GRE Words In Context

The Complete List

Vibrant Publishers

• Publisher: Vibrant Publishers
• Year: 2022
• ISBN:
  9781636510521
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Study Aids
• Subtopic: Study Guides

• 1500 GRE - level vocabulary words

• Three to five example sentences for each word

• Parts of speech, synonyms and dictionary definitions for each word

• Word List unlike any you have seen before!

Performing well in the Verbal Reasoning section of the GRE requires a strong working knowledge of the vocabulary that appears in the questions. Our Word List takes each vocabulary word through its paces, denoting its part of speech, synonyms for its various contexts, it's descriptive meaning, and, most importantly, THREE (3) to FIVE (5) sentences using the word in its varied contexts. When appropriate, those varied contexts include both literal and figurative uses of the word.

The goal of entrance exams, like the GRE, is to anticipate the test-taker's likelihood of success in the field into which they seek entry. Thus, the "long view" of mastering sophisticated vocabulary is that doing so will not only help you prepare for the GRE, but will simultaneously prepare you for what lies ahead. By the end of this book, you will have a fully-functioning, high-level vocabulary that will help you ace the GRE and prepare you for success in your graduate experience and in all aspects of life.

About Test Prep Series

The focus of the Test Prep Series is to make test preparation streamlined and fruitful for competitive exam aspirants. Students preparing for the entrance exams now have access to the most comprehensive series of prep guides for GRE, GMAT and SAT preparation. All the books in this series are thoroughly researched, frequently updated, and packed with relevant content that has been prepared by authors with more than a decade of experience in the field.

Word List 1

Chapter 1

Aberration – Banal

This chapter covers the following words, each with its part of speech, pronunciation, and descriptive meaning.

Usage of the word is also illustrated in three to five sample sentences.

aberration abolish abominable aboriginal abortive absolve abusive abyss accommodate acknowledge acme adherent adjacent adjutant adorn advent advert affirmation affront agape

agenda aghast agitate alienate amass amend amorphous amphibian amputate anchor animated annex anomaly anthropoid apex apologist appellation arbiter arrogance ashen

aspirant assay assessment assimilate astronomical avid bait balk balm banal

ABERRATION (n) [ab-uh-REY-shuh n]

Meaning: abnormality; the act of departing from the normal

Usage 1: Her willingness to work in a group is an aberration; she is usually a loner.

Usage 2: There appears to be an aberration in the data that no one can explain.

Usage 3: His course was determined and he would tolerate no aberration.

Usage 4: You must order straight from the menu, with no aberration or modification.

Usage 5: Can you find the aberration in that homogeneous group?

ABOLISH (v) [uh-BOL-ish]

Meaning: cancel; to put an end to

Usage 1: We hope they abolish the practice of imprisoning people for their political views.

Usage 2: To abolish slavery is an essential requirement of all modern societies.

Usage 3: Some people believe that no form of death penalty is acceptable, and we should abolish it entirely.

Usage 4: I advocate that we abolish the use of cell phones on all types of public transportation.

Usage 5: If we abolish the legal right to own a gun, what will be the effect?

ABOMINABLE (adj) [uh-BOM-uh-nuh-buh l]

Meaning: detestable; extremely unpleasant; worthy of causing disgust

Usage 1: Her treatment of her younger siblings is abominable; there is no way I’d ask her to babysit.

Usage 2: That abominable woman rudely interrupted me again!

Usage 3: The conditions at the cabin in the mountains were abominable; it hadn’t been inhabited for years.

Usage 4: Your snowman is abominable; he has no eyes, nose, or mouth!

Usage 5: Don’t you agree that the odor of dead fish at the fish market is abominable?

ABORIGINAL (adj) [ab-uh-RIJ-uh-nl]

Meaning: being the first of its kind in a region; original or earliest known

Usage 1: The pottery of this area’s aboriginal inhabitants is exquisitely beautiful.

Usage 2: I was fascinated by our study of the island’s animals, including those that were aboriginal.

Usage 3: The dark jungle looked primeval, filled as it was with aboriginal plants and animals.

Usage 4: The aboriginal people of the area must have thought the settlers were crazy.

Usage 5: How do their aboriginal practices influence their modern customs and traditions?

ABORTIVE (adj) [uh-BAWR-tiv]

Meaning: unsuccessful; fruitless; failing to succeed

Usage 1: There were several abortive attempts to start a rocket program, but none was successful.

Usage 2: The rebel insurgence was abortive and was quickly brought down.

Usage 3: She refused to believe the student demonstration would be abortive, but the rest of us knew it would fail.

Usage 4: After my abortive effort to make homemade chocolate truffles, I decided store-bought ones were superior.

Usage 5: I hear you made an abortive trip to Alaska; what happened?

ABSOLVE (v) [ab-ZOLV]

Meaning: pardon (an offense); exonerate; exculpate; to pronounce free from guilt or blame

Usage 1: One goal of confession is to allow a priest to absolve a sinner from his/her sins.

Usage 2: I refuse to absolve you for the hurtful comments you made.

Usage 3: You think your good deeds will somehow absolve you from all your misdeeds, but you’re wrong.

Usage 4: There would be no need to absolve you if you didn’t do anything wrong in the first place.

Usage 5: Did she finally absolve him of the accusations that he was unfaithful?

ABUSIVE (adj) [uh-BYOO-siv]

Meaning: coarsely insulting; physically harmful; harsh or injurious; using harsh language

Usage 1: Her abusive behavior towards her peers ended in a fight.

Usage 2: I know you are angry, but please refrain from using abusive language.

Usage 3: That use of power is abusive; surely we can find another way to accomplish our goals.

Usage 4: Chocolate and I have an abusive relationship; I can’t resist its decadence.

Usage 5: Is she afraid because he has been an abusive husband?

ABYSS (n) [uh-BIS]

Meaning: enormous chasm; a deep, immeasurable space

Usage 1: The earthquake caused the ground to separate and form an abyss.

Usage 2: The volcano experts crept towards the edge of the opening and stared down into the abyss.

Usage 3: He has fallen into an abyss of sadness.

Usage 4: I am not only out of money; my wallet has become a gaping abyss.

Usage 5: Is that abyss bottomless?

ACCOMMODATE (v) [uh-KOM-uh-deyt]

Meaning: oblige or help someone; to provide suitably

Usage 1: We hope they can accommodate this request, even though it is an unusual one.

Usage 2: I fail to see why we need to accommodate their interests; they are not even trying to comprom...