Most Common GRE Vocabulary - A List Organized by Difficulty

3/19/2019 Most common GRE vocabulary: A list organized by difficulty
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Most common GRE vocabulary: A list organized by difficulty

For many GRE test-takers, vocabulary-building presents a special challenge. With so many words that might
appear on your individual iteration of the GRE, it can be hard to fathom learning them all. Full vocabulary
lists span thousands of words, with no guarantee that the terms you learn will be the ones you see on test
day.
We have written previously on the benefits of game-ifying and strategizing effectively around GRE
vocabulary. To that end, we’ve delineated a selection of common vocabulary into three levels of difficulty,
so that you ascend in difficulty the more words you learn. If you want to expand your selection, try
following Economist GRE Tutor on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/economistgretutor/) or downloading
our GRE Daily Vocabulary app (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gre-daily-vocabulary/id1146529237?mt=8), for a new
word every day.
Level One GRE Vocabulary: Least Difficult
Aberration (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/aberration/2016-09-26): noun, a departure from what is normal,

usual, or expected
“The Fed will probably need convincing that the latest labour-market report was an aberration
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/aberration/2016-09-26)before tightening policy.”
Source: "When barometers go wrong" published in The Economist
Abreast (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/abreast/2017-02-09): adjective, Up to date with the latest news,

ideas, or information
Synonyms: in touch with, plugged into
“These daily updates were designed to help readers keep abreast (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/abreast/2017-02-09) of the markets...”
Source: "China’s market mess" published in The Economist
Abstain (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/abstain/2017-02-18): verb, Restrain oneself from doing or enjoying

something
Synonyms: refrain, desist, hold back
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“The decision to abstain (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/abstain/2017-02-18) from such techniques, just and

wise though it was, came at a cost.”
Source: "Standard operating procedure" published in The Economist
Abyss: noun, a deep or seemingly bottomless chasm

Synonyms: gorge, ravine, void
“Whose dire warnings about risks... seem most believable? Which abyss looks darker and deeper?”
Source: "The Brexit referendum on June 23rd will be all about David Cameron" published in The Economist
Adept (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/adept/2016-07-08): adjective, Very skilled or proficient at something

Synonyms: expert, proficient, accomplished
“An abundance of clever people—adept (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/adept/2016-07-08) in English law as
much as in finance—draws in banks, fund managers and so forth...”
Source: "From folly to fragmentation" published in The Economist
Agog (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/agog/2017-07-03): adjective, Very eager or curious to hear or see

something
Synonyms: excited, impatient, in suspense
“We are now agog (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/agog/2017-07-03) to know when, on the basis of its
forecasts, the Bank will push up interest rates...”
Source: "The perils of planning on the basis of economic forecasts" published in The Economist
Allure: noun, the quality of being powerfully and mysteriously attractive or fascinating
Synonyms: attraction, lure, draw
“Yet it was the allure of the Model T for millions of consumers that finally drove the horse off the road.”
Source: "When oil is no longer in demand" published in The Economist
Altruism (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/altruism/2016-10-03): noun, the belief in or practice of selfless

concern for the well-being of others
Synonyms: selflessness, compassion, goodwill
“Dr Decety is not the first to wonder, in a scientific way, about the connection between religion and altruism
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/altruism/2016-10-03).”
Source: "Matthew 22:39" published in The Economist
Ambivalent (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/ambivalent/2016-12-16): adjective, having mixed feelings or

contradictory ideas about something or someone
Synonyms: equivocal, uncertain, unsure

“The first was a chronic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/chronic/2016-10-11) lack of focus. Right from the
start Yahoo was ambivalent (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/ambivalent/2016-12-16) about whether it should
be a media or a technology company.”
Source: "From dotcom hero to zero" published in The Economist
Annul: verb, Declare invalid

Synonyms: repeal, reverse, rescind (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/rescind/2017-08-09)
“Last month’s election was a re-run of a vote in October 2015, the results of which were annulled after
several candidates alleged electoral malpractice.”
Source: "Haiti’s probable new president" published in The Economist
Apathy (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/apathy/2017-02-27): noun, Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern

