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; to improve
"The aid organization worked to ameliorate the living conditions in the war-torn region."
💡 Mnemonic: Think of 'better' in 'ameliorate'. It sounds like 'am I better?' when you're improving something.
gainsay (verb)
Definition: to deny or contradict
"No one could gainsay the evidence presented against the defendant."
💡 Mnemonic: Imagine 'gaining say' – if you gain the ability to speak against something, you're contradicting it.
equivocate (verb)
Definition: to use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself
"When questioned about his involvement, the politician began to equivocate."
💡 Mnemonic: Think of 'equal vote' – someone equivocating is trying to give an equal (ambiguous) impression to all sides.
deleterious (adjective)
Definition: causing harm or damage
"The long-term effects of the pollution proved to be deleterious to the local ecosystem."
💡 Mnemonic: Sounds like 'delete'-erious. It's something that deletes or destroys good things.
fastidious (adjective)
Definition: very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail; very concerned about cleanliness
"The fastidious editor caught every single grammatical error in the manuscript."
💡 Mnemonic: Think of a 'fast' and 'idious' (like 'hideous' from being messy) person who is extremely neat and precise.
bellicose (adjective)
Definition: demonstrating aggression and willingness to fight
"His bellicose attitude made him an unpopular negotiator."
💡 Mnemonic: Sounds like 'believe in war' – someone bellicose is ready for a fight.
insidious (adjective)
Definition: proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects
"The insidious spread of misinformation began to undermine public trust."
💡 Mnemonic: Think of 'in-sidious' – something that sneaks *in* and is *sinister*.
prodigal (adjective)
Definition: spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant
"The prodigal heir quickly squandered his entire inheritance."
💡 Mnemonic: Rhymes with 'god-al', as in 'spending like a god' – lavishly and without care.
ostentatious (adjective)
Definition: characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice
"His ostentatious display of wealth included a solid gold toilet."
💡 Mnemonic: Think of 'ostrich' – they stick their heads out in a way that's meant to be noticed, often without much substance.
erudite (adjective)
Definition: having or showing great knowledge or learning
"The erudite professor could discuss ancient philosophy for hours."
💡 Mnemonic: Sounds like 'ear to diet' – someone who is constantly learning and listening to new information, like they're on a 'diet' of knowledge.
