English Synonyms for GRE 8 (Graduate Record Examination) Vocabulary Words – Online Quiz!

abrade (verb) /əˈbreɪd/
Meaning: When something is abraded, it experiences the removal of small pieces or layers of material due to repeated contact with a rough or abrasive substance.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to abrade?
Options: wear down; preserve; protect; enhance
Answer: wear
Synonyms: buff; chafe; erase; file; graze; grind; polish; rasp; rub; sand; scour; scrape
Example: "The constant winds abrade the rocks in the desert, giving them a unique shape."

addendum (noun) /əˈdɛndəm/
Meaning: It is an addition or supplement to a document or text, usually added after the original document has been written or published.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to addendum?
Options: appendix; deletion; removal; subtraction
Answer: appendix
Synonyms: addition; adjunct; affix; appendage; appendix; attachment; extension; postscript; supplement
Example: "The contract included a crucial addendum regarding payment terms."

amiable (adjective) /ˈeɪ mi ə bəl/
Meaning: It conveys warmth, affability, and a genuine disposition towards kindness and social interaction.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to amiable?
Options: friendly; unfriendly; disagreeable; hostile
Answer: friendly
Synonyms: affable; agreeable; approachable; charming; congenial; cordial; friendly; genial; likable; pleasant; sociable
Example: "His amiable personality makes him easy to approach."

arbiter (noun) /ˈɑːbɪtə/
Meaning: It refers to a situation where two or more parties are unable to come to a resolution on their own, and require a neutral third party to make a ruling.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to arbiter?
Options: mediator; participant; bystander; spectator
Answer: mediator
Synonyms: adjudicator; arbitrator; judge; mediator; moderator; negotiator; referee; umpire
Example: "The judge acted as the arbiter in the dispute, making a fair and impartial decision."

axiom (noun) /ˈaksɪəm/
Meaning: It is a fundamental principle or rule that is accepted without the need for proof or demonstration.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to axiom?
Options: truism; fallacy; falsehood; untruth
Answer: truism
Synonyms: adage; aphorism; dictum; gnome; maxim; postulate; precept; principle; truism
Example: "In mathematics, the Pythagorean theorem is considered an essential axiom."

badinage (noun) /ˈbadɪnɑːʒ/
Meaning: It often implies a sense of humor and playfulness and is done to create a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to badinage?
Options: banter; seriousness; solemnity; gravity
Answer: banter
Synonyms: banter; jesting; joshing; mockery; persiflage; raillery; repartee; ribbing; teasing
Example: "Their witty badinage enlivened the party, leaving guests in stitches."

bellicose (adjective) /ˈbɛlɪkəʊs/
Meaning: For example, a bellicose leader might constantly threaten military action against other countries or engage in aggressive posturing and saber-rattling.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to bellicose?
Options: aggressive; peaceful; pacific; conciliatory
Answer: aggressive
Synonyms: adversarial; aggressive; antagonistic; argumentative; belligerent; combative; confrontational; contentious; hostile; militant; pugnacious; quarrelsome
Example: "The bellicose rhetoric of the politician caused concern among his opponents."

bequeath (verb) /bɪˈkwiːð/
Meaning: Bequeathal is the action or legal process of leaving property or assets by a will or testament.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to bequeath?
Options: leave; disinherit; withhold; retain
Answer: leave
Synonyms: bestow; commit; confer; deliver; endow; entrust; grant; impart; leave; transfer; transmit
Example: "In his last testament, he decided to bequeath his fortune to charity."

bludgeon (verb) /ˈblʌʤən/
Meaning: It can also refer to the act of persuading someone to do something by using forceful or aggressive tactics, such as constant pressure or intimidation.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to bludgeon?
Options: batter; caress; soothe; comfort
Answer: batter
Synonyms: attack; batter; beat; belt; clobber; club; hammer; pound; pummel; strike; thrash
Example: "Police are investigating a case where an intruder attempted to bludgeon the home owner with a heavy object."

caste (noun) /kɑːst/
Meaning: A caste is a social group that is defined by birth and endogamy, meaning that individuals are born into a specific caste and typically only marry within that caste.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to caste?
Options: class; equality; democracy; egalitarianism
Answer: class
Synonyms: class; division; echelon; grade; grouping; hierarchy; level; order; rank; standing; station; status
Example: "The Indian caste system is a complex social structure."

