GRE Word List
(855 words)ubiquitous
present, appearing, or found everywhere
esoteric
intended for or understood by only a small, specialized group
laconic
using very few words; brief
meticulous
showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise
ephemeral
lasting for a very short time
spurious
false or fake; not genuine
prodigal
wastefully extravagant
arduous
involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring
pragmatic
dealing with things sensibly and realistically
austere
severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance; without luxury
capricious
given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior
volatile
liable to change rapidly and unpredictably
anomaly
something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected
polarize
to divide into two sharply contrasting groups
dichotomy
a division or contrast between two things that are opposed or entirely different
converge
to come together from different directions; meet
diverge
to go in different directions from a common point
transient
lasting only for a short time; impermanent
pervasive
spreading widely throughout an area or group of people
innocuous
not harmful or offensive
didactic
intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction
exemplify
to illustrate by example; be a typical example of
equivocate
to use ambiguous language to conceal the truth or avoid commitment
laudable
deserving praise and commendation
garrulous
excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters
eloquent
fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing
candid
truthful and straightforward; frank
erudite
having or showing great knowledge or learning
platitude
a remark or statement with moral content that is overused and unoriginal
vindicate
to clear of blame or suspicion; to justify or prove right
castigate
to reprimand (someone) severely
deride
to express contempt for; ridicule
censure
to express severe disapproval, typically in a formal statement
repudiate
to refuse to accept or be associated with; deny the truth of
antipathy
a deep-seated feeling of dislike; aversion
belligerent
hostile and aggressive
chicanery
the use of trickery to achieve a political, financial, or legal purpose
disparage
to regard or represent as being of little worth
superfluous
unnecessary, especially through being more than enough
advocate
to publicly recommend or support
bolster
to support or strengthen
corroborate
to confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding)
extol
to praise enthusiastically
inexorable
impossible to stop or prevent
tenacious
tending to keep a firm hold of something; persistent
inevitable
certain to happen; unavoidable
propitious
giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable
resilient
able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions
zealot
a person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals
aberrant
deviating from the norm
abeyance
a state of temporary suspension or inactivity
abscond
to depart secretly and hide
abstemious
self-restraining, especially in consumption of food and drink
abstruse
difficult to understand
accolade
an award or privilege granted as a special honor
acerbic
sharp and forthright in speech
acquiesce
to accept something reluctantly but without protest
acrimonious
bitter and angry in tone or manner
admonish
to warn or reprimand firmly
adulterate
to make something poorer in quality by adding another substance
aesthetic
concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty
affable
friendly, good-natured, and easy to talk to
aggrandize
to increase the power, status, or wealth of
alacrity
brisk and cheerful readiness
alleviate
to make suffering or a problem less severe
aloof
not friendly or forthcoming; distant
ambivalent
having mixed or contradictory feelings
ameliorate
to make something bad or unsatisfactory better
amenable
open and responsive to suggestion; easily persuaded
anachronism
something out of place in time
analogous
comparable in certain respects
anathema
something or someone intensely disliked or loathed
anecdote
a short amusing or interesting story about a real incident
animosity
strong hostility
apathy
lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern
apocryphal
of doubtful authenticity
appease
to placate by acceding to demands
apprise
to inform or tell
approbation
approval or praise
arbitrary
based on random choice or personal whim
arcane
understood by few; mysterious or secret
archaic
very old or old-fashioned
ardor
enthusiasm or passion
arrogate
to take or claim something without justification
ascetic
practicing severe self-discipline and abstention
assiduous
showing great care and perseverance
assuage
to make an unpleasant feeling less intense
audacious
showing a willingness to take bold risks
avarice
extreme greed for wealth or material gain
banal
so lacking in originality as to be boring
belie
to fail to give a true impression of something
bellicose
demonstrating aggression and willingness to fight
benevolent
well meaning and kindly
biased
unfairly prejudiced for or against something or someone
bombastic
high-sounding but with little meaning; inflated
bourgeois
conventional and materialistic
burgeon
to grow or increase rapidly; flourish
buttress
to support or strengthen
