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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 71–105 of 800
#WordDetailsMeaningSample sentence
71calumnynoun
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

a false statement intended to damage a reputationThe candidate denounced the rumor as a deliberate calumny.
72commensurateadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

corresponding appropriately in size, degree, or valueCompensation should be commensurate with the risks of the work.
73castigateverb
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

to criticize or punish someone severelyEditorials began to castigate officials for ignoring the contamination.
74chastiseverb
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

to criticize or punish someone severelyThe supervisor had to chastise the team for falsifying records.
75cogentadjective
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

clear, logical, and convincingThe lawyer offered a cogent explanation supported by three records.
76fractiousadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

irritable, unruly, and difficult to manageThe fractious coalition struggled to agree on a budget.
77factitiousadjective
Study

Field: Grade 11 precise interdisciplinary word

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

artificially created rather than naturally arisingThe advertisement manufactured a factitious sense of urgency.
78exhortverb
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

to strongly urge someone to actThe editorial will exhort legislators to protect the river.
79unconscionableadjective
Study

Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities

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

so unfair or wrong that it shocks the conscienceThe court rejected the unconscionable contract terms.
80believerb
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

to give a false impression of somethingHer calm voice seemed to belie the urgency of the situation.
81disinterestedadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

impartial and free from personal advantageA disinterested panel reviewed the competing proposals.
82equivocaladjective
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

ambiguous or deliberately avoiding a clear positionThe spokesperson's equivocal answer satisfied neither side.
83limpidadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

clear and easy to understandThe scientist's limpid prose made the research accessible.
84remissadjective
Study

Field: Grade 11 precise interdisciplinary word

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

careless in performing a dutyThe agency was remiss in failing to inspect the bridge.
85remonstrateverb
Study

Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities

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

to protest or argue strongly against somethingResidents gathered to remonstrate against the closure.
86abashverb
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

to make someone feel embarrassed or ashamedThe unexpected praise seemed to abash the normally confident speaker.
87abateverb
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

to become less intense or widespreadThe wind began to abate shortly after sunset.
88abdicateverb
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

to give up a position of power or a serious dutyA leader cannot abdicate responsibility when a policy fails.
89abhorverb
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

to regard something with intense dislikeThe reformer came to abhor laws that punished peaceful dissent.
90abjectadjective
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

extremely bad, hopeless, or humiliatingThe expedition ended in abject failure after both engines stopped.
91abridgeverb
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

to shorten a text without losing its central meaningThe editor will abridge the memoir for younger readers.
92absolveverb
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

to free someone from blame or an obligationNew evidence may absolve the driver of responsibility for the crash.
93abstainverb
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

to choose not to do or use somethingTwo committee members will abstain from voting because of conflicts of interest.
94abstruseadjective
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

difficult to understand because of complexityThe article's abstruse terminology confused readers outside the field.
95abysmaladjective
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

extremely poor or unsuccessfulThe shelter's abysmal conditions prompted an official investigation.
96accedeverb
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

to agree to a request or assume a positionAfter months of debate, the council chose to accede to the residents' demand.
97acclaimnoun
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

strong public praise and approvalThe novelist earned critical acclaim for her vivid historical research.
98accoladenoun
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

an award or expression of high praiseThe scientist accepted the accolade on behalf of her entire laboratory.
99accommodateverb
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

to adjust to a need or provide enough spaceThe revised schedule can accommodate students in different time zones.
100acquiesceverb
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

to accept something without protest, often reluctantlyFaced with a unanimous vote, the director decided to acquiesce.
101acumennoun
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

the ability to make quick and sound judgmentsHer financial acumen helped the small company survive the recession.
102adamantadjective
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

firmly unwilling to change an opinion or decisionThe physician was adamant that the trial must follow safety rules.
103adaptableadjective
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

able to adjust successfully to new conditionsAn adaptable species can survive rapid environmental change.
104adeptadjective
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

highly skilled at a particular taskThe mediator was adept at finding language both sides could accept.
105adjacentadjective
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

next to or very near somethingThe museum moved the sculpture to an adjacent gallery.

Vocabulary reading and practice

Page 3 vocabulary review

Review five selected words from page 3.

Vocabulary quiz

Complete 5 review questions for this page.

1. The candidate denounced the rumor as a deliberate _____.

Answer: calumny

2. Compensation should be _____ with the risks of the work.

Answer: commensurate

3. Editorials began to _____ officials for ignoring the contamination.

Answer: castigate

4. The supervisor had to _____ the team for falsifying records.

Answer: chastise

5. The lawyer offered a _____ explanation supported by three records.

Answer: cogent

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.