clairvoyant (noun) /klɛːˈvɔɪənt/
Meaning: Specifically, a clairvoyant is someone who can perceive information about events, people, or places that are not visible to the naked eye.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to clairvoyant?
Options: psychic; oblivious; unaware; ignorant
Answer: psychic
Synonyms: diviner; medium; oracle; psychic; seer; soothsayer; spiritualist; telepath; visionary
Example: "Many people believe that clairvoyants have a special connection to the spiritual realm."

concerted (adjective) /kənˈsəːtɪd/
Meaning: When something is concerted, it involves the joint efforts of multiple people or entities working together towards a common goal.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to concerted?
Options: coordinated; independent; solitary; uncooperative
Answer: coordinated
Synonyms: active; collaborative; collective; combined; earnest; joint; resolute; strenuous; united
Example: "Their concerted effort led to a successful product launch."

constituent (adjective) /kənˈstɪtjʊənt/
Meaning: It refers to a component or element that makes up a larger entity, such as a part of a system, a member of a group, or a factor that contributes to a result.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to constituent?
Options: integral; extra; unrelated; unimportant
Answer: integral
Synonyms: characteristic; component; element; facet; fragment; ingredient; member; piece; portion
Example: "Oxygen and hydrogen are two of the constituent elements of water."

depravity (noun) /dɪˈpravɪti/
Meaning: It implies a state of moral decay or the indulgence in immoral, unethical, or wicked behaviors that go against accepted norms of decency and humanity.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to depravity?
Options: corruption; virtue; integrity; morality
Answer: corruption
Synonyms: corruption; debauchery; degeneracy; depravation; evil; immorality; iniquity; licentiousness; perversity; profligacy; sinfulness; turpitude
Example: "The depravity of the criminal's actions shocked the community."

egalitarian (adjective) /ɪˌɡalɪˈtɛːrɪən/
Meaning: It is the idea that all people should have equal access to resources, privileges, and opportunities regardless of their race, gender, religion, or socioeconomic status.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to egalitarian?
Options: equalitarian; elitist; hierarchical; unequal
Answer: equalitarian
Synonyms: democratic; equable; equal; fair; impartial; just; socialist; unbiased; unprejudiced
Example: "he society's egalitarian principles ensured that all members had equal rights and opportunities."

egregious (adjective) /ɪˈɡriːdʒəs/
Meaning: When an action, behavior, or situation is labeled as egregious, it signifies a level of wrongdoing that is so pronounced and shocking that it cannot be easily overlooked or ignored.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to egregious?
Options: shocking; commendable; admirable; praiseworthy
Answer: shocking
Synonyms: abhorrent; appalling; atrocious; awful; dreadful; horrendous; horrible; outrageous; terrible
Example: "Her blatant and egregious lies shattered the trust among her friends."

elucidate (verb) /ɪˈl(j)uːsɪdeɪt/
Meaning: It can also mean to provide evidence or proof to support a claim.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to elucidate?
Options: clarify; confuse; obfuscate; complicate
Answer: clarify
Synonyms: clarify; explain; expound; untangle; illuminate; illustrate; interpret; simplify; unfold
Example: "The professor tried to elucidate the complex concept for the students."

emend (verb) /ɪˈmɛnd/
Meaning: The term is commonly used in the field of textual criticism, where scholars examine and compare different versions of a text in order to identify and correct errors or inconsistencies.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to emend?
Options: correct; ruin; spoil; damage
Answer: correct
Synonyms: amend; change; edit; modify; rectify; redraft; reform; remedy; revise; rework; rewrite
Example: "The publisher decided to emend the draft before sending it to print."

furtive (adjective) /ˈfəːtɪv/
Meaning: It can also be used to describe people who have a sneaky or guilty appearance.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to furtive?
Options: secretive; open; honest; transparent
Answer: secretive
Synonyms: clandestine; covert; hidden; secretive; skulking; slinking; sly; sneaking; stealthy; surreptitious
Example: "She had a furtive look in her eyes as she slipped out of the room."

garrulous (adjective) /ˈɡar(j)ʊləs/
Meaning: It implies a tendency to talk too much or to speak without thinking.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to garrulous?
Options: talkative; taciturn; reticent; silent
Answer: talkative
Synonyms: babbling; chattering; gossiping; gushing; loquacious; prattling; talkative; verbose; voluble
Example: "Her garrulous neighbor could chat endlessly about the weather."

iconoclast (noun) /aɪˈkɒnəʊklæst/
Meaning: An iconoclast may be seen as a rebel, a revolutionary, or a visionary who seeks to bring about change by challenging the status quo.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to iconoclast?
Options: revolutionary; traditionalist; conformist; conservative
Answer: revolutionary
Synonyms: agitator; dissident; heretic; innovator; maverick; nonconformist; radical; rebel
Example: "The revolutionary leader was seen as an iconoclast by some and a hero by others."

