Today's GRE Vocabulary
Master these 10 high-frequency GRE words. Each word includes definition, usage, and a memory trick.
ameliorate (verb)
Definition: to make something better; improve
"The government implemented new policies to ameliorate the economic hardships faced by the citizens."
💡 Mnemonic: Think of 'ameliorate' sounding like 'a million rates' improving, making things better.
chicanery (noun)
Definition: trickery or deception, especially by the use of words or legal or political maneuvering
"The lawyer was known for his legal chicanery, often finding loopholes to get his clients acquitted."
💡 Mnemonic: Imagine a 'chicken' trying to 'chicanery' its way out of a coop.
gregarious (adjective)
Definition: fond of company; sociable
"Her gregarious nature made her the life of every party."
💡 Mnemonic: Someone who is 'great' and 'various' people is gregarious.
obfuscate (verb)
Definition: to make unclear, obscure, or unintelligible
"The politician attempted to obfuscate the issue by using complex jargon and irrelevant statistics."
💡 Mnemonic: To 'obfuscate' is to make something 'off-the-fuse' and confusing.
capitulate (verb)
Definition: to cease to resist an opponent or demand; surrender
"After a long siege, the fortress was forced to capitulate."
💡 Mnemonic: Imagine a 'cap' being thrown down in surrender, 'capitulate'.
salient (adjective)
Definition: most noticeable or important; prominent
"The salient points of the research paper were highlighted in the executive summary."
💡 Mnemonic: Think of a 'sailboat' being very visible and prominent on the water, 'salient'.
ephemeral (adjective)
Definition: lasting for a very short time
"The beauty of the cherry blossoms is ephemeral, lasting only a few weeks each spring."
💡 Mnemonic: An 'elephant' might seem large, but its time in the spotlight can be 'ephemeral'.
deleterious (adjective)
Definition: causing harm or damage
"The long-term effects of the pollution were found to be deleterious to public health."
💡 Mnemonic: Sounds like 'delete-erious,' as in something that deletes or harms.
proclivity (noun)
Definition: a tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination or predisposition
"He had a proclivity for taking risks, which often led him into trouble."
💡 Mnemonic: Imagine a 'pro' golfer's 'clivity' (activity) is to practice, showing a tendency.
bellicose (adjective)
Definition: demonstrating aggression and willingness to fight
"The dictator's bellicose rhetoric further escalated tensions with neighboring countries."
💡 Mnemonic: Think of 'bell' (war) and 'cos' (like 'cause'), suggesting a cause for war or fighting.
