Online English Vocabulary Flashcards for GRE 12 (Graduate Record Examination) Words

abscond (verb) /əbˈskɒnd/
Definition: To leave secretly and quickly, especially to avoid capture or arrest.
Example Sentence: "The prisoner managed to abscond from the jail by digging a tunnel."
Synonyms: bolt; decamp; depart; disappear; elope; escape
Opposite Meaning: remain

acrimonious (adjective) /ˌæk rəˈmoʊ ni əs/
Definition: Intense bitterness, hostility, and resentment.
Example Sentence: "The band broke up after an acrimonious split due to creative differences."
Synonyms: abrasive; acrid; antagonistic; bitter; caustic; contentious
Opposite Meaning: amicable

adage (noun) /ˈadɪdʒ/
Definition: A statement that expresses a truth or a piece of wisdom that has been passed down through the ages.
Example Sentence: "In politics, the adage "divide and conquer" is a common strategy."
Synonyms: aphorism; apothegm; axiom; cliché; dictum; maxim
Opposite Meaning: falsehood

affinity (noun) /əˈfɪnəti/
Definition: A natural liking or connection between two or more people, things, or ideas.
Example Sentence: "They discovered a mutual affinity for science fiction movies."
Synonyms: alliance; attraction; bond; empathy; fondness; harmony
Opposite Meaning: aversion

affluent (adjective) /ˈaflʊənt/
Definition: Possessing considerable wealth, prosperity, or financial resources.
Example Sentence: "The affluent resort was filled with amenities and activities for its wealthy guests."
Synonyms: comfortable; flush; loaded; moneyed; opulent; prosperous
Opposite Meaning: impoverished

bourgeois (adjective) /ˈbʊəʒwɑː/
Definition: Associated with the middle or upper-middle class in society.
Example Sentence: "The bourgeois neighborhood was filled with large homes and well-manicured lawns."
Synonyms: conformist; conservative; conventional; mainstream; materialistic; middle
Opposite Meaning: proletarian

brusque (adjective) /brʊsk/
Definition: Abrupt, curt, or short in speech, often indicating impatience, irritation, or rudeness.
Example Sentence: "The customer service representative's brusque attitude left the caller feeling frustrated."
Synonyms: blunt; discourteous; gruff; hasty; impolite; sharp
Opposite Meaning: polite

camaraderie (noun) /ˌkaməˈrɑːd(ə)ri/
Definition: A friendly and spirited rapport among a group of people who are working towards a common goal.
Example Sentence: "The club was known for its friendly camaraderie and welcoming atmosphere."
Synonyms: affinity; companionship; comradeship; fellowship; friendship; intimacy
Opposite Meaning: animosity

cartel (noun) /kɑːˈtɛl/
Definition: An association of independent firms or individuals who come together to regulate prices and restrict competition.
Example Sentence: "The oil cartel was able to influence the global market through production quotas."
Synonyms: caucus; clique; coalition; coterie; faction; gang
Opposite Meaning: competitor

cavil (verb) /ˈkavəl/
Definition: To make petty or trivial objections, criticisms, or complaints, often with the intention of finding fault or nitpicking over minor details.
Example Sentence: "He tends to cavil at minor errors in the reports rather than focusing on the main issues."
Synonyms: carp; complain; criticize; fuss; gripe; grumble
Opposite Meaning: accept

circumvent (verb) /ˌsəːkəmˈvɛnt/
Definition: To avoid or get around something, often by using a clever or indirect approach.
Example Sentence: "To avoid confrontation, she tried to circumvent the issue rather than address it directly."
Synonyms: bypass; deceive; dodge; elude; evade; mislead
Opposite Meaning: confront

connotation (noun) /ˌkɒnəˈteɪʃn/
Definition: The emotional or cultural associations and implications that a word carries with it, in addition to its literal or dictionary definition.
Example Sentence: "She chose a name with a positive connotation for her new business."
Synonyms: association; implication; indication; meaning; message; nuance
Opposite Meaning: denotation

crapulous (adjective) /ˈkrapjʊləs/
Definition: Suffering physically from the consequences of excessive indulgence in food or drink, especially alcohol.
Example Sentence: "He stumbled down the street in a crapulous stupor."
Synonyms: besotted; bibulous; dissipated; dissolute; drunken; inebriated
Opposite Meaning: sober

