Free GRE Course > GRE Vocabulary > GRE Vocabulary List
abacus frame with balls used for calculating
abate to lessen, subside
abdication formal relinquishing of power or authority; resignation
aberration straying away from what is natural or normal; deviation
abet to help, encourage someone in wrongdoing
abeyance suspended action; temporary inactivity
abhor to hate, detest
abide to be faithful; to endure
abjure to promise or swear to give up
abraded rubbed off, worn away by friction
abrogate to repeal or annul by authority
abscond to go away suddenly (to avoid arrest)
abstruse difficult to comprehend; obscure
abut to border on
abysmal bottomless; profoundly, extremely bad
acarpous effete; worn out; sterile; no longer fertile
acclaimed welcomed with shouts and approval
accolade praise, approval
accretion the growing of separate things into one; an addition
adamant kind of stone; inflexible
admonitory containing a warning; tending to admonish
adorn add beauty to; decorate
adulteration making impure or poorer in quality
affable polite and friendly
affinity a natural liking for something; an inherent similarity
aggravate to make worse; to irritate
agile active, quick-moving, well-coordinated
agog eager/excited
ail to cause pain or trouble to; to be ill
alacrity eager and cheerful readiness
alcove recessed part of a room; partially enclosed space
allegiance duty, support, loyalty
alleviate to make (pain) easier to bear
alloy to debase by mixing with something inferior; a mixture of two or more metals
aloof reserved, seemingly indifferent
amalgamate mix, combine, unite
ambidextrous able to use the left hand and the right equally well
ambiguous doubtful, uncertain; having several possible meanings or explanations
ambivalent having both of two contrary desires; uncertain; unable to make a decision
ameliorate to improve, make better
amortize to end (a debt) by making periodic payments
anguish severe suffering
animosity strong dislike
antidote medicine used against a poison or a disease
antithetical directly opposed; opposite
apartheid brutal racial discrimination
aplomb self-confidence
apostate one who abandons long-held religious or political convictions
apotheosis deification, glorification of a person to the rank of a God; the highest point of something
appease to make quiet or calm; to soothe, pacify
apprehensive anxious or nervous about future happenings; perceptive
apprise to give notice; to inform
approbation approval
apropos appropriate to the situation, apt, pertinent
apt well-suited;appropriate; able to learn quickly
arabesque a complex, ornate design; a ballet pose; a short musical piece
arboreal of or having to do with trees
ardor enthusiasm; passion; great warmth
arduous requiring much exertion; laborious; difficult to climb
argot jargon slang
arrogance proud superior manner of behaviour 
articulate speak distinctly connect by joints 
ascend go or come up 
ascertain get to know 
ascetic practicing self-denial austere stark 
ascribe consider to be the origin of or belonging to 
aseptic surgically clean 
asperity roughness harshness ill temper irritability 
aspersion slander
assail with attack violently 
assiduous diligent hard-working sedulous 
assuage make smth (pain desire) less 
asterisk the mark * (e.g.. omitted letters) 
astringent substance that shrinks 
astute clever quick at seeing to get an advantage 
atonement repayment death of Jesus 
attenuate make thin. weaken enervate 
attune bring into harmony 
audacious daring foolishly bold impudent 
augury omen sign 
august majestic venerable 
auspicious favorable successful prosperous 
austere severely moral and strict simple and plain 
auxiliary helping supporting 
aver affirm assert prove justify 
aversion strong dislike 
avid eager greedy 
avow admit. Declare openly 
baleful harmful ominous causing evil 
balk obstacle purposely to get on the way of 
baneful causing harm or ruin pernicious destructive 
barrage artificial obstacle built across a river 
barren not good enough unable to have young ones without value 
bask in enjoy warmth and light 
beatify to bless make happy or ascribe a virtue to 
bedizen to adorn especially in a cheap showy manner 
belabor beat hard 
bellicose belligerent pugnacious warlike 
belligerent (person nation) waging war 
benefactor person who has given help 
benevolence wish or activity in doing good 
benign kind and gentle mild (climate) 
bequest arrangement to give smth at death 
berate scold sharply 
bereft rob or dispossess of smth (material) 
bewilder puzzle confuse 
bigot stubborn narrow-minded person 
bilge bulge the protuberance of a cask 
blandishment flattery coaxing 
blandness polite manner comforting uninteresting 
blatant noisy and rough 
blithe cheerful casual carefree 
bogus sham counterfeit not genuine 
boisterous loud noisy rough lacking restraint 
bolster give greatly needed support 
boorish crude offensive rude 
brash hasty rush cheeky saucy 
brass yellow metal (mixing copper and zinc) 
brazen made of brass 
breach opening broken place breaking 
brittle easily broken 
broach bring up announce begin to talk about 
brook to tolerate endure 
buoyant able to float light-hearted 
burgeon grow forth send out buds 
burnish to polish rub to a shine 
cabal a scheme or plot a group of plotters 
cadge to beg to get by begging 
cajole use flattery or deceit to persuade 
calipers metal supports attached to the legs measuring instrument 
calumny slander aspersion 
candid frank straight-forward 
