GRE prep 2021
prudence Correct Answer: (n.) cautious, circumspect (After losing a fortune in a stock market crash, my
father vowed to practice greater prudence in future investments.)
eschew Correct Answer: deliberately avoid using
(v.) to shun, avoid (George hates the color green so much that he eschews all green food.)
conciliate Correct Answer: To overcome the distrust or animosity of; appease, placate
to reconcile, to pacify, to renew a friendship
reconcile Correct Answer: (v.) to restore to friendship; to settle; to resign
1. (v.) to return to harmony (The feuding neighbors finally reconciled when one brought the other a
delicious tuna noodle casserole.) 2. (v.) to make consistent with existing ideas
capricious Correct Answer: Impulsive and unpredictable
Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior
esoteric Correct Answer: (adj.) intended for or understood by only a select few, private, secret
dilatory Correct Answer: (adj.) tending to delay or procrastinate, not prompt; intended to delay or
postpone
mollify Correct Answer: (v.) to soften, make gentle, pacify; to calm, allay (as an emotion), assuage,
appease, placate; to reduce in intensity
denigrate Correct Answer: criticize unfairly; disparage
(v.) to belittle, diminish the opinion of (The company decided that its advertisements would no longer
denigrate the company's competitors.)
to attack the reputation of; to speak ill of
covet Correct Answer: greatly desired
(v) to desire something belonging to another
resent Correct Answer: to feel angry or bitter at something
She resented the fact that I had children
grandiose Correct Answer: (adj.) on a magnificent or exaggerated scale (Margaret planned a grandiose
party, replete with elephants, trapeze artists, and clowns.)
grand in an impressive or stately way; absurdly exaggerated; extravagantly or pretentiously imposing in
appearance or style. "the court's grandiose facade"
sporadic Correct Answer: (adj.) occurring at irregular intervals, having no set plan or order
Occasional, happening irregularly or in scattered locations
,subvert Correct Answer: to overthrow; to cause the downfall, ruin, or destruction of; to undermine the
principles of; corrupt.
vacillate Correct Answer: To sway physically; to be indecisive
(v.) to swing indecisively from one idea or course of action to another; to waver weakly in mind or will
pragmatic Correct Answer: Dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on
practical rather than theoretical considerations
practical, as opposed to idealistic
perpetrate Correct Answer: To commit, as a crime or other antisocial act
contemplate Correct Answer: v. to look at or think about carefully; to consider as a possibility
attune Correct Answer: v. to bring into harmony
to cause (a person, company, etc.) to have a better understanding of what is needed or wanted by a
particular person or group
lexicographer Correct Answer: n. a person who writes or compiles dictionaries
deliberation Correct Answer: long and careful consideration or discussion
favela Correct Answer: a slum community in a Brazilian city
rasher Correct Answer: A thin slice of bacon
dilapidation Correct Answer: The condition of being run-down or in need of repairs
state of ruin
lucubration Correct Answer: (n.) laborious study or thought, especially at night; the result of such work
meditation
enamor Correct Answer: (v.) to fill with love, fascinate, usually used in passive form followed by "of" or
"with" (I grew enamored of that boy when he quoted my favorite love poem.)
(adj.) inspired by love; captivated; (adj.) marked by foolish or unreasoning fondness
enchant Correct Answer: (v.) to please greatly; to charm, put under a magic spell
to bewitch, cast a spell on, fascinate
truculent Correct Answer: (adj.) fierce and cruel; aggressive; deadly, destructive; scathingly harsh
(adj.) ready to fight, cruel (This club doesn't really attract the dangerous types, so why was that bouncer
being so truculent?)
impediment Correct Answer: (n.) a physical defect; a hindrance, obstacle
cacophony Correct Answer: A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds
Tremendous noise, disharmonious sound
,circumvent Correct Answer: (v.) to get around (The school's dress code forbidding navel-baring jeans
was circumvented by the determined students, who were careful to cover up with long coats when
administrators were nearby.)