debilitate (verb) /dɪˈbɪlɪteɪt/
Definition: To weaken or impair the strength, ability, or functioning of something or someone.
Example Sentence: "Chronic stress can debilitate a person's mental and physical health."
Synonyms: attenuate; cripple; devitalize; enervate; exhaust; incapacitate
Opposite Meaning: strengthen

disingenuous (adjective) /ˌdɪs(ɪ)nˈdʒɛnjʊəs/
Definition: Slightly dishonest, insincere, or not speaking the complete truth.
Example Sentence: "His apology was seen as disingenuous and lacking sincerity."
Synonyms: contrived; crafty; deceitful; devious; dishonest; dissembling
Opposite Meaning: genuine

edifying (adjective) /ˈɛdɪfʌɪɪŋ/
Definition: Uplifting, or informative in a way that leads to personal growth or moral improvement.
Example Sentence: "Her edifying speech inspired everyone in the audience to pursue their dreams."
Synonyms: educative; elevating; elucidative; enlightening; improving; inspiring
Opposite Meaning: misleading

elixir (noun) /ɪˈlɪksɪə
Definition: A potion or medicine that is believed to have the power to cure or to rejuvenate.
Example Sentence: "The elixir was believed to give the drinker eternal youth and immortality."
Synonyms: brew; catholicon; concoction; cure; essence; extract
Opposite Meaning: toxin

equinox (noun) /ˈɛkwɪnɒks/
Definition: An astronomical event that occurs twice a year when the sun is directly above the equator and the day and night are of approximately equal length.
Example Sentence: "In the Southern Hemisphere, the vernal equinox marks the start of autumn."
Synonyms: alignment; balance; convergence; crossing; equator; event
Opposite Meaning: solstice

evanescent (adjective) /ˌɛv əˈnɛs ənt/
Definition: Fleeting and transient, existing only briefly before disappearing or fading away.
Example Sentence: "The snowflakes were evanescent, melting on contact with the warm ground."
Synonyms: brief; disappearing; impermanent; momentary; passing; temporary
Opposite Meaning: permanent

expatiate (verb) /ɪkˈspeɪʃɪeɪt/
Definition: To speak or write at length and in detail about a particular subject or idea.
Example Sentence: "They encouraged the author to expatiate on the inspirations behind her latest novel."
Synonyms: elaborate; dilate; expand; discuss; discourse; explain
Opposite Meaning: summarize

fastidious (adjective) /faˈstɪdɪəs/
Definition: Giving very careful or excessive attention to detail and accuracy.
Example Sentence: "The fastidious artist was well-known for her careful attention to detail."
Synonyms: assiduous; careful; choosy; conscientious; demanding; discriminating
Opposite Meaning: careless

fatuous (adjective) /ˈfatjʊəs/
Definition: Incredibly foolish, trivial, or devoid of meaning, often to the point of being silly or absurd.
Example Sentence: "He was criticized for his fatuous remarks about sensitive topics."
Synonyms: asinine; childish; idiotic; mindless; nonsensical; puerile
Opposite Meaning: intelligent

germane (adjective) /kənˈstɪtjʊənsi/
Definition: Closely related, pertinent, or relevant to a particular subject, topic, or discussion.
Example Sentence: "The question asked in the meeting was not germane to the topic at hand."
Synonyms: applicable; appropriate; apropos; apt; connected; fitting
Opposite Meaning: irrelevant

hegemony (noun) /hɪˈdʒɛməni/
Definition: The dominant power or influence that one group or nation has over others, often through political, economic, or cultural means.
Example Sentence: "The country's political and economic hegemony has been challenged in recent years."
Synonyms: ascendancy; authority; command; control; dominance; influence
Opposite Meaning: subordination

hierarchy (noun) /ˈhʌɪərɑːki/
Definition: A system for which people or things are organized according to status or power.
Example Sentence: "The social hierarchy in the society was based on wealth and status."
Synonyms: chain; class; echelon; gradation; ladder; level
Opposite Meaning: equality

