Test prep

GMAT vocabulary words for test prep

This list is for GMAT test-takers who want to strengthen the advanced vocabulary that shows up in Verbal Reasoning passages and sentence correction questions. Study each word's precise meaning, since GMAT questions often hinge on subtle differences between similar-sounding choices.

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GMAT vocabulary words for test prep

Word	Meaning	In a sentence
ambiguousadjective	Open to more than one reasonable interpretation.	The ambiguous instruction left us unsure which door to use.
ameliorateverb	To make a harmful or difficult situation better.	The extra bus service should ameliorate crowding during the morning rush.
arbitraryadjective	Based on random choice or personal whim rather than any reason, system, or law.	The fine seemed arbitrary since no clear rule explained why it was so high.
cogentadjective	Clear, logical, and convincing, especially in argument or reasoning.	She presented a cogent argument that persuaded even the skeptical board members.
comprehensiveadjective	Complete and including everything that is necessary or relevant to a subject.	The report offered a comprehensive overview of the company's finances over the past decade.
contentiousadjective	Likely to cause disagreement or argument; controversial.	Immigration remained the most contentious issue of the entire election campaign.
corroborateverb	To confirm or give support to a statement, theory, or finding with additional evidence.	Two independent witnesses corroborated the driver's account of the accident.
deleteriousadjective	Causing harm or damage, often in a way that is not immediately obvious.	Long-term stress can have deleterious effects on both physical and mental health.
discrepancynoun	A difference or lack of agreement between facts, figures, or claims that are expected to match.	The accountant found a discrepancy between the invoice total and the amount actually paid.
disparateadjective	So different from each other that comparison is difficult; made up of essentially distinct elements.	The committee struggled to unite such disparate opinions into a single policy.
empiricaladjective	Based on observation or experiment rather than theory or pure reasoning.	The scientist gathered empirical evidence before drawing any conclusions.
equivocaladjective	Open to more than one interpretation, often deliberately vague or ambiguous.	Her equivocal answer left us unsure whether she supported the plan.
exacerbateverb	To make a problem, injury, or bad situation more severe or worse.	Skipping physical therapy will only exacerbate the pain in your knee.
fallaciousadjective	Based on a mistaken belief or flawed reasoning, and therefore misleading or false.	The senator's fallacious argument relied on a statistic that had been taken out of context.
inconsistentadjective	Not staying the same over time, or not in agreement with something else.	The team's inconsistent performance made it hard to predict whether they would win or lose.
mitigateverb	To make a harmful effect, problem, or risk less severe.	Planting trees can help mitigate heat in a paved courtyard.
nuancedadjective	Marked by subtle distinctions or shades of meaning, rather than being simple or extreme.	The professor gave a nuanced explanation that acknowledged strengths on both sides of the debate.
paradoxnoun	A statement or situation that seems contradictory or absurd but may nonetheless be true.	It's a paradox that the more choices we have, the harder it becomes to decide.
plausibleadjective	Seeming reasonable, likely, or believable.	The detective needed a plausible explanation for why the suspect was near the scene.
pragmaticadjective	Focused on what will work in the actual situation.	With rain approaching, we took the pragmatic step of moving the tables indoors.
precariousadjective	Not securely held or positioned, and likely to fail, fall, or collapse without warning.	The old ladder left him in a precarious position high above the roof.
premisenoun	A statement or idea assumed to be true and used as the basis for an argument or a piece of reasoning.	The lawyer's entire case rested on the premise that the contract had never been signed.
redundantadjective	No longer needed because something else does the same job, or dismissed from a job because the position is unnecessary.	The old backup system became redundant once the new cloud storage was installed.
refuteverb	To prove that a statement, theory, or accusation is wrong or false through argument or evidence.	New DNA evidence refuted the original theory about the crime.
robustadjective	Strong, healthy, and vigorous; able to withstand hardship or wear without failing.	The hikers were surprised by how robust the old wooden bridge still was.
skepticaladjective	Not easily convinced that a claim is true or reliable.	I was skeptical of the promise until I saw the results.
substantiateverb	To provide evidence or proof to support a claim, theory, or statement.	The researchers could not substantiate their initial hypothesis with the data collected.
superfluousadjective	More than is needed or wanted; unnecessary, especially because it adds nothing useful.	The editor cut every superfluous adjective from the final draft of the article.
tenableadjective	Able to be defended or maintained against argument or attack, as an idea, position, or plan.	The lawyer argued that her client's version of events was the only tenable explanation.
unequivocaladjective	Leaving no doubt; expressed or stated in a way that admits only one interpretation.	Her unequivocal refusal ended any hope that she might change her mind later.

Frequently asked questions

Does the GMAT have a vocabulary section?

There's no standalone vocabulary section, but a strong academic vocabulary helps with reading comprehension and sentence correction questions throughout the Verbal section.