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Textbook
Welcome
1. Vocabulary approach
2. Quantitative reasoning
2.1 Quant intro
2.2 Arithmetic & algebra
2.2.1 Positive negative problems
2.2.2 Defined & undefined
2.2.3 GRE vocabulary list 01 (alacrity)
2.2.4 Odd even problems
2.2.5 GRE vocabulary list 02 (adulterate)
2.2.6 Algebra
2.2.7 Fraction math
2.2.8 GRE vocabulary list 03 (abstain)
2.2.9 Percent change
2.2.10 GRE vocabulary list 04 (anachronism)
2.2.11 Function problems
2.2.12 GRE vocabulary list 05 (ameliorate)
2.2.13 Divisors, prime factors, multiples
2.2.14 Greatest common factor (GCF) & Least common multiple (LCM)
2.2.15 GRE vocabulary list 06 (acumen)
2.2.16 Permutations and combinations
2.2.17 GRE vocabulary list 07 (aesthetic)
2.2.18 Decimals
2.2.19 GRE vocabulary list 08 (aggrandize)
2.2.20 FOIL and quadratic equations
2.2.21 GRE vocabulary list 09 (anodyne)
2.2.22 Exponent rules
2.2.23 GRE vocabulary list 10 (aberrant)
2.2.24 Square roots and radicals
2.2.25 Sequences
2.2.26 Venn diagrams & tables
2.2.27 Ratios
2.2.28 Mixtures
2.2.29 Probability
2.2.30 Algebra word problems
2.2.31 Number line, absolute value, inequalities
2.2.32 Simple and compound interest
2.2.33 System of linear equations (SOLE)
2.3 Statistics and data interpretation
2.4 Geometry
2.5 Strategies
3. Verbal reasoning
4. Analytical writing
Wrapping up
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2.2.8 GRE vocabulary list 03 (abstain)
Achievable GRE
2. Quantitative reasoning
2.2. Arithmetic & algebra

GRE vocabulary list 03 (abstain)

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A strong vocabulary is essential for a high GRE score. Based on our analysis, the words below are among the most commonly tested on the exam.

Flashcards can help you memorize definitions, but they don’t always show whether you can recognize a word in context. Use the quizzes to check that you understand each word well enough to apply it on test day.

Definitions

abstain

refrain

verb

choose not to consume

"The monk abstained from sleeping on a nice bed."

"The doctor told him to abstain from drinking more than one drink of alcohol in one evening."

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

advocate

support

verb

speak, plead, or argue in favor of

"It is easy to advocate for something you believe in."

"The prime minister could not advocate a response that could hurt innocent civilians."

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

anomaly

abnormality

noun

Deviation from the common rule; an irregularity

"The horrible performance was considered an anomaly for the prominent musician."

"The chilly day was an anomaly among the otherwise hot summer days."

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

artless

candid

adjective

Free from guile, art, craft, or stratagem; characterized by simplicity and sincerity; sincere; guileless; ingenuous; honest

"Instead of tricking the customer into buying the product, the salesman attempted a more artless, genuine approach."

"His artless demeanor let the customers know that he was not hiding anything from them."

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

cacophony

racket

noun

a loud harsh or strident noise

"The classroom full of rowdy children made a cacophony of shouting voices."

"The junior high marching band sounded like a cacophony of loud and inharmonious noises rather than a well coordinated symphony."

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

censure

criticize

verb

rebuke formally

"The judge censured the criminal before giving the harsh sentencing."

"Alex censured Blair for embarrassing them in front of their crush."

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

chicanery

trickery

noun

Deception by use of trickery, quibbling, or subterfuge.

"The unskilled player relied on chicanery and cheating to win the game."

"The team won the game fairly and without any chicanery."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

corroborate

back up

verb

To confirm, strengthen or support something with additional evidence; to attest or vouch.

"The facts corroborated the lawyer's argument."

"Her closet full of shoes corroborated her claim that she had an outfit for every occasion."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

deride

ridicule

verb

To harshly mock; ridicule.

"The schoolmaster derided the troublemakers."

"His bullies derided the shy kid for being so awkward."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

dissonance

inharmony

noun

a state of disagreement or conflict

"There was obvious dissonance between the couple surrounding specific polarizing topics."

"The dissonance among the keys showed that the piano needed to be tuned."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

equivocate

be evasive

verb

be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information

"The politician preferred to equivocate when giving answers instead of directly addressing the question."

"He was asked to answer directly rather than equivocate with a meaningless response."

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

eulogy

tribute

noun

An oration to honor a deceased person, usually at a funeral.

"The departed's brother gave a moving eulogy at the funeral."

"He could not help but tear up as his was giving the eulogy at his friends funeral."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

extant

existent

adjective

Still in existence.

"The species is still considered extant since they recently found a few of the animals still living deep in the Amazon forest."

"The few remaining extant species of orangutan are critically endangered."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

homogenous

unvaried

adjective

all of the same or similar kind or nature

"The Japanese culture is relatively homogenous when compared to the diversified culture in the United States."

"He stirred the pot until the mix of ingredients became a homogeneous fluid."

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

munificent

generous

adjective

very generous

"The munificent hair stylist gave a free haircut to the homeless person before their job interview."

"She gave munificent donations to many charities."

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

nascent

beginning

adjective

Emerging; just coming into existence.

"Being in the nascent stages, the construction site still did not have any resemblance of the building it would soon become."

"There are many grammatical and syntactical growing pains in the the nascent months of learning a new language."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

nonplussed

perplexed

adjective

Bewildered; unsure how to respond or act.

