GRE 365: Vocabulary Flashcards
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blithe
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joyful, cheerful, or without appropriate thought Summer finally came, and the blithe students spent their days at the beach. Synonyms: carefree; lighthearted; merry
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belfry
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a bell tower; the room in which a bell is hung The town was shocked when a bag of money was found stashed in the old belfry of the church. Synonyms: spire; steeple
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assail
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to attack; to assault The foreign army will try to assail our bases, but they will not be successful in their attack. Synonyms: beset; storm; strike
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amulet
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an ornament worn as a charm against evil spirits Though she claimed it was not because of superstition, Vivian always wore an amulet around her neck Synonyms: fetish; talisman
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abdicate
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to give up a position, right, or power With then angry mob clamor ink outside the palace, the king abdicated his throne and fled. Synonyms: cede; quit; relinquish; resign; yield
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florid
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excessively decorated or embellished The palace had been decorated in an excessively florid style; every surface had been carved and gilded Synonyms: baroque; elaborate; flamboyant; ornate; ostentatious; rococo
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foment
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to arouse or incite The rebels tried to foment revolution through their attacks on the government. Synonyms: agitate; impassion; inflame; instigate; kindle
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hegemony
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the domination of one state or group over its allies When Germany claimed hegemony over Russia, Stalin was outraged. Synonyms: authority; power
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contumacious
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rebellious The contumacious teenager ran away from home when her parents told her she was grounded. Synonyms: factious; insubordinate; insurgent; mutinous; rebellious; seditious
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leery
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suspicious After being swindled once, Ruth became leery of strangers trying to sell things to her. Synonyms: distrustful; guarded; wary
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mannered
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artificial or stilted in character The portrait is an example of the mannered style that was favored in that era. Synonyms: affected; unnatural
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lugubrious
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sorrowful; mournful; dismal Irish wakes are a rousing departure from the lugubrious funeral services to which most people are accustomed. Synonyms: funereal; gloomy; melancholy; somber; woeful
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zephyr
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a gentle breeze; something airy or unsubstantial The zephyr from the ocean made the intense heat on the beach bearable for the sunbathers. Synonyms: breath; draft
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yoke
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to join together As soon as the farmer had yoked his oxen together, he began to plow the fields. Synonyms: bind; harness; pair
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wraith
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a ghost or specter; a ghost of a living person seen just before his or her death Gideon thought he saw a wraith late one night as he sat vigil outside his great uncle's bedroom door. Synonyms: apparition; bogeyman; phantasm; shade; spirit
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wizened
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shriveled; withered; wrinkled The wizened old man was told that the plastic surgery necessary to make him look young again would cost more money than he could imagine. Synonyms: atrophied; desiccated; gnarled; wasted
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wanton
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undisciplined; unrestrained; reckless The townspeople were outraged by the wanton display of disrespect when they discovered the statue of the town founder covered in graffiti. Synonyms: capricious; lewd; licentious
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wan
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sickly pale The sick child had a wan face, in on trash to her rosy-cheeked sister. Synonyms: ashen; sickly
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vim
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vitality and energy The vim with which she worked so early in the day explained why she was so productive. Synonyms: force power
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vestige
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a trace; a remnant Vestiges of the former tenant still remained in the apartment, though he hadn't lived there for years. Synonyms: relic; remains; sign
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vernal
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related to spring; fresh Bea basked in the balmy vernal breezes, happy that winter was coming to an end. Synonyms: springlike; youthful
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upbraid
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to scold sharply The teacher upbraided the student for scrawling graffiti all over the walls of the school. Synonyms: berate; chide; rebuke; reproach; tax
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trenchant
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acute, sharp, or incisive; forceful; effective Tyrone's trenchant observations in class made him the professor's favorite student Synonyms: biting; caustic; cutting; keen
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tome
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a book, usually a large and academic one The teacher was forced to refer to various times to find the answer to the advanced student's question. Synonyms: codex; volume
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toady
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one who flatters in the hope of gaining favors The king was surrounded by toadies who rushed to agree with whatever outrageous thing he said. Synonyms: parasite; sycophant
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talon
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claw of an animal, especially a bird of prey A vulture holds its prey in its talons while it dismembers it with its beak. Synonyms: claw; nail
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syncopation
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temporary irregularity in musical rhythm A jazz enthusiast will appreciate the use of syncopation in that musical genre.