Synonyms: indifference, passivity, ennui
“Perhaps most difficult will be overcoming the cynicism, and apathy (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/apathy/2017-02-27), of the public.”
Source: "As the North East rejects a devolution deal, the West Midlands embraces one" published in The
Economist
Arbitrary: adjective, Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system
Synonyms: capricious (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/capricious/2016-09-23), random, chance
“The prevailing belief among linguists had been that the sounds used to form those words were arbitrary.”
Source: "Distant languages have similar sounds for common words" published in The Economist
Arbiter (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/arbiter/2016-08-03): noun, a person who settles a dispute or has

ultimate authority in a matter
Synonyms: authority, judge, controller
“The viewer is, ultimately, the arbiter (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/arbiter/2016-08-03) of influence: either
partaking in the objectification, or actively challenging the power dynamic.”
Source: "Learning artists' secrets from their studios" published in The Economist
Artless (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/artless/2017-06-16): adjective, without guile or deception

Synonyms: candid, direct, forthright
“He is loveably artless (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/artless/2017-06-16) and embarrassingly awkward in
his unstoppably cheerful attempts to win over the frosty members of the band...”
Source: "Talking to Frank" published in The Economist
Audacious (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/audacious/2016-09-21): adjective, showing a willingness to take

surprisingly bold risks
Synonyms: bold, daring, fearless
“It was as audacious (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/audacious/2016-09-21) as any heist and yet unlikely
material for a Hollywood blockbuster.”
Source: "The Dhaka caper" published in The Economist
Austere (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/austere/2016-11-19): adjective, Having an extremely plain and

simple style or appearance
Synonyms: unadorned, subdued, stark
“Not all Western airports have austere (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/austere/2016-11-19) arrival
concourses à la Heathrow; many have eateries and bars...”
Source: "Airport arrivals: something to celebrate" published in The Economist
Blight (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/blight/2016-09-28): noun, a thing that spoils or damages something

Synonyms: affliction, scourge, bane
“Yet the USFS predicts that within a couple of decades, because of slowing growth and climate-related
blights, the forests will become an emissions source.”
Source: "Ravaged woodlands" published in The Economist
Blithe (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/blithe/2016-10-06): adjective, showing a casual and cheerful

indifference considered to be callous or improper
Synonyms: indifferent, unconcerned, blasé
“Mr. Cameron’s government was too posh, too cocky, too blithe (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/blithe/2016-10-06) about globalization’s merits, too metropolitan. Too Notting Hill. “
Source: "Britain’s new prime minister will regret appointing Boris Johnson" published in The Economist
Blowhard (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/blowhard/2017-01-23): noun, a person who blusters and boasts in

an unpleasant way
Synonyms: boaster, bragger, show-off
“His name conjured up associations such as ‘arrogant’ and ‘blowhard (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/blowhard/2017-01-23)’ ...”
Source: "The art of the demagogue" published in The Economist
Bolster: verb, Support or strengthen

Synonyms: reinforce, prop up, boost
“If the results are confirmed, they will bolster voters’ belief in the system.”
Source: "Could a recount overturn the election result?" published in The Economist
Bombastic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/bombastic/2016-09-19): adjective, High-sounding but with little

meaning; inflated Synonyms: pompous, blustering, turgid (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/turgid/2017-01-
04)
“Cynics may ascribe (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/ascribe/2016-08-01) Mr. Rubio’s mild tone to the diverse

population of his home state, and the fact that bombastic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/bombastic/2016-
09-19) Mr. Trump trails in the polls there.”
Source: "A bloody week for America" published in The Economist
Boycott (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/boycott/2017-03-12): noun, a punitive ban that forbids relations

with certain groups
Synonyms: veto, shunning, rejection
“Conversely some prominent black women have called for a boycott (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/boycott/2017-03-12), seeing Mr. Parker’s past as a disqualifying stain.”
Source: "Blood on the leaves" published in The Economist
Burlesque (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/burlesque/2016-11-29): noun, a variety show

Synonyms: skit, farce, striptease
“Madame JoJo’s, a burlesque (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/burlesque/2016-11-29) bar in London’s Soho,
had its license revoked in 2014 after two bouncers brandished a baseball bat at a rowdy crowd.”
Source: "Less than ecstatic" published in The Economist
Cacophony (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/cacophony/2016-12-08): noun, a harsh, discordant

(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/discordant/2016-07-13) mixture of sounds
Synonyms: racket, noise, clamor

“In 1957 New York’s subway contained a haphazard mishmash of fonts, both serif and sans, and a
typographic designer, sick of the visual cacophony (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/cacophony/2016-12-08),
submitted a brief to the New York City Transit Authority...”
Source: "Fonts and cities: a love story" published in The Economist
Chronic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/chronic/2016-10-11): adjective, (Of a problem) long lasting and

difficult to eradicate
Synonyms: constant, continuing, persistent
“Pessimists think the productivity problem is chronic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/chronic/2016-10-11).
Technological advances, they say, are ever-less revolutionary...”

