Kaplan GRE 400 words
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1.ABDICATE to give up a position, right, or
power
2.ABJURE to reject, abandon formally
3.ABLUTION act of cleansing
4.ABNEGATE to deny, renounce
32. BENISON blessing
33. BIFURCATE divide into two parts
34. BILIOUS easily irritated, relating to bile
35. BONHOMIE good-natured geniality; atmosphere
of good cheer
5. ABROGATE to abolish or invalidate by
authority
6. ABSTEMIOUS consuming moderately
7. ABSTRUSE difficult to comprehend
8. ABUT to touch, to be in contact with
9. ACERBIC bitter, sharp in taste or temper
10. ACME highest point, summit
11. ACQUIESCE to agree or comply in silence
12. ADROIT skillful, accomplished, highly
competent
13. ADUMBRATE to sketch, outline in a shadowy
way
14. AERIE nook or nest built high in the air
15. ALTRUISM unselfish concern for others'
welfare
16. AMBULATORY itinerant; walking around
17. AMORTIZE to diminish by installment
payments
18. ANCILLARY accessory, subordinate; helping
19. ANTEDILUVIAN prehistoric, ancient beyond
measure; coming before the
biblical flood
20. ANTHROPOMORPHIC attributing human qualities to
nonhumans; having human
qualities
21. APLOMB poise, confidence
22. APOSTATE one who renounces a religious
faith
23. APOTHEGM a short, instructive saying
24. APOTHEOSIS deification; glorified ideal
25. ARBOREAL relating to trees; living in trees
26. ASSIDUOUS diligent, persistent, hardworking
27. BACCHANALIAN drunkenly festive
28. BALK to refuse, shirk; prevent
29. BEATIFIC saintly, angelic
30. BEHEMOTH huge creature
31. BELIE to misrepresent; expose as false
36. BULWARK defense wall; anything serving as
defense
37. CAJOLE to flatter, coax, persuade
38. CALAMITOUS disastrous, catastrophic
39. CALUMNY false and malicious accusation,
misrepresentation,slander
40. CANARD a lie
41. CAROM to strike and rebound
42. CAVALCADE a procession
43. CHAGRIN shame, embarrassment, humiliation
44. CHARLATAN quack, fake
45. CHATTEL piece of personal property
46. CHIMERICAL fanciful, imaginary, visionary;
impossible
47. CHOLERIC easily angered, short-tempered
48. CHURLISH rude
49. CISTERN tank for rainwater
50. COALESCE to grow together; cause to unite as
one
51. COFFER strongbox, large chest for money
52. COGNOMEN family name; any name, especially a
nickname
53. COMELINESS physical grace and beauty
54. COMMODIOUS roomy, spacious
55. COMPUNCTIOUS feeling guilty or having misgivings
56. CONCILIATORY overcoming distrust or hostility
57. CONFLAGRATION big, destructive fire
58. CONGENIAL similar in tastes and habits
59. CONSANGUINEOUS of the same origin; related by blood
60. CONTENTIOUS quarrelsome, disagreeable,
belligerent
61. CONTUMACIOUS rebellious
62. CORPULENCE obesity, fatness, bulkiness
63. CORRUGATE to mold in a shape with parallel
grooves and ridges
65. COTERIE small group of persons with a similar
purpose
66. COVEN group of witches
67. CURMUDGEON cranky person
68. DECLIVITY downward slope
69. DELETERIOUS harmful, destructive, detrimental
70. DELUGE flood
71. DEMAGOGUE leader or rabble-rouser who usually uses
appeals to emotion or prejudice
72. DENIGRATE to slur or blacken someone's reputation
73. DESCRY to discover or reveal
74. DIAPHANOUS allowing light to show through; delicate
75. DICTUM authoritative statement; popular saying
76. DIDACTIC excessively instructive
77. DILUVIAL relating to a flood
78. DIMINUTIVE small
79. DISCOMFIT to cause perplexity and embarrassment
80. DISTAFF the female branch of a family
81. DITHER to move or act confusedly or without clear
purpose
82. DIURNAL daily
83. DOCTRINAIRE rigidly devoted to theories
84. DOLOR sadness
85. DOUGHTY courageous
86. DROLL amusing in a wry, subtle way
87. DYSPEPTIC suffering from indigestion; gloomy and
irritable
88. EBULLIENT exhilarated, full of enthusiasm and high
spirits
89. EFFLUVIA outpouring of gases or vapors
90. EFFULGENT brilliantly shining
91. EGREGIOUS conspicuously bad
92. EMEND to correct a text
93. EMOLLIENT having soothing qualities, esp. for skin
94. ENCOMIUM warm praise
95. ENDEMIC belonging to a particular area, inherent
96. ENNUI boredom, lack of interest and energy