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supplant
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to replace (another) by force; to take the place of The overthrow of the government meant a new leader to supplant the tyrannical former one. Synonyms: displace; supersede
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rococo
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very highly ornamented; relating to an 18th century artistic style of elaborate ornamentation The ornate furniture in the house reminded Tatiana of the rococo style. Synonyms: intricate; ornate
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ribald
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humorous in a vulgar way The court jester's ribald brand of humor delighted the rather uncouth king. Synonyms: coarse; gross; indelicate; lewd; obscene
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rhetoric
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effective writing or speaking Lincoln's talent for rhetoric was evident in his beautifully expressed Gettysburg Address. Synonyms: eloquence; oratory
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requite
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to return or repay Thanks for offering to lend me $1,000, but I know I'll never be able to requite your generosity. Synonyms: compensate; reciprocate
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repudiate
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TO REJECT THE VALIDITY OF The old woman's claim that she was Russian royalty was repudiated by other known relatives. Synonyms: deny; disavow; disclaim; disown; renounce
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repast
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MEAL OR MEALTIME Ravi prepared a delicious repast of chicken tikka and naan. Synonyms: banquet; feast
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rejoinder
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RESPONSE Patrick tried desperately to think of a clever rejoinder to Marianna's joke, but he couldn't. Synonyms: retort; ripost
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redress
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RELIEF FROM WRONG OR INJURY Seeking redress for the injuries she had received in the accident, Doreen sued the driver of the truck that had hit her. Synonyms: amends; indemnity; quittance; reparation; restitution
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rarefy
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TO BECOME THINNER OR SPARSER Since the atmosphere rarefied as altitudes increase, the air at the top of very tall mountains is too thin to breathe. Synonyms: attenuate; thin
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raconteur
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A WITTY, SKILLFUL STORYTELLER The raconteur kept all the passengers entertained with his stories during the six-hour flight. Synonyms: anecdotalist; monologist
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propriety
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THE QUALITY OF BEHAVING IN A PROPER MANNER; OBEYING RULES AND CUSTOMS The aristocracy maintained a high level of propriety, adhering to even the most minor social rules. Synonyms: appropriateness; decency; decorum; modesty
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propitiate
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TO CONCILIATE; TO APPEASE Because their gods were angry and vengeful, the Vikings propitiate do them with many sacrifices. Synonyms: appease; conciliate; mollify; pacify; placate
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profligate
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CORRUPT; DEGENERATE Some historians claim that it was the Romans' decadent, profligate behavior that led to the decline of the Roman Empire. Synonyms: dissolute; extravagant; improvident; prodigal; wasteful
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prescient
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HAVING FORESIGHT Jonah's decision to sell the apartment seemed to be a prescient one, as its value soon dropped by half. Synonyms: augural; divinatory; mantic; oracular; premonitory
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précis
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SHORT SUMMARY OF FACTS Farah wrote a précis of her thesis on the epic poem to share with the class. Synonym: summary
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potentate
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A MONARCH OR RULER WITH GREAT POWER Alex was much kinder before he assumed the role of potentate. Synonyms: dominator; leader
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posit
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TO ASSUME AS REAL OR CONCEDED; TO PROPOSE AS AN EXPLANATION Before proving the math formula, we needed to posit that x and y were real numbers. Synonym: suggest
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politic
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SHREWD AND PRACTICAL IN MANAGING OR DEALING WITH THINGS; DIPLOMATIC She was wise to curb her tongue and was able to explain her problem to the judge in a respectful and politic manner. Synonym: tactful
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polemic
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CONTROVERSY; ARGUMENT; VERBAL ATTACK The candidates polemic against his opponent was vicious and small-minded rather than convincing and well-reasoned. Synonyms: denunciation; refutation
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plebeian
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CRUDE OR COARSE; CHARACTERISTIC OF COMMONERS After five weeks of rigorous studying, the graduate settled in for a weekend of plebeian socializing and television watching. Synonyms: conventional; unrefined
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philistine