cant insincere talk/jargon 
cantankerous bad-tempered/quarrelsome 
canvass discuss thoroughly sort of touting 
castigate to chastise correct by punishing 
castigation severe punishment 
catalyst substance that causes speeding up 
caustic biting sarcastic 
censure expression of blame or disapproval a rebuke 
centurion leader of a unit of 100 soldiers 
chary cautious wary 
chastened corrected punished 
chastisement punishment 
chauvinist a blindly devoted patriot 
chicanery legal trickery/false argument 
chisel steel tool for shaping materials 
churl bad-tempered person 
clamor shout complain with a lot of noise 
clientele customers 
clinch come to grips/settle conclusively 
cling to resist separation 
clot half-solid lump formed from liquid 
cloture closing device (in Parliament) to end a debate by voting 
coagulation change to a thick and solid state 
coalescing coming together and uniting into one substance 
coax get smb to do smth by kindness 
coda passage that completes a piece of music 
coddle treat with care and tenderness 
coerce compel to force to make obedient 
coeval of the same period coexisting 
cogent strong convincing 
cogitate think deeply mediate 
cognizant being fully aware of 
colander bowl-shaped vessel with many holes used to drain off water 
collusion secret agreement for a deceitful purpose 
combustion process of burning 
commemorate keep the memory of 
commodious having plenty of space for what is needed 
commuter person who travels regularly 
complaisance tending to comply obliging willingness to please 
compunction feeling of regret for one’s action 
conceal hide keep secret 
conceit over-high opinion of too much pride 
conciliatory reconciling soothing comforting mollifying 
concord agreement or harmony 
concur agree in opinion happen together 
condense increase in density strength make laconic 
condone forgive 
congeal make or become stiff and solid 
conjoin to join together 
connoisseur a person with good judgement (e.g.. in art) 
connotation suggestion in addition to 
consequential pompous self important 
console give comfort or sympathy to 
conspicuous easily seen remarkable 
consternation surprise and fear dismay 
constrain compel 
constrict make tight or smaller 
consume get to the end of 
consummate perfect/make perfect/complete 
contemn to scorn or despise 
contentious argumentative pugnacious combative quarrelsome 
contiguous touching neighboring near 
contrite filled with deep sorrow for wrongdoing 
contumacious insubordinate rebellious 
conundrum a riddle dilemma enigma 
conviction convincing firm belief 
convoke call together summon 
convoluted complicated coiled twisted 
cordial warm and sincere 
cordon line (of police acting as a guard) 
cornucopia abundant supply 
corporeal physical of or for the body 
correlate have a mutual relation 
corroboration additional strengthening evidence 
countenance to favor or approve of 
counterfeit forgery 
countervail counterbalance 
covert disguised 
covetous eagerly desirous 
cower crouch shrink back 
coy shy/modest (esp of a girl) 
crass very great (es. stupidity) 
cravat piece of linen worn as a necktie 
craven cowardly 
crease line made by crushing white line on the ground in cricket 
credulity too great a readiness to believe things 
credulous ready to believe things 
crush press lose shape subdue overwhelm 
cryptic secret with a hidden meaning 
cumbersome burdensome heavy and awkward to carry 
curmudgeon bad-tempered person 
curriculum course of study 
cursory quick hurried 
curtail make shorter then was planned 
dainty pretty/delicate(food)/difficult to please 
daunt intimidate make fearful 
dawdler person who is slow waste of time 
dearth shortage 
debacle a breakup overthrow sudden disaster 
decorum propriety properness 
decree order given by authority 
decry disapprove of 
defer postpone give way (to show respect) 
deferential showing respect 
defiance open disobedience or resistance 
delineate to portray depict sketch out 
deluge great flood heavy rush of water 
demagogue person appealing not to reasons 
demur to hesitate raise objections 
denigrate blacken belittle sully defame 
denouement an outcome or solution the unraveling of a plot 
deplete use until none remains 
deposition dethronement depositing 
deprave make morally bad corrupt 
deprecate protest against express disapproval of 
dereliction deserting and leaving to fall into ruins 
derision ridicule mockery deriding 
derivative unoriginal obtained from another source 
derogatory insulting tending to damage 
descry catch sight of see smth in the distance 
desiccant substance used to absorb moisture 
desuetude cessation of use disuse 
desultory aimless haphazard digressing at random 
deter discourage hinder 
detraction slandering verbal attack aspersion 
detumescence diminishing or lessening of swelling 
deviance being different in moral standards (from normal) 
dexterity skill (esp. in handling) 
diaphanous transparent gauzy 
diatribe bitter and violent attack in words 
diffidence shyness 
dilate speak comprehensively become wider large 
disallow refuse to allow or accept as a correct 
discern see with an effort but clearly 
discomfit confuse embarrass 
disconcert upset the self-possession of 
discountenance refuse to approve of 
discourse speech lecture 
discredit refuse to believe 
discreet careful/prudent 
discrete individually distinct 
disdain look on with contempt 
disencumber free from encumbrance 