To circle AROUND and therefore bypass; to avoid by artful maneuvering
palled Correct Answer: becoming boring or uninteresting
voluptuous Correct Answer: full of, characterized by, or ministering to indulgence in luxury, pleasure,
and sensuous enjoyment; directed toward or concerned with sensuous enjoyment or sensual pleasure.
pleasant to the senses; luxurious; pleasure-seeking; extra full and shapely
(of a woman) curvaceous and sexually attractive.
surreptitious Correct Answer: (adj.) stealthy, secret, intended to escape observation; made or
accomplished by fraud
inimical Correct Answer: (adj.) hostile, enemylike (I don't see how I could ever work for a company that
was so cold and inimical to me during my interviews.)
(adj.) tending to cause harm or obstruct developments; being oppositional or adverse
persistent Correct Answer: continuing firmly or obstinately in an opinion or course of action in spite of
difficulty or opposition.
refusing to give up or let go; preserving obstinately.
pertinacious Correct Answer: (adj.) stubbornly persistent (Harry's parents were frustrated with his
pertinacious insistence that a monster lived in his closet. Then they opened the closet door and were
eaten.)
apathetic Correct Answer: (adj.) lacking concern, emotion (Uninterested in politics, Bruno was apathetic
about whether he lived under a capitalist or communist regime.)
Indifferent
traversty Correct Answer: A false or distorted representation
a grotesque or shameful imitation; a mockery; a perversion
perversion Correct Answer: corruption; turning from right to wrong
(n.) the alteration of something from its original course, meaning, or state to a distortion or corruption
of what was first intended.
sexual behaviour that is considered abnormal and unacceptable. "his book revolutionized ideas about
sexual perversion"
beckon Correct Answer: to signal or summon, as by nodding or waving
extemporaneous Correct Answer: Done without preparation (esp. of a speech), or with some
preparation but no notes; improvised, done on the spur of the moment
impromptu Correct Answer: (adj., adv.) without preparation, offhand, suddenly or hastily done; (n.) an
extemporaneous composition or remark; a minimal piece suggestive of improvisation
, reprobate Correct Answer: (n) a depraved, vicious, or unprincipled person, scoundrel; (adj.) wicked,
corrupt, or unprincipled; (v.) to disapprove of, condemnexpress or feel disapproval of.
(v) express or feel disapproval of.
loquacious Correct Answer: (adj.) talkative, wordy; fond of talking
pulverize Correct Answer: (v.) to ground or pound to a powder or dust; to destroy or overcome (as
though by smashing into fragments)
insouciance Correct Answer: nonchalance or a lack of concern
"the cheerful feeling you have when nothing is troubling you"
acclaim Correct Answer: (n.) high praise (Greg's excellent poem won the acclaim of his friends.)
accolade (n.) high praise, special distinction (Everyone offered accolades to Sam after he won the Noble
Prize.)
oxymoron Correct Answer: A figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief
phrase.
retrospective Correct Answer: (adj, n) looking to the past or backward; applying to the past, retroactive
(adj); an art exhibit of an artist's work over a long period of time (n)
tirade Correct Answer: (n.) a long, angry speech, usually very critical
panacea Correct Answer: (n.) a remedy for all ills; cure-all; an answer to all problems
panache Correct Answer: (n.) a confident and stylish manner, dash; a strikingly elaborate or colorful
display
(n) Flair, style, swagger; a flamboyant or grand way of acting
crescendo Correct Answer: steadily increasing in volume or force
(n.) a steady increase in intensity or volume (The crescendo of the brass instruments gave the piece a
patriotic feel.)
paean Correct Answer: a song or hymn of praise and thanksgiving
eulogy Correct Answer: (n) speech of praise or written work of praise, esp. a speech given at a funeral
elegy Correct Answer: a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead.
harried Correct Answer: adj: troubled persistently especially with petty annoyance
feeling strained as a result of having demands persistently made on one; harassed
besiege Correct Answer: surround with armed forces; harass (with requests); annoy continually
Attack, overwhelm, crowd in on or surround
fete Correct Answer: A party or festival, especially one held out of doors.