cacophony
a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds
capitulate
to cease to resist an opponent or an unwelcome demand; surrender
catalyst
an agent that provokes or speeds significant change
charlatan
a person falsely claiming special knowledge
churlish
rude in a mean-spirited and surly way
circumspect
wary and unwilling to take risks
clandestine
kept secret or done secretively
cogent
clear, logical, and convincing
commensurate
corresponding in size or degree; proportionate
complacent
showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself
conciliatory
intended or likely to placate or pacify
condone
to accept or allow behavior that is considered wrong
conflagration
a large and destructive fire
connive
to secretly allow something considered wrong
conundrum
a confusing and difficult problem or question
convoluted
extremely complex and difficult to follow
covet
to yearn to possess something belonging to another
craven
contemptibly lacking in courage; cowardly
credulous
having too great a readiness to believe things
cryptic
having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure
culpable
deserving blame
decorous
in keeping with good taste and propriety
deference
humble submission and respect
deleterious
causing harm or damage
delineate
to describe or portray something precisely
demur
to raise doubts or objections
derivative
imitating the work of another person
desiccated
dried out; lacking vitality
desultory
lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm
deterrent
a thing that discourages or prevents action
diatribe
a forceful and bitter verbal attack
diffident
modest or shy due to a lack of self-confidence
dilatory
slow to act; intended to cause delay
dilettante
a person who cultivates an area of interest superficially
diminutive
extremely or unusually small
disaffected
dissatisfied with authority
discerning
having or showing good judgment
discomfit
to make someone feel uneasy or embarrassed
discordant
disagreeing or incongruous
discrepancy
a lack of compatibility or similarity
disingenuous
not candid or sincere
disinterested
impartial; not influenced by personal interest
disparate
essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison
disseminate
to spread something widely
dissident
a person who opposes official policy
dissipate
to disperse or scatter; to waste foolishly
dissonance
a lack of harmony; disagreement
droll
curious or unusual in a way that provokes dry amusement
dupe
to deceive or trick
duplicity
deceitfulness; double-dealing
ebullient
cheerful and full of energy
eclectic
deriving ideas from a broad range of sources
efficacy
the ability to produce a desired result
effrontery
insolent or impertinent behavior
egregious
outstandingly bad; shocking
elucidate
to make something clear; explain
emulate
to match or surpass by imitation
endemic
native or restricted to a certain area
enervate
to cause someone to feel drained of energy
engender
to cause or give rise to a feeling or situation
enigma
a person or thing that is mysterious or difficult to understand
enmity
the state or feeling of being actively opposed
epitome
a perfect example of a particular quality or type
equivocal
open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous
eschew
to deliberately avoid or abstain from
espouse
to adopt or support a cause or belief
eulogy
a speech or writing in praise of a person
euphemism
a mild or indirect word substituted for a harsh one
exacerbate
to make a problem or negative feeling worse
exacting
making great demands on one's skill or attention
exculpate
to show or declare that someone is not guilty
exemplary
serving as a desirable model; representing the best of its kind
exigent
pressing; demanding
exonerate
to absolve from blame for a fault or wrongdoing
exorbitant
unreasonably high
expedite
to make an action happen sooner
explicit
stated clearly and in detail
extraneous
irrelevant or unrelated to the subject
facetious
treating serious issues with inappropriate humor
facile
too simplistic or superficial
fallacious
based on a mistaken belief
fastidious
very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail
fatuous
silly and pointless
fawn
to give excessive flattery or attention
fervent
having or displaying a passionate intensity
fetid
smelling extremely unpleasant
fledgling
inexperienced or immature
florid
elaborately or excessively intricate or complicated
flout
to openly disregard a rule or convention
foment
to instigate or stir up undesirable sentiment or action
forbearance
patient self-control; restraint
fortuitous
happening by a lucky chance
frugal
sparing or economical with money
gainsay
to deny or contradict a fact or statement
galvanize
to shock or excite into taking action
gauche
lacking ease or grace; socially awkward
germane
relevant to a subject under consideration
gregarious
fond of company; sociable
guile
sly or cunning intelligence used to deceive
hackneyed
lacking significance through overuse; unoriginal
hapless
unfortunate
harangue
a lengthy and aggressive speech
hedonist
a person who believes pleasure is the most important good
heretic
a person holding an opinion contrary to doctrine
iconoclast
a person who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions
idiosyncratic
relating to individual peculiarity of character