97. EPICURE person with refined taste in food and wine
98. EPITOME representative of an entire group; summary
99. ERSATZ fake
100. ESCHEW to abstain from, avoid
101. EVINCE to show clearly, display, signify
102. EXORCISE to expel evil spirits
103. EXPATIATE to wander; to discuss or describe at
length
104. EXPIATE to atone for, make amends for
105. EXPUNGE to erase, eliminate completely
106. EXPURGATE to censor
107. EXTEMPORANEOUS unrehearsed, on the spur of the
moment
108. EXTOL to praise
109. EXTRAPOLATE to estimate
110. FACETIOUS witty in an inappropriate way
111. FATUOUS stupid; smugly foolish;
unconsciously foolish
112. FEALTY intense loyalty
113. FECUND fertile, fruitful, productive
114. FETID foul-smelling, putrid
115. FEY doomed
116. FILCH to steal
117. FILIAL appropriate for a child
118. FLACCID limp, flabby, weak
119. FOLIATE to grow, sprout leaves
120. FORSWEAR to repudiate, renounce, disclaim,
reject
121. FRACAS noisy dispute
122. FRACTIOUS unruly, rebellious
123. FRENETIC wildly frantic, frenzied, hectic
124. FULMINATE to explode with anger
125. FULSOME excessive, overdone, sickeningly
abundant
126. FURTIVE secret, stealthy
127. GAINSAY to deny
128. GAMBOL to dance or skip around playfully
129. GAUCHE crude, socially awkward
130. GERMINATE to begin to grow (as in a seed or
idea)
131. GIBE to make heckling, taunting remarks
132. GLIB fluent in an insincere manner;
offhand, casual
134. GRANDILOQUENCE pompous talk, fancy but
meaningless language
135. GRATUITOUS free, voluntary; unnecessary and
unjustified
136. GUSTATORY relating to sense of taste
137. HACKNEYED worn out by over-use
138. HARANGUE a pompous speech
139. HEGEMONY leadership, domination, usually by a
country
140. HERETICAL opposed to an established religious
orthodoxy
141. HERMETIC tightly sealed
142. HOARY very old; whitish or gray from age
143. HUSBAND to farm; manage carefully and
thriftily
144. IDIOSYNCRASY peculiarity of temperament,
eccentricity
145. IGNOMINIOUS disgraceful and dishonorable
146. ILK type or kind
147. ILLUSORY unreal, deceptive
148. IMBUE to infuse; dye; wet, moisten
149. IMPECUNIOUS poor, having no money
150. IMPERIOUS arrogantly self-assured,
domineering, overbearing
151. IMPOLITIC unwise
152. IMPROMPTU spontaneous, without rehearsal
153. IMPUGN to call into question, attack verbally
154. INCARNATE having bodily form
155. INCENDIARY combustible, flammable, burning
easily
156. INCULCATE to teach; impress in the mind
157. INCULPATE to blame; charge with a crime
158. INDEFATIGABLE never tired
159. INDIGENT very poor
160. INDOLENT habitually lazy, idle
161. INDUBITABLE unquestionable
162. INERT unable to move, tending to inactivity
163. INFALLIBLE incapable of making a mistake
164. INGENIOUS original, clever, inventive
165. INGRATIATE to bring oneself purposely into
another's good graces
166. INGRESS entrance
167. INNUENDO indirect and subtle criticism,
insinuation
168. INSIDIOUS sly, treacherous, devious
169. INSUPERABLE insurmountable, unconquerable
170. INTERDICT to forbid, prohibit
171. INTERLOCUTOR someone taking part in a dialogue
172. INTERLOPER trespasser; meddler in others' affairs
173. INTERNECINE deadly to both sides
174. INTERPOLATE to insert; change by adding new words
or material
175. INTERSTICE a space between things
176. INTIMATION clue, suggestion
177. INTREPID fearless
178. INTRINSIC inherent, internal
179. INURE to harden; accustom; become used to
180. INVETERATE confirmed, long-standing, deeply
rooted
181. INVIDIOUS likely to provoke ill will, offensive
182. ITINERANT wandering from place to place,
unsettled
183. JIBE to shift suddenly from one side to the
other
184. JINGOISM belligerent support of one's country
185. JOCULAR jovial, playful, humorous
186. JUGGERNAUT huge force destroying everything in its
path
187. JURISPRUDENCE philosophy of law
188. KISMET fate
189. KNELL sound of a funeral bell; omen of death
or failure
190. LACHRYMOSE tearful
191. LAMBASTE disapprove angrily
192. LAPIDARY relating to precious stones
193. LARGESS generosity; gift
194. LASSITUDE lethargy, sluggishness