disheveled untidy 
disingenuous sophisticated artful trying to deceive cunning 
disinter dig up from the earth 
dislodge move force from the place occupied 
dismal sad gloomy miserable 
disparate essentially different 
disproof proof to the contrary 
dissemble speak or behave so as to hide smth (in mind) 
disseminate distribute (esp. ideas) 
dissent have a different opinion refuse to assent 
dissolution disintegration looseness in morals 
distraught distracted violently upset in mind 
divergence getting farther apart from a point 
divestiture taking off getting rid of giving up 
divulge make known smth secret 
doggerel trivial poorly constructed verse 
dogmatic positive certain arbitrary without room for discussion 
dolt stupid fellow 
dormant in a state of inactivity but awaiting development 
dote show much fondness center one’s attention 
drawl slow way of speaking 
droll jesting 
drone male bee person who isn’t self-employed 
drowsiness feeling sleepy half asleep 
dubious feeling doubt 
dud no use person smth that fails 
dulcet melodious harmonious 
dupe cheat make a fool of 
duplicity deliberate deception 
duress threats to compel smb 
dwarf person or smb much below the usual size 
dynamo a generator something that produces electric current 
earthenware dishes made of baked clay 
ebullience exuberance outburst of feeling 
ebullient overflowing with enthusiasm showing excitement 
ecumenical representing the whole Christian world 
edacious voracious devouring 
eddy circular or spiral movement (e.g.. of wind) 
edible fit to be eaten/not poisonous 
effete infertile worn out weak 
efficacy production of a desired result 
effluvia outflow in a stream of particles a noxious odor or vapor 
effrontery boldness impudence arrogance 
egress way out exit 
elaborate worked out with much care in great detail 
elegy a lament a melancholy composition 
elicit draw out 
eloquence fluent speaking skillful use of language 
emaciate make thin and weak 
embellish make beautiful 
embezzle use in a wrong way for one’s own benefit 
emote stir up excite 
empirical relying on experiment 
encapsulate enclose in capsule 
encomium warm or glowing praise eulogy panegyric 
encumbrance burden things that get on the way of 
endearing making dear or liked 
endemic epidemic 
endorse write one’s name on the back of 
enduring lasting 
enervate weaken deprive of strength attenuate 
engender cause produce give rise to 
engrave impress deeply 
engrossing taken up all the time or attention writing in large or formal
engulf swallow up 
enigma smth that is puzzling 
enmity hatred being an enemy 
ensign flag/badge 
entangle put into difficulties 
enthral please greatly/enslave (fig) 
entice tempt or persuade 
entreat ask earnestly 
enunciate pronounce (words)/express a theory 
enzyme catalyst 
epicurean devoted to pleasure (sensuous enjoyment) 
epistle letter 
epithet adjective 
epitome brief summary representative example a typical model 
equable steady regular 
equanimity calmness of temperament 
equilibrium state of being balanced 
equipoise equal distribution of weight equilibrium 
equivocal having a double or doubtful meaning suspicious 
equivocate try to deceive by equivocal language 
eradicate get rid of pull up by the roots 
erratic irregular in behaviour or opinion 
erudite learned scholarly 
eschew avoid 
esoteric abstruse intended only for a small circle of 
espouse marry give one’s support to 
eulogy formal praise panegyric 
euphoria elation state of pleasant excitement 
euthanasia easy and painless death 
evasive tending to evade 
evince to show clearly to indicate 
evoke call up bring out 
excoriation severe criticism 
exculpate to clear from a charge of guilt 
exhaustive complete thorough 
exigency emergency an urgent situation 
exoneration set smb clear free (e.g.. from blame) 
exorbitant much too high or great 
expatiate to roam wander freely 
expedient likely to be useful for a purpose 
expiation ending expiring 
exploit brilliant achievement develop use selfishly 
expostulate argue earnestly to dissuade correct or protest 
expurgate to remove obscenity purify censor 
exscind to cut out cut away 
extant still in existence 
extempore without previous thought or preparation 
extenuate reduce the strength of lessen seriousness partially excuse 
extinct no longer active 
extinguish end the existence of/wipe or put out 
extirpate to destroy exterminate cut out exscind 
extol praise highly 
extort obtain by threats violence 
extralegal outside the law 
extricable that can be freed 
extrovert cheerful person 
exuberance state of growing vigorously being full of life 
facetious humorous funny jocular 
facile easily done 
fallacious based on error 
falter waver/move in an uncertain manner 
fatuous without sense foolish self-satisfaction 
fawn young deer try to win smb’s favor 
feckless lacking purpose or vitality ineffective careless 
fecund fertile 
feint pretend 
felicitous apt suitably expressed well chosen apropos 
felon person guilty of murder 
ferment substance become excited 
ferocity savage cruelty 
ferret discover by searching search 
fervid showing earnest feeling 
fervor warmth of feelings earnestness 
fetid stinking 
fetter to shackle put in chains 
feud bitter quarrel over a long period of time 
fidelity loyalty accuracy 
fidget move restlessly make nervous 
figurehead carved image on the prow of a ship 
finesse delicate way of dealing with a situation 
finical too fussy about food clothing etc. 
