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GRE vocabulary practice

Explore precise words for demanding reading. Pay attention to attitude, strength, and context when distinguishing similar meanings.

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GRE vocabulary practice

Word	Meaning	In a sentence	Save
ameliorateverb	To make a harmful or difficult situation better.	The extra bus service should ameliorate crowding during the morning rush.
antitheticaladjective	Directly opposed to an idea, principle, or quality.	Hiding the results would be antithetical to the team's commitment to openness.
benevolentadjective	Showing kindness and a desire to help others.	A benevolent neighbor quietly paid for the damaged fence.
ephemeraladjective	Lasting for only a short time.	The ephemeral rainbow faded before I could find my camera.
fortuitousadjective	Happening by chance, especially in a helpful or lucky way.	A fortuitous meeting at the library led to a new research partner.
gregariousadjective	Enjoying the company of other people.	Our gregarious host introduced every guest to someone new.
impetuousadjective	Acting quickly on a strong feeling without thinking through the result.	In an impetuous moment, Leo volunteered to lead the event before checking his schedule.
lucidadjective	Clearly expressed and easy to understand.	The guide gives a lucid account of how the machine works.
mitigateverb	To make a harmful effect, problem, or risk less severe.	Planting trees can help mitigate heat in a paved courtyard.
pervasiveadjective	Present throughout a place, group, or situation.	A pervasive smell of smoke lingered throughout the building.
pragmaticadjective	Focused on what will work in the actual situation.	With rain approaching, we took the pragmatic step of moving the tables indoors.
profoundadjective	Very deep, strong, or important in its effect or meaning.	Learning to read had a profound effect on her independence.
salientadjective	Standing out as especially noticeable or important in a particular context.	The summary identifies the most salient points from the debate.
sardonicadjective	Using dry, often bitter humor to show criticism or scorn.	When the printer jammed again, Jo gave it a sardonic smile and called it our most reliable machine.
scrutinizeverb	To examine something very closely and carefully.	The editor scrutinized the figures before publication.
tenuousadjective	Weak, uncertain, or supported by very little evidence.	The claim rests on a tenuous link between two unrelated events.
ubiquitousadjective	Found in so many places that it seems to be everywhere.	Bright yellow umbrellas were ubiquitous along the rainy shopping street.
vindicateverb	To show that someone or something was right, justified, or unfairly blamed.	The recovered records vindicated the employee who reported the error.