imminent (adjective) /ˈɪmɪnənt/
Meaning: When an event, situation, or threat is referred to as 'imminent,' it implies a sense of urgency and immediacy, indicating that there is little time to prepare or act before it transpires.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to imminent?
Options: impending; distant; remote; unlikely
Answer: impending
Synonyms: approaching; coming; forthcoming; impending; looming; nearing; oncoming; upcoming
Example: "The dark clouds overhead signaled the imminent arrival of a thunderstorm."

imperative (adjective) /ɪmˈpɛrətɪv/
Meaning: An imperative situation is one in which there is no room for compromise or delay, and the outcome depends on immediate action.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to imperative?
Options: essential; optional; unimportant; unnecessary
Answer: essential
Synonyms: compulsory; crucial; essential; exigent; important; mandatory; necessary; needed; obligatory; pivotal; urgent; vital
Example: "It is imperative that we address the issue as soon as possible."

ingratiate (verb) /ɪnˈɡreɪʃɪeɪt/
Meaning: It is a way of trying to please or gain the favor of someone, usually someone in a position of authority or power.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to ingratiate?
Options: charm; repulse; alienate; offend
Answer: charm
Synonyms: blandish; brownnose; captivate; charm; cozy; crawl; cultivate; curry; fawn; grovel; kowtow; pander
Example: "He attempted to ingratiate himself with his superiors through constant flattery."

interpolate (verb) /ˌɪˈtɜrpəˌleɪt/
Meaning: It implies a deliberate and intentional act of addition or modification, often with the aim of clarifying or expanding upon the original content.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to interpolate?
Options: insert; remove; extract; take out
Answer: insert
Synonyms: add; annex; append; embed; implant; include; incorporate; infuse; inject
Example: "The artist will interpolate some modern elements into the classical painting."

invective (noun) /ɪnˈvɛktɪv/
Meaning: It implies strong, negative emotions, and a tendency to use harsh or hurtful words to express those emotions.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to invective?
Options: vitriol; praise; compliment; flattery
Answer: vitriol
Synonyms: abuse; berating; castigation; censure; denunciation; diatribe; execration; fulmination; harangue; obloquy; rant; reproach
Example: "His invective towards the referee got him ejected from the game."

lambaste (verb) /lamˈbast/
Meaning: It implies a strong emotional reaction and a tendency to use harsh or critical language to express that reaction.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to lambaste?
Options: attack; praise; commend; approve
Answer: attack
Synonyms: assail; berate; castigate; censure; excoriate; rebuke; reprimand; scold; upbraid
Example: "Many critics lambaste the director's latest movie for its lack of originality."

mundane (adjective) /ˌmʌnˈdeɪn/
Meaning: When we characterize something as mundane, we emphasize its everyday and commonplace nature, suggesting that it is a part of the regular, unremarkable aspects of life.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to mundane?
Options: ordinary; extraordinary; unusual; remarkable
Answer: ordinary
Synonyms: banal; common; everyday; familiar; generic; humdrum; normal; prosaic; typical; usual
Example: "The conversation was mundane and uneventful."

obviate (verb) /ˈɒbvɪeɪt/
Meaning: For example, finding a solution to a problem can obviate the need for further action.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to obviate?
Options: prevent; necessitate; cause; provoke
Answer: prevent
Synonyms: avert; avoid; circumvent; counter; counteract; deter; eliminate; forestall; hinder; preclude; prevent; stop
Example: "Their new security system aims to obviate the need for additional personnel."

officious (adjective) /əˈfɪʃəs/
Meaning: It refers to a situation where someone is overly involved in other people's affairs, often with the intention of asserting their authority or demonstrating their importance.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to officious?
Options: meddlesome; unobtrusive; hands-off; detached
Answer: meddlesome
Synonyms: bossy; bumptious; busybody; interfering; intrusive; meddlesome; meddling; nosy; obtrusive; overbearing; overzealous; prying
Example: "The officious supervisor constantly interfered with my work."

omnipotent (adjective) /ɒmˈnɪpət(ə)nt/
Meaning: It conveys the idea of possessing the ability to achieve anything and everything, without any limitations or constraints.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to omnipotent?
Options: all-powerful; powerless; weak; impotent
Answer: all-powerful
Synonyms: almighty; boundless; divine; godlike; infinite; invincible; mighty; sovereign; supreme; transcendent; unlimited
Example: "The deity was believed to be omnipotent, capable of miracles."

