Today's GRE Vocabulary
Master these 10 high-frequency GRE words. Each word includes definition, usage, and a memory trick.
audacious (adjective)
Definition: showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks; showing an impudent lack of respect.
"The entrepreneur's audacious plan to launch a new tech company during a recession stunned investors."
💡 Mnemonic: Think of someone being 'auditory' about their bold ideas - they loudly proclaim their daring actions.
benevolent (adjective)
Definition: well meaning and kindly; serving the cause of happiness and well-being.
"The benevolent king was beloved by his subjects for his generous policies and fair rule."
💡 Mnemonic: Benevolent sounds like 'beneath' the 'velvet' glove of kindness. It's a kind and gentle intention.
conflagration (noun)
Definition: an extensive and fierce fire.
"The wildfire spread rapidly, turning the once-lush forest into a raging conflagration."
💡 Mnemonic: Imagine a 'flag' waving wildly in a massive 'fire' - a conflagration.
disseminate (verb)
Definition: to spread or disperse widely.
"The scientists worked to disseminate their findings about the new vaccine to the global medical community."
💡 Mnemonic: To 'disseminate' information, you need to 'dis' (away) and 'seminate' (scatter seeds) of knowledge.
expurgate (verb)
Definition: to remove matter thought to be objectionable or unsuitable from (a book or other written work).
"The editor was tasked with expurgating the sensitive passages from the historical document before publication."
💡 Mnemonic: Think of 'ex' (out) and 'purging' (cleaning) the text of unwanted parts.
furtive (adjective)
Definition: attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive.
"He cast furtive glances at his watch, hoping his boss wouldn't notice he was planning to leave early."
💡 Mnemonic: Someone being 'furtive' is trying to 'fur' (hide) themselves from view.
ignominious (adjective)
Definition: deserving or causing public disgrace or shame.
"The team's humiliating defeat was an ignominious end to their otherwise successful season."
💡 Mnemonic: Imagine someone named 'Iggy' who brought 'ominous' shame upon himself. Iggy-nominious.
mendacious (adjective)
Definition: not telling the truth; lying.
"The politician's mendacious campaign promises were eventually exposed, leading to public outrage."
💡 Mnemonic: Someone who is 'mendacious' is always 'mending' (fixing) their lies, always trying to cover them up.
obsequious (adjective)
Definition: obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree.
"The intern's obsequious behavior towards the CEO, constantly agreeing with everything he said, was off-putting."
💡 Mnemonic: Think of someone who is 'ob-sequious' - they are 'ob-sessed' with being 'sequel-like' to their boss, always following their lead too closely.
prodigal (adjective)
Definition: spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant.
"The prodigal heir quickly squandered his inheritance on lavish parties and fast cars."
💡 Mnemonic: The 'prodigal' son spent his 'prodigious' wealth like it was a 'god-all' resource, meaning he spent it all.