hirsute (adjective) /ˈhəːsjuːt/
Definition: Covered in an abundant growth of hair, typically referring to body hair.
Example Sentence: "The hirsute mane of the lion was a symbol of strength and power."
Synonyms: bearded; bewhiskered; bristly; fleecy; furry; hairy
Opposite Meaning: bald

holistic (adjective) /hə(ʊ)ˈlɪstɪk/
Definition: An approach that considers the whole picture, rather than just focusing on individual parts.
Example Sentence: "A holistic approach to education emphasizes the development of the whole child."
Synonyms: cohesive; complete; comprehensive; inclusive; integrated; overall
Opposite Meaning: narrow

ineffable (adjective) /ɪnˈɛfəb(ə)l/
Definition: Beyond the capacity of words to adequately describe or express.
Example Sentence: "He felt an ineffable sense of oneness with the universe."
Synonyms: incommunicable; indefinable; indescribable; indistinct; inexplicable; inexpressible
Opposite Meaning: expressible

levity (noun) /ˈlɛvɪti/
Definition: A lightness of tone, manner, or expression, especially in a situation where it is inappropriate or in poor taste.
Example Sentence: "The film's clever dialogue injected moments of levity into the dramatic storyline."
Synonyms: amusement; cheerfulness; facetiousness; fickleness; flippancy; frivolity
Opposite Meaning: solemnity

luminescent (adjective) /ˌluːmɪˈnɛsnt/
Definition: Emitting light without heat.
Example Sentence: "The luminescent fish glowed in the dark waters of the ocean."
Synonyms: effulgent; fluorescent; gleaming; glowing; illumination; incandescence
Opposite Meaning: dark

masticate (verb) /ˈmæstɪkeɪt/
Definition: To chew or grind food with one's teeth in order to break it down into smaller pieces that can be easily swallowed and digested.
Example Sentence: "Before swallowing, you should masticate your food thoroughly."
Synonyms: bite; champ; chomp; chumble; crunch; gnaw
Opposite Meaning: swallow whole

matriculate (verb) /məˈtrɪkjʊleɪt/
Definition: To enrol or register in an educational institution, typically a college or university.
Example Sentence: "The college requires all students to matriculate before the start of the academic year."
Synonyms: accept; admit; book; conscript; enlist; enroll
Opposite Meaning: withdraw

morose (adjective) /məˈrəʊs/
Definition: Sullen, gloomy, and generally inclined to be in a bad mood or display a dark temperament.
Example Sentence: "The conversation took a morose turn as they discussed the state of the world."
Synonyms: cheerless; depressed; forlorn; glum; lugubrious; melancholy
Opposite Meaning: cheerful

onerous (adjective) /ˈəʊn(ə)rəs/
Definition: Burdensome, difficult or oppressive, particularly in terms of responsibility or obligation.
Example Sentence: "The onerous study schedule was making it hard for the student to maintain a social life."
Synonyms: arduous; challenging; demanding; difficult; laborious; rigorous
Opposite Meaning: effortless

paradox (noun) /ˈparədɒks/
Definition: A statement or situation that seems to be contradictory or false, but upon closer examination, may actually be true or make sense.
Example Sentence: "It is a paradox that in order to achieve peace, we often have to prepare for war."
Synonyms: ambiguity; anomaly; contradiction; dichotomy; enigma; incongruity
Opposite Meaning: clarity

parody (noun) /ˈparədi/
Definition: A form of satire in which an original work is imitated in a way that is meant to be humorous or satirical.
Example Sentence: "The parody of the movie was a comedic version of the original."
Synonyms: burlesque; caricature; comedy; farce; imitation; mockery
Opposite Meaning: homage

parsimonious (adjective) /ˌpɑːsɪˈməʊnɪəs/
Definition: Characterized by extreme frugality and an unwillingness to spend money or resources generously.
Example Sentence: "The parsimonious old man was known for his frugality and tight-fistedness."
Synonyms: avaricious; cheap; closefisted; economical; frugal; miserly
Opposite Meaning: generous

perspicacious (adjective) /ˌpəːspɪˈkeɪʃəs/
Definition: Insightful, perceptive, and able to understand things clearly and quickly.
Example Sentence: "The detective's perspicacious observations led to the culprit's capture."
Synonyms: acumen; acute; astute; canny; clever; discerning
Opposite Meaning: unobservant

