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 421–455 of 800
#	Word	Details	Meaning	Sample sentence
421	prudent	adjective Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Base-form focus: prudent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	prudent	Maintaining an emergency reserve is a prudent policy.
422	refute	verb Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: refute is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	réfuter	The later experiment did not refute the hypothesis; it exposed a design flaw.
423	rhetoric	noun Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Base-form focus: rhetoric is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	1. rhétorique 2. discours	The campaign's rhetoric emphasized unity while its policies divided voters.
424	salient	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: salient is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	saillant	The summary identifies the report's three most salient findings.
425	sanction	verb Study Field: GRE literature, history, and humanities Word study: Base-form focus: sanction is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	sanction	The board must sanction any major change to the charter.
426	hubris	noun Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: hubris is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	1. hybris 2. hubris	The tragedy portrays hubris as the ruler's fatal weakness.
427	hypothetical	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: hypothetical is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	hypothétique	The ethicist presented a hypothetical case to test the principle.
428	iconoclastic	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: iconoclastic is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	iconoclaste	Her iconoclastic history questioned the reputation of a national hero.
429	idealize	verb Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -ize commonly forms a verb meaning to make, become, or apply.	idéaliser	The memoir does not idealize village life.
430	ideology	noun Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: ideology is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	idéologie	The movement's ideology emphasized equality and public ownership.
431	idyllic	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: idyllic is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	idyllique	The painting presents an idyllic vision of rural childhood.
432	ignominious	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.	ignominieux	The army's retreat was an ignominious end to the campaign.
433	immutable	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -able means capable of, suitable for, or worthy of an action.	1. immuable 2. immutable	The constitution is important but not immutable.
434	impassive	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -ive commonly forms an adjective meaning having a quality or tendency.	impassible	The defendant remained impassive as the verdict was read.
435	impeccable	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -able means capable of, suitable for, or worthy of an action.	impeccable	The article's research was impeccable, though its conclusion remained debatable.
436	imperial	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: imperial is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	impérial	The museum reconsidered how it displayed objects acquired during imperial expansion.
437	imperious	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.	impérieux	The director's imperious tone silenced useful criticism.
438	imperturbable	adjective Study Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -able means capable of, suitable for, or worthy of an action.	imperturbable	The imperturbable negotiator continued despite the insults.
439	impervious	adjective Study Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.	1. intouchable 2. insensible	The coating is impervious to water.
440	impetuous	adjective Study Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.	1. impétueux 2. brusque 3. brutal	An impetuous decision left the expedition without enough food.
441	impinge	verb Study Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas Word study: Base-form focus: impinge is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	agir sur	The new rule may impinge on freedom of expression.
442	implacable	adjective Study Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas Word study: Suffix focus: -able means capable of, suitable for, or worthy of an action.	1. implacable 2. irréductible	The prosecutor remained an implacable opponent of corruption.
443	implement	verb Study Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas Word study: Base-form focus: implement is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	1. implémenter 2. appliquer 3. exécuter	The city will implement the recycling program next month.
444	implicate	verb Study Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas Word study: Base-form focus: implicate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	impliquer	The emails implicate several senior officials in the scheme.
445	impoverish	verb Study Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas Word study: Base-form focus: impoverish is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	appauvrir	Unsustainable farming can impoverish both families and soil.
446	impropriety	noun Study Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas Word study: Base-form focus: impropriety is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	outrage	The investigation found no evidence of financial impropriety.
447	impugn	verb Study Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas Word study: Base-form focus: impugn is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	contester	The lawyer tried to impugn the witness's motives.
448	inane	adjective Study Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas Word study: Base-form focus: inane is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	1. inepte 2. insensé 3. niais	The interview was reduced to inane questions about clothing.
449	inaugurate	verb Study Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas Word study: Base-form focus: inaugurate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	inaugurer	The exhibition will inaugurate the museum's new wing.
450	incandescent	adjective Study Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas Word study: Base-form focus: incandescent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	incandescent	Her incandescent anger transformed the final speech.
451	incendiary	adjective Study Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas Word study: Base-form focus: incendiary is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	incendiaire	The leader's incendiary rhetoric increased tensions.
452	incipient	adjective Study Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas Word study: Base-form focus: incipient is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	1. incipient 2. commençant 3. naissant	Early treatment stopped the incipient infection.
453	incisive	adjective Study Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas Word study: Suffix focus: -ive commonly forms an adjective meaning having a quality or tendency.	incisif	Her incisive questions exposed the proposal's weakest assumption.
454	inconsequential	adjective Study Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas Word study: Base-form focus: inconsequential is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	sans conséquence	A minor spelling error was inconsequential to the argument.
455	incorrigible	adjective Study Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas Word study: Suffix focus: -ible means capable of, suitable for, or able to be affected.	incorrigible	The novel's incorrigible trickster ignores every warning.

Vocabulary reading and practice

A Hearing Built on Evidence

Reading practice for pages 13–15. Five relevant words are highlighted.

English reading

At the public hearing, the chair established prudent rules that helped keep a contentious debate orderly. She asked each speaker to separate emotional rhetoric from verifiable claims and to address the most salient evidence first. One engineer used inspection records to refute the claim that the bridge was beyond repair. After reviewing the costs and safety plan, the council voted to sanction a limited restoration rather than authorize immediate demolition.

French translation

Lors de l'audience publique, la présidente a établi des règles prudentes qui ont aidé à maintenir l'ordre dans un débat conflictuel. Elle a demandé à chaque intervenant de séparer la rhétorique émotionnelle des affirmations vérifiables et d'aborder d'abord les preuves les plus importantes. Un ingénieur a utilisé des rapports d'inspection pour réfuter l'affirmation selon laquelle le pont était irréparable. Après avoir examiné les coûts et le plan de sécurité, le conseil a voté pour autoriser une restauration limitée plutôt que de permettre une démolition immédiate.

Reading comprehension

1. How does the chair keep the hearing orderly?

She asks speakers to separate rhetoric from verifiable claims and address salient evidence.

2. What evidence helps refute the demolition claim?

The engineer uses inspection records.

3. What does the council sanction?

The council sanctions a limited restoration.

Vocabulary quiz

Choose the dictionary equivalent for each of 5 selected words.

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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 Hearing Built on Evidence

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