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02/08/2022, 11:53 Top 52 GRE Vocabulary Words – Kaplan Test Prep

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TOP 52 GRE VOCABULARY WORDS you took the GRE t

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02/08/2022, 11:53 Top 52 GRE Vocabulary Words – Kaplan Test Prep

understanding of some of the 52 top GRE vocabulary words, and ∙ GRE 1-


then review the examples and definitions of each word at the Month
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TOP 52 GRE WORDS DEFINITIONS AND EXAMPLES
Scores for Grad
School
1. anomaly – noun – something that is unusual or unexpected What is the
The student’s poor performance on the latest test was GRE?
an anomaly since she had previously earned
excellent grades.

2. equivocal – adj. – not easily understood or explained WHAT’S


TESTED ON
Politicians have been known to provide equivocal
answers to reporters’ questions.
THE GRE?

3. lucid – adj. – very clear and easy to understand


GRE Verbal
Section
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02/08/2022, 11:53 Top 52 GRE Vocabulary Words – Kaplan Test Prep

The lecture was lucid and straightforward, allowing ∙ GRE Verbal


the students to fully grasp the concepts presented. Score
4. precipitate – verb – to cause (something) to happen quickly
Predictor
or suddenly ∙ GRE

Unforeseen costs can precipitate a budget crisis. Reading


Comprehen
5. assuage – verb – to make (an unpleasant feeling) less
∙ GRE
intense
Verbal:
A massage can assuage the soreness in your muscles. Sentence
6. erudite – adj. – having or showing great knowledge Equivalence
High school students often struggle with novels that ∙ Top 52 GRE
are more erudite than they are entertaining. Vocabulary
Words
7. opaque – adj. –  not able to be seen through; not easily
understood GRE
Medical jargon includes many opaque terms like
Quantitative
macrosomic, which describes a newborn who weighs
Section
more than 4,000 grams. ∙ GRE Math
Score
8. prodigal – adj. – wastefully extravagant
Predictor
The prodigal prince bought lavish gifts and planned
∙ GRE
expensive events.
Geometry
9. enigma – noun – a person or thing that is mysterious,
∙ GRE
puzzling, or difficult to understand
Algebra
Scientists continue to research cancer to solve the
enigma of its primary cause, which will hopefully lead ∙ Rates &

to a cure. Work
10. fervid – adj. – intensely enthusiastic or passionate ∙ Data

The child showed a fervid fascination for


Interpretatio
superheroes, pouring over comic books for hours. ∙ Most-
Tested GRE
11. placate – verb – to make (someone) less angry or hostile Math
A parent may decide to placate a baby with a pacifier. Concepts
12. zeal – noun – a strong feel of interest and enthusiasm that GRE Analytical
makes someone very eager or determined to do something Writing
The great emperor’s crusading zeal led him to ∙ GRE
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02/08/2022, 11:53 Top 52 GRE Vocabulary Words – Kaplan Test Prep

13. abstain – verb – to restrain oneself for doing or enjoying Essay


something ∙ GRE Issue
Doctors encourage their patients to abstain from Essay
smoking cigarettes.

14. audacious – adj. – a willingness to take bold risks / adj. – 


showing a lack of respect GRE PREP
The new CEO pursued audacious initiatives to save BOOK
the company from bankruptcy. / The student’s
audacious remark earned her a seat in afternoon
detention.

15. desiccate – verb – remove the moisture from (something)


The heat and energy from the sun can desiccate even
the most hearty plants.

16. gullible – adj. – easily persuaded to believe something


The gullible little boy gave his older sister all of his
allowance because she told him she would buy a FREE GRE
pony for him. PRACTICE
17. laudable – adj. – deserving praise and commendation GRE Question
Providing affordable healthcare for all citizens is a
of the Day
laudable goal. Free GRE
Practice Test
18. pedant – noun – a person who makes an excessive display of
learning
Free GRE Pop
Quiz
Professor Blackwell, a well-known pedant, required
his pre-med students to speak in Latin throughout Free GRE 20-
the entire semester. Minute
Workout
19. vacillate – verb – to waver between different opinions or
actions
Undergraduate students often vacillate among FOLLOW US
various majors before deciding which degree to ON SOCIAL
pursue.
YouTube
20. adulterate – verb – to make (something) impure or weaker
by adding something of inferior quality
Facebook
Many chefs use fresh produce and refuse to Twitter
adulterate their dishes with canned ingredients.
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02/08/2022, 11:53 Top 52 GRE Vocabulary Words – Kaplan Test Prep

21. capricious – adj. – given to sudden changes of mood or


behavior
The capricious supervisor would hand out raises one
day and fire his entire staff the next.

