Online English Vocabulary Flashcards for GRE 4 (Graduate Record Examination) Words

acronym (noun) /ˈakrənɪm/
Definition: An abbreviation formed from the initial letters of a phrase and pronounced as a word.
Example Sentence: "NASA is an acronym for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration."
Synonyms: abbreviation; acrostic; clipping; code; condensation; contraction
Opposite Meaning: expansion

antecedent (adjective) /ˌæn təˈsid nt/
Definition: Preceding or coming before another thing in time, order, or position.
Example Sentence: "His antecedent experience in management proved to be invaluable in his new role."
Synonyms: ancestral; anterior; earlier; foregoing; former; introductory
Opposite Meaning: subsequent

antipathy (noun) /anˈtɪpəθi/
Definition: A deep-seated feeling of aversion or hostility towards someone or something.
Example Sentence: "The neighboring football teams have a long-standing antipathy towards each other."
Synonyms: abhorrence; animosity; animus; dislike; enmity; grudge
Opposite Meaning: liking

bohemian (adjective) /bəʊˈhiːmɪən/
Definition: Socially unconventional and non-conformist in an artistic way.
Example Sentence: "Rapid gentrification of the town threatened to change its bohemian culture."
Synonyms: alternative; artistic; arty; boho; eccentric; hippie
Opposite Meaning: conventional

capitulate (verb) /kəˈpɪtjʊleɪt/
Definition: To surrender, cease resisting, or accept defeat, especially after a struggle or competition.
Example Sentence: "The company was forced to capitulate to the demands of the workers."
Synonyms: accede; acquiesce; comply; concede; crumble; fold
Opposite Meaning: resist

chicanery (noun) /ʃɪˈkeɪnəri/
Definition: The use of clever but dishonest or deceitful methods to achieve one's goals.
Example Sentence: "The election was marred by chicanery and fraud."
Synonyms: trickery; deception; duplicity; subterfuge; scheming; craftiness
Opposite Meaning: honesty

collusion (noun) /kəˈl(j)uːʒ(ə)n/
Definition: A secret or illegal cooperation between two or more parties, typically to deceive or cheat someone or to gain an illegal or unethical advantage.
Example Sentence: "He was accused of collusion with the enemy during the war."
Synonyms: chicanery; collaboration; complicity; connivance; conspiracy; cooperation
Opposite Meaning: honesty

corpulent (adjective) /ˈkɔr pyə lənt/
Definition: Excessively overweight or obese, with an unusually large body size and a significant amount of body fat.
Example Sentence: "The corpulent businessman took up two seats on the airplane."
Synonyms: beefy; bulky; burly; chubby; fleshy; large
Opposite Meaning: slim

culminate (verb) /ˈkʌlmɪneɪt/
Definition: To reach a peak, the highest point, or the conclusion of a development.
Example Sentence: "The school year will culminate in a graduation ceremony for the seniors."
Synonyms: climax; close; complete; conclude; crescendo; crown
Opposite Meaning: begin

cupidity (noun) /kjuːˈpɪdɪti/
Definition: A strong desire for wealth or material possessions, often to the point of greed or avarice.
Example Sentence: "The greed and cupidity of the company's executives led to the downfall of the business."
Synonyms: acquisitiveness; avarice; avidity; covetousness; gluttony; grasping
Opposite Meaning: generosity

demure (adjective) /dɪˈmjʊə/
Definition: Reserved, modest, and characterized by a quiet and composed demeanor.
Example Sentence: "Her demure attitude and soft-spoken manner made her popular with everyone."
Synonyms: bashful; coy; diffident; prim; reticent; sheepish
Opposite Meaning: bold

didactic (adjective) /dʌɪˈdaktɪk/
Definition: A tendency to teach or instruct, often in a formal or systematic way.
Example Sentence: "The teacher's didactic approach to teaching made the lesson boring and unengaging."
Synonyms: doctrinal; edifying; educational; enlightening; informative; instructive
Opposite Meaning: misleading

diurnal (adjective) /daɪˈɜrnəl/
Definition: Primarily active during the daylight hours or daytime, as opposed to the nighttime.
Example Sentence: "A diurnal predator, such as a hawk, relies on its eyesight to locate prey."
Synonyms: circadian; daily; daylight; daylit; daytime; matutinal
Opposite Meaning: nocturnal

