combined kaplan & barron gre study guide

8/6/2019 Combined Kaplan & Barron GRE Study Guide

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/combined-kaplan-barron-gre-study-guide 1/22

Combined Kaplan GRE Study Guide: Top GRE Words and Baron High-FrequencyVocabulary Word List

515 Total Words

* denotes word appeared on both Baron and Kaplan lists

Word Definition

Garrulousloquacious;talkative; wordy

abate*

toreduce in amount, degree orseverity gouge

overcharge

abdicate torenounce or relinquish a throne grandiloquent*

pompousor inflated inlanguage;

bombastic; usinghigh-soundinglanguage

aberrant abnormalor deviant

gregarious sociable

abeyance suspendedaction

guile deceitor trickery

abjectutterlyhopeless, humiliating orwretched

guileless withoutdeceit

abjure torenounce on oath

gullible easilydeceived

ablution actof cleansing

haranguelong,passionate, andvehement speech

abrogate toabolish by formal means

heterodox

differentfromacknowledgedstandard; holdingunorthodox

opinions ordoctrines

abscond*departsecretly and hide

heterogeneous

of other origin; notoriginating in thebody



abstemious*

sparingin eating and drinking;temperate

homogeneous of the same kind

abstruse hardto understand; secret, hidden

hyperbole exaggeration;overstatement

accretion anincrease by natural growth

hypocriticalaffectingvirtues or qualitiesone does not have

acerbicsouror astringent in taste, harsh intemper

iconoclast*

onewho opposesestablished beliefs,customs andinstitutions

acquiesce to

comply, give in

idolatryworshipof idols; excessive

admiration

acrid sharpor biting to the taste or smell

immutable unchangeable

acrimonious caustic,stinging or bitter in nature

impair injure;hurt

adjoin*tobe close or in contact with

impassive*

withoutfeeling;imperturbable;showing or feelingno emotion

adjure tobeg or command

imperturbable calm;placid

admonishtocounsel against something;caution; warn; reprove

impervious*

impenetrable;incapable of beingdamaged ordistressed

adulterate*

tomake impure by adding inferioror tainted substances

impetuous*quickto act withoutthinking

adventitious accidental implacable incapableof being pacified

aestheticartistic;dealing with or capable of appreciating the beautiful

implicit understoodbut not stated

affable friendly,courteous

implode burstinward



aggrandizetoincrease in power, influence andreputation

importune

tourge or press withexcessivepersistence

aggregate gather;accumulate

impugn

to

attack as false orquestionable;challenge inargument

alacrity cheerfulpromptness; eagerness

inadvertentlyunintentionally;by oversight;carelessly

alleviate relieve inamorata afemale lover

altruistaperson unselfishly concerned forthe welfare of others

inchoate*

notfully formed;disorganized;rudimentary;elementary

amalgamate combine;unite in one body

incongruitylackof harmony;absurdity

amatoryof or pertaining to lovers orlovemaking

inconsequential insignificant;unimportant

ambiguous unclearor doubtful in meaning

incorporate

introducesomething into alarger whole;combine; unite

ambivalencethestate of having contradictory orconflicting emotional attitudes

inculpate tocharge with fault

ameliorate tomake better; to improve

incursionahostile entranceinto a place

amityfriendship;peaceful harmony

indeterminateuncertain;not clearly fixed;indefinite

anachronism*

somethingor someone misplaced in time;an obsolete or archaic form

indigence poverty



analogous comparable indigentexperiencingwant or need;impoverished.

anarchyabsenceof governing body; state of

disorder

indoctrinatetoimbue someone

with learning

androgenanysubstance that promotesmasculine characteristics

indolence*stateof being lazy orslothful

androgynous beingboth male and female

inducetomove or lead byinfluence

animus hostilefeeling or attitude

ineffabletoogreat fordescription

anomalous abnormal;irregular

inertinactive;lacking power tomove

antipathy*aversion;dislike

infusion liquidextract so obtained

apartheidanysystem or caste that separatespeople according to race ingenuous*

naiveand trusting;young;unsophisticated

apathy*

lackof interest or emotion; uncaring;indifference

inherentfirmlyestablished bynature or habit

apogee thehighest or most distant point

inimical hostile,unfriendly

apostasy*

renunciationof one’s previous loyalty; a totaldesertion of one’s religion,principles,cause, etc.

