Top GRE Vocabulary Words Knowledge is Power!

Anomaly Deviation from what is normal Ex: Related words: Albino animals may display too great an anomaly in their coloring to attract normally colored mates. Related words: Anomalous From Greek- irregular/uneven

Assuage To make something unpleasant less severe Ex: Like many people, Philip used alcohol to assuage his sense of meaninglessness and despair. From Latin: ad (to), suave (sweet) similar words: Allay, alleviate, mollify

Enigma A puzzle; a mystery Ex: Conundrum perplexity Speaking in riddles and dressed in old robes, the artist gained a reputation as something of an enigma. From Greek: riddle Similar words: Conundrum perplexity

Equivocate To use expressions of double meaning in order to mislead/deceive Ex: When faced with criticism of his policies, the politician equivocated and left all parties thinking he agreed with them. From Latin: same name Related words: Equivocal, equivocation Ambiguous, evasive, waffling

Erudite Learned, scholarly, bookish Ex: Scholastic learned wise The annual meeting of philosophy professors was a gathering of the most erudite, well-published people in the field. From Latin: educate/train Similar words: Scholastic learned wise

Fervid Intensely emotional, feverish Ex: Fervent fervor passionate The fans of Maria Callas were particularly fervid, doing anything to catch a glimpse of the great opera singer. From Latin: burning/glowing Related words: Fervent fervor passionate zealous

Lucid Clear and easily understood Ex: Intelligible coherent explicit The explanations were written in a simple and lucid manner so that students were immediately able to apply what they learned. From Latin: luc- light Similar words: Intelligible coherent explicit clear

Opaque Impossible to see through; preventing the passage of light From Latin: shady/dark Ex: The heavy buildup of dirt and grime on the windows almost made them opaque. Similar words: obscure

Placate Appease conciliate mollify To soothe or pacify Ex: The burglar tried to placate the snarling dog by saying “Nice doggy,” and offering it a treat. Related words: From Latin: to please Appease conciliate mollify

Precipitate To bring about abruptly; lacking deliberation Ex: Upon learning that the couple married after knowing each other for only two months, family members expected such a precipitate marriage to end in divorce. From Latin: throw down/hurl down on the head Related words: Precipice precipitation precipitous Abrupt hasty impetuous

Prodigal Lavish, wasteful Ex: Extravagant lavish profligate The prodigal son quickly wasted all of his inheritance on a lavish lifestyle devoted to pleasure. From Latin: wasteful Related words: Extravagant lavish profligate

Zeal Passion, excitement Ex: Zealot fervor passion She brought her typical zeal to the project, sparking enthusiasm in the other team members. From Greek: jealous Related words: Zealot fervor passion