imperturbable
unable to be upset or excited; calm
impervious
not allowing fluid to pass through; unable to be affected by
impetuous
acting or done quickly without thought
implacable
unable to be appeased or placated
implicit
implied though not plainly expressed
implode
to collapse violently inward
impugn
to dispute the truth or honesty of a statement
inchoate
just begun and not fully formed or developed
incongruous
not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings
incontrovertible
not able to be denied or disputed
indefatigable
persisting tirelessly
indolent
wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy
inept
having or showing no skill; clumsy
ingenuous
innocent and unsuspecting
inimical
tending to obstruct or harm
inscrutable
impossible to understand or interpret
insidious
proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, with harmful effects
insipid
lacking flavor; lacking vigor or interest
intransigent
unwilling or refusing to change one's views
inundate
to overwhelm with things to be dealt with
invective
insulting, abusive, or highly critical language
irascible
easily angered
irresolute
showing or feeling hesitancy; uncertain
itinerant
traveling from place to place
jocular
fond of or characterized by joking
jubilant
feeling or expressing great happiness
juxtapose
to place side by side for contrast
lambaste
to criticize harshly
lethargic
affected by lethargy; sluggish and apathetic
levee
an embankment built to prevent overflow of a river
loquacious
tending to talk a great deal; talkative
lucid
expressed clearly; easy to understand
magnanimous
generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival
malinger
to exaggerate or feign illness to avoid duty
maverick
an independent-minded person
mendacious
not telling the truth; lying
misanthrope
a person who dislikes humankind
mitigate
to make less severe, serious, or painful
mollify
to appease the anger or anxiety of someone
mundane
lacking interest or excitement; dull
nefarious
wicked or criminal
negligible
so small or unimportant as to be not worth considering
nonchalant
feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed
obdurate
stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion
obfuscate
to make something obscure, unclear, or unintelligible
obsequious
obedient or attentive to an excessive degree
obstinate
stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion
obviate
to remove a need or difficulty
occlude
to stop, close up, or obstruct
officious
asserting authority in an annoyingly domineering way
onerous
involving a great deal of effort or difficulty
opaque
not able to be seen through; not easily understood
opportunist
a person who exploits circumstances to gain advantage
orthodox
conforming to what is traditionally accepted as right
ostentatious
characterized by vulgar or pretentious display
paradigm
a typical example or pattern of something
paragon
a model of excellence or perfection
pariah
an outcast
parsimonious
extremely unwilling to spend money or use resources
pedantic
excessively concerned with minor details
penchant
a strong or habitual liking for something
penurious
extremely poor; poverty-stricken
perfunctory
carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection
pernicious
having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual way
peruse
to read something carefully
petulant
childishly sulky or bad-tempered
philanthropist
a person who seeks to promote the welfare of others
phlegmatic
having an unemotional and stolidly calm disposition
placate
to make someone less angry or hostile
plethora
a large or excessive amount of something
polemical
strongly critical or disputatious
precarious
not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall
precipitate
to cause an event or situation to happen suddenly
preclude
to prevent from happening; make impossible
precursor
a person or thing that comes before another of the same kind
prescient
having knowledge of events before they take place
prevaricate
to speak or act in an evasive way
prodigious
remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree
profuse
exuberantly plentiful; abundant
proliferate
to increase rapidly in numbers
propensity
an inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way
prophetic
accurately describing or predicting what will happen in the future
prosaic
having the style or diction of prose; lacking poetic beauty
proselytize
to convert someone from one religion, belief, or opinion to another
provincial
of or concerning the regions outside the capital city
prudent
acting with or showing care and thought for the future
pugnacious
eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight
pulchritude
beauty
punctilious
showing great attention to detail or correct behavior
quandary
a state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation
quell
to put an end to a rebellion or other disorder by force
querulous
complaining in a petulant or whining manner
quixotic
exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical
rancorous
characterized by bitterness or resentment
rarefied
distant from the lives and concerns of ordinary people
recalcitrant
resisting authority or control; disobedient
recant
to withdraw a former statement or belief formally
