Advanced Words
These 12 words are the tier that separates a solid GRE verbal score from an exceptional one.
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Look for the Latin roots you may already recognize โ "prevaricate" shares a root with "varicose", both about a bending or twisting away.
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Swap question and answerostensible
appearing or claiming to be true, but not necessarily so
The ostensible reason for the delay was weather, though rumors suggested otherwise.
perpetuate
to make something continue indefinitely
The policy only perpetuated the inequality it claimed to fix.
prevaricate
to speak evasively or misleadingly, to avoid telling the truth directly
He prevaricated when asked directly about the missing funds.
repudiate
to reject or refuse to accept something as valid
She repudiated the claims made against her.
spurious
false or fake, though appearing genuine
The studyโs conclusions were based on spurious data.
taciturn
reserved or uncommunicative in speech, saying little
He grew more taciturn as the meeting went on.
transient
lasting only a short time, temporary
The pain was transient and faded within an hour.
unprecedented
never done or known before
The company reported unprecedented growth this year.
vindicate
to clear someone of blame after they were accused, or to prove a claim correct
New evidence eventually vindicated the accused man.
zealous
having or showing great energy or enthusiasm for a cause
She was a zealous advocate for environmental reform.
capricious
given to sudden, unpredictable changes in mood or behavior
The weather in the mountains can be capricious.
didactic
intended to teach or instruct, often excessively moralizing
The film felt more didactic than entertaining.
What to learn next
Next: Level 3, "The Hardest Tier" โ the words that appear on almost every "hardest GRE words" list.
Continue to Level 3: The Hardest Tier โ