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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.

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800 words
Words 771–800 of 800
#WordDetailsMeaningSample sentence
771descryverb
Study

Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

to notice or discover something difficult to seeFrom the tower, scouts could descry a sail on the horizon.
772detentenoun
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

an easing of hostile relationsThe cultural exchange contributed to a brief detente.
773diaphanousadjective
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

light, delicate, and almost transparentA diaphanous curtain moved in the breeze.
774dissembleverb
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

to hide one's true feelings or intentionsThe diplomat tried to dissemble her alarm.
775ebulliencenoun
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

Word study: Suffix focus: -ence commonly forms a noun naming an action, quality, or state.

lively enthusiasmThe crowd's ebullience continued long after the victory.
776efficaciousadjective
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

successful in producing the intended resultThe trial found the treatment safe and efficacious.
777encomiumnoun
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

a speech or piece of writing that gives high praiseThe retirement dinner included an encomium to the professor's mentorship.
778enervatingadjective
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

causing weakness or loss of energyThe enervating humidity slowed the workers.
779epistemicadjective
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

related to knowledge and how it is justifiedThe essay examines the epistemic limits of eyewitness testimony.
780expiateverb
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

to make amends for guilt or wrongdoingThe character hopes to expiate his betrayal through sacrifice.
781expurgateverb
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

to remove material considered offensive or unsuitableThe editor refused to expurgate the historical letters.
782fecundadjective
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

highly productive or fertileThe collaboration proved fecund, producing several new theories.
783gambitnoun
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

an opening action intended to gain an advantageThe generous offer was a negotiating gambit.
784homilynoun
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

a moralizing speech or religious sermonThe novel ends with action rather than a homily.
785immanentadjective
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

existing or operating within somethingThe philosopher describes justice as immanent in human cooperation.
786immolateverb
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

to sacrifice or destroy, especially by fireThe mythic hero chose to immolate himself to save the city.
787impassenoun
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

a situation in which no progress is possibleTalks reached an impasse over border security.
788importuneverb
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

to ask persistently and urgentlyLobbyists continued to importune legislators for exemptions.
789inchoateadjective
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

only partly formed or organizedThe protest began with an inchoate set of demands.
790inculcateverb
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

to teach an idea through persistent repetitionThe program seeks to inculcate habits of careful source checking.
791ineluctableadjective
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

Word study: Suffix focus: -able means capable of, suitable for, or worthy of an action.

impossible to avoid or escapeThe tragedy moves toward an ineluctable conclusion.
792inimitableadjective
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

Word study: Suffix focus: -able means capable of, suitable for, or worthy of an action.

so distinctive that it cannot be copiedThe singer's inimitable phrasing transformed the familiar song.
793internecineadjective
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

destructive conflict within a groupAn internecine struggle weakened the governing coalition.
794lacunanoun
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

a gap or missing partA lacuna in the records obscures three years of the artist's life.
795largessenoun
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

generous gifts of money or resourcesThe university expanded through a benefactor's largesse.
796milieunoun
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

a person's social or cultural environmentThe novel recreates the artistic milieu of 1920s Paris.
797modicumnoun
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Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

a small amountThe proposal needs at least a modicum of public support.
798exculpateverb
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Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

to clear someone from blame or guiltSecurity footage may exculpate the employee who was accused.
799canvassverb
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Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

to seek opinions, support, or votes from peopleVolunteers will canvass the district before the referendum.
800exemplifyverb
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

Word study: Suffix focus: -ify commonly forms a verb meaning to make or become.

to serve as a clear example of somethingThe final scene can exemplify the novel's theme of forgiveness.

Vocabulary chart page

This page focuses on the word chart. Reading passages appear once in each three-page group, while cloze quizzes remain in the established enhanced range for this level.

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.