reconcile
to restore friendly relations between; to make compatible
refute
to prove a statement or theory to be wrong or false
relegate
to consign or dismiss to an inferior rank or position
remiss
lacking care or attention to duty; negligent
reprehensible
deserving censure or condemnation
reproach
to express disapproval or disappointment
rescind
to revoke, cancel, or repeal a law, order, or agreement
resolution
a firm decision to do or not to do something
respite
a short period of rest or relief from something difficult
reticent
not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily
reverent
feeling or showing deep and solemn respect
sagacious
having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment
salient
most noticeable or important
sanctimonious
making a show of being morally superior to other people
sanction
to give official permission or approval for an action
sanguine
optimistic or positive, especially in a bad situation
satiate
to satisfy fully
scathing
witheringly scornful; severely critical
scrupulous
diligent, thorough, and attentive to details
scrutinize
to examine or inspect closely and thoroughly
serendipity
the occurrence of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way
servile
excessively willing to serve or please others
soporific
causing or tending to cause sleep
specious
superficially plausible but actually wrong
squalid
extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially from poverty or neglect
staid
respectable and unadventurous; steady and sober
stigma
a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance
stolid
calm, dependable, and showing little emotion or animation
stymie
to prevent or hinder the progress of
subjugate
to bring under domination or control
sublime
of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration
subversive
seeking to undermine an established system
sullen
bad-tempered and sulky
supercilious
behaving as if one is superior to others
surfeit
an excessive amount of something
sycophant
a person who acts obsequiously toward someone important
taciturn
reserved or uncommunicative in speech
tangential
diverging from a previous course; only slightly relevant
tawdry
showy but cheap and of poor quality
temerity
excessive confidence or boldness
temperate
showing moderation or self-restraint
tendentious
expressing a strong bias or controversial opinion
timorous
showing or suffering from nervousness or fear
tirade
a long, angry speech of criticism or accusation
torpid
mentally or physically inactive; lethargic
tortuous
full of twists and turns; excessively lengthy and complex
tractable
easy to control or influence
transitory
not permanent
trepidation
a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen
trite
overused and consequently of little import; lacking originality
truculent
eager or quick to argue or fight; aggressively defiant
umbrage
offense or annoyance
unassailable
unable to be attacked, questioned, or defeated
uncanny
strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way
undermine
to damage or weaken gradually
unequivocal
leaving no doubt; unambiguous
unfetter
to release from restraints
unprecedented
never done or known before
untenable
not able to be maintained or defended against attack
untoward
unexpected and inappropriate or inconvenient
usurp
to take a position of power or importance illegally or by force
vacillate
to alternate between different opinions or actions
venerate
to regard with great respect
veracious
speaking or representing the truth
verbose
using more words than needed; wordy
vex
to make someone feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried
viable
capable of working successfully; feasible
vindictive
having or showing a strong desire for revenge
virulent
extremely severe or harmful in its effects
vociferous
vehement or clamorous
voluble
talking fluently, readily, or incessantly
voracious
wanting or consuming great quantities of something
wary
feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems
welter
a large number of items in no order; a confused mixture
whimsical
playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing way
wily
skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully
wistful
having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing
zenith
the highest point reached by a celestial or other object
abate
to become less intense or widespread
abdicate
to renounce one's throne or responsibilities
abject
extremely unpleasant and degrading
abnegation
the act of renouncing or rejecting something
abrogate
to repeal or abolish a law or agreement
absolution
formal release from guilt or punishment
acme
the highest point of achievement
acquittal
a judgment that a person is not guilty of a crime
adamant
refusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind
adherent
someone who supports a particular party, person, or set of ideas
adroit
skillful and clever in using the hands or mind
adulation
excessive admiration or praise
adumbration
a vague foreshadowing or warning
adverse
preventing success or development; harmful
affinity
a natural liking or sympathy for someone or something
aggrieve
to give someone cause for grief or offense
alchemy
a seemingly magical process of transformation or combination
allay
