1-5
(adjective): open and honest
The mayor, despite his avuncular face plastered about the city, was hardly aboveboard -- some
concluded that it was his ingratiating smile that allowed him to engage in corrupt behavior and get away
with it.
aboveboard
(adjective): extremely bad
Coach Ramsey took his newest player off the field after watching a few painful minutes of her abysmal
performance.
abysmal
(noun): the highest point of achievement.
The new Cessna airplanes will be the acme of comfort, offering reclining seats and ample legroom.
acme
(verb): speak, plead, or argue in favor of
While the senator privately approved of gay marriage, he was unwilling to advocate for the cause in a
public venue.
advocate
(noun): a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
Martin Luther King Jr. was a tireless advocate for the rights of African-Americans in the United States.Â
This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE
advocate
(adjective): to have a very strong desire for revenge
Though the other girl had only lightly poked fun of Vanessa's choice in attire, Vanessa was so vindictive
that she waited for an entire semester to get the perfect revenge.
vindictive
(adjective): unpredictable; strange and unconventional
It came as no surprise to pundits that the President's attempt at re-election floundered; even during his
term, support for his policies was erratic, with an approval rating jumping anywhere from 30 to 60
percent.
Erratic
(verb): to formally charge or accuse of wrong-doing
The bankrobber was indicted on several major charges, including possession of a firearm
indict
(noun): an abusive rant (often tedious)
Joey had difficulty hanging out with his former best friend Perry, who, during his entire cup of coffee,
enumerated all of the government's deficiencies--only to break ranks and launch into some screed
against big business.
screed
(verb): to spellbind or enthrall
The plot and the characters were so well developed that many viewers were mesmerized, unable to
move their eyes from the screen for even a single second.
mesmerize
(verb): expel from a community, residence, or location; drive away
The most difficult part of the fast was banishing thoughts of food.
This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE
banish
(adjective): involved in argument or contention
These days we are never short of a D.C. politician embroiled in scandal--a welcome phenomenon for
those who, having barely finished feasting on the sordid details of one imbroglio, can sink their teeth into
a fresh one.
embroiled
(verb): to read very carefully
Instead of perusing important documents, people all too often rush to the bottom of the page and
plaster their signatures at the bottom.
peruse.
(adjective): appropriate, and matches nicely
Her dress was becoming and made her look even more beautiful.
This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE
becoming
(verb): to read very carefully
Instead of perusing important documents, people all too often rush to the bottom of the page and
plaster their signatures at the bottom.
peruse
(adjective): very hungry; approaching an activity with gusto
Steven was a voracious reader, sometimes finishing two novels in the same day.
voracious
(adjective): wealthy
The center of the city had sadly become a pit of penury, while, only five miles away, multi-million dollar
homes spoke of affluence.
affluent
(verb): lessen the importance, dignity, or reputation of
A good teacher will never belittle his students, but will instead empower them.
belittle
(adjective): likeable; easy to talk to
For all his surface affability, Marco was remarkably glum when he wasn't around other people
affable
(adjective): to be shy, and to be inclined to retract from company
Nelson was always the first to leave soirees--rather than mill about with "fashionable" folk, he was
retiring, and preferred the solitude of his garret.
retiring
(adjective): to be negligent in one"s duty
Remiss in his duty to keep the school functioning efficiently, the principle was relieved of his position
after only three months.
Remiss
(adjective): significant and revealing of another factor
Her unbecoming dress was very telling when it came to her sense of fashion.
telling
(noun): a person who doesn't like to spend money (because they are greedy)
Monte was no miser, but was simply frugal, wisely spending the little that he earned.
miser
(noun): the peak or highest point
After hiking for two days, the climbers finally reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
summit
(verb): to pursue relentlessly; to hound
Throughout his life, he was dogged by insecurities that inhibited personal growth.
This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE
dog