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GRE Vocabulary Words

GRE vocabulary sits a level above SAT — more abstract, more precise, and less forgiving. This list is pitched at that level, not recycled from an easier exam.

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38 Words

  1. 1 acumen The ability to make quick, accurate judgments and decisions, especially in a particular field.
  2. 2 egregious Shockingly bad or blatant; standing out in a negative way.
  3. 3 erudite Having or showing deep knowledge gained through extensive reading and study.
  4. 4 fastidious Extremely careful about small details, especially cleanliness and order; hard to please.
  5. 5 inexorable Impossible to stop or change once it's set in motion; unavoidable.
  6. 6 pervasive Present or spreading throughout something; affecting every part of it.
  7. 7 prodigal Spending money or resources wastefully and extravagantly.
  8. 8 propensity A natural tendency or inclination to behave or think in a particular way.
  9. 9 discern To notice or perceive something, especially something not immediately obvious.
  10. 10 discerning Having good judgment or taste; able to notice subtle differences.
  11. 11 aberration Something that departs noticeably from what is normal, expected, or typical.
  12. 12 adept Very skilled or highly proficient at something.
  13. 13 coherent Logical, clear, and easy to follow; making sense as a whole.
  14. 14 compelling So interesting or convincing that it grabs and holds your attention.
  15. 15 contentious Likely to cause disagreement or heated argument.
  16. 16 cursory Done quickly and without much attention to detail; hasty.
  17. 17 deft Skillful and quick, especially with the hands.
  18. 18 demure Quiet, modest, and reserved in manner.
  19. 19 discordant Not in agreement or harmony; clashing.
  20. 20 eclectic Drawing from many different sources, styles, or ideas rather than sticking to one.
  21. 21 elusive Hard to catch, find, pin down, or fully understand.
  22. 22 fervent Showing intense and sincere feeling; passionate and earnest.
  23. 23 frugal Careful with money; avoiding unnecessary spending or waste.
  24. 24 impartial Treating everyone fairly and equally, without favoring one side.
  25. 25 impetuous Acting suddenly and without careful thought, often forcefully.
  26. 26 innocuous Not harmful; unlikely to cause damage or upset.
  27. 27 insidious Causing harm slowly and quietly, so the danger isn't obvious until real damage is done.
  28. 28 obscure Not well known.
  29. 29 obsolete No longer used because something newer or better has replaced it.
  30. 30 placid Calm, peaceful, and not easily disturbed.
  31. 31 precarious Not safe or stable; likely to fail or collapse at any moment.
  32. 32 presumptuous Overconfident or arrogant in a way that overstepss what is appropriate or one's actual authority.
  33. 33 prevalent Widespread or common, especially at a given time or in a given place.
  34. 34 prolific Producing a large amount of something, especially offspring, fruit, or creative work.
  35. 35 stringent Very strict, precise, and demanding; allowing little flexibility.
  36. 36 tenuous Weak, flimsy, or barely holding together; lacking a solid basis.
  37. 37 transient Lasting only a short time; passing quickly.
  38. 38 unequivocal Completely clear and leaving no room for doubt or misinterpretation.