"The puppy was nonplussed when she heard her owner making barking noises."

"The speechless guest was nonplussed by the talk show host's question."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

polemic

tirade

noun

A strong verbal or written attack on someone or something.

"The op-ed was a polemic attack on the prominent figure."

"The journalist published the polemic to criticize the political leader for his recent mistakes."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

pragmatic

practical

adjective

Practical, concerned with making decisions and actions that are useful in practice, not just theory

"The politicians decided to forget about their differences and form a pragmatic response to the crisis."

"It's difficult to make a pragmatic decision when emotions are flowing."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

prosaic

dull

adjective

Overly plain or simple, to the point of being boring; humdrum.

"The prosaic speech lulled the crowd to sleep."

"Hourly wage jobs can be prosaic and monotonous."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

reticent

shy

adjective

Inclined to keep silent; reserved; uncommunicative.

"The reticent child could barely find the voice to speak even when spoken to."

"The reticent novice spent most of his time silently watching the masters play."

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

soporific

sleepy

adjective

Tending to induce sleep.

"A glass of wine right before bed can have soporific effects."

"The soporific music helped her fall asleep."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

veracity

truthfulness

noun

Truthfulness

"The argument's veracity was put into question when they learned that everything else had been a lie."

"The veracity of her statements were always in question because of her habit of lying."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

volatile

unstable

adjective

variable or erratic.

"The volatile weather could be rainy in one minute and sunny in the next."

"The fluctuating price of the stock has never been so volatile."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

zeal

passion

noun

a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)

"The new convert had great zeal for the religion."

"She tried to show her zeal for the position during the job interview."

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

abstain

  • choose not to consume
  • synonym: refrain

advocate

  • speak, plead, or argue in favor of
  • synonym: support

anomaly

  • deviation from the common rule; irregularity
  • synonym: abnormality

artless

  • free from guile or craft; sincere and honest
  • synonym: candid

cacophony

  • loud, harsh, or strident noise
  • synonym: racket

censure

  • rebuke formally; criticize harshly
  • synonym: criticize

chicanery

  • deception by trickery or subterfuge
  • synonym: trickery

corroborate

  • confirm or support with additional evidence
  • synonym: back up

deride

  • harshly mock or ridicule
  • synonym: ridicule

dissonance

  • state of disagreement or conflict
  • synonym: inharmony

equivocate

  • be deliberately ambiguous or unclear to mislead
  • synonym: be evasive

eulogy

  • speech or oration honoring a deceased person
  • synonym: tribute

extant

  • still in existence
  • synonym: existent

homogenous

  • all of the same or similar kind or nature
  • synonym: unvaried

munificent

  • very generous
  • synonym: generous

nascent

  • emerging; just coming into existence
  • synonym: beginning

nonplussed

  • bewildered or unsure how to respond
  • synonym: perplexed

polemic

  • strong verbal or written attack
  • synonym: tirade

pragmatic

  • practical; focused on useful actions over theory
  • synonym: practical

prosaic

  • overly plain or boring; humdrum
  • synonym: dull

reticent

  • inclined to keep silent; reserved or uncommunicative
  • synonym: shy

soporific

  • tending to induce sleep
  • synonym: sleepy

veracity

  • truthfulness
  • synonym: truthfulness

volatile

  • variable, erratic, or unstable
  • synonym: unstable

zeal

  • strong eagerness or passion for a cause
  • synonym: passion

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GRE vocabulary list 03 (abstain)

A strong vocabulary is essential for a high GRE score. Based on our analysis, the words below are among the most commonly tested on the exam.

Flashcards can help you memorize definitions, but they don’t always show whether you can recognize a word in context. Use the quizzes to check that you understand each word well enough to apply it on test day.

Definitions
Key points

abstain

  • choose not to consume
  • synonym: refrain

advocate

  • speak, plead, or argue in favor of
  • synonym: support

anomaly

  • deviation from the common rule; irregularity
  • synonym: abnormality

artless

  • free from guile or craft; sincere and honest
  • synonym: candid

cacophony

  • loud, harsh, or strident noise
  • synonym: racket

censure

  • rebuke formally; criticize harshly
  • synonym: criticize

chicanery

  • deception by trickery or subterfuge
  • synonym: trickery

corroborate

  • confirm or support with additional evidence
  • synonym: back up

deride

  • harshly mock or ridicule
  • synonym: ridicule

dissonance

  • state of disagreement or conflict
  • synonym: inharmony

equivocate

  • be deliberately ambiguous or unclear to mislead
  • synonym: be evasive

eulogy

  • speech or oration honoring a deceased person
  • synonym: tribute

extant

  • still in existence
  • synonym: existent

homogenous

  • all of the same or similar kind or nature
  • synonym: unvaried

munificent

  • very generous
  • synonym: generous

nascent

  • emerging; just coming into existence
  • synonym: beginning

nonplussed

  • bewildered or unsure how to respond
  • synonym: perplexed

polemic

  • strong verbal or written attack
  • synonym: tirade

pragmatic

  • practical; focused on useful actions over theory
  • synonym: practical

prosaic

  • overly plain or boring; humdrum
  • synonym: dull

reticent

  • inclined to keep silent; reserved or uncommunicative
  • synonym: shy

soporific

  • tending to induce sleep
  • synonym: sleepy

veracity

  • truthfulness
  • synonym: truthfulness

volatile

  • variable, erratic, or unstable
  • synonym: unstable

zeal

  • strong eagerness or passion for a cause
  • synonym: passion