ornithology (noun) /ˌɔːnɪˈθɒlədʒi/
Meaning: Ornithologists, the scientists who specialize in ornithology, study various aspects of bird life, including their evolutionary history, migration patterns, breeding habits, vocalizations, and adaptations to different environments.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to ornithology?
Options: bird study; mammalogy; ichthyology; herpetology
Answer: bird
Synonyms: avian; avifauna; behavior; biology; birdology; ecology; feathered; ornithologic; physiology; research; science; study
Example: "Ornithology is the scientific study of birds and their behavior."

palliative (adjective) /ˈpæliətɪv/
Meaning: It can be used to describe medical treatments or procedures that alleviate pain or discomfort without curing the disease or condition, as well as non-medical measures taken to reduce the severity of a difficult situation or problem.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to palliative?
Options: soothing; aggravating; worsening; intensifying
Answer: soothing
Synonyms: alleviating; ameliorative; assuaging; calming; easing; healing; mitigating; mollifying
Example: "The palliative care team helped manage my grandfather's pain during his final months."

patronage (noun) /ˈpeɪ trə nɪdʒ/
Meaning: It represents the act of providing resources, such as funding, guidance, protection, or endorsement, to promote the well-being, development, or success of another entity.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to patronage?
Options: support; opposition; antagonism; hostility
Answer: support
Synonyms: aid; assistance; backing; benefaction; contribution; encouragement; endorsement; funding; guardianship; philanthropy; sponsorship; support
Example: "The artist was grateful for the patronage of a wealthy art collector who supported her work."

perennial (adjective) /pəˈrɛnɪəl/
Meaning: It can be used to describe plants, such as flowers or shrubs, that grow and bloom year after year, or to describe something that is constantly recurring or enduring, such as a perennial problem or issue.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to perennial?
Options: enduring; temporary; ephemeral; fleeting
Answer: enduring
Synonyms: constant; continuing; enduring; lasting; permanent; perpetual; persistent; recurrent
Example: "Roses are a perennial favorite in gardens, blooming year after year."

pittance (noun) /ˈpɪt(ə)ns/
Meaning: The term is often used to describe pay or wages that are considered to be insufficient or unjustly low.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to pittance?
Options: trifle; fortune; abundance; wealth
Answer: trifle
Synonyms: crumb; dab; drop; mite; modicum; morsel; peanuts; scrap; shoestring; shred; smidgen; snippet
Example: "After years of hard work, he received a mere pittance for his efforts."

portend (verb) /pɔːˈtɛnd/
Meaning: When something 'portends' a particular outcome or event, it implies that it suggests or indicates the likelihood of that event occurring, often based on observed patterns, signs, or circumstances.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to portend?
Options: foreshadow; reassure; contradict; belie
Answer: foreshadow
Synonyms: announce; augur; forebode; foreshadow; foretell; forewarn; harbinger; herald; indicate; predict; presage; signify
Example: "The dark clouds in the sky portend an impending storm."

puerile (adjective) /ˈpjʊərʌɪl/
Meaning: It can refer to behavior, actions, or ideas that are characteristic of a young child and lack sophistication or maturity.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to puerile?
Options: childish; mature; sophisticated; adult
Answer: childish
Synonyms: adolescent; babyish; callow; childish; foolish; inane; infantile; irresponsible; juvenile
Example: "His puerile jokes disrupted the serious meeting, drawing disapproving glances."

querulous (adjective) /ˈkwɛr(j)ʊləs/
Meaning: Such people tend to find faults in almost everything and have a tendency to grumble about minor issues.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to querulous?
Options: complaining; content; satisfied; complacent
Answer: complaining
Synonyms: cantankerous; captious; carping; complaining; critical; discontented; dissatisfied; fretful; grumbling; irascible; irritable; peevish
Example: "The querulous tone of his voice hinted at his dissatisfaction."

recapitulate (verb) /ˌrikəˈpɪʧəˌleɪt/
Meaning: The term is derived from the Latin word "recapitulare," which means "to summarize again.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to recapitulate?
Options: summarize; elaborate; extend; expand
Answer: summarize
Synonyms: digest; encapsulate; outline; paraphrase; recap; recount; rehash; reiterate; repeat; restate
Example: "Let me recapitulate the main points of our discussion."