innocuous harmless

apotheosis glorification,glorified ideal

insensatewithoutfeeling orsensitivity

appease pacifyor soothe; relieve

insensible unconscious;unresponsive

apprise inform insidious intendedto trap or beguile



approbation* approval;praise, consideration

insinuate hint;imply; creep in

appropriateacquire;take possession of for one’s ownuse insipid*

lackingin interest orflavor; dull

arduous hard;strenuous

insolentboldlyrude ordisrespectful

arrogatetoclaim unwarrantably orpresumptuously

insularitynarrow-mindedness;isolation

artless withoutguile; open and honest

interlopersomeonewho intrudes in thedomain of others

ascetic practicingself-denial; austere

intractableunruly;stubborn;unyielding

assiduous* diligent,persistent, hardworking

intransigence

refusalof anycompromise;stubbornness

assuage

tomake less severe; ease or lessen(pain); satisfy (hunger); soothe(anger) intransigent*

refusingto agree or

compromise

atrophy

towaste away; wither ordeteriorate; the wasting away of body tissue

inundate overwhelm;flood; submerge

attenuate makethinner

inured accustomed;hardened

audacious daring;

bold

invective*

of,relating to, orcharacterized by

insult or abuse

austere*forbiddinglystern in appearance; severelysimple and unornamented

irascible* irritable;easily angered

autonomous*self-governing;independent

irresolute uncertainhow to act; weak



aver*assertconfidently or declare; as used inlaw, state formally as a fact

itinerary planof a trip

avocationsomethingone does in addition to a

principle occupation

laconicbrief and to the point;

using few words

banalboring;commonplace; trite; lackingoriginality; clichéd; hackneyed

lassitude languor;weariness

belie contradict;give a false impression

latentpotentialbut undeveloped;dormant; hidden

belligerent warlike,given to waging war

laud praise

bemoan toexpress pity for

lethargic drowsy;dull

beneficent kindly;doing good

levee

earthor stoneembankment toprevent flooding

benevolent desiringto do good to others

levitylackof seriousness orsteadiness; frivolity

benign havinga kindly disposition

litigate

to

make the subjectof a lawsuit

bilateral pertainingto or affecting two or both sides log

recordof a voyage orflight; record of day-to-dayactivities

bolster support;reinforce

loquacious talkative

bombastic*

pompous

in speech and manner ; usinginflated language

lucid

easily

understood; clear;intelligible

boorish rude;insensitive

luminous shining;issuing light

burgeon growforth; send out buds

magnanimity generosity



burnish makeshiny by rubbing; polish

magnanimousgenerousin forgiving aninsult or injury

buttress support;

prop up

magnateapowerful or

influential person

capitulatetosurrender unconditionally or onstipulated terms

maladroit clumsy,tactless

capricious*unpredictable;fickle; changing one’s mindquickly and often

malevolentcharacterizedby or expressingbad will

castigate* to

punish or criticize harshly

malfeasance

misconductor wrongdoingoften committed

by a public official

catalyst

agentthat increases the rate of achemical action; person or thingthat causesaction

malign

tospeak harmfuluntruths about, toslander

caustic burning;sarcastically biting

malinger

toevaderesponsibility bypretending to be ill

chicanery*

trickery;deception by means of craft orguile

malingerer onewho feigns illnessto escape duty

circuitous roundabout,indirect

malleable

capableof being shaped bypounding;impressionable

circumambulate to

walk about or around

maverick rebel;nonconformist

circumscribe todraw a line around

maxim

anexpression of general truth orprinciple

circumspect watchfuland discreet

mendaciouslying;habituallydishonest



coagulate thicken;congeal; clot

metamorphosis changeof form

coda

concludingsection of a musical or literarycomposition; something that

summarizesor concludes

meticulous

excessivelycareful;

painstaking;scrupulous

cogent* convincingand well reasoned

minatory menacing,threatening

commensurate

correspondingin extent, degree, etc.;proportionate

misanthrope* onewho hates mankind

compendium brief,comprehensive summary

miscegenation interbreedingof races

complacent self-satisfied,unconcerned

mitigate* tosoften, to lessen

complaisant* tryingto please; overly polite; obliging

mollify*tocalm or make lesssevere; soothe

compliant yielding;conforming to requirements

morose ill-humored;sullen; melancholy

compunctionafeeling of uneasiness for doingwrong

mundaneworldlyas opposed tospiritual; everyday

concentric havinga common center

nascent startingto develop

conciliate toplacate, win over

negate cancelout; nullify; deny

conciliatory reconciling;soothing

neophyte* recentconvert; beginner

condoneoverlook;