finicky finical 
fission splitting or division (esp. of cells) 
fixate stare at 
flak criticism/anti-aircraft guns 
flamboyant brightly colored florid 
flaunting show off complacently 
flax pale yellow (hair) a plant 
fledged able to fly trained experienced 
fleet number of ships quick-moving 
flinch draw move back wince 
flop fail/move/fall clumsily 
florid very much ornamented naturally red (e.g.. of face) 
flout reject mock to go against (as in going against tradition) 
fluke lucky stroke 
fluster make nervous or confused 
foible defect of character (a person is wrongly proud) 
foil prevent from carrying out contrast 
foment put smth warm (to lessen the pain) 
foolproof incapable of failure or error 
foppish like a man who pays too much attention to his clothes 
forage food for horses and cattle 
forbear refrain from be patient ancestor 
forbearance patience willingness to wait 
ford shallow place in a river (to cross) 
forestall prevent by taking action in advance preempt 
forfeit suffer the loss of smth 
forge workshop for the shaping of metal to shape metal lead 
forgery counterfeit 
forswear renounce disallow repudiate 
foster nurture care for 
fracas noisy quarrel 
fragile easily injured broken or destroyed 
fragrant sweet-smelling 
frantic wildly excited with joy pain anxiety 
frenetic frantic frenzied 
fret worry irritation wear away 
fringe edge ornamental border part of hair over the forehead 
froward intractable not willing to yield or comply stubborn 
frugal careful economical 
fulmination bitter protest 
fulsome disgusting offensive due to excessiveness 
gainsay to deny to oppose
garble make unfair selection from facts 
garment article of clothing 
garner to gather and save to store up 
garrulity talkativeness 
garrulous too talkative 
gaucherie socially awkward tactless behavior 
germane relevant pertinent to 
gist the point general sense 
glean gather facts in small quantities 
glib ready and smooth but not sincere 
glimmer weak/unsteady light 
gloat over look at with selfish delight 
glut supply to much fill to excess 
gnaw waste away bite steadily 
goad smth urging a person to action 
gorge eat greedily/narrow opening with a stream 
gossamer soft light delicate material 
gouge tool for cutting grooves in wood 
grandiloquent using pompous words 
grave serious requiring consideration 
graze touch or scrape lightly in passing 
gregarious living in societies liking the company 
grievous causing grief or pain serious dire grave 
grovel crawl humble oneself 
guile deceit cunning 
gullible easily gulled 
gush burst out suddenly/talk ardently 
gust outburst of feeling sudden rain wind fire etc. 
hack cut roughly hired horse 
halcyon calm and peaceful 
hallow to make holy consecrate 
harangue a long passionate speech 
harbinger smth or smb that foretells the coming of 
harrow to distress create stress or torment 
haughty arrogant conceited 
heed attention/give notice to 
heinous odious (of crime) 
heresy belief contrary to what is generally accepted 
hermetic sealed by fusion 
heterogeneous made up of different kinds 
hew make by hard work cut (by striking) 
highbrow (person) with superior tastes 
hirsute hairy shaggy 
hoax mischievous trick played on smb for a joke 
hoi polloi the masses the rabble 
hollow not soled with hole 
holster leather case for a pistol 
homiletics act of preaching 
hone stone used for sharpening tools 
hoodwink trick mislead 
hospitable liking to give hospitality 
hubris arrogant pride 
hush make or become silent 
husk worthless outside part of anything 
hypocrisy falsely making oneself appear to be good 
iconoclast person who attacks popular beliefs 
idiosyncrasy personal mannerism 
idolatry excessive admiration of 
idyll a carefree episode or experience 
ignoble dishonorable common undignified 
ignominious shameful dishonorable undignified disgraceful 
illicit unlawful forbidden 
imbroglio complicated and embarrassing situation 
immaculate pure faultless 
imminent likely to come or happen soon 
immutable that cannot be changed 
impair worsen diminish in value 
impassive unmoved feeling no sign of passion 
impecunious having little or no money 
impede hinder get in the way of 
impediment smth that hinders (e.g. stammer) 
impending imminent being about to happen expected 
imperative urgent essential 
imperious commanding haughty arrogant 
impermeable that cannot be permeated 
imperturbable calm not capable of being excited 
impervious not allowing to pass through (of materials) 
imperviousness haughty arrogant commanding 
impetuous having sudden energy impulsive thrusting ahead forceful 
impiety lack of reverence or dutifulness 
implacable incapable of being placated unpleasable 
implicate show that smb has a share 
implicit implied though not plainly expressed
implosion collapse bursting inward 
importune beg urgently solicit (of a prostitute) 
imprecation an invocation of evil a curse 
impromptu without preparation 
impudent rash indiscreet 
impugned challenged to be doubted 
impute to attribute to a cause or source ascribe 
inadvertent not paying proper attention 
inane silly senseless 
inasmuch since because 
incense make angry 
incessant often repeated continual 
inchoate not yet fully formed rudimentary elementary 
incipient beginning 
incise engrave make a cut in 
incite stir up rouse 
inclined directing the mind in a certain direction 
incongruous out of place not in harmony or agreement 
incorrigibility cannot be cured or corrected 
incredulous skeptical unwilling to believe 
inculcate fix firmly by repetition 