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A PERSON WHO IS GUIDED BY MATERIALISM AND IS DISDAINFUL OF INTELLECTUAL OR ARTISTIC VALUES The philistine never even glanced at the rare violin in his collection but instead kept an eye on its value and sold it at a profit. Synonyms: boor; bourgeois; capitalist; materialist; vulgarian
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phalanx
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A COMPACT OR CLOSE-KNIT BODY OF PEOPLE, ANIMALS, OR THINGS A phalanx of guards stood outside the prime minister's home day and night. Synonyms: legion; mass
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pervade
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TO BE PRESENT THROUGHOUT; TO PERMEATE Four spices - cumin, turmeric, coriander, and cayenne - pervade almost every Indian dish, and give the cuisine its distinctive flavor. Synonyms: imbue; infuse; penetrate; permeate; suffuse
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perspicacious
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SHREWD, ASTUTE, OR KEEN- WITTED Inspector Poirot used his perspicacious mind to solve mysteries. Synonyms: insightful; intelligent; sagacious
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peregrinate
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TO WANDER FROM PLACE TO PLACE, TO TRAVEL, ESPECIALLY ON FOOT Shivani enjoyed peregrinating the expansive grounds of Central Park. Synonyms: journey; traverse; trek
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pastiche
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A PIECE OF LITERATURE OR MUSIC IMITATING OTHER WORKS The playwright's clever pastiche of the well-known children's story had the audience rolling in the aisles. Synonyms: medley; spoof
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parry
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TO WARD OFF OR DEFLECT, ESPECIALLY BY A QUICK-WITTED ANSWER Kari parried every question the army officers fired at her, much to their frustration. Synonyms: avoid; evade; repel
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parley
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DISCUSSION; USUALLY BETWEEN ENEMIES The parley between the rival cheerleading teams resulted in neither side admitting that they copied the other's dance moves. Synonyms: debate; dialogue; negotiations; talks
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pare
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TO TRIM OFF EXCESS; TO REDUCE The cook's hands were sore after she pared hundreds of potatoes for the banquet. Synonyms: clip; peel
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panoply
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IMPRESSIVE ARRAY Her résumé indicates a panoply of skills and accomplishments. Synonyms: array; display; fanfare; parade; pomp; shine; show
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panegyric
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ELABORATE PRAISE; FORMAL HYMN OF PRAISE The director's panegyric for the donor who kept his charity going was heart warming. Synonyms: compliment; homage
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panache
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FLAMBOYANCE OR DASH IN STYLE AND ACTION; VERVE Leah has such panache when planning parties, even when they're last-minute affairs. Synonym: flair
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pallid
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LACKING COLOR OR LIVELINESS The old drugstore's pallid window could not compete with the new megastore's extravagant display next door. Synonyms: ashen; blanched; ghostly; pale; wan
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overwrought
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AGITATED; OVERDONE The lawyer's overwrought voice on the phone made her clients worry about the outcome of their case. Synonyms: elaborate; excited; nervous; ornate
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orotund
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POMPOUS Roberto soon grew tired of his date's orotund babble about her new job, and decided that their first date would probably be their last. Synonyms: aureate; bombastic; declamatory; euphuistic; flowery; grandiloquent; magniloquent; oratorical; overblown; sonorous
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opine
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TO EXPRESS AND OPINION At the "Let's Chat Talk Show," the audience member opined that the guest was in the wrong. Synonyms: point out; voice
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occlude
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TO STOP UP; TO PREVENT THE PASSAGE OF A shadow is thrown across the Earth's surface during a solar eclipse, when the light from the sun is occluded by the moon. Synonyms: barricade; block; close; obstruct
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obviate
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TO PREVENT; TO MAKE UNNECESSARY The river was shallow enough to wade across at many points, which obviates the need for a bridge. Synonyms: forestall; preclude; prohibit
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oblique
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INDIRECT OR EVASIVE; MISLEADING OR DEVIOUS Usually open and friendly, Reynaldo has been behaving Ina curiously oblique manner lately. Synonyms: glancing; slanted; tangential
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obdurate
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HARDENED IN FEELING; RESISTANT TO PERSUASION The president was completely obdurate on the issue, and no amount of persuasion would change his mind. Synonyms: inflexible; intransigent; recalcitrant; tenacious; unyielding
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numismatics
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COIN COLLECTING Tom's passion for numismatics has resulted in an impressive collection of coins from all over the world.