forgive; give tacit approval;excuse

obdurate

stubborn,hardened in

feelings; resistantto persuasion

conflagration alarge destructive fire

obfuscatetorender indistinct ordim

confluence merginginto one

oblique havinga slanting or



sloping direction

confound confuse;

puzzle

obsequious*

overlysubmissive andeager to please;servile;

sycophantic

congenital existingor as such from birth

obsolescent becomingobsolete

connoisseurpersoncompetent to act as a judge of art; a lover of art

obstreperous noisilydefiant, unruly

contention claim;thesis

obtusenotsharp, pointed oracute

contentious quarrelsome obviate

toprevent; makeunnecessary; getrid of

contravene tocome into conflict with

occlude

tostop; close; toprevent thepassage of

contritefeelingregret and sorrow for one’s sins

or offenses; penitent

officious

meddlesome;excessively pushyin offering one’s

services

conundrum riddle;difficult problem

omnivorouseatingor absorbingeverything

convalescent recoveringfrom illness

onerous*troublesomeand oppressive;burdensome

converge approach;tend to meet; come together opprobrium*

publicdisgrace; infamy;vilification

convoke tocall together

oscillate vibrate;waver

convoluted*intricateand complicated

ostentatiousshowy;pretentious; tryingto attract attention

corroborate to panegyric formal



provide supporting evidenceor elaborate praiseat an assembly

craven cowardlypanoply

awide-ranging andimpressive array or

display

credulous* tootrusting; gullible

paragon*modelof excellence orperfection

cursorygoingrapidly over something; hasty;superficial

partisan

one-sided;prejudiced;committed to aparty

daunt intimidate;

frighten

pathogenic causing

disease

decadent decaying;deteriorating

pathological pertainingto disease

decorumpropriety;orderliness and good taste inmanners

paucity*smallnessof quantity;scarcity; scantiness

default failureto act

pedanticshowingoff learning;bookish

deference*respect;courteous regard for another’swishes

penchant stronginclination; liking

deferential respectful;to yield judgment to

penury severepoverty; stinginess

deigntothink fit or in accordance withone’s dignity

percipient

havingperception;discerning;discriminating

delineate portray;

depict; sketch

perennial something

long-lasting

deludetomislead the mind of judgment of,deceive

perfidious*treacherous;disloyal; willing tobetray one’s trust

denigrate blacken perfidiouswillingto betray one’strust



deride ridicule;

make fun of

perfunctory*

superficial;not thorough;lacking interest,care, orenthusiasm; donein a routine

way;

derision contemptuousor jeering laughter; ridicule.

peripateticwalkingor traveling about;itinerant

derivative unoriginal;obtained from another source

permeable

penetrable;porous; allowingliquids or gas topass through

desiccate* to

dry out thoroughly

permutationacomplete change;

transformation

desultory* aimless;haphazard; digressing at random

perquisite agratuity, tip

deterrent somethingthat discourages; hindrance

perspicacious

havingkeen mentalperception andunderstanding;shrewd; astute

diatribe bitter

scolding; invective

pertinaciousresolute;persistent,

stubborn

dichotomy*split;branching into two parts(especially contradictory ones)

pervasive spreadthroughout

diffident*lackingor marked by a lack of self-confidence; shy and timid.

petulant

showingsudden irritation,esp. over someannoyance

diffuse*

to

spread widely or thinly

philandereronewho carries on

flirtations

digression wanderingaway from the subject

philanthropycharity;a desire or effort topromote goodness

dilatory* inclinedto delay or procrastinate

philology thestudy of literarytexts to establish



their authenticityand determinetheir meaning

dilettantesomeonewith an amateurish and

superficial interest in a topic

phlegmaticcalm;not easily

disturbed

dirge lamentwith music

piety devoutness;reverence for God

disabuse*

correct

a false impression; to set right;

tofree from error

placate pacify;conciliate

discerningmentallyquick and observant; having

insight

plasticity ability

to be molded

discordant notharmonious; conflicting

platitude

triteremark;commonplacestatement

discredit defame;destroy confidence in; disbelieve

plethora* excess;overabundance

discrepancy lackof consistency; difference

plummet fallsharply

discrete separate;unconnected; consisting of distinct parts

porous fullof pores; like asieve

disingenuous lackinggenuine candor; insincere

pragmatic

practical(as opposed toidealistic);concerned with thepractical worth orimpactof something

disinterested unprejudiced preamble introductory

statement

disjointedlackingcoherence; separated at the

joints

precarious uncertain;risky

dismiss eliminatefrom consideration; reject

precept acommandmentgiven as a rule of



action or conduct

disparage belittle precipitate

n.to throw violentlyor bring aboutabruptly; lacking

deliberation

disparatefundamentallydistinct or different in kind;entirely dissimilar precipitate