195. LEGERDEMAIN trickery
196. LEVITY humor, frivolity, gaiety
197. LEXICON dictionary, list of words
198. LIBIDINOUS lustful
199. LICENTIOUS immoral; unrestrained by society
201. LINIMENT medicinal liquid used externally to ease
pain
202. LIONIZE to treat as a celebrity
203. LISSOME easily flexed, limber, agile
204. LUGUBRIOUS sorrowful, mournful
205. MACABRE gruesome, producing horror
206. MACHINATION plot or scheme
207. MALAPROPISM humorous misuse of a word
208. MALEVOLENT ill-willed; causing evil or harm to others
209. MANIFOLD diverse, varied; comprised of many parts
210. MARTINET strict disciplinarian; one who rigidly
follows rules
211. MAUDLIN overly sentimental
212. MAWKISH sickeningly sentimental
213. MEGALOMANIA mental state with delusions of wealth
and power
214. MENDACIOUS dishonest
215. MENDICANT beggar
216. MERCURIAL quick, shrewd, and unpredictable
217. MERITORIOUS deserving reward or praise
218. MINATORY menacing, threatening
219. MNEMONIC relating to memory; designed to assist
memory
220. MOLT to shed hair, skin, or an outer layer
periodically
221. MORDACIOUS caustic, biting
222. MOTE small particle, speck
223. MULTIFARIOUS diverse
224. MUNIFICENT generous
225. NADIR lowest point
226. NASCENT starting to develop, coming into
existence
227. NEBULOUS vague, cloudy
228. NECROMANCY black magic
229. NEFARIOUS vicious, evil
230. NEOLOGISM new word or expression
231. NEOPHYTE novice, beginner
232. NIHILISM belief that existence and all traditional
values are meaningless
233. NOISOME stinking, putrid
234. NOXIOUS harmful, unwholesome
235. NUMISMATICS coin collecting
236. OBFUSCATE to confuse, obscure
237. OBSTREPEROUS troublesome, boisterous, unruly
238. OMNIPOTENT having unlimited power
239. OMNISCIENT having infinite knowledge
240. OSCILLATE to move back and forth
241. OUSTER expulsion, ejection
242. PAEAN a song of praise or thanksgiving
243. PALLIATE to make less serious, ease
244. PANACEA cure-all
245. PANEGYRIC elaborate praise; formal hymn of praise
246. PANOPLY impressive array
247. PARLEY discussion, usually between enemies
248. PAROCHIAL of limited scope or outlook, provincial
249. PARSIMONY stinginess
250. PASTICHE piece of literature or music imitating
other works
251. PAUCITY scarcity, lack
252. PECCADILLO minor sin or offense
253. PECULATION theft of money or goods
254. PENCHANT inclination
255. PENULTIMATE next to last
256. PENUMBRA partial shadow
257. PERAMBULATE walk about
258. PERIPHRASTIC using circumlocution
259. PERNICIOUS very harmful
260. PERSPICACIOUS shrewd, astute, keen-witted
261. PERTINACIOUS persistent, stubborn
262. PHALANX massed group of soldiers, people, or
things
263. PHILISTINE narrow-minded person, someone
lacking appreciation for art or culture
264. PLAIT to braid
265. PLANGENT resounding; plaintive
266. PLAUDIT applause
267. PNEUMATIC relating to air; worked by compressed air
268. POLEMIC controversy, argument; verbal attack
269. POLYGLOT speaker of many languages
270. POSIT to put in position; to suggest an idea
272. PRECURSOR forerunner, predecessor
273. PREDILECTION preference, liking
274. PRESCIENT having foresight
275. PRIVATION lack of usual necessities or comforts
276. PROBITY honesty, high-mindedness
277. PROGENITOR originator, forefather, ancestor in a
direct line
278. PROGNOSTICATE to predict
279. PROLIFIC productive, fertile
280. PROLIX tedious; wordy
281. PROMULGATE to make known publicly
282. PROPINQUITY nearness
283. PROPITIOUS favorable, advantageous
284. PROSELYTIZE to induce someone to convert to a
particular belief or religion
285. PROSTRATE lying face downward, lying flat on the
ground
286. PROTAGONIST main character in a play or story,
hero
287. PROVIDENT prudent, frugal
288. PROVINCIAL rustic, unsophisticated, limited in
scope
289. PRURIENT lustful, exhibiting lewd desires
290. PUERILE childish, immature, silly
291. PULCHRITUDE beauty
292. PUNDIT an authority or critic
293. PUSILLANIMOUS cowardly
294. QUERULOUS inclined to complain, irritable
295. QUOTIDIAN occurring daily; commonplace
296. RACONTEUR a witty, skillful storyteller
297. RAILLERY lighthearted jesting