Source: "Econundrum" published in The Economist
Coda (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/coda/2016-10-05): noun, a concluding event, remark or section

Synonyms: ending, finale
“With distinct ballad, opera and hard rock sections—and a pensive intro and coda (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/coda/2016-10-05), for good measure—the song was not for listeners in a hurry.”
Source: "Bohemian Rhapsody's long legacy" published in The Economist
Confound (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/confound/2017-02-03): verb, Prove (a theory, expectation, or

prediction) wrong
Synonyms: contradict, counter, go against
“Yet in another sense, the Fed has confounded predictions—at least, those it made itself.”
Source: "The Federal Reserve prepares to raise interest rates again" published in The Economist
Deign (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/deign/2017-02-05): verb, Do something that one considers to be

beneath one's dignity
Synonyms: come down from one's high horse
“If the Senate deigns to consider and confirm a nominee, do not expect changes overnight.”
Source: "How the election will shape the Supreme Court" published in The Economist
Disingenuous: adjective, not candid or sincere

Synonyms: dishonest, deceitful, duplicitous
“But shamelessly self-interested and probably contrary to his real views on the EU though it is, the mayor’s
move is perhaps not entirely disingenuous.”
Source: "Boris Johnson is wrong: in the 21st century, sovereignty is always relative" published in The
Economist
Docile (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/docile/2017-06-02): adjective, Ready to accept control or instruction;

submissive
Synonyms: compliant, obedient, pliant
“Docile (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/docile/2017-06-02) with humans, they are fierce defenders of
territory and their young.”
Source: "Breeding cows that can defend themselves against jaguars" published in The Economist
Doff (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/doff/2017-06-29): verb, Remove (an item of clothing)

Synonyms: lay hold of, take hold of
“To don shoes, to doff (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/doff/2017-06-29) them, or even to throw them at
somebody?”
Source: "Putting their best feet forward" published in The Economist
Dote (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/dote/2017-06-14): verb, be extremely and uncritically fond of

Synonyms: adore, love dearly, be devoted to
“Falling birth-rates allowed parents to dote (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/dote/2017-06-14) on fewer
children, who were increasingly likely to go to school.”
Source: "Love’s labour" published in The Economist
Endow (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/endow/2017-06-19): verb, Provide with a quality, ability, or asset

Synonyms: equip, bless, give
“Good and inspiring teachers, meanwhile, such as... J.K. Rowling’s Minerva McGonagall, are portrayed as
endowed with supernatural gifts...”
Source: "Teaching the teachers" published in The Economist
Ephemeral (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/ephemeral/2016-07-11): adjective, Lasting for a very short time

Synonyms: fleeting, passing, short-lived
“One was Song Dong, just 19 and studying oil painting which he quickly abandoned. Now he is known for
his performances and his ephemeral (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/ephemeral/2016-07-11)—sometimes
edible—installations.”
Source: "Robert Rauschenberg: Ripe for reassessment" published in The Economist
Ethos: noun, the characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community

Synonyms: character, atmosphere, climate
“Mr. Cotton presented himself as a member of the generation moved by the patriotic spirit... leaving civilian
careers to join the army and learn a ‘warrior ethos.’”
Source: "Growing Cotton in Iowa" published in The Economist
Facetious: adjective, Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor

Synonyms: flippant, glib (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/glib/2017-04-13), tongue-in-cheek
“'More disturbing,' says Mr. Hart, I didn't note that his column was facetious. In tone, it was indeed, and I
should have noted that.”
Source: "The etymological fallacy" published in The Economist
Faction (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/faction/2017-02-07): noun, a small, organized, dissenting group

within a larger one, especially in politics
Synonyms: contingent, section, sector
“One particular separatist faction (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/faction/2017-02-07) is now widely
accepted to have been responsible for a string of small bombs which detonated in August...”
Source: "The death of the Thai king throws the country into turmoil" published in The Economist
Fallow (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/fallow/2017-07-04): adjective, Inactive