incumbents official duties 
incursion a raid a sudden attack 
indefatigability not easily exhaustible tirelessness 
indelible that cannot be rubbed out 
indigence poverty 
indigenous native 
indistinct not easily heard seen clearly marked 
indolence laziness 
indomitable not easily discouraged or subdued 
indulge gratify give way to satisfy allow oneself 
indulgent inclined to indulge 
ineffable to great to be described in words 
ineluctable certain inevitable 
inept unskillful said or done at the wrong time 
ineptitude quality of being unskillful 
inferno hell 
infuriate fill with fury or rage 
infuse put pour fill 
ingenuous naive young artless frank honest sincere 
ingest take in by swallowing 
inimical harmful or unfriendly 
inimitable defying imitation unmatchable 
innocuous causing no harm 
inscrutable incapable of being discovered or understood 
insensible unconscious unresponsive unaffected 
insinuate suggest unpleasantly make a way for smth gently
insipid without taste or flavor 
insouciant unconcerned carefree 
insularity narrow-mindedness isolated 
insurrection rising of people to open resistance to 
interdict prohibit forbid 
interim as an installment 
intersperse place here and there 
intransigence unwillingness to compromise stubbornness intractability 
intransigent uncompromising 
intrepid fearless brave undaunted 
introspection examining one’s own thoughts and feelings 
inundate flood cover by overflowing 
inured accustomed to adapted 
invective abusive language curses 
inveigh to attack verbally denounce deprecate 
inveterate deep-rooted. long-established 
invincible too strong to be defeated 
involute complex 
irascible irritable easily angered 
irate angry 
ire anger 
irksome tiresome 
irresolute hesitating undecided 
irrevocable final and unalterable 
itinerate to travel from place to place to peregrinate 
jabber talk excitedly utter rapidly 
jibe gibe make fun of 
jocular meant as a joke 
judicious sound in judgment wise 
knit draw together unite firmly 
labyrinthine to entangle the state of affairs 
lachrymose causing tears tearful 
lackluster (of eyes) dull 
lament show feel great sorrow 
lassitude weariness tiredness 
latent present but not yet active developed or visible 
laudatory expressing or giving praise 
lavish giving or producing freely liberally or generously 
legacy smth handed down from ancestors 
levee formal reception/embankment 
levity lack of seriousness 
libel statement that damages reputation 
liberality free giving generosity 
libertine immoral person 
lien legal claim until a debt on it is repaid 
limn paint portray 
limp lacking strength walking unevenly 
lionize treat as a famous person 
lithe bending twisting 
loll rest to sit or stand in a lazy way hang (dog’s tongue)
lope move along with long strides 
loquacious talkative garrulous 
lucubrate write in scholarly fashion 
luculent easily understood lucid clear 
lugubrious mournful excessively sad 
lull become quiet or less active 
lumber move in a clumsy/noisy way 
luminary star light-giving body 
lurk be out of view ready to attack 
lustrous being bright polished 
macabre gruesome suggesting death 
macerate make or become soft by soaking in water 
machination plot scheme (esp. evil) 
maladroit tactless clumsy 
malapropism misuse of a word (for one that resembles it) 
malevolence wishing to do evil 
malign injurious speak ill of smb tell lie 
malinger to fake illness or injury in order to shirk a duty 
malleable yielding easily shaped moldable adapting 
manacle chains for the hands or feet 
massacre cruel killing of a large number of people 
matriculation be admitted enter a university as a student 
maudlin sentimental in a silly or tearful way 
maul hurt by rough handling 
maverick rebel nonconformist 
mellifluous sweetly flowing 
mendacity dishonesty 
mendicant a beggar 
mercurial quick changeable in character fleeting 
meretricious attractive on the surface but of little value 
mesmerize hypnotize 
meticulous giving great attention to details 
mettle quality of endurance or courage 
mettlesome courageous high-spirited 
middling fairly good but not very good 
minatory menacing threatening 
mince pronounce or speak affectedly euphemize 
misanthrope person who hates mankind 
mischievous harmful causing mischief 
miser person who loves wealth and spends little 
misogynist one who hates women/females 
moderation quality of being limited not extreme 
mollify make calmer or quieter 
molt moult lose hair feathers before new growing 
morbid diseased unhealthy (e.g.. about ideas) 
morose ill-tempered unsocial 
muffler cloth worn round the neck/silencer 
multifarious varied motley greatly diversified 
mundane worldly as opposed to spiritual commonplace everyday 
myriad very great number 
nadir lowest weakest point 
nascent coming into existence emerging 
nebulous cloud-like hazy vague indistinct 
negligent taking too little care 
neophyte person who has been converted to a belief 
nexus a connection tie or link 
nibble show some inclination to accept (an offer) 
noisome offensive disgusting (smell) 
nonchalant not having interest 
nonplused greatly surprised 
nostrum a quack remedy an untested cure 
noxious harmful 
nugatory trifling/worthless 
obdurate hardened and unrepenting stubborn inflexible 
obfuscate to darken make obscure muddle 
oblivious unaware having no memory 
obloquy abusively detractive language sharp criticism vituperation 
obsequious too eager to obey or serve 
obstreperous noisy loud 
obtain to be established accepted or customary 