to diminish or put to rest fear, suspicion, or worry
allegory
a story with a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one
allusion
an indirect reference to something
altruism
selfless concern for the well-being of others
amalgamate
to combine or unite to form one entity or substance
ambrosial
delightfully fragrant or delicious
amelioration
the act of making something better; improvement
amnesty
an official pardon for people convicted of political offenses
amorphous
without a clearly defined shape or form
anachronistic
belonging to a period other than that being portrayed
analgesic
acting to relieve pain
animus
hostility or ill feeling
antediluvian
ridiculously old-fashioned
antipodal
relating to or situated on the opposite side of the earth
antithesis
a person or thing that is the direct opposite of another
aplomb
self-confidence or assurance
apogee
the highest point in the development of something
apostate
a person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle
apotheosis
the highest point in the development of something; culmination
appeasement
the action of satisfying demands to maintain peace
apposite
appropriate in the circumstances; apt
apprehension
anxiety or fear that something bad will happen
approbatory
expressing approval
arresting
striking; attracting attention
artifice
clever or cunning devices used to trick others
ascendant
rising in power or influence
asperity
harshness of tone or manner
aspersion
an attack on the reputation or integrity of someone
assail
to make a concerted or violent attack on
assent
to express approval or agreement
assiduity
constant or close attention to what one is doing
assimilate
to take in and understand fully; to integrate
astringent
sharp or severe in manner or style
atavistic
relating to or characterized by reversion to something ancient
atrophy
to waste away
attenuate
to reduce the force
attrition
the action of gradually reducing strength through sustained attack
augment
to make something greater by adding to it; increase
auspicious
favorable; conducive to success
authenticate
to prove or show something to be genuine
autocrat
a ruler who has absolute power
autonomous
self-governing; independent
avaricious
having or showing an extreme greed for wealth
aver
to state or assert to be the case
aversion
a strong dislike or disinclination
avow
to assert or confess openly
axiomatic
self-evident or unquestionable
baleful
threatening harm; menacing
balk
to hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea
banality
the fact or condition of being unoriginal or boring
bane
a cause of great distress or annoyance
beatific
blissfully happy
bedizen
to decorate in a showy or gaudy manner
beget
to give rise to; bring about
behemoth
something enormous
beleaguer
to put in a difficult situation; besiege
bellwether
something that leads or indicates trends
beneficent
generous or doing good
benighted
in a state of pitiful or contemptible ignorance
bequeath
to pass something on or leave to someone in a will
bereft
deprived of or lacking something
beseech
to ask someone urgently and fervently to do something
besmirch
to damage the reputation of someone in the opinion of others
betoken
to be a sign of; indicate
bibliophile
a person who collects or has a great love of books
biennial
occurring every two years
bifurcate
to divide into two branches or forks
blandishment
a flattering statement or action used to persuade
blase
unimpressed or indifferent to something because of over-familiarity
blatant
completely lacking in subtlety; very obvious
blighted
spoiled
blithe
showing a casual and cheerful indifference
bludgeon
to beat someone repeatedly with a heavy object
bombast
high-sounding language with little meaning
bootless
useless; ineffectual
brazen
bold and without shame
broach
to raise a difficult subject for discussion
bromide
a trite and unoriginal idea or remark
brusque
abrupt or offhand in speech or manner
bucolic
relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside
bureaucracy
a system of government with numerous departments and complex procedures
burnish
to polish by rubbing
byzantine
excessively complicated and involving many details
cachet
the state of being respected or admired; prestige
cacophonous
involving a harsh
cajole
to persuade by flattery or promises
calamitous
involving calamity; catastrophic
callous
showing or having an insensitive disregard for others
calumny
the making of false statements to damage a person's reputation
canard
an unfounded rumor or story
canonical
accepted as being accurate and authoritative
cantankerous
bad-tempered and uncooperative
capacious
having a lot of space inside; roomy
capitalize
to take the chance to gain advantage from
captious
tending to find fault or raise petty objections
cardinal
of the greatest importance; fundamental
caricature
a picture or description ludicrously exaggerating peculiarities
carnal
relating to physical
carping
constantly complaining or finding fault
carte blanche
complete freedom to act as one wishes
castigation
severe criticism or punishment
cataclysm
a large-scale and violent event in the natural world
categorical
unqualified; absolute
catharsis
the release of repressed emotions
causal
relating to or acting as a cause
cavalier
showing a lack of proper concern; offhand