Synonyms: dormant, quiet, slack
“Their fickle attention might waver for a few fallow (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/fallow/2017-07-04) years
of rebuilding, but Angel Stadium will still be standing...”
Source: "Why baseball’s best player should be sent packing" published in The Economist
Falter (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/falter/2017-02-11): verb, Move unsteadily or in a way that shows lack

of confidence
Synonyms: stumble, fumble
“His early steps were faltering, and a frailer soul might have been daunted by his mentors’ fate...”
Source: "Obituary: John Glenn died on December 8th" published in The Economist
Flail (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/flail/2017-06-05): verb, Flounder; struggle uselessly

Synonyms: thrash, thresh, squirm
“This means that, a good accent, rhythm and grammar notwithstanding, the intermediate-to-advanced
learner is likely to flail (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/flail/2017-06-05)...”
Source: "The humble linguist" published in The Economist
Fluke (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/fluke/2017-03-20): noun, Unlikely chance occurrence, especially a

surprising piece of luck
Synonyms: coincidence, accident, a twist of fate
“Was this a fluke (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/fluke/2017-03-20)? Mr. Baker is not the first to notice
the anomaly (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/anomaly/2017-05-09).”
Source: "Risk and the stockmarket" published in The Economist
Forage (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/forage/2017-02-16): verb, (of a person or animal) search widely for

food or provisions
Synonyms: hunt, scavenge, grub
“And you must be ready to abandon tired orthodoxies of the left and right and forage
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/forage/2017-02-16) for good ideas across the political spectrum.”
Source: "The next supermodel" published in The Economist
Fortuitous: adjective, Happening by a lucky chance

Synonyms: fortunate, advantageous, opportune
“Thanks to these sensible policies, and the fortuitous (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/fortuitous/2016-10-
25)tailwind of higher productivity growth, the economy boomed and prosperity was shared.”
Source: "Can she fix it?" published in The Economist
Fringe (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/fringe/2017-02-20): noun, the unconventional, extreme, or marginal

wing of a group or sphere of activity
Synonyms: peripheral, radical, unorthodox
“Fringe (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/fringe/2017-02-20) beliefs reinforced in these ways can establish
themselves and persist long after outsiders deem them debunked...”
Source: "Yes, I’d lie to you" published in The Economist
Garner (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/garner/2017-02-25): verb, Gather or collect (something, especially

information or approval)
Synonyms: accumulate, amass, assemble
“Labs that garnered more pay-offs were more likely to pass on their methods to other, newer labs...”
Source: "Incentive malus" published in The Economist
Gist (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/gist/2017-03-02): noun, the substance or essence of a speech or text

Synonyms: quintessence, main idea
“Machine translation, too, has gone from terrible to usable for getting the gist (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/gist/2017-03-02) of a text...”
Source: "Finding a voice" published in The Economist
Gossamer (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/gossamer/2016-08-30): adjective, Used to refer to something very

light, thin, and insubstantial or delicate
Synonyms: gauzy, gossamery, fine
“Like a saintly relic, the gossamer (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/gossamer/2016-08-30) threads that tie the
two halves offer the promise of miraculous healing by evoking the vulnerability of the suffering body.”
Source: "Die and do" published in The Economist
Grovel (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/grovel/2016-12-27): verb, Act in an obsequious manner in order to

obtain someone's forgiveness or favor
Synonyms: be servile, suck up, flatter
“She writes...in the knowledge that some of these lovers will snoop into her diary to see what she's written.
('Does she get a kick out of my groveling in the last two years?)”
Source: "When she was good" published in The Economist
Harangue (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/harangue/2016-08-08): noun, a lengthy and aggressive speech

Synonyms: tirade, diatribe (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/diatribe/2016-12-19), rant
“State-run China Central Television (CCTV) has broadcast harsh criticisms of some multinationals, including
an absurd harangue (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/harangue/2016-08-08) over Starbucks’ prices...”
Source: "A harder road ahead" published in The Economist
Impetuous (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/impetuous/2016-12-24): adjective, Acting or done quickly and

without thought or care
Synonyms: impulsive, rash, hasty
“The report holds many lessons, including for this newspaper, which supported the invasion of Iraq: about
the danger of impetuous (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/impetuous/2016-12-24) decision-making...”
Source: "The dangerous chill of Chilcot" published in The Economist
Indictment: noun, a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime

Synonyms: arraignment, citation
“A criminal indictment would, in all likelihood, force the prime minister to resign.”
Source: "A new scandal rocks Israel’s prime minister" published in The Economist
Inert (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/inert/2016-10-18): adjective, Lacking vigor