pilfer (verb) /ˈpɪl fər/
Definition: To steal or take small items or insignificant amounts of goods, often in a secretive or furtive manner.
Example Sentence: "The raccoons would often pilfer food from our trash cans."
Synonyms: embezzle; filch; lift; pinch; plunder; purloin
Opposite Meaning: return

platonic (adjective) /pləˈtɒnɪk/
Definition: Characterized by intellectual or emotional connection, rather than physical or romantic attraction.
Example Sentence: "They had a platonic friendship that lasted for many years."
Synonyms: hypothetical; idealistic; intellectual; nonphysical; potential; quixotic
Opposite Meaning: romantic

politic (adjective) /ˈpɒlɪtɪk/
Definition: Marked by shrewdness, prudence, and strategic thinking within the realm of politics or other sensitive situations.
Example Sentence: "The leader's comments were highly politic and carefully crafted to avoid controversy."
Synonyms: advisable; astute; diplomatic; judicious; Machiavellian; sagacious
Opposite Meaning: imprudent

precipitous (adjective) /prɪˈsɪpɪtəs/
Definition: Extremely steep, sudden, or dramatic in its descent or progress.
Example Sentence: "The driver swerved to avoid the precipitous drop-off on the side of the road."
Synonyms: abrupt; dizzy; fast; hasty; high; impetuous
Opposite Meaning: gradual

retrospective (adjective) /ˌrɛ trəˈspɛk tɪv/
Definition: Concerned with or relating to the past, specifically reflecting or looking back on past events, experiences, or accomplishments.
Example Sentence: "The team conducted a retrospective analysis of their project to identify areas for improvement."
Synonyms: backward; evaluative; hindsight; historical; introspection; introspective
Opposite Meaning: forward-looking

revere (verb) /rɪˈvɪər/
Definition: To deeply admire, respect, and hold someone or something in high esteem.
Example Sentence: "The martial artists revere their master for his unmatched skills and teachings."
Synonyms: admire; adore; cherish; esteem; exalt; glorify
Opposite Meaning: despise

squalor (noun) /ˈskwɒlə/
Definition: A state of extreme dirtiness and poverty, typically associated with living conditions.
Example Sentence: "The house was in a state of squalor after years of neglect."
Synonyms: decay; dinginess; filth; foulness; griminess; grubbiness
Opposite Meaning: cleanliness

taxonomy (noun) /takˈsɒnəmi/
Definition: The branch of biology that deals with the classification and naming of living organisms.
Example Sentence: "The taxonomy of plants and animals is constantly evolving as new discoveries are made."
Synonyms: arrangement; cataloging; categorization; categorizing; classification; classifying
Opposite Meaning: disorder

tenuous (adjective) /ˈtɛnjʊəs/
Definition: Thin, fragile, or having a weak or delicate connection, often implying that it is easily breakable or unstable.
Example Sentence: "The judge called the defense’s argument tenuous and ruled in favor of the plaintiff."
Synonyms: doubtful; dubious; flimsy; frail; insubstantial; questionable
Opposite Meaning: strong

torpid (adjective) /ˈtɔːpɪd/
Definition: Inactivity, lethargy, or sluggishness, often associated with a lack of energy or motivation.
Example Sentence: "The torpid state of the economy made it difficult for businesses to grow."
Synonyms: apathetic; indolent; inert; lackadaisical; languid; lazy
Opposite Meaning: active

troglodyte (noun) /ˈtrɔːɡlədaɪt/
Definition: A person who lives in seclusion or in a primitive, cave-like dwelling.
Example Sentence: "The troglodytes carved intricate dwellings out of the rock formations in the valley."
Synonyms: anchorite; eremite; hermit; introvert; isolate; loner
Opposite Meaning: socialite

unorthodox (adjective) /ʌnˈɔːθədɒks/
Definition: Not in keeping with established or traditional practices or beliefs.
Example Sentence: "The fashion designer's unorthodox clothing line pushed the boundaries of fashion."
Synonyms: alternative; atypical; avant-garde; eccentric; heretical; heterodox
Opposite Meaning: traditional