cavil
to make petty or unnecessary objections
celerity
swiftness of movement
censorious
severely critical of others
cerebral
intellectual rather than emotional
ceremonious
relating or appropriate to grand and formal occasions
certitude
absolute certainty or conviction
cessation
the fact or process of ending or being brought to an end
chagrin
distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated
champion
to support the cause of; defend
chary
cautiously or suspiciously reluctant to do something
chasten
to discipline or punish
chastise
to rebuke or reprimand severely
chauvinist
a person displaying aggressive patriotism or prejudice
chimera
a thing that is hoped for but illusory or impossible to achieve
choleric
bad-tempered or irritable
circuitous
longer than the most direct way; indirect
circumlocution
the use of many words where fewer would do
circumscribe
to restrict within limits
cleave
to split or sever; to stick fast to
clemency
mercy; lenience
cloister
to seclude or shut away from the world
cloying
excessively sweet or sentimental
coalesce
to come together to form one mass or whole
coda
a concluding event or piece of music
coerce
to persuade an unwilling person by force or threats
cognizant
having knowledge or being aware of
coherent
logical and consistent
collaborate
to work jointly on an activity or project
colloquial
used in ordinary or familiar conversation
colossal
extremely large or great
comely
pleasant to look at; attractive
commiserate
to express sympathy or pity
commodious
roomy and comfortable
communal
shared by all members of a community
compact
closely and neatly packed together
compartmentalize
to divide into sections or categories
compassion
sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings of others
compatible
able to exist or be used together without conflict
compelling
evoking interest or attention irresistibly
complacency
a feeling of smug satisfaction with oneself
complement
to add to in a way that enhances or improves
compliant
inclined to agree with others or obey rules
complicit
involved with others in an illegal activity
compound
to make something bad worse
comprehensive
including or dealing with all elements
compromise
to settle a dispute by mutual concession
compunction
a feeling of guilt preventing wrongdoing
concede
to admit something is true or valid
conciliate
to stop someone from being angry
conclusive
serving to prove a case; decisive
concord
agreement or harmony between people or groups
concrete
existing in a material form; real
concur
to be of the same opinion; agree
condescend
to show feelings of superiority
condole
to express sympathy for someone
conducive
making a certain situation likely
confer
to grant a title or benefit
confide
to tell someone a secret
confiscate
to take possession of something with authority
conflate
to combine two or more ideas into one
conform
to comply with rules or standards
confound
to cause surprise or confusion
congeal
to become semi-solid
congenial
pleasant because of shared interests
congenital
present from birth
congruent
in agreement or harmony
conjecture
an opinion based on incomplete information
connote
to imply or suggest an idea or feeling
conscript
to enlist someone compulsorily into armed forces
consensus
a general agreement
consequential
important; significant
consign
to deliver something to a person's custody
consolidate
to make something physically stronger or more solid
consonant
in agreement or harmony with
conspicuous
standing out so as to be clearly visible
consternation
a feeling of anxiety or dismay
constraint
a limitation or restriction
contagious
spread from one person or organism to another
contaminate
to make something impure by exposure to a poisonous substance
contempt
the feeling that a person or thing is worthless
contend
to struggle to surmount a difficulty
contentious
causing or likely to cause an argument
contiguous
sharing a common border; touching
continence
self-restraint
contingent
subject to chance
contrite
feeling or expressing remorse
contumacious
stubbornly or willfully disobedient to authority
convalesce
to recover one's health after illness
convene
to come together for a meeting or activity
conventional
based on what is generally done or believed
conversant
familiar with or knowledgeable about something
convert
to change the form or character of something
convex
having an outline that curves outward
convivial
friendly
convoke
to call together a meeting or assembly
copious
abundant in supply or quantity
cordial
warm and friendly
cordon
to prevent access to or from an area
corporeal
relating to a person's body
corpulent
fat
corroboration
evidence that confirms or supports a statement
corrosive
tending to cause corrosion
cosmopolitan
familiar with many different countries and cultures
coterminous
having the same boundaries or extent
countermand
to revoke an order with a contrary one
covetous
having a great desire to possess something
cower
to crouch down in fear
crass
lacking sensitivity or intelligence
credence
belief in or acceptance of something as true
crescendo
a gradual increase in loudness
culmination
the highest or climactic point of something
cultivate
to try to acquire or develop a quality
cumbersome
large or heavy and difficult to carry
cumulative