obtrusive projecting prominent undesirably noticeable 
obtuse blunt/stupid 
obviate to make unnecessary get rid of 
occluded blocked up 
odious repulsive hateful 
odium contempt dislike aversion 
odor smell favor reputation 
officious too eager or ready to help offer advice 
ominous threatening 
onerous needing effort burdensome 
opaqueness dullness/not allowing light to pass through 
opprobrious showing scorn or reproach 
ossify to turn to bone to settle rigidly into an idea 
ostensible seeming appearing as such professed 
ostentation display to obtain admiration or envy 
ostracism shut out from society refuse to meet talk 
overhaul examine thoroughly to learn about the condition 
overweening presumptuously arrogant overbearing immoderate being a jerk 
paean song of praise or triumph 
palate roof of the mouth sense of taste 
palatial magnificent 
palliate lessen the severity of 
palpability can be felt touched understood 
palpitate tremble beat rapidly and irregularly 
panegyric formal praise eulogy 
paradigm a model example or pattern 
parenthesis sentence within another one smth separated 
pariah an outcast a rejected and despised person 
parsimonious too economical miserly 
partisan one-sided committed to a party biased or prejudiced 
patron regular customer person who gives support 
paucity scarcity a lacking of 
peccadillo small sin small weakness in one’s character 
pedantic bookish showing off learning 
pedestrian commonplace trite unremarkable 
pellucid transparent easy to understand 
penchant strong inclination a liking 
penitent feeling or showing regret 
penurious poor/stingy 
penury extreme poverty 
peregrination traveling about wandering 
peremptory urgent imperative unchallengeable ending debate 
perfidious treacherous faithless 
perfidy treachery breaking of faith 
perfunctory done as a duty without care 
perilous dangerous 
peripatetic wandering 
perish be destroyed decay 
perjury willful FALSE statement unlawful act 
permeate spread into every part of 
pernicious harmful injurious 
perpetrate be guilty commit (a crime) 
personable pleasing in appearance attractive 
perspicacity quick judging and understanding 
pertain belong as a part have reference 
pest destructive thing or a person who is nuisance 
petrified taken away power (to think feel act) 
petrify to make hard rocklike 
petrous like a rock hard stony 
petulant unreasonably impatient 
philistine a smug ignorant person one who lacks knowledge 
phlegmatic calm sluggish temperament unemotional 
picaresque involving clever rogues or adventurers 
pied of mixed colors 
pinch be too tight take between the thumb and finger 
pine waste away through sorrow or illness 
pious dutiful to parents devoted to religion 
piquant agreeably pungent stimulating 
pique hurt the pride or self-respect stir (curiosity) 
pitfall covered hole as a trap unsuspected danger 
pith essential part force soft liquid substance 
pivotal of great importance (others depend on it) 
placate soothe pacify calm 
plaintive mournful melancholy sorrowful 
plaque flat metal on a wall as a memorial 
platitude a trite or banal statement unoriginality 
plea request 
plead address a court of law as an advocate 
plethora glut 
pliant pliable easily bent shaped or twisted 
plod continue doing smth without resting 
pluck pull the feathers off pick (e.g.. flowers) 
plumb get to the root of 
plummet fall plunge steeply 
plunge move quickly suddenly and with force 
poignant deeply moving keen 
poncho large piece of cloth 
ponderous heavy bulky dull 
portent omen marvelous threatening 
precarious uncertain risky dangerous 
precepts rules establishing standards of conduct 
preclude prevent make impossible 
precursory preliminary anticipating 
predilection special liking mental preference 
predominate have more power than others 
preen tidy/show self-satisfaction 
premature doing or happening smth before the right time 
preponderance greatness in number strength weight 
presage warning sign 
presumption arrogance 
preternatural not normal or usual 
prevalent common 
prevaricate to equivocate to stray from the truth 
prim neat formal 
pristine primitive unspoiled pure as in earlier times unadulterated 
probity uprightness incorruptibility principle 
proclivity inclination 
procrastination keeping on putting off 
prodigal wasteful reckless with money 
prodigious enormous wonderful 
profane worldly having contempt for God 
profligacy shameless immorality 
profligate wasteful prodigal licentious extravagant 
profundity depth 
profuse abundant/lavish 
proliferate grow reproduce by rapid multification 
prolix tiring because too long 
prone prostrate inclined to (undesirable things) 
propagation increasing the number spreading extending 
propinquity nearness in time or place affinity of nature 
propitiatory conciliatory appeasing mitigating 
propitious auspicious presenting favorable circumstances 
prosaic everyday mundane commonplace trite pedestrian 
proscribe denounce as dangerous 
protracted prolonged 
provident frugal looking to the future 
provisional of the present time only 
provoke make angry vax 
prudence careful forethought 
prudish easily shocked excessively modest 
prune dried plum silly person 
pry get smth inquire too curiously 
pucker wrinkle 
pugnacious fond of in the habit of fighting 
puissance strength 
punctilious precise paying attention to trivialities 
pundit pedant authority on a subject 
pungency sharpness stinging quality 
purvey provide supply 
pusillanimous cowardly craven 
putrefaction becoming rotten 
pyre large pile of wood for burning 
