifices to propitiate angry gods.” |
| Prosaic | adjective | Commonplace; unromantic |
| Proxy | noun | a person authorized to act on behalf of another |
| Prudish | adjective | having a tendency to be easily shocked by matters relating to sex or nudity |
| Puerile | adjective | childishly silly and trivial |
| Pulchritudinous | adj. | beautiful (n: pulchritude) |
| Pundit | noun | an expert in a particular subject or field who is frequently called on to give opinions about it to the public |
| Purist | noun | a person who insists on absolute adherence to traditional rules or structures |
| pusillanimous | adj. | cowardly, timid, or irreselute; petty: “The pusillanimous leader soon lost the respect of his people.” |
| Pyre | noun | a heap of combustible material, especially one for burning a corpse as part of a funeral ceremony |
| Quack | noun | a person who dishonestly claims to have special knowledge in some field |
| Qualm | noun | an uneasy feeling of doubt, worry, or fear |
| Quell | verb | Suppress (a feeling, especially an unpleasant one) |
| Querulous | adjective | Complaining in a petulant or whining manner |
| Quibble | verb | Argue or raise objections about a trivial matter |
| quiescence | n. | inactivity; stillness; dormancy (adj: quiescent) |
| Quiescence | noun | a state or period of inactivity or dormancy |
| Quixotic | adjective | exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical |
| Quotidian | adjective | Ordinary or everyday, especially when mundane |
| Raconteur | noun | a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way |
| rarefy | v. | to make or become thin; to purify or refine (n: rarefaction, adj: rarefied) |
| Recalcitrant | adjective | having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority |
| Recant | verb | Say that one no longer holds an opinion or belief |
| Redress | noun | remedy or compensation for a wrong or grievance |
| Repast | noun | a meal |
| reproof | n. | the act of censuring, scolding, or rebuking. (v. reprove). |
| rescind | v. | to repeal or annul |
| Reticence | noun | the quality of not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily |
| Ribald | adjective | Referring to sexual matters in an amusingly rude or irreverent way |
| Rococo | adjective | Characterized by an elaborately ornamental late baroque style of decoration |
| Rue | verb | Bitterly regret (something one has done or allowed to happen) |
| Ruminate | verb | Think deeply about something |
| sagacious | adj. | having a sharp or powerful intellect or discernment. (n: sagacity). |
| Salient | adjective | Most noticeable or important |
| sanguine | adj. | cheerful; confident: “Her sanguine attitude put everyone at ease.”(Sangfroid (noun) is a related French word meaning unflappibility. Literally, it means cold blood) |
| Sanguine | adjective | Optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation |
| Sardonic | adjective | grimly mocking or cynical |
| sate | v. | to satisfy fully or to excess |
| saturnine | adj. | having a gloomy or morose temperament |
| savant | n. | a very knowledgable person; a genious |
| Savant | noun | a learned person, especially a distinguished scientist |
| Scintilla | noun | a tiny trace or spark of a specified quality or feeling |
| sedulous | adj. | diligent; persevering; persistent: “Her sedulous devotion to overcoming her background impressed many.” (n: sedulity; sedulousness; adv. sedulously) |
| Semantic | adjective | Relating to meaning in language or logic |
| Sobriquet | noun | a person’s nickname |
| Soliloquy | noun | an act of speaking one’s thoughts aloud when by oneself, especially by a character in a play |
| Soporific | adjective | Tending to induce drowsiness or sleep |
| specious | adj. | seemingly true but really false; deceptively convincing or attractive: “Her argument, though specious, was readily accepted by many.” |
| Stigma | noun | a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person |
| Stipulate | verb | Demand or specify (a requirement), typically as part of a bargain or agreement |
| Stratum | noun | a thin layer within any structure |
| Strut | verb | Walk with a stiff, erect, and apparently arrogant or conceited gait |
| Sublime | adjective | of very great excellence or beauty |
| Subpoena | noun | A writ ordering a person to attend a court |
| superficial | adj. | only covering the surface: “A superficial treatment of the topic was all they wanted.” |
| Supine | adjective | Failing to act as a result of moral weakness or indolence |
| Surly | adjective | Bad-tempered and unfriendly |
| Syncopation | noun | A displacement of the beat or accents in (music or a rhythm) so that strong beats become weak and vice versa |