Synonyms: idle, inactive, underactive
“America’s founders, he argued, put their faith in reasoned discussion among citizens and believed that the
'greatest menace to freedom is an inert (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/inert/2016-10-18) people.' “
Source: "Citizen Brandeis" published in The Economist
Ingrate (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/ingrate/2017-03-25): noun, an ungrateful person

“Greater liberty... over the past generation is abused by ingrates who think it funny to depict their leaders
pantless...”
Source: "Run!" published in The Economist
Insipid (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/insipid/2017-03-19): adjective, Lacking vigour or interest

Synonyms: boring, vapid (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/vapid/2016-12-29), dull
“It was a stultifying procession of patriotic songs... insipid (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/insipid/2017-03-
19) skits and bald propaganda.”
Source: "Core values" published in The Economist
Lax (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/lax/2017-03-29): adjective, Not sufficiently strict, severe, or careful

Synonyms: slack, slipshod, negligent
“Mario Draghi has faced attacks from critics in Germany (for being too lax (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/lax/2017-03-29)) and Greece (for being too tight).”
Source: "Rethinking central bank independence" published in The Economist
Listless (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/listless/2016-12-03): adjective, (Of a person or their manner) lacking

energy or enthusiasm
Synonyms: lethargic, enervated, lackadaisical
“Ukraine is brimming with weapons and thousands of militiamen, angry with a corrupt and listless
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/listless/2016-12-03) government they feel has hijacked the revolution.”
Source: "Mr. Saakashvili goes to Odessa" published in The Economist
Livid: adjective, furiously angry

Synonyms: infuriated, irate, fuming
“A livid Vladimir Putin minced no words in his response, calling the downing a 'stab in the back'...”
Source: "Turkey’s downing of a Russian jet was a confrontation waiting to happen" published in The
Economist
Loll (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/loll/2017-02-04): verb, Sit, lie, or stand in a lazy, relaxed way

Synonyms: lounge, sprawl, drape oneself
“The pair loll (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/loll/2017-02-04) on a green hillside at Murnau south of Munich
where Münter had bought a house.”
Source: "Eye music" published in The Economist
Lurid: adjective, Presented in vividly shocking or sensational terms

Synonyms: melodramatic, exaggerated, overdramatized
“Their absence from the public eye, especially in a Western country with an abundant supply of good
hospitals, tends to spark lurid rumours of illness and even death.”
Source: "Malawi’s president disappears" published in The Economist
Mar (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/mar/2017-02-10): verb, Impair the quality or appearance of

Synonyms: spoil, ruin, damage
“These oversights mar (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/mar/2017-02-10) an otherwise engaging and
interesting account, but perhaps it is natural that a history of space should have a few gaping holes.”
Source: "The uncanny physics of empty space" published in The Economist
Mince (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/mince/2017-02-15): verb, Use polite or moderate expressions to

indicate disapproval
“President Barack Obama didn’t mince (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/mince/2017-02-15) his words in a
tweet on June 21st, the day after the Senate failed to pass four proposals...”
Source: "Senators fail the American people (again)" published in The Economist
Minion (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/minion/2017-02-22): noun, a follower or underling of a powerful

person
Synonyms: henchman, yes-man, lackey
“Its minions have set up thousands of social-media “bots” and other spamming weapons to drown out other
content.”
Source: "Yes, I’d lie to you" published in The Economist
Mirth (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/mirth/2016-09-06): noun, Amusement, especially as expressed in

laughter
Synonyms: merriment, high spirits
“A further proposal, to cut the salaries of senior public managers by 25%, has caused both anger and mirth
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/mirth/2016-09-06).”
Source: "Letting go, slowly" published in The Economist
Modest (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/modest/2017-03-07): adjective, not excessively large, elaborate, or

expensive
Synonyms: ordinary, simple, plain
“They can be seen in the modest (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/modest/2017-03-07) dress, office decor
and eating habits of Angela Merkel, the daughter of a Lutheran pastor...”
Source: "How Martin Luther has shaped Germany for half a millennium" published in The Economist
Morose (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/morose/2016-12-10): adjective, Sullen and ill-tempered