droll (adjective) /drəʊl/
Definition: Amusing, whimsically humorous, or characterized by an offbeat, dry, or subtly witty sense of humor.
Example Sentence: "The comedian's droll delivery style made even the most mundane jokes funny."
Synonyms: amusing; comical; entertaining; facetious; ironic; jocular
Opposite Meaning: dull

elocution (noun) /ˌɛl əˈkyu ʃən/
Definition: The art or skill of public speaking or delivering speeches with clarity, fluency, and effectiveness.
Example Sentence: "Her elocution was impeccable, captivating the audience with her clear and resonant voice."
Synonyms: articulation; declamation; delivery; enunciation; expression; oration
Opposite Meaning: silence

equanimity (noun) /ˌiːkwəˈnɪmɪti/
Definition: Mental calmness, composure, and balance, especially in difficult or stressful situations.
Example Sentence: "He maintained resolute equanimity throught the prosecution's cross-examination."
Synonyms: aplomb; cool; impassivity; imperturbability; placidity; poise
Opposite Meaning: agitation

feral (adjective) /ˈfɛrəl
Definition: Having reverted to a wild or untamed state after having been domesticated or living in close association with humans.
Example Sentence: "The feral child had grown up in the wilderness, with no human contact."
Synonyms: savage; uncivilized; uncontrolled; uncultivated; undomesticated; untamed
Opposite Meaning: domesticated

funereal (adjective) /fjuːˈnɪəriəl/
Definition: Solemn, mournful, or reminiscent of a funeral or the rituals associated with death and grief.
Example Sentence: "His funereal expression conveyed his grief and sorrow."
Synonyms: elegiac; gloomy; grave; melancholy; mournful; sepulchral
Opposite Meaning: cheerful

garner (verb) /ˈɡɑːnə/
Definition: To gather or collect something, typically in a deliberate or systematic manner.
Example Sentence: "The campaign was able to garner support from the community."
Synonyms: amass; assemble; collect; corral; harvest; hoard
Opposite Meaning: scatter

gratuitous (adjective) /ɡrəˈtjuːɪtəs/
Definition: Unnecessary, excessive, or without reasonable justification.
Example Sentence: "He felt that the violence in the movie was gratuitous and unnecessary."
Synonyms: baseless; excessive; extraneous; groundless; inordinate; needless
Opposite Meaning: essential

heinous (adjective) /ˈheɪnəs/
Definition: Extremely wicked or evil, typically used to describe criminal acts or moral offenses.
Example Sentence: "The kidnapper's heinous actions left a lasting trauma on the victim."
Synonyms: abhorrent; abominable; atrocious; awful; despicable; detestable
Opposite Meaning: noble

heterogeneous (adjective) /ˌhɛt(ə)rəˈdʒiːnɪəs/
Definition: Diversity, variation, or a mixture of dissimilar elements.
Example Sentence: "The society was heterogeneous, composed of different classes and social groups."
Synonyms: assorted; contrasting; disparate; eclectic; incongruous; miscellaneous
Opposite Meaning: homogeneous

hoi-polloi (noun) /ˌhɔɪ pəˈlɔɪ/
Definition: The general populace, as opposed to the elite or the upper class.
Example Sentence: "The upscale neighborhood was far removed from the everyday life of the hoi polloi."
Synonyms: commoners; crowd; folk; masses; multitude; people
Opposite Meaning: elite

imbibe (verb) /ɪmˈbaɪb/
Definition: To drink or consume a liquid, typically referring to alcoholic beverages or other drinks.
Example Sentence: "The travelers stopped to imbibe some local wine at the vineyard."
Synonyms: consume; down; drink; gulp; guzzle; ingest
Opposite Meaning: abstain

incongruous (adjective) /ɪnˈkɒŋɡrʊəs/
Definition: Out of place, inconsistent, or incompatible within a particular context or situation.
Example Sentence: "The building's modern design was incongruous with the surrounding architecture."
Synonyms: conflicting; contradictory; contrary; discordant; discrepant; extraneous
Opposite Meaning: harmonious