298. RANCOR bitter hatred
299. RAPACIOUS greedy; predatory
300. RAPPROCHEMENT reestablishing a cordial relationship
301. RAZE to tear down, demolish
302. RECALCITRANT resisting authority or control
303. RECIDIVISM tendency to repeat previous behavior
304. RECONDITE relating to obscure learning; known
to only a few
305. RECREANT disloyal; cowardly
306. REDRESS relief from wrong or injury
307. REJOINDER response
308. RENEGE to go back on one's word
309. RENITENT resisting pressure, obstinate
310. REPAST meal
311. REPROBATE morally unprincipled person
312. REQUITE to return or repay
313. RESPITE interval of relief
314. RESTIVE impatient, uneasy, restless
315. RETINUE group of attendants with an important
person
316. REVELRY boisterous festivity
317. RIBALD humorous in a vulgar way
318. RIPOSTE a retort
319. ROCOCO very highly ornamented
320. ROTUND round in shape; fat
321. RUMINATE to contemplate, reflect upon
322. SACROSANCT extremely sacred; beyond criticism
323. SAGACIOUS shrewd, wise
324. SALACIOUS lustful
325. SALUBRIOUS healthful
326. SANGUINE ruddy; cheerfully optimistic
327. SAPIENT wise
328. SCABBARD sheath for sword or dagger
329. SCINTILLA very small amount
330. SCINTILLATE to sparkle, flash
331. SCURRILOUS vulgar, low, indecent
332. SEDITION behavior promoting rebellion
333. SENESCENT aging, growing old
334. SENTIENT aware, conscious, able to perceive
335. SEPULCHRAL typical of a place of burial
336. SERAPHIC angelic, pure, sublime
337. SHIRK to avoid a task due to laziness or fear
338. SIMPER to smirk, smile foolishly
339. SINECURE well-paying job or office that requires little
or no work
340. SINUOUS winding; intricate, complex
341. SLAKE to quench or moderate
342. SLOVENLY untidy, messy
344. SOLECISM grammatical mistake
345. SOLIPSISM belief that the self is the only reality
346. SOMNAMBULIST sleepwalker
347. SONOROUS producing a full, rich sound
348. SOPHIST person good at arguing deviously
349. SPORTIVE frolicsome, playful
350. SQUALID filthy; morally repulsive
351. STAID self-restrained, strait-laced
352. STENTORIAN extremely loud
353. STRIATE striped, grooved
354. STRINGENT imposing severe, rigorous standards
355. STYMIE to block or thwart
356. SUBTERFUGE trick or tactic used to avoid something
357. SULLY to soil, stain, tarnish; taint
358. SUPERCILIOUS arrogant, haughty, overbearing,
condescending
359. SURLY rude and bad-tempered
360. SURREPTITIOUS characterized by secrecy
361. SYBARITE person devoted to pleasure and luxury
362. SYCOPHANT self-serving flatterer, yes-man
363. SYNCOPATION temporary irregularity in musical
rhythm
364. TABLEAU vivid description, striking incident or
scene
365. TALISMAN something producing a magical effect
366. TANTAMOUNT equivalent in value or significance;
amounting to
367. TEMERITY recklessness
368. TEMPORAL relating to time; chronological
369. TENABLE defensible, reasonable
370. TENET belief, doctrine
371. TENUOUS weak, insubstantial
372. THRENODY a sad poem or song
373. TRAMMEL to impede or hamper
374. TRENCHANT acute, sharp, incisive; forceful, effective
375. TRITE shallow, superficial
376. TRUCULENT savage and cruel; fierce; ready to fight
377. TURGID swollen, bloated
378. TURPITUDE inherent vileness, foulness, depravity
379. TYRO beginner, novice
380. UMBRAGE offense, resentment
381. UNCTUOUS greasy, oily; smug and falsely earnest
382. UNFETTERED free, unrestrained
383. UNSULLIED clean
384. UNTOWARD not favorable; unruly
385. URBANE courteous, refined, suave
386. USURY lending money at exorbitant rates
387. VACUOUS empty, void; lacking intelligence,
purposeless
388. VARIEGATED varied; marked with different colors
389. VIRILE manly, having qualities of an adult male
390. VISCOUS thick, syrupy, and sticky
391. VITIATE reduce in value or effectiveness
392. VITRIOLIC burning, caustic; sharp, bitter
393. VITUPERATE to abuse verbally
394. VOCIFEROUS loud, vocal, and noisy
395. VOLUBLE speaking much and easily, talkative; glib
396. WASPISH easily irritated
397. WIZENED withered, shriveled, wrinkled
398. WRAITH a ghost
399. XENOPHOBIA fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers
