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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 386–420 of 800
#WordDetailsMeaningSample sentence
386embellishverb
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.

1. embellecer 2. hermosearThe witness admitted that he had begun to embellish the story.
387eminentadjective
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.

1. eminente 2. esclarecido 3. excelsoAn eminent biologist chaired the independent review.
388encroachverb
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.

1. inmiscuirse 2. traspasar 3. invadirNew construction began to encroach on the protected wetland.
389endemicadjective
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Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

endémicoThe disease is endemic to several tropical regions.
390enfranchiseverb
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.

enfranquecerThe amendment helped enfranchise millions of citizens.
391entrenchedadjective
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Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

atrincheradoThe reform challenged entrenched patterns of discrimination.
392enumerateverb
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Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

enumerarThe report will enumerate the costs before recommending a plan.
393euphemismnoun
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Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

eufemismo“Downsizing” can be a euphemism for eliminating jobs.
394evanescentadjective
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.

evanescenteThe rainbow's evanescent colors vanished within minutes.
395superficialadjective
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.

superficialA superficial comparison ignores important historical differences.
396exigentadjective
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.

urgenteExigent circumstances forced the hospital to open an emergency ward.
397exonerateverb
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.

exonerarDNA evidence may exonerate the convicted man.
398expedientadjective
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.

convenienteThe shortcut was expedient, yet it undermined public trust.
399expoundverb
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.

1. exponer 2. explayar 3. disertarThe professor paused to expound the theory's central principle.
400extemporaneousadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

extemporáneoHer extemporaneous remarks were more persuasive than the prepared speech.
401facetiousadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

1. faceto 2. gracioso 3. faceciosoHis facetious answer frustrated residents seeking real information.
402fatuousadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

fatuoThe commentator's fatuous comparison ignored every relevant difference.
403ferventadjective
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.

1. ardiente 2. fervienteA fervent appeal persuaded donors to support the shelter.
404fiscaladjective
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.

1. fiscal 2. crematísticoThe proposal combines environmental goals with fiscal restraint.
405flagrantadjective
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.

1. flagrante 2. sangranteThe referee penalized the flagrant violation immediately.
406floutverb
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.

1. sobreponerse 2. saltarse a la toreraFactories that flout pollution limits face substantial fines.
407fomentverb
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.

fomentarFalse rumors helped foment unrest in the capital.
408forestallverb
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.

prevenirEarly repairs may forestall a complete structural failure.
409formidableadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

formidableThe mountain presented a formidable challenge to the rescue team.
410furtiveadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Suffix focus: -ive commonly forms an adjective meaning having a quality or tendency.

1. furtivo 2. sigilosoA furtive exchange in the hallway drew the guard's attention.
411gainsayverb
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Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

1. impugnar 2. contradecirNo reliable witness could gainsay the engineer's account.
412gaucheadjective
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Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

torpeHis gauche joke offended guests at the memorial.
413grandiloquentadjective
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Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

1. grandilocuente 2. rimbombante 3. grandisonanteThe proposal's grandiloquent promises concealed a modest plan.
414grandioseadjective
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.

grandiosoThe committee rejected a grandiose project that the town could not afford.
415gratifyverb
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

gratificarThe strong response will gratify organizers who feared public indifference.
416guilenoun
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.

1. trampa 2. engañoThe fraudster relied on guile rather than force.
417hallowedadjective
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.

1. santificado 2. hierático 3. sacralThe ceremony took place in a hallowed hall of learning.
418harbingernoun
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Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

1. heraldo 2. presagio 3. anunciadorThe first migrating birds are a harbinger of spring.
419hedonismnoun
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

hedonismoThe novel contrasts hedonism with a life of public service.
420hegemonynoun
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.

hegemoníaThe empire maintained regional hegemony through trade and military power.

Vocabulary reading and practice

Page 12 vocabulary review

Review five selected words from page 12.

Vocabulary quiz

Choose the dictionary equivalent for each of 5 selected words.

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.