to honor or entertain (someone) lavishly
prudence Correct Answer: (n.) cautious, circumspect (After losing a fortune in a stock market crash, my
father vowed to practice greater prudence in future investments.)
eschew Correct Answer: deliberately avoid using
(v.) to shun, avoid (George hates the color green so much that he eschews all green food.)
conciliate Correct Answer: To overcome the distrust or animosity of; appease, placate
to reconcile, to pacify, to renew a friendship
reconcile Correct Answer: (v.) to restore to friendship; to settle; to resign
1. (v.) to return to harmony (The feuding neighbors finally reconciled when one brought the other a
delicious tuna noodle casserole.) 2. (v.) to make consistent with existing ideas
capricious Correct Answer: Impulsive and unpredictable
Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior
esoteric Correct Answer: (adj.) intended for or understood by only a select few, private, secret
dilatory Correct Answer: (adj.) tending to delay or procrastinate, not prompt; intended to delay or
postpone
mollify Correct Answer: (v.) to soften, make gentle, pacify; to calm, allay (as an emotion), assuage,
appease, placate; to reduce in intensity
denigrate Correct Answer: criticize unfairly; disparage
(v.) to belittle, diminish the opinion of (The company decided that its advertisements would no longer
denigrate the company's competitors.)
to attack the reputation of; to speak ill of
covet Correct Answer: greatly desired
(v) to desire something belonging to another
resent Correct Answer: to feel angry or bitter at something
She resented the fact that I had children
grandiose Correct Answer: (adj.) on a magnificent or exaggerated scale (Margaret planned a grandiose
party, replete with elephants, trapeze artists, and clowns.)
grand in an impressive or stately way; absurdly exaggerated; extravagantly or pretentiously imposing in
appearance or style. "the court's grandiose facade"
sporadic Correct Answer: (adj.) occurring at irregular intervals, having no set plan or order
Occasional, happening irregularly or in scattered locations
,subvert Correct Answer: to overthrow; to cause the downfall, ruin, or destruction of; to undermine the
principles of; corrupt.
vacillate Correct Answer: To sway physically; to be indecisive
(v.) to swing indecisively from one idea or course of action to another; to waver weakly in mind or will
pragmatic Correct Answer: Dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on
practical rather than theoretical considerations
practical, as opposed to idealistic
perpetrate Correct Answer: To commit, as a crime or other antisocial act
contemplate Correct Answer: v. to look at or think about carefully; to consider as a possibility
attune Correct Answer: v. to bring into harmony
to cause (a person, company, etc.) to have a better understanding of what is needed or wanted by a
particular person or group
lexicographer Correct Answer: n. a person who writes or compiles dictionaries
deliberation Correct Answer: long and careful consideration or discussion
favela Correct Answer: a slum community in a Brazilian city
rasher Correct Answer: A thin slice of bacon
dilapidation Correct Answer: The condition of being run-down or in need of repairs
state of ruin
lucubration Correct Answer: (n.) laborious study or thought, especially at night; the result of such work
meditation
enamor Correct Answer: (v.) to fill with love, fascinate, usually used in passive form followed by "of" or
"with" (I grew enamored of that boy when he quoted my favorite love poem.)
(adj.) inspired by love; captivated; (adj.) marked by foolish or unreasoning fondness
enchant Correct Answer: (v.) to please greatly; to charm, put under a magic spell
to bewitch, cast a spell on, fascinate
truculent Correct Answer: (adj.) fierce and cruel; aggressive; deadly, destructive; scathingly harsh
(adj.) ready to fight, cruel (This club doesn't really attract the dangerous types, so why was that bouncer
being so truculent?)
impediment Correct Answer: (n.) a physical defect; a hindrance, obstacle
cacophony Correct Answer: A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds
Tremendous noise, disharmonious sound
,circumvent Correct Answer: (v.) to get around (The school's dress code forbidding navel-baring jeans
was circumvented by the determined students, who were careful to cover up with long coats when
administrators were nearby.)
