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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 36–70 of 800
#WordDetailsMeaningSample sentence
36prevaricateverb
Study

Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities

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

vältelläThe witness began to prevaricate when asked about the missing funds.
37thriftyadjective
Study

Field: Grade 5 language and literature word

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

säästäväinenThe thrifty cook turned leftover vegetables into soup.
38regressionnoun
Study

Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

Word study: Suffix focus: -sion commonly forms a noun naming an action, process, or result.

1. regressioanalyysi 2. regressioThe researchers used regression to control for age.
39impecuniousadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

rahatonThe impecunious student relied on free public lectures.
40penuriousadjective
Study

Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities

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

varatonThe penurious patron refused to fund basic safety repairs.
41affluentadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

runsasThe survey compared affluent districts with communities lacking basic services.
42profligateadjective
Study

Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities

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

paheellinenProfligate spending left the administration deeply in debt.
43prodigaladjective
Study

Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities

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

tuhlaavainenThe prodigal heir exhausted the estate within a decade.
44avaricenoun
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

1. ahneus 2. rahanhimoThe novel portrays avarice as a force that destroys trust.
45cupiditynoun
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Suffix focus: -ity commonly forms a noun naming a quality, state, or condition.

ahneusThe satire portrays cupidity as the mayor's only principle.
46defrayverb
Study

Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

1. kattaa 2. kustantaa 3. maksaaA grant will defray travel expenses.
47apotheosisnoun
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

huippuCritics called the cathedral the apotheosis of Gothic architecture.
48bellicoseadjective
Study

Field: Grade 11 precise interdisciplinary word

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

sotaisaThe leader's bellicose speech alarmed neighboring states.
49truculentadjective
Study

Field: Grade 11 precise interdisciplinary word

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

aggressiivinenThe minister's truculent reply threatened the fragile truce.
50ferretverb
Study

Field: Grade 8 precise high-utility word

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

frettiThe auditor will ferret out errors in the complicated accounts.
51serendipitynoun
Study

Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Suffix focus: -ity commonly forms a noun naming a quality, state, or condition.

onnekas sattumien summaSerendipity led the chemist to an unexpected material.
52invectivenoun
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

kiusallinenThe debate deteriorated into personal invective.
53diatribenoun
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

vuodatusThe editorial became a diatribe against anyone who questioned the policy.
54tiradenoun
Study

Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities

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

1. vuodatus 2. saarnaThe meeting ended with a tirade against the press.
55haranguenoun
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

1. saarnata 2. paasata 3. saarnaThe coach's angry harangue embarrassed the entire team.
56catalystnoun
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

1. katalysaattori 2. katalyyttiThe court decision became a catalyst for nationwide reform.
57gregariousadjective
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

1. lauma 2. laumassa eläväThe gregarious researcher built collaborations across several departments.
58ingenuousadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

1. sinisilmäinen 2. luottavainen 3. viatonHer ingenuous question revealed a flaw the experts had overlooked.
59disabuseverb
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

1. oikaista harhaluulo 2. oikaista väärinkäsitysThe evidence should disabuse readers of the idea that the change was sudden.
60amiableadjective
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

1. ystävällinen 2. rakastettavaDespite the fierce debate, the candidates remained amiable afterward.
61affableadjective
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

mukavaThe affable professor welcomed questions after the lecture.
62nascentadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

1. aluillaan oleva 2. nuoriThe nascent movement had enthusiasm but little organization.
63attenuateverb
Study

Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

suippotyvinenTrees can attenuate traffic noise.
64animositynoun
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

Word study: Suffix focus: -ity commonly forms a noun naming a quality, state, or condition.

vihamielisyysOld animosity between the rivals complicated the negotiations.
65anomalousadjective
Study

Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

1. poikkeava 2. epätavallinenThe team repeated the test after one anomalous result.
66acrimonynoun
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

katkeruusYears of acrimony made a calm settlement difficult.
67aberrationnoun
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

Word study: Suffix focus: -ation commonly forms a noun naming an action, process, or result.

aberraatioThe single cold day was an aberration in an otherwise warm month.
68ambiguousadjective
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

1. moniselitteinen 2. monitulkintainen 3. tulkinnanvarainenThe ambiguous instructions produced three different results.
69amorphousadjective
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

amorfinenThe movement remained amorphous until its members adopted shared goals.
70admonishverb
Study

Field: GRE words in context and precision

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

varoittaaThe judge had to admonish the witness for interrupting.

Vocabulary reading and practice

Page 2 vocabulary review

Review five selected words from page 2.

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.