increasing by successive additions
cupidity
greed for money or possessions
cursory
hasty and therefore not thorough
curtail
to reduce in extent or quantity
cynical
believing that people are motivated by self-interest
dearth
a scarcity or lack of something
debacle
a sudden and ignominious failure
debase
to reduce the quality or value of something
debauch
to destroy or debase the moral purity of
debilitate
to make someone weak and infirm
debunk
to expose the falseness of a claim
decadence
moral or cultural decline
decelerate
to reduce speed
declaim
to utter or deliver words in a rhetorical way
declivity
a downward slope
decompose
to rot or decay
decrepit
worn out or ruined because of age
decry
to publicly denounce
deduce
to arrive at a fact by reasoning
deem
to regard or consider in a specified way
deface
to spoil the surface or appearance of something
defame
to damage the good reputation of someone
defile
to sully
definitive
authoritative and final
deflect
to cause something to change direction
deform
to distort the shape or form of
defray
to provide money to pay a cost
deft
neatly skillful and quick in movement
defunct
no longer existing or functioning
degrade
to treat someone with contempt
deify
to worship or regard as a god
dejected
sad and depressed
delectable
delicious
deliberate
done consciously and intentionally
delinquent
typically of a young person tending to commit crime
delirium
a disturbed state of mind with restlessness
delude
to impose a misleading belief upon someone
deluge
a severe flood
demagogue
a political leader who appeals to popular desires
demean
to cause a severe loss in dignity
demise
a person's death
demote
to move someone to a lower position
denigrate
to criticize unfairly
denizen
a person
denounce
to publicly declare to be wrong or evil
deplete
to use up the supply of resources
deplorable
deserving strong condemnation
deploy
to bring into effective action
depose
to remove from office suddenly
depraved
morally corrupt; wicked
deprecate
to express disapproval of
depreciate
to diminish in value over time
depredation
an act of attacking or plundering
deranged
mentally unstable
derelict
in a very poor condition as a result of disuse
derision
contemptuous ridicule or mockery
descry
to catch sight of
desecrate
to treat a sacred place with violent disrespect
desiccate
to remove the moisture from something
desist
to cease; abstain
desolate
bleak and empty
despondent
in low spirits from loss of hope
despot
a ruler with total power
destitute
extremely poor and lacking the means to provide for oneself
deter
to discourage someone from doing something
deteriorate
to become progressively worse
determinate
having exact and discernible limits
detest
to dislike intensely
detour
a long or roundabout route
detract
to reduce or take away the worth of something
detrimental
tending to cause harm
devastate
to destroy or ruin
deviate
to depart from an established course
devious
showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics
devoid
entirely lacking
devout
having deep religious feeling
dexterous
demonstrating neat skill
diabolical
characteristic of the Devil
diaphanous
light
dictate
to state or order authoritatively
diffuse
to spread over a wide area
digress
to leave the main subject temporarily in speech
dilapidated
in a state of disrepair or ruin
dilate
to make or become wider
diligent
having or showing care in one's work
diminution
a reduction in the size
din
a loud
dingy
gloomy and drab
diplomatic
of or concerning diplomacy
dire
extremely serious or urgent
dirge
a lament for the dead
disabuse
to persuade someone that an idea is mistaken
disaffect
to make someone dissatisfied
disarray
a state of disorganization
disavow
to deny any responsibility or support for
disband
to break up or cause to break up
disburse
to pay out money from a fund
discern
to perceive or recognize something
disclaim
to refuse to acknowledge
disclose
to make secret or new information known
disconcert
to disturb the composure of
disconsolate
very unhappy and unable to be comforted
discord
disagreement between people
discount
to deduct an amount from the usual cost
discredit
to harm the good reputation of someone
discreet
careful in one's speech or actions
discrete
individually separate and distinct
discretion
the quality of being discreet
discriminate
to recognize a distinction
discursive
digressing from subject to subject
disdain
the feeling that someone is unworthy of consideration
disenfranchise
to deprive someone of a right
disengage
to detach or release
disfigure
to spoil the appearance of
disgorge
to cause to pour out
disgruntled
angry or dissatisfied
dishearten
to cause someone to lose determination
disheveled
untidy; disordered
disinclined
unwilling; reluctant
disinter
to dig up something buried
disjointed
lacking a coherent sequence
dismantle
to take a machine or structure to pieces
dismay
to cause someone to feel distress
dispensable
able to be replaced
disperse
to distribute over a wide area
dispirited
having lost enthusiasm and hope
disproportionate
too large or too small in comparison
disputatious
fond of arguing
disquiet
a feeling of anxiety
disrepute
the state of being held in low public esteem
dissemble
to conceal one's true motives or feelings
dissent
