people sitting in a library

GRE Vocabulary Words

English Vocabulary · GRE Live Review Preview

GRE Vocabulary Words

The GRE Verbal Reasoning measure asks test takers to understand and evaluate written material, analyze relationships among ideas, and use evidence within a sentence or passage. Reading Comprehension, Text Completion, and Sentence Equivalence all reward careful attention to connotation, contrast, logic, and precise word choice—not isolated memorization alone.

This independently authored 800-word beta curriculum prioritizes vocabulary identified in Magoosh’s official public GRE vocabulary ebook, then draws on advanced KSSR entries that have already passed English safety and structure audits. Additional official and public GRE references guide test alignment and editorial review. Overlap with SAT and advanced school-level vocabulary is intentional because the tests share academic language. Pages containing words 1–500 include five cloze questions; every word remains visible, editable in Vocabulary Studio, and available for private difficult/learned tracking. This unofficial resource is not endorsed by or affiliated with ETS.

Open the basic text version — works without JavaScript and is suitable for printing.

Your private study tools

Track your learning with My Vocabulary

Use the three small controls beside any word. Your choices stay attached to your account and appear in your My Vocabulary record.

  • Star a difficult word to practise it again.
  • Check a word when you have learned it.
  • Add a note with a memory clue, synonym, or reminder.

These controls work during your free visits and save privately on this browser. Sign in to move them into your account’s My Vocabulary record.

Printable study sheet

Create a PDF worksheet

Choose any start-to-end page range and meaning language, then include or omit each practice section.

Include practice sections
800 words
Words 316–350 of 800
#WordDetailsMeaningSample sentence
316meticulousadjective
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.

extremely careful about small detailsThe archivist kept meticulous records of every restored page.
317juxtaposeverb
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: juxtapose is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

to place things side by side for comparison or contrastThe exhibit will juxtapose ancient tools with modern devices.
318lucidadjective
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: lucid is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

clear and easy to understandA lucid diagram made the complex process manageable.
319mitigateverb
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: mitigate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

to reduce the severity or harmful effect of somethingWetlands can mitigate flooding by absorbing excess water.
320nuancenoun
Study

Field: Grade 6 academic reasoning word

Word study: Base-form focus: nuance is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

a small but important difference in meaning or feelingThe actor's quiet pause added nuance to the character's apology.
321categoricaladjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Base-form focus: categorical is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

absolute, direct, and without exceptionsThe minister issued a categorical denial of the allegation.
322catharsisnoun
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Base-form focus: catharsis is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

emotional release that brings reliefWriting the memoir provided catharsis after years of silence.
323causaladjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Base-form focus: causal is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

relating to a cause-and-effect connectionThe study found a correlation but not a causal relationship.
324celibateadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Base-form focus: celibate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

choosing not to marry or engage in sexual relationsMembers of the order take a celibate vow.
325chagrinnoun
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Base-form focus: chagrin is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

distress caused by embarrassment or disappointmentTo his chagrin, the confident prediction proved false.
326charlatannoun
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Base-form focus: charlatan is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

a person who falsely claims special knowledge or skillThe supposed healer was exposed as a charlatan.
327chasmnoun
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Base-form focus: chasm is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

a deep division or a wide physical gapA chasm separated the parties on the question of land ownership.
328chicanerynoun
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Base-form focus: chicanery is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

deception accomplished through clever tricks or wordingVoters rejected the accounting chicanery hidden in the proposal.
329chronicadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Base-form focus: chronic is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

continuing for a long time or recurring oftenChronic water shortages forced the region to change its crops.
330coercionnoun
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Base-form focus: coercion is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

the use of force or threats to make someone actA confession obtained through coercion cannot be trusted.
331cognizantadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Base-form focus: cognizant is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

aware of and attentive to somethingThe designers were cognizant of the building's historical importance.
332subjugateverb
Study

Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: subjugate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

to bring people under domination or controlThe empire attempted to subjugate neighboring communities.
333compendiumnoun
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Base-form focus: compendium is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

a concise collection of information about a subjectThe handbook is a compendium of regional plant species.
334complacencynoun
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Base-form focus: complacency is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

self-satisfaction that prevents awareness of dangerYears without an accident created dangerous complacency.
335compliantadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Base-form focus: compliant is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

willing to obey or meeting an established requirementOnly compliant equipment may enter the clean laboratory.
336conciseadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Base-form focus: concise is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

expressing much in few wordsA concise conclusion restates the finding without repeating every detail.
337conflagrationnoun
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Suffix focus: -ation commonly forms a noun naming an action, process, or result.

a large and destructive fireA wind-driven conflagration destroyed several blocks.
338conflateverb
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Base-form focus: conflate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

to combine distinct ideas as though they were the sameThe article tends to conflate legal authority with moral approval.
339congenialadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Base-form focus: congenial is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

pleasant because of shared tastes or compatibilityThe quiet archive was a congenial workplace for the historian.
340sublimeadjective
Study

Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: sublime is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

so impressive or beautiful that it inspires aweThe symphony's final movement achieves a sublime calm.
341consequentialadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Base-form focus: consequential is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

having important results or effectsThe seemingly minor vote became a consequential turning point.
342consternationnoun
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Suffix focus: -ation commonly forms a noun naming an action, process, or result.

sudden anxiety caused by an unexpected problemThe power failure caused consternation in the operating room.
343consummateadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Base-form focus: consummate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

showing the highest degree of skillA consummate diplomat, she found agreement where others saw only conflict.
344contemptuousadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.

showing that something is considered worthlessHis contemptuous response discouraged further questions.
345copiousadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.

abundant in amount or quantityThe researcher took copious notes during each interview.
346cosmopolitanadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Base-form focus: cosmopolitan is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

familiar with and influenced by many culturesThe port developed a cosmopolitan population through centuries of trade.
347covetverb
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Base-form focus: covet is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

to desire something belonging to someone elseRival states began to covet the island's strategic harbor.
348credulousadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.

too willing to believe unsupported claimsCredulous readers shared the fabricated story without checking it.
349cronyismnoun
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Suffix focus: -ism often names a belief, system, movement, or practice.

favoring friends with jobs or advantagesNew hiring rules were intended to prevent cronyism.
350debaseverb
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Base-form focus: debase is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

to lower the quality, dignity, or value of somethingThe critic argued that propaganda would debase public debate.

Vocabulary reading and practice

A Careful Revision

Reading practice for pages 10–12. Five relevant words are highlighted.

English reading

A meticulous editor decided to juxtapose two witnesses’ accounts rather than blend them into one summary. A short transition made the contrast lucid while preserving the nuance of each person’s experience. The editor also removed a sweeping claim that the evidence could not support. These revisions did not eliminate disagreement, but they did mitigate the risk that readers would mistake one perspective for the complete record.

Reading comprehension

1. Why does the editor juxtapose the accounts?

The editor wants to preserve the difference between the witnesses’ perspectives.

2. What does the transition accomplish?

It makes the contrast lucid while preserving nuance.

3. What risk do the revisions mitigate?

They mitigate the risk that one perspective will be mistaken for the complete record.

Vocabulary quiz

Complete 5 review questions for this page.

1. The archivist kept _____ records of every restored page.

Answer: meticulous

2. The exhibit will _____ ancient tools with modern devices.

Answer: juxtapose

3. A _____ diagram made the complex process manageable.

Answer: lucid

4. Wetlands can _____ flooding by absorbing excess water.

Answer: mitigate

5. The actor's quiet pause added _____ to the character's apology.

Answer: nuance

About GRE Verbal Reasoning

The GRE Verbal Reasoning measure examines how well test takers understand and evaluate written material, recognize relationships among words and concepts, and analyze how parts of a sentence work together. Its three principal verbal question types are Reading Comprehension, Text Completion, and Sentence Equivalence.

Vocabulary matters on the GRE, but memorizing a definition is only the beginning. Strong preparation also connects each word to its connotation, common contrasts, near-synonyms, and role in an argument. Use the examples, readings, and quizzes here to practise choosing words from evidence in the sentence, then use official ETS material to learn the precise test format.

ETS test overview

Sources and curriculum references

These references guide selection and calibration. Definitions, sample sentences, readings, questions, and teaching notes are independently written and reviewed.