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noisome
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STINKING; PUTRID A dead mouse trapped in your walls produces a noisome odor. Synonyms: disgusting; foul; malodorous
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nettle
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TO IRRITATE I don't particularly like having blue hair - I just do it to nettle my parents. Synonyms: annoy; vex
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neophyte
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NOVICE; BEGINNER A relative neophyte at bowling, Rodolfo rolled all of his balls into the gutter. Synonyms: apprentice; greenhorn; tyro
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neologism
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NEW WORD OR EXPRESSION Aunt Mabel simply does not understand today's youth; she is perplexed by their clothing, music, and neologisms. Synonyms: slang; coinage
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multifarious
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DIVERSE Ken opened the hotel room window, letting in the multifarious noises of the great city. Synonyms: assorted; heterogenous; indiscriminate; legion; motley; multi fold; multiform; multiplex; populous; varied
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mores
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FIXED CUSTOMS OR MANNERS; MORAL ATTITUDES In keeping with the mores of ancient Roman society, Nero held a celebration every weekend. Synonyms: conventions; practices
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missive
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A WRITTEN NOTE OR LETTER Priscilla spent hours composing a romantic missive for Elvis. Synonym: message
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militate
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TO OPERATE AGAINST; WORK AGAINST Lenin militated against the tsar for years before he overthrew him and established the Soviet Union. Synonyms: affect; change; influence
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maelstrom
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WHIRLPOOL; TURMOIL; AGITATED STATE OF MIND The transportation system of the city had collapsed in the maelstrom of war. Synonyms: eddy; turbulence
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lumber
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TO MOVE SLOWLY AND AWKWARDLY The bear lumbered toward the garbage, drooling at the prospect of the leftovers he smelled. Synonyms: galumph; hulk; lurch; stumble
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lissome
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EASILY FLEXED; LIMBER; AGILE The lissome yoga instructor twisted herself into shapes that her students could only dream of. Synonyms: graceful; lithe; supple
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lionize
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TO TREAT AS A CELEBRITY After the success of his novel, the author was lionized by the press. Synonyms: feast; honor; regale
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licentious
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IMMORAL; UNRESTRAINED BY SOCIETY Religious citizens were outraged by the licentious exploits of the free-spirited artists living in town. Synonyms: lewd; wanton
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libertine
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A FREE THINKER (USUALLY USED DISPARAGINGLY); ONE WITHOUT MORAL RESTRAINT The libertine took pleasure in gambling away his family's money. Synonym: hedonist
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liberal
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TOLERANT OR BROAD-MINDED; GENEROUS OR LAVISH Cali's liberal parents trusted her and allowed her to manage her own affairs to a large extent. Synonyms: bounteous; latitudinarian; munificent; permissive; progrssive
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levity
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AN INAPPROPRIATE LACK OF SERIOUSNESS; AN OVERLY CASUAL ATMOSPHERE The joke added a jarring note of levity to the otherwise serious meeting. Synonyms: amusement; humor
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legerdemain
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TRICKERY The little boy thought his legerdemain was working on his mother but she in fact knew about every hidden toy and stolen cookie. Synonyms: chicanery; conjuring
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lassitude
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A STATE OF DIMINISHED ENERGY The lack of energy that characterizes patients with anemia makes lassitude one of the primary symptoms of the disease. Synonyms: debilitation; enervation; fatigue; languor; listlessness; tiredness; weariness
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largess
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GENEROUS GIVING (AS OF MONEY) TO OTHERE WHO MAY SEEM INFERIOR She'd always relied on her parents' largess, but after graduation she had to get a job. Synonyms: benevolence; boon; compliment; favor; present
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larceny
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THEFT OF PROPERTY The crime of stealing a wallet can be categorized as petty larceny. Synonyms: burglary; robbery; stealing
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lapidary
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RELATING TO PRECIOUS STONES OR THE ART OF CUTTING THEM Most lapidary work today is done with the use of motorized equipment.
