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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 491–525 of 800
#WordDetailsMeaningSample sentence
491jocularadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

jocosoHis jocular tone eased tension before the serious discussion.
492judiciousadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

judiciosoA judicious use of quotations strengthened the essay.
493lamentverb
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

lamentarResidents lament the loss of the historic theater.
494laudverb
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

1. louvor 2. louvarReviewers laud the film's patient attention to ordinary lives.
495lavishadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

1. pródigo 2. perdulário 3. profusoThe palace's lavish decoration contrasted with the poverty outside.
496lethargicadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

letárgicoThe heat made the normally active animals lethargic.
497levitynoun
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

levezaA moment of levity helped the exhausted team continue.
498liberaladjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

liberalThe editor took a liberal approach to unconventional spelling.
499libertarianadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

1. libertária 2. libertárioThe essay compares libertarian and communitarian views of privacy.
500licentiousadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

1. licencioso 2. atrevido 3. indisciplinadoCritics accused the court of licentious excess.
501lionizeverb
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

celebrizarThe media began to lionize the athlete after one dramatic victory.
502litigateverb
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

litigarThe groups agreed to negotiate rather than litigate.
503lividadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

adversoThe residents were livid when officials concealed the test results.
504loquaciousadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

1. loquaz 2. tagarelaThe loquacious witness offered many details but few relevant facts.
505lucrativeadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

lucrativoThe patent became a lucrative source of revenue.
506luridadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

espantosoThe newspaper used lurid details to attract attention.
507magnanimousadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

magnânimoThe winner was magnanimous and praised her opponent's campaign.
508maladroitadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

desajeitadoHis maladroit attempt at reconciliation caused a new dispute.
509malaisenoun
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

mal-estarEconomic uncertainty created a national malaise.
510malevolentadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

1. malevolente 2. malévolo 3. mal-intencionadoThe story's malevolent spirit feeds on the villagers' fear.
511malignverb
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

malignoAnonymous accounts tried to malign the scientist.
512mandatenoun
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

mandadoThe election gave the coalition a mandate for reform.
513manifestadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

1. manifesto 2. óbvioThe plan's manifest flaws should have prevented approval.
514martialadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

marcialThe parade's martial music echoed through the square.
515martyrnoun
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

mártirThe movement honored the imprisoned writer as a martyr.
516mavericknoun
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

1. inconformista 2. excêntrico 3. excêntricaThe maverick senator opposed both parties on the issue.
517maximnoun
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Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

máximaThe physician followed the maxim “first, do no harm.”
518meanderverb
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Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

meandroThe essay begins to meander after its strong opening.
519mercenaryadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

mercenárioThe critic called the endorsement a mercenary decision.
520metaphysicaladjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

metafísicoThe dialogue raises metaphysical questions about identity.
521misanthropicadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

1. misantropo 2. misantrópicoThe novel's misanthropic narrator expects selfish motives from everyone.
522mollifyverb
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

1. apaziguar 2. acalmarA sincere apology helped mollify the offended guests.
523moroseadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

taciturnoThe character grows morose after losing his position.
524polarizeverb
Study

Field: GRE science and social-science vocabulary

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

polarizarSensational coverage may polarize public opinion.
525myopicadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

1. míope 2. miópicoThe panel rejected the myopic plan to cut all preventive maintenance.

Vocabulary reading and practice

Page 15 vocabulary review

Review five selected words from page 15.

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.