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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. abbellire 2. adornare 3. agghindareThe 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.

eminenteAn 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.

invadereNew 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.

endemicoThe disease is endemic to several tropical regions.
390enfranchiseverb
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Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

frelsaThe 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.

radicatoThe 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.

enumerareThe report will enumerate the costs before recommending a plan.
393euphemismnoun
Study

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.

1. evanescente 2. indistintoThe 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.

superficialeA 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.

esigenteExigent 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.

1. discolpare 2. scagionareDNA 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.

opportunoThe 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. spiegare 2. illustrareThe 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.

spontaneoHer extemporaneous remarks were more persuasive than the prepared speech.
401facetiousadjective
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Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

facetoHis 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.

calorosoA 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.

fiscaleThe 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.

flagranteThe 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.

disattendereFactories 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.

fomentareFalse rumors helped foment unrest in the capital.
408forestallverb
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Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

prevenireEarly repairs may forestall a complete structural failure.
409formidableadjective
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Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

formidabileThe mountain presented a formidable challenge to the rescue team.
410furtiveadjective
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Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

furtivoA 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.

contraddireNo 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.

imbranatoHis 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.

grandiloquenteThe proposal's grandiloquent promises concealed a modest plan.
414grandioseadjective
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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.

gratificareThe 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. astuzia 2. frode 3. ingannoThe 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.

santificatoThe 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. araldo 2. foriero 3. messaggeroThe 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.

edonismoThe 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.

egemoniaThe 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.