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languid
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LACKING ENERGY; INDIFFERENT; SLOW The languid cat cleaned its fur, ignoring the vicious, snarling dog chained a few feet away from it. Synonyms: lackadaisical; listless; sluggish; weak
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lampoon
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TO RIDICULE WITH SATIRE The mayor hated being lampooned by the press for his efforts to improve people's politeness. Synonym: tease
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lachrymose
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TEARFUL Marcella always became lachrymose when it was time to bid her daughter good-bye. Synonyms: teary; weeping
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knell
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SOUND OF A FUNERAL BELL; OMEN OF DEATH OR FAILURE When the townspeople heard the knell from the church belfry, they knew that their mayor had died. Synonyms: chime; peal; toll
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juncture
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A POINT OF TIME, ESPECIALLY ONE WHERE TWO THINGS ARE JOINED At this juncture, I think it would be a good idea for us to take a coffee break. Synonyms: confluence; convergence; crisis; crossroads; moment
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jocular
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PLAYFUL; HUMOROUS The jocular old man entertained his grandchildren for hours. Synonyms: amusing; comical
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invidious
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ENVIOUS; OBNOXIOUS, OR OFFENSIVE; LIKELY TO PROMOTE ILL-WILL It is cruel and invidious for parents to play favorites with their children. Synonyms: discriminatory; insulting; jaundiced; resentful
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Investiture
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CEREMONY CONFERRING AUTHORITY At Napoleon's investiture, he grabbed the crown from the Pope's hands and placed it on his head himself. Synonyms: inaugural; inauguration; induction; initiation; installation
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inquest
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AN INVESTIGATION; AN INQUIRY The police chief ordered an inquest to determine what went wrong. Synonyms: probe; quest; research
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iniquity
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A SIN; AN EVIL ACT "I promise to close every den of iniquity in this town!" thundered the conservative new mayor. Synonyms: enormity; immorality; injustice; vice; wickedness
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inexorable
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INFLEXIBLE; UNYIELDING The inexorable force of the twister swept away their house. Synonyms: adamant; obdurate; relentless
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inculcate
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TO TEACH; TO IMPRESS IN THE MIND Most parents inculcate their children with their beliefs and ideas instead of allowing their children to develop their own values. Synonyms: implant; indoctrinate; instill; preach
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husband
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TO MANAGE ECONOMICALLY; TO USE SPARINGLY The cyclist paced herself at the start of the race, knowing that if she husbanded her resources she'd have the strength to break out of the pack later on. Synonyms: conserve; ration
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hoary
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VERY OLD; WHITISH OR GRAY FROM AGE The old man's hoary beard contrasted starkly to the new stubble of his teenage grandson. Synonyms: ancient; antediluvian; antique; venerable; vintage
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grievous
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CAUSING GRIEF OR SORROW; SERIOUS AND DISTRESSING Maude and Bertha sobbed loudly throughout the grievous event. Synonyms: dire; dolorous; grave; mournful
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gradations
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A DEGREE OR STAGE IN A PROCESS; A VARIATION IN COLOR The paint store offers so many different gradations of red that it's impossible to choose among them. Synonyms: nuance; shade; step; subtlety
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garner
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TO GATHER AND STORE The director managed to garner financial banking from several different sources for his next project. Synonyms: acquire; amass; glean; harvest; reap
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gambol