Synonyms: sullen, sulky, gloomy
“Mr. Macron’s can-do political energy stands out in morose (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/morose/2016-
12-10) France, home to 10% unemployment and growth last year of just 1.1%.”
Source: "Beardless youth" published in The Economist
Muse: noun, a person or personified force who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist
Synonyms: inspiration, influence, stimulus
“Mr. Blackwell’s mother was Fleming’s mistress, muse and supposedly the model for Pussy Galore.”
Source: "Island story" published in The Economist
Oblique (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/oblique/2016-12-14): adjective, Not explicit or direct in addressing a

point
Synonyms: indirect, inexplicit, roundabout
“'Fire at Sea' has been praised for offering an oblique (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/oblique/2016-12-14),
poetic alternative to a more conventional campaigning documentary...”
Source: "The odd, award-winning migration movie 'Fire at Sea'" published in The Economist
Opaque (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/opaque/2016-08-24): adjective, Not able to be seen through; not

transparent
Synonyms: cloudy, obscure
“But Mr. Kim is so opaque (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/opaque/2016-08-24) and so little is known about
how decisions come about in the capital, Pyongyang, that deterring North Korea is fraught with difficulty.”
Source: "A nuclear nightmare" published in The Economist
Overwrought (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/overwrought/2017-04-30): adjective, (of a piece of writing or a

work of art) too elaborate or complicated in design or construction
Synonyms: overblown, contrived, exaggerated
“She made prodigious strides as a writer and learned to temper her overwrought (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/overwrought/2017-04-30) outpourings.”
Source: "Charlotte Brontë’s classroom fantasy" published in The Economist
Pertain (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/pertain/2017-06-04): verb, be appropriate, related, or applicable

Synonyms: concern, relate to, be related to
“Religious exceptions to the law, such as those pertaining to animal welfare, should ideally be ended...”
Source: "Like other old institutions, England’s state religion uses artful adaptation" published in The
Economist
Pine (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/pine/2017-05-24): verb, Miss and long for the return of

“Few DJs pine (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/pine/2017-05-24) for the days of ones-and-twos; the
possibilities of modern technology are too alluring.”
Source: "Now that anyone can be a DJ, is the art form dead?" published in The Economist
Placate (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/placate/2017-05-21): verb, Make (someone) less angry or hostile

Synonyms: appease, pacify, mollify
“The government has tried to placate (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/placate/2017-05-21) voters without
abandoning its policies.”
Source: "It’s cold outside" published in The Economist
Platitude (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/platitude/2017-07-09): noun, A remark or statement, especially

one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful
Synonyms: cliché, truism, commonplace
“For most of her end-of-term grilling by the liaison committee... she wore an aquiline scowl, quibbling with
the questions and, when pushed, cleaving to evasive platitudes...”
Source: "Assessing the first six months of Theresa May" published in The Economist
Plethora (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/plethora/2016-07-26): noun, a large or excessive amount

Synonyms: excess, overabundance, surplus
“Podcasts were facing fierce competition for audiences’ attention from a plethora (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/plethora/2016-07-26) of other new digital-native products including Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.”
Source: "2016: the year the podcast came of age" published in The Economist
Posit: verb, Put forward as fact or as a basis for argument

Synonyms: postulate, propound, submit
“Mr. Ansar and his co-authors assume this margin is 40%: they posit a ratio of expected benefits to costs of
1.4 for every project.”
Source: "Opinion is divided on China’s massive infrastructure projects" published in The Economist
Prodigal: noun, a person who leaves home and behaves recklessly, but later makes a repentant return
“As the 73-year-old Mr. Obiang becomes frailer, his sons, including the prodigal Teodorín, have begun
jockeying to succeed him.”
Source: "Palace in the jungle" published in The Economist
Prophetic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/prophetic/2017-05-01): adjective, Accurately describing or

predicting what will happen in the future
Synonyms: predictive, visionary
“As the depleted council began, Metropolitan Kallistos Ware... said he still hoped it could avoid being mired
in Orthodoxy’s internal woes and 'speak in a firm, prophetic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/prophetic/2017-05-01) voice' to humanity.”
Source: "The autumn of the patriarchs" published in The Economist
Purist: noun, a person who insists on absolute adherence to traditional rules or structures
Synonyms: pedant, dogmatist, perfectionist
“From this purist point of view, there is only one Christian church worthy of the name....”
Source: "Eastern Christian leaders face ultra-conservative grumbles as they prepare for a summit" published
in The Economist
Pyre (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/pyre/2016-11-05): noun, a heap of combustible material, especially