quack person dishonestly claiming to smth 
quaff drink deeply 
quail lose courage turn frightened 
qualm feeling of doubt temporary feeling of sickness 
quandary state of doubt or perplexity 
quell suppress subdue 
quibble try to avoid by sophistication 
quiescence state of being passive/motionless 
quiescent at rest dormant torpid 
quirk habit or action peculiar to smb or smth 
quixotic generous unselfish 
quotidian banal everyday 
rabble mob crowd the lower classes of populace 
raconteur person who tells anecdotes 
raffish low vulgar base tawdry 
ramify to be divided or subdivided to branch out 
rancorous feeling bitterness spitefulness 
rant use extravagant language 
rapacious greedy (esp for money) 
rarefy to make thin to make less dense to purify or refine 
rave act with excessive enthusiasm 
reactionary opposing progress 
rebuff snub 
recalcitrant disobedient 
recant take back as being FALSE give up 
recast cast or fashion anew 
recidivism relapse into antisocial or criminal behavior 
reciprocity granting of privileges in return for similar 
recitals a number of performance of music 
recluse person who lives alone and avoids people 
recompense make payment to reward punish 
reconcile settle a quarrel restore peace 
recondite little known abstruse 
recreancy cowardice a cowardly giving up 
recuperate become strong after illness loss exhaustion 
redeem get back by payment compensate 
redoubtable formidable causing fear 
refine make or become pure cultural 
refractory stubborn unmanageable untractable 
refulgent shining brilliant 
regale to delight or entertain to feast 
regicide crime of killing a king
reiterate say or do again several times 
rejuvenation becoming young in nature or appearance 
relapse fall back again 
remonstrate to protest object 
render deliver provide represent 
renovate restore smth to better condition 
renowned celebrated famous 
repast meal 
repel refuse to accept/cause dislike 
repine at be discontented with 
reproach scold upbraid 
reprobate person hardened in sin one devoid of decency 
repudiate disown refuse to accept or pay 
repulsive causing a feeling of disgust 
requite repay give in return 
rescind repeal/annul/cancel 
resigned unresisting submissive 
resilience quality of quickly recovering the original shape 
resort to frequently visit 
restive refusing to move reluctant to be controlled 
resuscitation coming back to consciousness 
retard check hinder 
reticent reserved untalkative silent taciturn 
revere have deep respect for 
reverent feeling or showing deep respect 
riddle puzzling person or thing 
rift split crack dissension 
rivet fix take up secure metal pin 
roll call calling of names 
rotund rich and deep plump and round 
ruffian violent cruel man 
rumple make rough 
sagacious having sound judgment perceptive wise like a sage 
salacious obscene 
salubrious healthful 
salutary remedial wholesome causing improvement 
sanctimony self-righteousness hypocritical with FALSE piety 
sanction approval (by authority) penalty 
sanguine cheerful confident optimistic 
sanity health of mind soundness of judgement 
sash long strip worn round the waist 
satiate satisfy fully 
saturnine gloomy dark sullen morose 
savant person of great learning 
savor taste flavor smth 
sawdust tiny bits of wood 
scabbard sheath for the blade 
scent smell (esp pleasant) 
scorch become discolored/dry up/go at high speed 
scribble write hastily 
scurvy mean contemptible 
secular material (not spiritual) living outside monasteries 
sedulous persevering 
seminal like a seed constituting a source originative 
sententious short and pithy full of maxims/proverbs 
sequence succession connected line of 
sere make hard and without feeling 
sermon reproving a person for his faults 
serrated having a toothed edge 
serration having a toothed edge 
servile like a slave lacking independence 
sever break off 
severance severing 
shallow little depth not earnest 
shard piece of broken earthenware 
sheath cover for the blade of a weapon or a tool 
shrewd astute showing sound judgement 
shrill sharp piercing 
shun keep away from avoid 
shunt send from one track to another lay aside evade discussion 
sidestep step to one side 
simper (give a) silly/self-conscious smile 
sinuous winding undulating serpentine 
skiff small boat 
skit short piece of humorous writing 
slack sluggish dull not tight 
slake to assuage to satisfy allay 
slate king of blue-grey stone propose criticize 
sluggard lazy slow-moving person 
slur join sounds/words (indistinct) 
smolder burn slowly without flame 
snare trap 
snub treat with contempt 
soar rise fly high 
sober self-controlled 
sobriety quality or condition of being sober 
sodden soaked saturated 
soggy heavy with water 
solvent of the power of forming a solution 
somatic of the body 
soot black powder in smoke 
sophisticated complex subtle refined 
sophistry fallacious reasoning faulty logic 
sophomoric self-assured though immature affected bombastic overblown 
soporific producing sleep 
sordid wretched comfortless contemptible 
spear weapon with a metal point on a long shaft 
specious illogical of questionable truth or merit 
splenetic bad-tempered irritable 
splice join (two ends) 
sponge porous rubber for washing live at once expense 
spurious FALSE counterfeit 
spurn have nothing to do reject or refuse 
squalid foul filthy 
squander spend wastefully 
squat crouch/settle without permission 
stanch to stop the flow of a fluid 
steeply rising or falling sharply 
stentorian extremely loud and powerful 