incontrovertible (adjective) /ˌɪnkɒntrəˈvəːtɪb(ə)l/
Definition: Absolutely undeniable and beyond dispute or controversy.
Example Sentence: "The evidence was incontrovertible and proved the defendant's guilt."
Synonyms: absolute; certain; clear; conclusive; evident; indisputable
Opposite Meaning: debatable

indolent (adjective) /ˈɪndələnt/
Definition: Characterized by a tendency to avoid work, exertion, or activity, often due to a preference for ease and comfort.
Example Sentence: "The students were scolded for their indolent behavior in class."
Synonyms: apathetic; idle; inactive; lackadaisical; languid; lethargic
Opposite Meaning: diligent

intuition (noun) /ˌɪntjʊˈɪʃn/
Definition: The ability to understand or know something without the need for conscious reasoning.
Example Sentence: "He trusted his intuition and followed his gut feeling."
Synonyms: discernment; feeling; foresight; hunch; impression; inkling
Opposite Meaning: unawareness

juggernaut (noun) /ˈdʒʌɡənɔːt/
Definition: An overwhelming and unstoppable force or institution that advances or progresses with great power and intensity, often to the detriment of anything in its path.
Example Sentence: "The tech giant had become a juggernaut, dominating the industry with its products."
Synonyms: behemoth; bulldozer; colossus; Goliath; mammoth; monolith
Opposite Meaning: underdog

libel (noun) /ˈlʌɪbl/
Definition: A type of defamation that is written or published, as opposed to spoken.
Example Sentence: "She filed a libel suit against the newspaper for publishing false information about her."
Synonyms: aspersion; calumny; denigration; misrepresentation; obloquy; slander
Opposite Meaning: praise

lugubrious (adjective) /lʊˈɡuːbrɪəs/
Definition: Looking or sounding very sad, gloomy, over-serious, or mournful.
Example Sentence: "The funeral service had a lugubrious and somber atmosphere."
Synonyms: cheerless; forlorn; joyless; melancholy; miserable; morose
Opposite Meaning: cheerful

mellifluous (adjective) /məˈlɪf lu əs/
Definition: Exceptionally sweet, smooth, and melodious to the ear.
Example Sentence: "The poet's mellifluous words flowed like a gentle stream."
Synonyms: dulcet; euphonious; harmonious; mellow; melodious; musical
Opposite Meaning: cacophonous

meretricious (adjective) /ˌmɛrɪˈtrɪʃəs/
Definition: Superficially attractive or appealing but lacks real value or substance.
Example Sentence: "The meretricious smile hid the person's true intentions."
Synonyms: bogus; brazen; deceitful; false; hollow; insincere
Opposite Meaning: valuable

miasma (noun) /mɪˈazmə/
Definition: A noxious or foul-smelling vapor that hangs in the air, often associated with the presence of disease, decay, or pollution.
Example Sentence: "The sweltering heat created a miasma of sweat and humidity."
Synonyms: cloud; effluvium; fetor; haze; mephitis; odor
Opposite Meaning: freshness

neophyte (noun) /ˈniːə(ʊ)fʌɪt/
Definition: A person who is new to a particular field, subject, or activity and lacks experience or knowledge in it.
Example Sentence: "The neophyte was eager to learn about the company's products."
Synonyms: amateur; apprentice; beginner; fledgling; freshman; novice
Opposite Meaning: expert

nuptials (noun) /ˈnʌpʃl/
Definition: The ceremonial and celebratory events and customs associated with a wedding or marriage.
Example Sentence: "The nuptials were celebrated with a lavish reception at a fancy hotel."
Synonyms: betrothal; bond; bridal; ceremony; espousal; marriage
Opposite Meaning: divorce

oligarchy (noun) /ˈɒl ɪˌgɑr ki/
Definition: A form of government or social system in which power and control are held by a small group of individuals or families.
Example Sentence: "The oligarchy's policies favored the interests of the wealthy elite."
Synonyms: aristocracy; autocracy; cabal; dominance; elite; establishment
Opposite Meaning: democracy