one for burning a corpse as part of a funeral ceremony
“Yet Ms McInerney takes the story deeper, skillfully setting a funeral pyre (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/pyre/2016-11-05) 'for that Ireland'...”
Source: "Irish charm" published in The Economist
Quack (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/quack/2017-01-22): noun, a person who dishonestly claims to have

special knowledge in some field
Synonyms: swindler, charlatan, fraud
“That can cause malnutrition and eating disorders—and supports a vast, quack (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/quack/2017-01-22)-ridden diet industry.”
Source: "Declare war on misleading metaphors" published in The Economist
Reticence (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/reticence/2016-11-11): noun, the quality of not revealing one’s

thoughts or feelings readily
Synonyms: reserve, introversion, restraint
“Mr. Harding is more comfortable with facts; with classic English reticence (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/reticence/2016-11-11), he buries his family’s responses in footnotes and summaries.”
Source: "Vantage point" published in The Economist
Rue: verb, Bitterly regret (something one has done or allowed to happen)
Synonyms: deplore, lament, bemoan
“Meanwhile, Mr. Showalter will now have a long six months to rue his slavery to the save rule before his club
plays another game.”
Source: "Progressive managers are finding sweet relief by unshackling their closers" published in The
Economist
Ruminate: verb, Think deeply about something

Synonyms: contemplate, consider, mull over
“Alfred Sauvy, the French thinker... was prone (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/prone/2017-09-02) to worry
that the first world would become 'a society of old people, living in old houses, ruminating about old ideas.'”
Source: "Age invaders" published in The Economist
Stigma (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/stigma/2017-07-01): noun, a mark of disgrace associated with a

particular circumstance, quality, or person
Synonyms: shame, disgrace, dishonour
“A stigma (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/stigma/2017-07-01) against adults having fun, strong in the
aftermath of the Second World War, has faded.”
Source: "Toymakers bounce back in the land of adult nappies" published in The Economist
Strut: verb, Walk with a stiff, erect, and apparently arrogant or conceited gait
Synonyms: swagger, prance, parade
“Dogs strut their stuff on its pavements tricked out in tutus, hoodies, boots, overalls and trousers.”
Source: "Furry fashionable" published in The Economist
Sublime (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/sublime/2016-10-22): adjective, of very great excellence or beauty

Synonyms: awe-inspiring, awesome, majestic
“Yet life in the ocean can still mount sublime (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/sublime/2016-10-
22) spectacles.”
Source: "If the ocean was transparent" published in The Economist
Surly: adjective, Bad-tempered and unfriendly

Synonyms: ill-natured, grumpy, glum
“Here, poverty and economic decline has led to the surly separation of a left-behind, resentful white
working class and a Muslim minority.”
Source: "Integration nation" published in The Economist
Syncopation (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/syncopation/2016-11-04): noun, A displacement of the beat or

accents in (music or a rhythm) so that strong beats become weak and vice versa
“She dances an assortment of lissom steps, marvelously shedding shoes and socks as the Beethoven
famously shifts from solemnity to syncopation (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/syncopation/2016-11-04).”
Source: "Her final steps" published in The Economist
Taunt: noun, A remark made in order to anger, wound, or provoke someone

Synonyms: jeer, gibe, sneer
“But in the past two years taunts have turned into deadly attacks.”
Source: "Murder for profit" published in The Economist
Tawdry (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/tawdry/2017-05-12): adjective, Showy but cheap and of poor quality

Synonyms: gaudy, flashy, garish
“A team of 21 organisers resigned from the National Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine (NPBCU),
throwing the festival of tawdry (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/tawdry/2017-05-12) pop into doubt.”
Source: "Why Ukraine’s Eurovision song contest is in crisis" published in The Economist
Temperate (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/temperate/2017-01-06): adjective, Relating to or denoting a

region or climate characterized by mild temperatures
Synonyms: mild, clement, pleasant
“It can remain temperate (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/temperate/2017-01-06) in such a close orbit only
because Proxima is a red dwarf, and thus much cooler than the sun. “
Source: "Proximate goals" published in The Economist
Terse (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/terse/2016-10-15): adjective, Sparing in the use of words

Synonyms: curt, brusque, abrupt
“In a terse (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/terse/2016-10-15) phone-call on Thursday night, President
Barack Obama paused only briefly to congratulate Mr. Netanyahu on his victory...”
Source: "Picking up the pieces" published in The Economist
Tome: noun, a book, especially a large, heavy, scholarly one