adj.rash, premature,hasty, sudden

disport todivert or amuse oneself

precludetoprevent thepresence of

disquiet alack of calm or peace

precocious

unusuallyadvanced ormature in mental

development ortalent

dissemble*disguise;pretend; to disguise one’s realintentions or character

precursor forerunner

disseminate*distribute;spread widely; scatter (likeseeds)

predilection preference,liking

dissolution disintegration;looseness in morals

prescient

havingknowledge of

things before theyhappen

dissonance discord;opposite of harmony

presentiment

afeeling of anticipation over afuture event

distend toexpand by stretching; swell out

presumptuous arrogant;taking liberties

distill purify;

refine; concentrate

prevaricate*tolie or deviate from

the truth

divergevary;go in different directions fromthe same point

pristine

characteristicof earlier times;primitive;unspoiled

divest strip;deprive

probity* honesty;uprightness;



incorruptibility

doctrine

aprinciple or body of principlespresented for acceptance orbelief;

dogma

problematic

doubtful;unsettled;questionable;

perplexing

document providewritten evidence

prodigal*lavish;wasteful; recklesswith money

dogmaafirmly held opinion, often areligious belief

profounddeep;not superficial;complete

dogmatic* opinionated;arbitrary; doctrinal

prohibitive

tendingto prevent thepurchase or use of

something; inclinedto prevent orforbid

doleful sorrowful,mournful

proliferate*growrapidly; spread;multiply

dormant sleeping;lethargic; latent

promulgatetomake known byopen declaration

dour sullen,

gloomy

propensity natural

inclination

dupe*todeceive; a person who is easilydeceived

propitiate*toconciliate; toappease

duplicitydeceitfulnessin speech or conduct; double-dealing

propoundtoset forth forconsideration

dystrophy

faulty

or inadequate nutrition ordevelopment propriety*

correctbehavior orconduct, obedience

to rules andcustoms

ebullientshowingexcitement; overflowing withenthusiasm

proscribe*

tocondemn asharmful or odious;ostracize; banish;outlaw



eclectic*selective;composed of elements from avariety of sources

proselytize

toconvert (a person)from one belief,doctrine, cause, orfaith to another

efficacy* effectiveness; power to produce desired effect

protracttoprolong, draw out,extend

effigyadummy; a likeness or image,especially of a person.

providenthavingor showingforesight

effluence flowingout of

prudence wisdom,caution or restraint

effronteryimpudence;shameless boldness; sheer

nerve; presumptuousness

puerile childish,

immature

elegy* asorrowful poem or speech

pugnacioustoquarrel or fightreadily

elicit drawout by discussion

punctilious

strictor exact in theobservance of formalities

elocution art

of clear and expressive speaking

pungentstinging;sharp in taste or

smell; caustic

embellish adorn;ornament; enhance, as a story

pusillanimouslackingcourage orresolution

empathytheidentification with the feelings orthoughts of others

qualified limited;restricted

empirical basedon experience

querulous fullof complaints

emulate imitate;rival

quibbleminorobjection orcomplaint

endemicprevailingamong a specific group of peopleor in a specific area or country

quiescence

n.the condition of being at rest, still,inactive



enervate* weaken;to reduce in strength

quiescent*

adj.at rest; dormant;temporarilyinactive;motionless

engender* toproduce, cause or bring about

rarefiedmadeless dense (of agas)

enhance increase;improve

recalcitrant

obstinatelystubborn;determined toresist authority;unruly

enigma apuzzle; a mystery

recant

disclaimor disavow; retracta previous

statement; openlyconfess error

ephemeral*short-lived;fleeting

recluse hermit;loner

epigramawitty or pointed saying terselyexpressed

recondite abstruse;profound; secret

epithet

aword or phrase characteristicallyused to characterize a person or

thing

recumbentlyingdown; reclining;

leaning

equanimity calmnessof temperament; composure

refractory*stubborn;unmanageable;rebellious

equivocate*lie;mislead; attempt to conceal thetruth

refute disprove

erudite* learned,scholarly, bookish

rejoinder toreply, retort

esoteric*hardto understand; known only to thechosen few

relegate

banishto an inferiorposition; delegate;assign

estimable admirable remonstrate

tosay or plead inprotest, objection,or reproof



eugenicsimprovementof qualities of race by control of inherited characteristics

reprehensibledeservingrebuke or censure;blameworthy.

