Having a strong vocabulary is essential to scoring high on the GRE. Our analysis shows that these are some of the most commonly tested vocabulary words on the exam. It’s hard to accurately measure your understanding with simple flashcards, so take our quizzes to ensure you know these for exam day.
Definitions
To make great; to enlarge; to increase.
"The election candidate sought to aggrandize himself during the political debates as to intimidate his opponents with his posturing."
"We often aggrandize our accomplishments during important job interviews."
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
an abusive attack on a person's character or good name
"The recent mudslinging served as a great calumny for the celebrity."
"The smear campaign was a great calumny for her political career."
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
To allow, accept or permit (something).
"The father did not condone such horrific actions done by his son."
"They do not condone violence."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
Large in quantity or amount; plentiful; abundant; fruitful.
"He had a copious amount of golf paraphernalia filling his closet."
"There are a copious number of fish in the sea."
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
A speech or writing which bitterly denounces something.
"The old musician launched a spiteful diatribe against modern music."
"The diatribe pointed out a handful of issues with the policy."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
capacity or power to produce a desired outcome
"Generally, antibiotics end bacterial infections with high efficacy."
"Taking vitamins can reverse vitamin deficiency with great efficacy."
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
To escape from; to avoid.
"Eschewing tobacco can be difficult for a long-time smoker."
"Muslim people eschew the consumption of food or water in the daytime during Ramadan."
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
Excessively particular, demanding, or fussy about details, especially about tidiness and cleanliness.
"Fastidious housemates can be particularly difficult to live with if they make issues about every little thing."
"The fastidious mother goose kept her nest in perfect condition."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
Related to the topic being discussed or considered.
"Her germane comment was poignant and precisely on topic."
"They were left wondering how his comment was germane to the topic at hand."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
Recently, or just, begun; beginning; partially but not fully in existence or operation; existing in its elements; incomplete.
"Even during his inchoate learning stages, most people knew that Mozart would grow to become one of the best musicians of all time."
"The caterpillar was still in its inchoate stages."
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
Difficult or impossible to comprehend, fathom, or interpret.
"Some ancient writing systems are still inscrutable to even the most learned scholars."
"The inscrutable writings of the physicist would not be understandable without years of studying physics."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
a negotiator who acts as a link between parties
"The couple needed an intermediary to help them talk through their problems."
"The intermediary bank held the originator's funds for five days before sending them to the recipient."
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
Undecided or unsure how to act
"She was irresolute about which job offer she should accept."
"The abundance of choices left her irresolute."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
Stubbornly adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course, usually with implied unreasonableness; persistent.
"The obstinate horse refused to drink the water."
"The obstinate wheelbarrow could not be pulled out of the mud."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
supernatural forces and events and beings collectively
"Most people incorrectly attribute unpleasant sleep paralysis experiences as an event related to the occult."
"Movies about the occult are unnerving."
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
The sense of smell.
"COVID-19 has a symptom that temporarily makes the olfactory system ineffective."
"Dogs' olfactory senses are much better than that of humans."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
Disgrace arising from exceedingly shameful conduct; ignominy.
"A cloud of opprobrium followed him as he entered the room; everyone present knew he had done the unspeakable deed."
"He was forced to bear the opprobrium of his shameful actions."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
Inclined to favor one side in a cause or question, more than the other; biased; not indifferent.
"Of course he would be partial to his favorite football team."
"The writer of the biography was clearly partial to the person the book was written about."
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
Devoted to or biased in support of a group or cause
"The organization is far too partisan to be considered a neutral poll watcher."
"The partisan voters had already made up their minds about who they would vote for."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
explicit and obvious.
"The best move was patent to even the most novice of chess players."
"It was patently obvious that the exhausted runner would not win the race."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
One who, or that which, comes before an event, and indicates its approach; a forerunner; a harbinger.
"The eerie calm is the precursor before the storm."
"The tasty appetizers were only a precursor to a lovely dinner."
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
A storyteller, especially a person noted for telling stories with skill and wit.
"The raconteur sat in front of the fire and told a compelling story to the campers."
"The raconteur could keep an audience glued for hours with his skilful storytelling."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
Diligent in application or pursuit; constant, steady, and persevering in business or in endeavors to effect an object; steadily industrious; assiduous.
"The sedulous businessman was great at his job, but his personal life suffered."
"He is quite sedulous with sticking to the schedule."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
Fearful of danger; shy; deficient in courage.
"Most people would have a timorous response if confronted by a wild bear."
"Deer are timorous and flighty animals."
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
Courteous in manners; polite; refined; elegant.
"Most waiters try to deal with customers in an urbane manner."
"The urbane event required a formality similar to a ball."
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