| Synoptic | adjective | Taking or involving a comprehensive mental view |
| Syntax | noun | the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language |
| tacit | adj. | unspoken: “Katie and carmella had a tacit agreement that they would not mention the dented fender to their parents.” |
| taciturn | adj. | habitually untalkative or silent (n: taciturnity) |
| Taunt | noun | A remark made in order to anger, wound, or provoke someone |
| Tawdry | adjective | Showy but cheap and of poor quality |
| temperate | adj. | exercising moderation and self-denial; calm or mild (n: temperance) |
| Tenet | noun | a principle or belief |
| Terse | adjective | Sparing in the use of words |
| tirade (diatribe) | n. | an angry speech: “His tirade had gone on long enough.” |
| Toady | verb | Act in an obsequious way |
| Tome | noun | a book, especially a large, heavy, scholarly one |
| Torrid | adjective | Full of difficulty or tribulation |
| tortuous | adj. | twisted; excessively complicated: “Despite public complaints, tax laws and forms have become increasingly tortuous.” Note: Don’t confuse this with torturous. |
| Tout | verb | Attempt to sell (something), typically by pestering people in an aggressive manner |
| tractable | adj. | ability to be easily managed or controlled: “Her mother wished she were more tractable.” (n: tractibility) |
| Transgression | noun | an act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct |
| Treacherous | adjective | Guilty of or involving betrayal or deception |
| Truculent | adjective | Eager or quick to argue or fight |
| Turgid | adjective | (of language or style) tediously pompous or bombastic |
| turpitude | n. | depravity; baseness: “Mr. Castor was fired for moral turpitude.” |
| Umbrage | noun | Offense or annoyance |
| Upbraid | verb | Find fault with (someone) |
| Urbane | adjective | (Of a person, especially a man) courteous and refined in manner |
| vacuous | adj. | empty; without contents; without ideas or intelligence:: “She flashed a vacuous smile.” |
| Vapid | adjective | offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging; bland |
| venerate | v. | great respect or reverence: “The Chinese traditionally venerated their ancestors; ancestor worship is merely a popular misnomer for this tradition.” (n: veneration, adj: venerable) |
| verbose | adj. | wordy: “The instructor asked her verbose student make her paper more concise.” (n: verbosity) |
| Verdant | adjective | (of countryside) green with grass or other rich vegetation |
| Vestige | noun | a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists |
| vex | v. | to annoy; to bother; to perplex; to puzzle; to debate at length: “Franklin vexed his brother with his controversial writings.” |
| Vilify | verb | Speak or write about in an abusively disparaging manner |
| Virulent | adjective | extremely severe or harmful in its effects |
| viscous | adj. | slow moving; highly resistant to flow: “Heintz commercials imply that their catsup is more viscous than others’.” (n: viscosity) |
| Vitriol | noun | Cruel and bitter criticism |
| Vociferous | adjective | (Especially of a person or speech) vehement or clamorous |
| volatile | adj. | explosive; fickle (n: volatility). |
| voracious | adj. | craving or devouring large quantities of food, drink, or other things. She is a voracious reader. |
| Waffle | noun | Lengthy but trivial or useless talk or writing |
| Waft | verb | Pass or cause to pass easily or gently through or as if through the air |
| Wanton | adjective | (of a cruel or violent action) deliberate and unprovoked |
| waver | v. | to hesitate or to tremble |
| Welter | noun | a large number of items in no order; a confused mass |
| Whet | verb | Excite or stimulate (someone’s desire, interest, or appetite) |
| Whitewash | verb | Deliberately attempt to conceal unpleasant facts about (a person or organization) |
| Whittle | verb | Reduce something in size, amount, or extent by a gradual series of steps |
| Winnow | verb | blow a current of air through (grain) in order to remove the chaff |
| Winsome | adjective | Attractive or appealing in appearance or character |
| Wizened | adjective | Shriveled or wrinkled with age |
| wretched | adj. | extremely pitiful or unfortunate (n: wretch) |
| Wry | adjective | Using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor |
| Xenophobia | noun | Intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries |
| Yoke | noun | a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull |
| zeal | n. | enthusiastic devotion to a cause, ideal, or goal (n: zealot; zealoutry. adj: zealous) |