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
neutral or inoffensive in nature
"It's best to eat anodyne food when you have an upset stomach."
"The corporation gave an anodyne public response to the scandal."
To affirm with confidence; to declare in a positive manner, as in confidence of asserting the truth.
"The lawyer vehemently avers that his client is telling the truth."
"The ambassador averred the new international deal to the press."
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
joyously unrestrained
"The rejuvenating vacation left him in an ebullient mood."
"The player was ebullient after scoring the winning goal."
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
Understood only by a chosen few or an enlightened inner circle.
"The esoteric manuscript could not be understood without a career of language and historic study."
"Her writings were too esoteric for the layperson to comprehend."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
The act of declaring or describing something through either speech or writing.
"The documentary was a long exposition on the historical importance of the Taj Mahal."
"He went into a long exposition about his summer vacation."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
based on an incorrect or misleading notion or information
"His fallacious argument rests upon shaky logic."
"Be wary of fallacious reasoning."
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
To contradict; to deny; to controvert; to dispute; to forbid.
"Nobody was able to gainsay her impenetrable argument."
"He did not gainsay her statement because he agreed with her."
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
Describing one who enjoys being in crowds and socializing.
"Most gregarious people feel energized by engaging in social interactions."
"The gregarious person could easily make new friends in a crowd of strangers."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
the dominance or leadership of one social group or nation over others
"There is no hegemony when there are two competing powers."
"Amazon has a clear hegemony in the world of online shopping."
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
someone who attacks cherished ideas or traditional institutions
"The iconoclastic piece of art was certainly unlike anything before it."
"The iconoclast did things his own way."
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
Placed under obligation for something received, for which restitution or gratitude is due
"The quarterback was indebted to his offensive line for successfully protecting him all game."
"We are indebted to our intellectual predecessors for today's scientific achievements."
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
tearful, sorrowful, sad, pertaining to tears, weeping, causing tears or crying
"The lachrymose film could bring even the most stoic person to tears."
"The rain made the lachrymose day even more miserable."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
To soften; to make tender; to reduce the hardness, harshness, or asperity of; to qualify.
"Only his favorite brand of cigars could mollify the old grump."
"The lullaby mollified the anxious baby."
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
taking advantage of situations without regard for the consequences for others
"To take candy from a baby would be an act of opportunism."
"The player was not opposed to opportunism; he would cheat when the referees were not watching."
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
To swing back and forth, especially if with a regular rhythm.
"His feelings oscillated between resentment and forgiveness."
"He oscillated between going out with friends and staying home to study for the exam."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
intended to attract notice and impress others
"The emperor showed off his opulent palace to the barbarian ambassadors in an ostentatious display."
"He tried to describe his qualifications without being too ostentatious."
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
To dominate something and make it seem insignificant.
"The leading actor's amazing performance overshadowed the equally impressive performance of the supporting actor."
"His unprofessional attire overshadowed his business acumen."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
Transparent; clear; limpid; translucent; not opaque.
"Once the pollution subsided, the air became pellucid and fresh."
"The car windows were pellucid and spotless after the carwash."
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
The essential or vital part.
"The pith of many moral systems is the Golden Rule."
"The pith of a research paper is the hypothesis."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
To drop swiftly, in a direct manner; to fall quickly.
"Stock prices plummeted by more than 50% during the Great Depression."
"The temperature plummeted overnight."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
Extraordinary in bulk, extent, quantity, or degree; very great; vast; huge; immense
"The prodigious tweeter could not go a day without writing at least a few tweets."
"She had a prodigious vinyl collection that filled an entire closet."
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
To combine; to unite.
"His hypothesis perfectly synthesized the many previously incongruent scientific theories."
"Brass is made when you synthesize copper and zinc."
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
implied by or inferred from actions or statements
"The friends had a tacit understanding not to discuss such a sensitive topic."
"Though he did not immediately offer her the job, there was a tacit understanding that she might soon receive an offer by email."
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
To remove the foundation or support of by clandestine means; to ruin in an underhand way.
"The poor weather began to undermine the carefully prepared trip."
"His drinking the night before the exam undermined all his hours of studying and preparation."
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
Not able to be held, as of an opinion or position; unholdable, indefensible.
"The argument was untenable when help up against even the slightest scrutiny."
"His habit for watering his yard every day became untenable during a statewide drought."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