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TO DANCE OR SKIP AROUND PLAYFULLY From her office, Amy enviously watched the playful puppies gambol around Central Park. Synonyms: caper; cavort; frisk; frolic; rollick; romp
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ersatz
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FAKE Edda, a fashion maven, knew instantly that her friend's new Kate Spade bag was really an ersatz version purchased on the street. Synonyms: artificial; dummy; false; imitation; mock; sham; simulated; spurious; substitute
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edify
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TO INSTRUCT MORALLY AND SPIRITUALLY The guru was paid to deify the actress in the ways of Buddhism. Synonyms: educate; enlighten; guide; teach
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EXHILARATED
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ebullient, ardent, FULL OF ENTHUSIASM AND HIGH SPIRITS,avid, zestful
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dyspeptic
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SUFFERING FROM INDIGESTION; GLOOMY AND IRRITABLE The dyspeptic young man cast a gloom over the party the minute he walked in. Synonyms: acerbic; melancholy; morose; solemn; sour
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droll
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AMUSING IN A WRY, SUBTLE WAY Although the play couldn't be described as hilarious, it was certainly droll. Synonyms: comic; entertaining; funny; risible; witty
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doctrinaire
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RIGIDLY DEVOTED TO THEORIES WITHOUT REGARD FOR PRACTICALITY; DOGMATIC The professor's manner of teaching was considered doctrinaire for such a liberal school. Synonyms: dictatorial; inflexible
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dither
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TO ACT CONFUSEDLY OR WITHOUT CLEAR PURPOSE Ellen dithered around her apartment, uncertain how to tackle the family crises. Synonyms: falter; hesitate; vacillate; waffle; waver
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distaff
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THE FEMALE BRANCH OF A FAMILY The lazy husband refused to cook dinner for his wife, joking that the duty belongs to the distaff's side. Synonyms: maternal
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dirge
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A FUNERAL HYMN OR MOURNFUL SPEECH Melville wrote a dirge for the funeral of James McPherson, a Union general who was killed in 1864. Synonyms: elegy; lament
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dilettante
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SOMEONE WITH AN AMATEURISH AND SUPERFICIAL INTEREST IN A TOPIC Jerry's friends were such dilettantes they seemed to have new jobs and hobbies every week. Synonyms: amateur; dabbler; superficial; tyro
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diaphanous
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ALLOWING LIGHT TO SHOW THROUGH; DELICATE These diaphanous curtains do nothing to block out the sunlight. Synonyms: gauzy; sheer; tenuous; translucent; transparent
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coterie
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AN INTIMATE GROUP OF PERSONS WITH A SIMILAR PURPOSE Angel invited a coterie of fellow stamp enthusiasts to a stamp-trading party. Synonyms: clique; set
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cosset
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TO PAMPER; TO TREAT WITH GREAT CARE Marta just loves to cosset her first and only grandchild. Synonyms: cater to; cuddle; dandle; fondle; love; pamper; pet; spoil
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convoluted
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INTRICATE AND COMPLICATED Although many people bought the professor's book, few people could follow its convoluted ideas and theories. Synonyms: Byzantine; complex; elaborate; intricate; knotty; labyrinthine; perplexing; tangled
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collusion
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A COLLABORATION; COMPLICITY; CONSPIRACY It came to light that the police chief and the mafia had a collusion in running the numbers racket. Synonyms: connivance; intrigue; machination
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coffer
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A STRONGBOX; A LARGE CHEST FOR MONEY The bulletproof glass of the coffer is what keeps the crown jewels secure. Synonyms: chest; exchequer; treasury; war chest
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cloying
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SICKLY SWEET; EXCESSIVE When Enid and Jay first started dating, their cloying affection toward one another often made their friends ill. Synonyms: excessive; fulsome