to hold or express opinions that are at variance
dissimulate
to conceal or disguise one's thoughts
dissolute
overindulging in sensual pleasures
dissuade
to persuade someone not to take a course
distend
to swell or cause to swell
distinct
recognizably different in nature
distort
to pull or twist out of shape
distrait
distracted or absent-minded
distraught
deeply upset and agitated
diurnal
of or during the day
divergent
tending to be different or develop in different directions
diverse
showing a great deal of variety
divest
to deprive someone of power or rights
divulge
to make known private or sensitive information
docile
ready to accept control
doctrinaire
seeking to impose a doctrine
dogged
having tenacity and determination
dogmatic
inclined to lay down principles as undeniably true
doldrums
a state of inactivity or depression
doleful
expressing sorrow; mournful
dolorous
feeling or expressing great sorrow
domesticate
to tame an animal and keep it as a pet
domineer
to assert one's will over another
don
to put on an item of clothing
dormant
having normal physical functions suspended
dotage
the period of life in which a person is old and weak
dour
relentlessly severe or gloomy
dowdy
unfashionable and unstylish
downplay
to make something appear less important
downtrodden
oppressed or treated badly by people in power
draconian
excessively harsh and severe
dregs
the most worthless part of something
dross
something regarded as worthless
drowsy
sleepy and lethargic
drudgery
hard
dubious
hesitating or doubting
ductile
able to be drawn out into a thin wire
ambience
the character and atmosphere of a place
aphorism
a pithy observation containing a general truth
appellation
a name or title
arabesque
an ornamental design of intertwined flowing lines
arbiter
a person who settles a dispute or has ultimate authority
augury
a sign of what will happen in the future; an omen
aviary
a large enclosure for keeping birds
bard
a poet
baste
to pour juices or melted fat over meat during cooking
cabal
a secret political clique or faction
calibrate
to mark a gauge or instrument with a standard scale
cartography
the science or practice of drawing maps
caste
each of the hereditary classes of Hindu society
caucus
a meeting of members of a political party to select candidates
cauterize
to burn the skin or flesh to stop bleeding or prevent infection
caveat
a warning or proviso of specific stipulations
chameleon
a person who changes their opinions or behavior to please others
charisma
compelling attractiveness that inspires devotion
choreography
the sequence of steps and movements in dance
chronicle
to record events in a factual and detailed way
clairvoyant
a person claiming to see events in the future
clamber
to climb or move in an awkward way
clique
a small
codify
to arrange laws or rules into a systematic code
cogitate
to think deeply about something
collateral
something pledged as security for repayment of a loan
collusion
secret or illegal cooperation for a deceitful purpose
compendium
a collection of concise but detailed information
compensatory
intended to make up for something lost or lacking
concoct
to make a dish by combining various ingredients
configuration
an arrangement of parts in a particular form
conglomerate
a large corporation formed by many different firms
conjugal
relating to marriage or the relationship of spouses
conservatory
a college for the study of classical music or arts
conspire
to make secret plans to commit an unlawful act
constituent
a member of a constituency
construe
to interpret a word or action in a particular way
consummate
to make a marriage complete by having sexual intercourse
coquette
a woman who flirts
corollary
a proposition that follows from one already proven
correlation
a mutual relationship between two or more things
coup
a sudden
covenant
a formal and serious agreement
credo
a statement of beliefs or aims
creed
a system of religious belief
criterion
a principle or standard by which something may be judged
crux
the decisive or most important point at issue
curator
a keeper of a museum or other collection
cynosure
a person or thing that is the center of attention
debutante
a young woman making her first appearance in society
decanter
a stoppered glass container for serving wine
defraud
to illegally obtain money from someone by deception
deign
to do something that one considers beneath one's dignity
delve
to reach inside a receptacle and search for something
demeanor
outward behavior or bearing
demographic
relating to the structure of populations
denote
to be a sign of
depict
to represent by a drawing or painting
derive
to obtain something from a specified source
desalinate
to remove salt from seawater
desideratum
something that is needed or wanted
designate
to appoint someone to a specified position
detergent
a water-soluble cleansing agent
detonate
to explode or cause to explode
dilemma
a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made
discourse
written or spoken communication
disquisition
a long or elaborate essay or discussion
dissect
to methodically cut up a body to study
distill
to purify a liquid by heating and cooling
document
to record something in written or photographic form
dossier
a collection of documents about a person
drone
to make a continuous low humming sound