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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 421–455 of 800
#WordDetailsMeaningSample sentence
421prudentadjective
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.

1. klok 2. slugMaintaining an emergency reserve is a prudent policy.
422refuteverb
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.

1. motbevisa 2. vederläggaThe later experiment did not refute the hypothesis; it exposed a design flaw.
423rhetoricnoun
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.

retorikThe campaign's rhetoric emphasized unity while its policies divided voters.
424salientadjective
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.

1. framträdande 2. iögonfallandeThe summary identifies the report's three most salient findings.
425sanctionverb
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.

1. sanktion 2. sanktioneraThe board must sanction any major change to the charter.
426hubrisnoun
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.

hybrisThe tragedy portrays hubris as the ruler's fatal weakness.
427hypotheticaladjective
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.

hypotetiskThe ethicist presented a hypothetical case to test the principle.
428iconoclasticadjective
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.

bildstormareHer iconoclastic history questioned the reputation of a national hero.
429idealizeverb
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

idealiseraThe memoir does not idealize village life.
430ideologynoun
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.

ideologiThe movement's ideology emphasized equality and public ownership.
431idyllicadjective
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.

idylliskThe painting presents an idyllic vision of rural childhood.
432ignominiousadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

1. vanhedrande 2. skymflig 3. nesligThe army's retreat was an ignominious end to the campaign.
433immutableadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

oföränderligThe constitution is important but not immutable.
434impassiveadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

jämnmodigThe defendant remained impassive as the verdict was read.
435impeccableadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

1. fläckfri 2. oantastligThe article's research was impeccable, though its conclusion remained debatable.
436imperialadjective
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.

kejserligThe museum reconsidered how it displayed objects acquired during imperial expansion.
437imperiousadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

befallandeThe director's imperious tone silenced useful criticism.
438imperturbableadjective
Study

Field: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

lugnThe imperturbable negotiator continued despite the insults.
439imperviousadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

kallThe coating is impervious to water.
440impetuousadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

handlöstAn impetuous decision left the expedition without enough food.
441impingeverb
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.

dunsa nedThe new rule may impinge on freedom of expression.
442implacableadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

envetenThe prosecutor remained an implacable opponent of corruption.
443implementverb
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.

implementeraThe city will implement the recycling program next month.
444implicateverb
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.

indragaThe emails implicate several senior officials in the scheme.
445impoverishverb
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.

utarmaUnsustainable farming can impoverish both families and soil.
446improprietynoun
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.

dåligt uppförandeThe investigation found no evidence of financial impropriety.
447impugnverb
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.

1. ifrågasätta 2. jävaThe lawyer tried to impugn the witness's motives.
448inaneadjective
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. intetsägande 2. andefattigThe interview was reduced to inane questions about clothing.
449inaugurateverb
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.

invigaThe exhibition will inaugurate the museum's new wing.
450incandescentadjective
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.

bländandeHer incandescent anger transformed the final speech.
451incendiaryadjective
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.

brandThe leader's incendiary rhetoric increased tensions.
452incipientadjective
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.

begynnelseEarly treatment stopped the incipient infection.
453incisiveadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

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

amperHer incisive questions exposed the proposal's weakest assumption.
454inconsequentialadjective
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.

oviktigA minor spelling error was inconsequential to the argument.
455incorrigibleadjective
Study

Field: GRE transitions and expression of ideas

Word study: Suffix focus: -ible means capable of, suitable for, or able to be affected.

oförbätterligThe 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.

Swedish translation

Vid den offentliga utfrågningen införde ordföranden kloka regler som hjälpte till att hålla en konfliktfylld debatt ordnad. Hon bad varje talare att skilja känslomässig retorik från påståenden som går att kontrollera och att först ta upp de viktigaste bevisen. En ingenjör använde inspektionsprotokoll för att motbevisa påståendet att bron inte gick att reparera. Efter att ha granskat kostnaderna och säkerhetsplanen röstade rådet för att godkänna en begränsad restaurering i stället för att tillåta en omedelbar rivning.

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.

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.