To circle AROUND and therefore bypass; to avoid by artful maneuvering
palled Correct Answer: becoming boring or uninteresting
voluptuous Correct Answer: full of, characterized by, or ministering to indulgence in luxury, pleasure,
and sensuous enjoyment; directed toward or concerned with sensuous enjoyment or sensual pleasure.
pleasant to the senses; luxurious; pleasure-seeking; extra full and shapely
(of a woman) curvaceous and sexually attractive.
surreptitious Correct Answer: (adj.) stealthy, secret, intended to escape observation; made or
accomplished by fraud
inimical Correct Answer: (adj.) hostile, enemylike (I don't see how I could ever work for a company that
was so cold and inimical to me during my interviews.)
(adj.) tending to cause harm or obstruct developments; being oppositional or adverse
persistent Correct Answer: continuing firmly or obstinately in an opinion or course of action in spite of
difficulty or opposition.
refusing to give up or let go; preserving obstinately.
pertinacious Correct Answer: (adj.) stubbornly persistent (Harry's parents were frustrated with his
pertinacious insistence that a monster lived in his closet. Then they opened the closet door and were
eaten.)
apathetic Correct Answer: (adj.) lacking concern, emotion (Uninterested in politics, Bruno was apathetic
about whether he lived under a capitalist or communist regime.)
Indifferent
traversty Correct Answer: A false or distorted representation
a grotesque or shameful imitation; a mockery; a perversion
perversion Correct Answer: corruption; turning from right to wrong
(n.) the alteration of something from its original course, meaning, or state to a distortion or corruption
of what was first intended.
sexual behaviour that is considered abnormal and unacceptable. "his book revolutionized ideas about
sexual perversion"
beckon Correct Answer: to signal or summon, as by nodding or waving
extemporaneous Correct Answer: Done without preparation (esp. of a speech), or with some
preparation but no notes; improvised, done on the spur of the moment
impromptu Correct Answer: (adj., adv.) without preparation, offhand, suddenly or hastily done; (n.) an
extemporaneous composition or remark; a minimal piece suggestive of improvisation
, reprobate Correct Answer: (n) a depraved, vicious, or unprincipled person, scoundrel; (adj.) wicked,
corrupt, or unprincipled; (v.) to disapprove of, condemnexpress or feel disapproval of.
(v) express or feel disapproval of.
loquacious Correct Answer: (adj.) talkative, wordy; fond of talking
pulverize Correct Answer: (v.) to ground or pound to a powder or dust; to destroy or overcome (as
though by smashing into fragments)
insouciance Correct Answer: nonchalance or a lack of concern
"the cheerful feeling you have when nothing is troubling you"
acclaim Correct Answer: (n.) high praise (Greg's excellent poem won the acclaim of his friends.)
accolade (n.) high praise, special distinction (Everyone offered accolades to Sam after he won the Noble
Prize.)
oxymoron Correct Answer: A figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief
phrase.
retrospective Correct Answer: (adj, n) looking to the past or backward; applying to the past, retroactive
(adj); an art exhibit of an artist's work over a long period of time (n)
tirade Correct Answer: (n.) a long, angry speech, usually very critical
panacea Correct Answer: (n.) a remedy for all ills; cure-all; an answer to all problems
panache Correct Answer: (n.) a confident and stylish manner, dash; a strikingly elaborate or colorful
display
(n) Flair, style, swagger; a flamboyant or grand way of acting
crescendo Correct Answer: steadily increasing in volume or force
(n.) a steady increase in intensity or volume (The crescendo of the brass instruments gave the piece a
patriotic feel.)
paean Correct Answer: a song or hymn of praise and thanksgiving
eulogy Correct Answer: (n) speech of praise or written work of praise, esp. a speech given at a funeral
elegy Correct Answer: a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead.
harried Correct Answer: adj: troubled persistently especially with petty annoyance
feeling strained as a result of having demands persistently made on one; harassed
besiege Correct Answer: surround with armed forces; harass (with requests); annoy continually
Attack, overwhelm, crowd in on or surround
fete Correct Answer: A party or festival, especially one held out of doors.
to honor or entertain (someone) lavishly
