GRE Verbal: High-Frequency Vocabulary

All 16 cards

1. 1

   laconic

   Part of Speech: Adjective
   Definition: Using very few words; concise.
   Context: Though the critic's review was laconic, its brevity did not blunt the sharpness of its disapproval.

2. 2

   ameliorate

   Part of Speech: Verb
   Definition: To make something bad or unsatisfactory better.
   Context: The governor's new policy was designed to ameliorate the economic hardships faced by rural communities.

3. 3

   prevaricate

   Part of Speech: Verb
   Definition: To speak or act in an evasive way; to avoid telling the truth.
   Context: During the deposition, the witness began to prevaricate, offering convoluted answers to simple questions.

4. 4

   capricious

   Part of Speech: Adjective
   Definition: Given to sudden and unpredictable changes of mood or behavior.
   Context: The administration's capricious funding decisions left researchers unable to plan long-term studies.

5. 5

   sycophant

   Part of Speech: Noun
   Definition: A person who acts obsequiously toward someone important in order to gain an advantage; a flatterer.
   Context: The director was surrounded by sycophants who praised even his most mediocre ideas.

6. 6

   tacit

   Part of Speech: Adjective
   Definition: Understood or implied without being directly stated.
   Context: By remaining silent during the meeting, the board members gave their tacit approval to the controversial merger.

7. 7

   ephemeral

   Part of Speech: Adjective
   Definition: Lasting for a very short time; fleeting.
   Context: Fame in the digital age is notoriously ephemeral, often vanishing as quickly as it is acquired.

8. 8

   pragmatic

   Part of Speech: Adjective
   Definition: Dealing with things sensibly and realistically based on practical rather than theoretical considerations.
   Context: The committee took a pragmatic approach, choosing a modest plan that could be funded immediately over a grander, costlier vision.

9. 9

   garrulous

   Part of Speech: Adjective
   Definition: Excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters.
   Context: The normally garrulous host became uncharacteristically quiet when asked about the network's finances.

10. 10

    obdurate

    Part of Speech: Adjective
    Definition: Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action.
    Context: Despite overwhelming scientific evidence, the regulatory agency remained obdurate in its refusal to ban the pesticide.

11. 11

    ostentatious

    Part of Speech: Adjective
    Definition: Characterized by pretentious or vulgar display designed to impress or attract notice.
    Context: The philanthropist preferred anonymous donations, avoiding the ostentatious galas favored by his peers.

12. 12

    venerate

    Part of Speech: Verb
    Definition: To regard with great respect; to revere.
    Context: While the academic community continues to venerate the professor's early work, his recent publications have drawn sharp criticism.

13. 13

    cogent

    Part of Speech: Adjective
    Definition: Clear, logical, and convincing (especially of an argument).
    Context: The defense attorney presented a cogent argument that quickly swayed the jury in her client's favor.

14. 14

    disparate

    Part of Speech: Adjective
    Definition: Essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison.
    Context: The anthology brought together essays from disparate fields, ranging from behavioral economics to theoretical physics.

15. 15

    equivocal

    Part of Speech: Adjective
    Definition: Open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous or undecided.
    Context: The clinical trial results were equivocal, forcing the researchers to conduct a secondary study to obtain clearer data.

16. 16

    mitigate

    Part of Speech: Verb
    Definition: To make less severe, serious, or painful.
    Context: Engineers installed advanced shock absorbers to mitigate the damage caused by frequent seismic activity.