GRE Verbal: High-Frequency Vocabulary

Essential high-frequency GRE words for Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence, with definitions and context.

1. 1

   Term

   laconic

   Definition

   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

   Term

   ameliorate

   Definition

   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

   Term

   prevaricate

   Definition

   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

   Term

   capricious

   Definition

   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

   Term

   sycophant

   Definition

   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

   Term

   tacit

   Definition

   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

   Term

   ephemeral

   Definition

   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

   Term

   pragmatic

   Definition

   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

   Term

   garrulous

   Definition

   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

    Term

    obdurate

    Definition

    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

    Term

    ostentatious

    Definition

    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

    Term

    venerate

    Definition

    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

    Term

    cogent

    Definition

    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

    Term

    disparate

    Definition

    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

    Term

    equivocal

    Definition

    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

    Term

    mitigate

    Definition

    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.