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 526–560 of 800
#	Word	Details	Meaning	Sample sentence
526	amenable	adjective Study Field: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Suffix focus: -able means capable of, suitable for, or worthy of an action.	willing to agree or responsive to change	The board was amenable to a compromise supported by both groups.
527	antipathy	noun Study Field: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Prefix focus: anti- means against or opposed to.	a strong feeling of dislike	Her antipathy toward dishonesty shaped every hiring decision.
528	astute	adjective Study Field: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: astute is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	quick to notice and understand important details	An astute editor recognized the argument's hidden assumption.
529	circumvent	verb Study Field: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: circumvent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to avoid a rule or obstacle through clever action	The company tried to circumvent the ban by changing the product's name.
530	intermittent	adjective Study Field: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: intermittent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	stopping and starting at irregular intervals	Intermittent rain delayed the excavation throughout the week.
531	nominal	adjective Study Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas Word study: Base-form focus: nominal is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	existing in name but not in meaningful reality	She remained the nominal leader while advisers made every decision.
532	nostalgia	noun Study Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas Word study: Base-form focus: nostalgia is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	a sentimental longing for the past	The advertisement uses nostalgia to sell a modern product.
533	novel	adjective Study Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas Word study: Base-form focus: novel is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	new, original, or unusual	The researchers proposed a novel method of filtering seawater.
534	noxious	adjective Study Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.	harmful or poisonous	The factory released noxious fumes into the valley.
535	obdurate	adjective Study Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas Word study: Base-form focus: obdurate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	stubbornly refusing to change	The obdurate ruler rejected every appeal for mercy.
536	redistribute	verb Study Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: redistribute is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to distribute resources or power in a different way	The tax is designed to redistribute some wealth toward public services.
537	oblique	adjective Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Base-form focus: oblique is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	indirect or not straightforward	Her oblique reference to the scandal puzzled new readers.
538	obsequious	adjective Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.	excessively eager to please someone powerful	The manager's obsequious praise made the visiting official uncomfortable.
539	obstinate	adjective Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Base-form focus: obstinate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	stubbornly refusing to change an opinion or course	The obstinate negotiator ignored every compromise.
540	obviate	verb Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Base-form focus: obviate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to remove a need or prevent a difficulty	Remote sensors may obviate the need for daily site visits.
541	occlude	verb Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Base-form focus: occlude is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to block or close an opening or view	A blood clot can occlude a narrow artery.
542	odious	adjective Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Base-form focus: odious is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	deserving intense dislike	The law's odious discrimination provoked widespread resistance.
543	officious	adjective Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.	intrusively eager to give unwanted orders or help	An officious clerk demanded forms that the policy did not require.
544	onerous	adjective Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.	requiring an unreasonable amount of effort or responsibility	Small charities struggled with the onerous reporting rules.
545	opulent	adjective Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Base-form focus: opulent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	richly luxurious and expensive	The ruler's opulent palace contrasted with nearby hunger.
546	orthodox	adjective Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Base-form focus: orthodox is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	following established beliefs or accepted methods	The discovery challenged the orthodox explanation of migration.
547	oscillate	verb Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Base-form focus: oscillate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to move back and forth or alternate between positions	Public opinion may oscillate as new evidence appears.
548	ostentatious	adjective Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.	designed to attract attention by displaying wealth or importance	The donor avoided an ostentatious ceremony.
549	ostracize	verb Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Suffix focus: -ize commonly forms a verb meaning to make, become, or apply.	to exclude someone from a group or society	Classmates began to ostracize anyone who questioned the rumor.
550	pacify	verb Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Base-form focus: pacify is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to calm anger or restore peace	The agreement failed to pacify communities that lacked representation.
551	palliative	noun Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Base-form focus: palliative is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	something that relieves symptoms without curing the cause	The subsidy was a temporary palliative, not an economic solution.
552	panacea	noun Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Base-form focus: panacea is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	a supposed remedy for every problem	Technology is not a panacea for unequal access to education.
553	paradigmatic	adjective Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Base-form focus: paradigmatic is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	serving as a clear or typical model	The case became paradigmatic of failures in corporate oversight.
554	parody	noun Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Base-form focus: parody is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	a humorous imitation that exaggerates a style	The sketch is a parody of solemn campaign advertisements.
555	patent	adjective Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Base-form focus: patent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	obvious and unmistakable	The claim's patent absurdity drew immediate criticism.
556	pedantic	adjective Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Base-form focus: pedantic is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	overly concerned with minor rules or displaying learning	The pedantic review corrected commas but ignored the argument.
557	penchant	noun Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Base-form focus: penchant is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	a strong habitual liking	The director has a penchant for adapting obscure novels.
558	penitent	adjective Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Base-form focus: penitent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	feeling sincere regret for wrongdoing	The penitent official returned the money and resigned.
559	perennial	adjective Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Base-form focus: perennial is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	lasting for many years or repeatedly recurring	Water access remains a perennial concern in the region.
560	perfidious	adjective Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.	deliberately disloyal or deceitful	The allies condemned the secret agreement as perfidious.

Vocabulary reading and practice

A Difficult Negotiation

Reading practice for pages 16–18. Five relevant words are highlighted.

English reading

Months of intermittent talks had produced more antipathy than progress. An astute mediator noticed that both sides feared the same supply shortage, although neither had said so directly. She refused to circumvent the disputed issue; instead, she divided it into smaller decisions with clear deadlines. Neither delegation welcomed every condition, but both became more amenable to compromise because the agreement protected their most important interests.

Reading comprehension

1. What common concern does the mediator identify?

She identifies a shared fear of a supply shortage.

2. How does she handle the disputed issue?

She divides it into smaller decisions instead of trying to circumvent it.

3. Why do both delegations become more amenable to compromise?

The agreement protects their most important interests.

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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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A Difficult Negotiation

English reading

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