redress (verb) /rɪˈdrɛs/
Meaning: When we redress something, we take action to address an issue or wrongdoing, often by providing compensation, relief, or resolution to those who have been wronged or adversely affected.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to redress?
Options: amend; worsen; neglect; ignore
Answer: amend
Synonyms: ameliorate; amend; cure; fix; harmonize; heal; rectify; repair; reparation; resolve
Example: "The management have the authority to redress the concerns of staff."

renunciate (verb) /rɪˈnʌnsɪeɪt/
Meaning: It can also refer to the act of rejecting an idea, belief, or way of life.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to renunciate?
Options: abandon; claim; embrace; retain
Answer: abandon
Synonyms: abandon; abnegate; desert; disavow; discard; renounce; rescind; revoke; spurn
Example: "If you renunciate your throne, who will take your place?"

salacious (adjective) /səˈleɪʃəs/
Meaning: It denotes a quality that is explicitly suggestive or focused on arousing sexual interest or desire.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to salacious?
Options: lascivious; wholesome; decent; pure
Answer: lascivious
Synonyms: concupiscent; lascivious; lecherous; lewd; libidinous; lustful; prurient; unchaste; wanton
Example: "The tabloid's salacious headlines grabbed attention but lacked substance."

sublimate (noun) /ˈsʌblɪmeɪt/
Meaning: It involves taking an instinctual urge, such as aggression or sexuality, and channeling it into a productive or creative outlet.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to sublimate?
Options: channel; manifest; exhibit; express
Answer: channel
Synonyms: channel; cleanse; convert; distill; divert; elevate; ennoble; exalt; purify; rarefy; refine; spiritualize
Example: "He used art as a way to sublimate his negative emotions."

synchronicity (noun) /ˌsɪŋkrəˈnɪsɪti/
Meaning: The term was coined by Swiss psychologist Carl Jung, who believed that synchronicity was a form of meaningful coincidence that could be observed in the world around us.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to synchronicity?
Options: coincidence; disconnection; incongruity; disparity
Answer: coincidence
Synonyms: alignment; coexistence; coincidence; concurrence; confluence; congruence; conjunction; correspondence; harmony; parallelism; simultaneity; synergy
Example: "The synchronicity of the events was uncanny and left many people wondering."

terra-firma (noun) /ˌtɛrə ˈfəːmə/
Meaning: The noun "terra firma" is a Latin term that translates to "solid ground" or "firm earth" in English.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to terra-firma?
Options: solid-ground; water; sea; ocean
Answer: solid-ground
Synonyms: dirt; dryland; earth; ground; hardstand; land; landmass; mainland; soil; terrain
Example: "The astronauts were excited to return to terra firma after their mission in space."

totalitarianism (noun) /toʊˌtæl ɪˈtɛər i əˌnɪz əm/
Meaning: Totalitarianism seeks to exercise complete authority and dominance over individuals, suppressing their freedom of thought, expression, and association.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to totalitarianism?
Options: autocracy; democracy; freedom; liberty
Answer: autocracy
Synonyms: authoritarianism; autocracy; control; despotism; dictatorship; dominance; fascism; oppression; repression; subjugation; supremacy; tyranny
Example: "The citizens lived in constant fear under the oppressive rule of totalitarianism."

vacillate (verb) /ˈvasɪleɪt/
Meaning: It is the state of being uncertain or hesitant about what to do, and it can involve changing one's mind or position repeatedly.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to vacillate?
Options: waver; resolve; decide; commit
Answer: waver
Synonyms: alternate; change; dither; fluctuate; hesitate; oscillate; seesaw; uncertain; unsure
Example: "She tends to vacillate between two options before making a decision."

vacuous (adjective) /ˈvakjʊəs/
Meaning: When we characterize something as vacuous, we emphasize its lack of meaningful or substantial qualities, indicating that it is insipid or without depth.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to vacuous?
Options: empty; insightful; intelligent; profound
Answer: empty
Synonyms: blank; devoid; inane; mindless; shallow; stupid; superficial; unintelligent; vacant; vapid
Example: "The vacuous statement provided no substantial information."

vagrant (noun) /ˈveɪɡr(ə)nt/
Meaning: The term can also be used to describe a person who lives a nomadic lifestyle and does not follow societal norms or conventions.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to vagrant?
Options: drifter; resident; settler; homesteader
Answer: drifter
Synonyms: beggar; bum; dosser; drifter; hobo; homeless; itinerant; pikey; tramp; vagabond; wanderer
Example: "The park was a haven for vagrants seeking temporary shelter."