stickler person who insists on importance of smth 
stigma mark of shame or disgrace 
stigmatize describe smb scornfully 
sting smth sharp 
stingy spending using unwillingly 
stint to be thrifty to set limits 
stipple paint with dots 
stipulate state or put forward as a necessary condition 
stolid showing no emotion impassive 
stray wander lose one’s way 
streak long thin move very fast 
striated striped grooved or banded 
stride walk with long steps 
strut a supporting bar 
stygian hence dark gloomy 
stymie to hinder obstruct or block 
subdue overcome bring under control 
sublime extreme astounding 
submerge put under water liquid sink out of sight 
suborn induce by bribery or smth to commit perjury 
subpoena written order requiring a person to appear in a low court 
substantiation giving facts to support (statement) 
subsume include under a rule 
succor assistance relief in time of distress 
suffice be enough 
suffocate cause or have difficulty in breathing 
sullied to be stained or discredited 
summarily briefly without delay 
sumptuous magnificent 
sundry various miscellaneous separate 
supercilious disdainful characterized by haughty scorn 
superfluous more then is needed or wanted 
superimpose put smth on the top 
supersede take the place of 
supine lying on the back slow to act passive 
suppliant asking humbly beseeching 
supplicate make a humble petition to 
suppress prevent from being known put an end to 
surcharge additional load/charge 
surfeit satiate feed to fulness or to excess 
susceptibility sensitiveness 
swerve change direction suddenly 
sycophant person who flatter to the rich and powerful 
synopsis summary or outline 
taciturn untalkative silent 
tadpole form of a frog when it leaves the egg 
talon claw of a bird of prey 
tamp tap or drive down by repeated light blows 
tamper interfere with 
tangential suddenly changeable 
tarnished lost brightness 
tassel bunch of threads 
taunt contemptuous reproach hurtful remark 
taut tightly stretched 
tautology a repetition a redundancy 
tawdry cheap gaudy showy tacky 
teetotal oppose to alcohol 
temerity boldness brashness intrepidness 
temperance abstinence from alcohol self-control moderation 
temperate showing self-control 
tenacity firmness persistency adhesiveness tending to hang on 
tenuous insubstantial flimsy weak 
tepid lukewarm 
terse brief and to the point 
testiness witness/evidence 
thrift care economy thriving prosperous 
thwart obstruct/frustrate 
timid shy easily frightened 
timorous fearful timid afraid 
toady obsequious flatterer 
tonic smth giving strength or energy 
topple be unsteady and overturn 
torment severe pain or suffering 
torpid sleeping sluggish lethargic dormant 
torque twisting force causing rotation 
tortuous devious/not straightforward 
tout person who worries others to buy smth to use his service 
tractable easily controlled or guided 
transgress break go beyond (a limit) 
transient temporary fleeting 
transitory brief 
travesty parody/imitation 
trenchant forceful effective vigorous extremely perceptive incisive 
trepidation alarm excited state of mind 
trickle flow in drops 
trifling unimportant 
trite not new 
truce (agreement) stop of fighting for a time 
truculence aggressiveness ferocity 
trudge walk heavily 
turbid muddy having the sediment stirred up 
turbulence being uncontrolled violent 
turgid excessively ornate swollen or bloated 
turmoil trouble disturbance 
turpitude wickedness shamefulness 
turquoise greenish-blue precious stone 
tyro tiro beginner 
ubiquitous present everywhere 
ulterior situated beyond 
umbrage offense resentment 
uncouth rough awkward 
underbid make a lower bid then smb else 
undermine weaken gradually at the base make smth under 
undulate to move in wavelike fashion fluctuate 
unearth discover and bring to light 
unencumbered easy-going trifle 
unfeigned not pretended sincere 
unscathed unharmed unhurt 
untoward unfortunate inconvenient 
upbraid scold reproach 
urbane elegant refined in manners 
vacillation being uncertain hesitating 
vagary strange act or idea 
vain without use result conceited 
valiant brave 
valorous brave 
vanquish conquer 
veer change direction 
venal ready to do smth dishonest 
veneer surface appearance covering the TRUE nature 
veneration regard with deep respect 
veracity truth 
verdant fresh and green 
verisimilitude appearing TRUE or real 
veritable real rightly named 
verve spirit vigor enthusiasm 
vestige trace or sign 
vex annoy distress trouble 
vigilance watchfulness self-appointed group who maintain order 
vigilant member of a vigilance committee 
vigorous strong energetic 
vilify slander say evil things 
vindictive having a desire to revenge 
virago a loud domineering woman a scold or nag 
visceral of the internal organs of the body 
viscous sticky/semi-fluid 
vitiate lower the quality weaken the strength 
vituperate curse abuse in words 
vivacious lively high-spirited 
volatile changeable inconstant fickle unstable explosive 
volubility fluency verbosity easy use of spoken language 
voluble fluent 
waffle talk vaguely and without much result 
waft scent waving movement carry lightly through 
wag merry person 
warmonger person who stirs up war 
warrant authority written order guarantee 
wean to turn away (from a habit) 
weigh measure hoe heavy smth is 
welter turmoil a bewildering jumble 
wend to go proceed 
whimsical full of odd and fanciful ideas 
wince show bodily or mental pain 
woo try to win 
writ written order 
yarn tale story fibers for knitting 
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