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.

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Words 386–420 of 800
#	Word	Details	Meaning	Sample sentence
386	embellish	verb Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: embellish is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to decorate or add invented details	The witness admitted that he had begun to embellish the story.
387	eminent	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: eminent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	highly respected and distinguished	An eminent biologist chaired the independent review.
388	encroach	verb Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: encroach is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to gradually intrude on another area or right	New construction began to encroach on the protected wetland.
389	endemic	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: endemic is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	regularly found in a particular place or group	The disease is endemic to several tropical regions.
390	enfranchise	verb Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: enfranchise is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to grant voting rights or full participation	The amendment helped enfranchise millions of citizens.
391	entrenched	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: entrenched is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	firmly established and difficult to change	The reform challenged entrenched patterns of discrimination.
392	enumerate	verb Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: enumerate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to list items one by one	The report will enumerate the costs before recommending a plan.
393	euphemism	noun Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -ism often names a belief, system, movement, or practice.	a mild expression substituted for one considered harsh	“Downsizing” can be a euphemism for eliminating jobs.
394	evanescent	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: evanescent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	quickly fading or disappearing	The rainbow's evanescent colors vanished within minutes.
395	superficial	adjective Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Base-form focus: superficial is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	concerned only with the surface and lacking depth	A superficial comparison ignores important historical differences.
396	exigent	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: exigent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	requiring urgent attention or action	Exigent circumstances forced the hospital to open an emergency ward.
397	exonerate	verb Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: exonerate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to officially clear someone from blame	DNA evidence may exonerate the convicted man.
398	expedient	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: expedient is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	convenient for an immediate goal but possibly improper	The shortcut was expedient, yet it undermined public trust.
399	expound	verb Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: expound is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to explain an idea in detail	The professor paused to expound the theory's central principle.
400	extemporaneous	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.	spoken or performed without advance preparation	Her extemporaneous remarks were more persuasive than the prepared speech.
401	facetious	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.	joking in a situation where seriousness is expected	His facetious answer frustrated residents seeking real information.
402	fatuous	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.	foolish and lacking serious thought	The commentator's fatuous comparison ignored every relevant difference.
403	fervent	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: fervent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	showing intense and sincere feeling	A fervent appeal persuaded donors to support the shelter.
404	fiscal	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: fiscal is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	related to government revenue, spending, or financial policy	The proposal combines environmental goals with fiscal restraint.
405	flagrant	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: flagrant is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	shockingly obvious and offensive	The referee penalized the flagrant violation immediately.
406	flout	verb Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: flout is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to openly disregard a rule or convention	Factories that flout pollution limits face substantial fines.
407	foment	verb Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: foment is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to encourage the growth of conflict or rebellion	False rumors helped foment unrest in the capital.
408	forestall	verb Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: forestall is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to prevent or delay something through advance action	Early repairs may forestall a complete structural failure.
409	formidable	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -able means capable of, suitable for, or worthy of an action.	inspiring respect or fear because of power or difficulty	The mountain presented a formidable challenge to the rescue team.
410	furtive	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -ive commonly forms an adjective meaning having a quality or tendency.	secretive because of guilt or fear of discovery	A furtive exchange in the hallway drew the guard's attention.
411	gainsay	verb Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: gainsay is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to deny or contradict a fact or statement	No reliable witness could gainsay the engineer's account.
412	gauche	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: gauche is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	socially awkward or lacking tact	His gauche joke offended guests at the memorial.
413	grandiloquent	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: grandiloquent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	using language that sounds impressive but is overly elaborate	The proposal's grandiloquent promises concealed a modest plan.
414	grandiose	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: grandiose is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	impressive in appearance but unrealistic or self-important	The committee rejected a grandiose project that the town could not afford.
415	gratify	verb Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -ify commonly forms a verb meaning to make or become.	to please or satisfy someone	The strong response will gratify organizers who feared public indifference.
416	guile	noun Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: guile is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	clever dishonesty used to achieve a goal	The fraudster relied on guile rather than force.
417	hallowed	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: hallowed is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	greatly respected and honored by tradition	The ceremony took place in a hallowed hall of learning.
418	harbinger	noun Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: harbinger is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	a sign that something is about to happen	The first migrating birds are a harbinger of spring.
419	hedonism	noun Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -ism often names a belief, system, movement, or practice.	the belief that pleasure is life's highest good	The novel contrasts hedonism with a life of public service.
420	hegemony	noun Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: hegemony is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	dominant political or cultural influence over others	The empire maintained regional hegemony through trade and military power.

Vocabulary reading and practice

Page 12 vocabulary review

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Vocabulary quiz

Complete 5 review questions for this page.

1. The witness admitted that he had begun to _____ the story.

Answer: embellish

2. An _____ biologist chaired the independent review.

Answer: eminent

3. New construction began to _____ on the protected wetland.

Answer: encroach

4. The disease is _____ to several tropical regions.

Answer: endemic

5. The amendment helped _____ millions of citizens.

Answer: enfranchise

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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.

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

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