onomatopoeia (noun) /ˌɒnəmatəˈpiːə/
Definition: The use of words that imitate the sounds they describe.
Example Sentence: "The onomatopoeia 'buzz' was used to describe the sound of the bees."
Synonyms: echoic; echoism; iconicity; imitation; imitative; mimetics
Opposite Meaning: silence

paragon (noun) /ˈparəɡ(ə)n/
Definition: A person or thing that is regarded as the embodiment of excellence, perfection, or an ideal standard in a particular category or quality.
Example Sentence: "The musician was a paragon of talent and dedication."
Synonyms: archetype; embodiment; epitome; exemplar; ideal; nonpareil
Opposite Meaning: flaw

pedantic (adjective) /pɪˈdantɪk/
Definition: Overly concerned with minor details, rules, or formalities, especially in an academic or intellectual context.
Example Sentence: "He was known for his pedantic adherence to the rules."
Synonyms: exacting; finicky; formalistic; hairsplitting; meticulous; monotonous
Opposite Meaning: imprecise

proscribe (verb) /proʊˈskraɪb/
Definition: To forbid or prohibit something officially, usually through a law or decree.
Example Sentence: "The company proscribe the use of company equipment for personal use."
Synonyms: ban; bar; blackball; disallow; embargo; enjoin
Opposite Meaning: permit

protocol (noun) /ˈprəʊtəkɒl/
Definition: An official set of procedures for what actions to take in a certain situation.
Example Sentence: "The protocol for handling hazardous materials must be strictly followed to prevent accidents."
Synonyms: agreement; code; convention; plan; policy; program
Opposite Meaning: improvisation

reciprocate (verb) /rɪˈsɪp rəˌkeɪt/
Definition: To respond or react in a similar or corresponding manner to a gesture, action, or sentiment that has been received from someone else.
Example Sentence: "I appreciate your kindness and will reciprocate the favor."
Synonyms: correspond; counter; equal; exchange; match; render
Opposite Meaning: ignore

relinquish (verb) /rɪˈlɪŋkwɪʃ/
Definition: To voluntarily give up, abandon, or surrender something, often a right, claim, possession, or responsibility.
Example Sentence: "The shareholders forced him to relinquish control of the company."
Synonyms: abandon; cede; forfeit; forgo; renounce; resign
Opposite Meaning: retain

reprehensible (adjective) /ˌrɛprɪˈhɛnsɪbl/
Definition: Deserving of condemnation, criticism, or disapproval.
Example Sentence: "The politician's behavior was reprehensible and he was forced to resign."
Synonyms: blameworthy; censurable; condemnable; deplorable; disgraceful; heinous
Opposite Meaning: admirable

schism (noun) /ˈsɪz(ə)m/
Definition: A division or split within a group or organization, often caused by a disagreement over beliefs or practices.
Example Sentence: "The schism in the music band led to the departure of several members."
Synonyms: breach; breakup; discord; disharmony; dispute; disunion
Opposite Meaning: unity

tenet (noun) /ˈtɛnɪt/
Definition: A principle, belief, or doctrine that is considered to be fundamental or essential.
Example Sentence: "The tenet of nonviolence is a fundamental principle of many religions."
Synonyms: canon; conviction; creed; maxim; opinion; principle
Opposite Meaning: disbelief

tenure (noun) /ˈtɛnjə/
Definition: The status or condition of holding a particular position, job, office, or property for an extended period, often with the expectation of permanence or security.
Example Sentence: "Her tenure as the company's CEO led to significant growth and innovation."
Synonyms: administration; incumbency; occupancy; ownership; regime; reign
Opposite Meaning: transience

tribulation (noun) /ˌtrɪbjʊˈleɪʃn/
Definition: A period of severe trouble, suffering, or distress that can be caused by various challenges, hardships, or adversities.
Example Sentence: "Overcoming personal tribulation is often a transformative experience."
Synonyms: adversity; blow; discomfort; grief; hardship; misfortune
Opposite Meaning: peace

wanton (adjective) /ˈwɒntən/
Definition: Characterized by or displaying a lack of restraint, control, or moral discipline.
Example Sentence: "The wanton disregard for safety was a cause for concern among the workers."
Synonyms: arbitrary; cruel; deliberate; malicious; needless; senseless
Opposite Meaning: disciplined