eulogy*expressionof praise, often on the occasion

of someone’s death

reprisals retaliation

against an enemy

euphemism

aninoffensive expression that issubstituted for one that isconsideredoffensive

reproachexpressdisapproval ordisappointment

euphonypleasantnessof sound

reprobate*

personhardened in sin;wicked person;devoid of a senseof decency

exacerbate* worsen;to increase bitterness or violence

repudiate*

disown;disavow; to rejectthe validity of

exculpate* toclear from blame; prove innocent

rescind cancel

execrable abominable resolution n.determination

exigency

urgent

situation; pressing needs ordemands; state of requiringimmediate attention resolve

v.to make a firmdecision about.

exigent urgent;requiring immediate action

reticent*

silent;reserved;uncommunicative;inclined to silence

expound toset forth in detail

reverent respectful;worshipful

extrapolationprojection;conjecture

reviletocriticize with harshlanguage

exult toshow or feel triumphant joy

sagepersoncelebrated forwisdom

facetious joking salient prominent



(often inappropriately);humorous or conspicuous

facilitate help

bring about; make less difficult

salubrious

conduciveor favorable tohealth or well-

being

fallacious false;misleading

sanction approve;ratify

fatuous brainless;inane; foolish, yet smug

satiate satisfyfully

fawning*

tryingto please by behavingobsequiously, flattering, orcringing

saturate soakthoroughly

felicitous apt;suitably expressed; well chosen

savor

enjoy;have a distinctiveflavor, smell, orquality

fervor glowingardor; intensity of feeling

secrete

hideaway or cache;produce andrelease asubstance

fiduciary of a trust; held or given in trust

sedition

incitementof discontent or

rebellion against agovernment

flagdroop;grow feeble; to decline in vigoror strength

shard

apiece of brokenpottery, especiallyone found in anarchaeological dig;a potsherd.

fledgling inexperienced skeptic

doubter;person whosuspends judgment

until havingexamined evidencesupportinga point of view

flout reject;mock; show contempt for

sociopath aperson whosebehavior isantisocial and who



lacks a sense of moralresponsibility

foment* toarouse or incite

solicitous worried;concerned

forestall* preventby taking action in advance

soporific*sleep-causing;lethargy; markedby sleepiness

fractious irritable,peevish

specious*

havingthe ring of truth orplausibility butactually fallacious)

frugality thrifty;economy

spectrum

coloredband produced

when a beam of light passesthrough a prism

fusilladecontinuousdischarge of firearms or outburstof criticism

sporadic occurringirregularly

futile useless;hopeless; ineffectual stigma*

amark of shame ordiscredit

gainsay deny

stint

to

restrict or limit, asin amount ornumber; be sparingwith

stipulate

tolay down as acondition of anagreement; requireby contract

stolid*

dull;impassive;

unemotional;lacking sensitivity

striatedmarkedwith parallel bands;grooved

strut pompous tirade extended



walk or supporting bar

scolding;denunciation;harangue

subjugate to

conquer

torpor*lethargy;sluggishness;

dormancy

subpoenaawrit requiring appearance incourt to give testimony

tortuous winding;full of curves

subside settledown; descend; grow quiet

tractable*docile;easily managed orcontrolled

substantiate establishby evidence; verify; support

transcendentgoingbeyond ordinarylimits

subterfugeanartifice or expedient used toevade a rule

transgression violation

of a law; sin

supercilious arrogant,haughty, condescending

truculence aggressiveness;

ferocity

supersedecauseto be set aside; replace; make

obsolete

unconscionable not

restrained by

conscience;

unscrupulous

supplicatetomake humble and earnestentreaty

vacillate waver;

fluctuate

supposition hypothesis;surmise

venerate revere

tacit understood;not put into words

veracious* truthful

taciturn silent,not talkative

veracity filled

with trust and

accuracy

tangentialperipheral;only slightly connected;digressing

verbose wordy



tenablecapableof being held, maintained ordefended

verisimilitude the

appearance or

semblance of truth

tenacious

holding

fast; holding or tending to holdpersistently to something

verity truthfulness

tendentiousmarkedby a strong implicit point of view;partisan

viable practical

or workable

tenuous thin;rare; slim

vicarious performed,

exercised, received

or suffered in place

of another

vilify to

slander, to defame

viscous sticky,

gluey

vituperative adj.

abusive; scolding

vociferous crying

out noisily

volatile changeable;

explosive;

evaporation rapidly

volition free

choice, free will;

act of choosing

voracious having

a great appetite

warranted justified;

authorized

wary very

cautious

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