22. engender – verb – to produce, cause, or give rise to


(something)
Political debates can engender controversy regarding
the subjects discussed.

23. homogenous – adj. – of the same or similar kind


There are very few truly homogenous cultures since
social diversity is increasingly widespread.

24. loquacious – adj. – tending to talk a great deal


The loquacious professor was known for his five-hour
lectures.

25. pragmatic – adj. – dealing with the problems that exist in a


reasonable and logical way instead of depending on
theories
A pragmatic approach to legislation can be difficult
given the complexities of politics.

26. volatile – adj. – likely to change rapidly and unpredictably


It is possible for a country’s political climate to remain
volatile for decades.

27. apathy – noun – lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern


Political parties try to engage young voters who are
more prone to apathy than older citizens.

28. corroborate – verb – to confirm or make more certain


The scientist was able to corroborate his hypothesis
with data gathered from multiple sources.

29. ephemeral – adj. – lasting for a very short time


An ephemeral moment of victory may last mere
seconds, but it can remain as a triumphant memory
for decades.

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02/08/2022, 11:53 Top 52 GRE Vocabulary Words – Kaplan Test Prep

The student’s laconic response suggested  that she


did not know very much about the topic the professor
was discussing.

31. mitigate – verb – make less severe, serious, or painful


We want to mitigate students’ GRE stress by offering
helpful study tools.

32. propriety – noun – the state or quality of being correct or


proper
The students were instructed to behave with the
utmost propriety while on their class field trip.

33. advocate – verb – publicly recommend or support


The governor chose to advocate for a higher
minimum wage rather than a tax incentive.

34. cacophony – noun – a harsh, unpleasant mixture of sounds


The cacophony of the middle school band warming
up was nearly unbearable for the audience.

35. enervate – verb – cause (someone or something) to feel


drained of energy; weaken
The boxer used a swift left uppercut to the jaw to
enervate his opponent.

36. ingenuous – adj. – innocent and unsuspecting


The scam artist preyed on ingenuous nursing home
residents.

37. misanthrope – noun – a person who dislikes humankind


The neighborhood misanthrope surrounded his yard
with barbed wire to keep people away.

38. paradox – noun – a statement that contradicts itself but


might be true
The fact that the retired teacher claimed to hate all
pets but adopted seven cats is an intriguing paradox.

39. venerate – verb – regard with great respect


To venerate the fire chief’s forty years of service, the
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02/08/2022, 11:53 Top 52 GRE Vocabulary Words – Kaplan Test Prep

40. antipathy – noun – a strong feeling of dislike


The students voiced their antipathy for homework
very loudly.

41. deride – verb – to express contempt for; ridicule


The unreasonable supervise was known to deride his
employees on a daily basis.

42. eulogy – noun – a speech that praises someone, typically


some who has recently died
The rabbi’s eulogy was both heartfelt and inspiring.

43. lethargic – adj. – lacking energy


It’s not uncommon to feel lethargic for weeks or even
months after major surgery.

44. obdurate – adj. – stubbornly refusing to change one’s


opinion
The obdurate three-year-old refused to eat any
vegetables, no matter how they were prepared.

45. philanthropic – adj. – seeking to promote the welfare of


others
The students were grateful to receive financial
support from philanthropic organizations that
promote education.

46. waver – verb – to go back and forth between choices or


opinions
Some citizens vote solely along party lines and never
waver in their political decisions.

47. bolster – verb – to support or strengthen


The prosecutor worked to find evidence that would
bolster her case against the defendant.

48. dissonance – noun – a lack of harmony or agreement


The school board’s meeting lasted for hours due to
the length debate fueled by dissonance among
opinions.

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02/08/2022, 11:53 Top 52 GRE Vocabulary Words – Kaplan Test Prep

The garrulous hair stylist talked to each customer for


hours at a time.

50. malleable – adj. – easily influenced; pliable


Children’s moods are often malleable since children
are greatly affected by their surroundings.

51. ostentation – noun – excessive display of wealth


Owning a mansion doesn’t imply ostentation, but
traveling exclusively by private jet certainly can.

52. prevaricate – verb – avoid telling the truth by not directly


answering a question
During the trial, the lead witness was willing to
prevaricate in order to protect his friend.

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