Synonyms: volume, work, opus
“It is a tome to which most recent arguments about regulation and economic reform are merely
annotations.”
Source: "Britain’s newly interventionist economic consensus is a question, not an answer" published in The
Economist
Torrid (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/torrid/2017-05-15): adjective, Full of difficulty or tribulation

“The pound, after a few torrid (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/torrid/2017-05-15) days of trading
immediately after the vote, has stabilized.”
Source: "How Britain’s post-referendum economy is faring" published in The Economist
Transgression (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/transgression/2016-10-25): noun, an act that goes against a

law, rule, or code of conduct
Synonyms: offense, crime, sin
“We can forgive most kinds of transgression (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/transgression/2016-10-25)—
anger, adultery, avarice—but we cannot forgive absurdity.”
Source: "Can we forgive Anthony Weiner?" published in The Economist
Treacherous (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/treacherous/2016-10-09): adjective, Guilty of or involving

betrayal or deception
Synonyms: traitorous, disloyal, perfidious
“It sang of domineering men, treacherous (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/treacherous/2016-10-09) women
and the manly solace of tequila.”
Source: "Mexico’s mirror" published in The Economist
Vapid (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/vapid/2016-12-29): adjective, offering nothing that is stimulating or

challenging; bland
Synonyms: insipid (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/insipid/2017-03-19), uninspired, uninteresting
“Mr. Silver delighted in savaging commentators who relied on vapid (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/vapid/2016-12-29) clichés like 'momentum shifts' and 'game-changers.'”
Source: "Pushback" published in The Economist
Vestige (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/vestige/2016-10-08): noun, a trace of something that is disappearing

or no longer exists
Synonyms: remnant, remainder, fragment
“He said this would remove a 'lingering vestige (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/vestige/2016-10-08) of the
cold war.' “
Source: "Politics this week" published in The Economist
Vilify (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/vilify/2016-12-18): verb, Speak or write about in an abusively

disparaging manner
Synonyms: disparage, denigrate, defame
“Its publications and social-media accounts, however, have vilified Turkey ever since the country decided
last year to open its airbases to coalition jets...”
Source: "Soft target" published in The Economist
Viscous (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/viscous/2017-05-14): adjective, having a thick, sticky consistency

between solid and liquid
Synonyms: gummy, glue-like, gluey
“Not all barrels of oil are alike. Crudes can be viscous (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/viscous/2017-05-
14) like tar or so 'light' they float on water.”
Source: "Crude measure" published in The Economist
Volatile (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/volatile/2016-10-20): adjective, Liable to change rapidly and

unpredictably, especially for the worse
Synonyms: tense, strained, turbulent
“The period from the 1940s to the 1970s, when governments took primary responsibility for keeping
economies out of slumps, was more volatile (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/volatile/2016-10-20) and
inflationary...”
Source: "The desperation of independents" published in The Economist
Waffle: noun, Lengthy but trivial or useless talk or writing

Synonyms: prattle, hot air, drivel
“Most voters say they know little about the candidates or their policies, some of which are pure waffle.”
Source: "No walk in the Park" published in The Economist
Waft (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/waft/2017-05-19): verb, Pass or cause to pass easily or gently through

or as if through the air
Synonyms: drift, float, glide
“The acrid scent of smoke wafts from his clothes.”
Source: "Despite tough talk, Indonesia’s government is struggling to stem deforestation" published in The
Economist
Wanton: adjective, (of a cruel or violent action) deliberate and unprovoked

Synonyms: malicious, malevolent, spiteful
“Over the decades these Muslim non-people, without legal or any other sort of protection, have been the
victims of wanton discrimination and violence…”
Source: "Myanmar’s shame" published in The Economist
Whitewash (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/whitewash/2017-03-16): verb, Deliberately attempt to conceal

unpleasant facts about (a person or organization)
Synonyms: cover up, sweep under the carpet
“Indeed, in trying to whitewash (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/whitewash/2017-03-16) the past, the
government may stir up prejudice instead.”
Source: "The politics of memory" published in The Economist
Whittle (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/whittle/2017-03-11): verb, Reduce something in size, amount, or

extent by a gradual series of steps
Synonyms: erode, wear away, diminish
“Democrats had spent a nervous September watching that lead whittle (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/whittle/2017-03-11) away after Mrs. Clinton’s bout of pneumonia...”
Source: "Hillary Clinton’s polling compared with Barack Obama’s" published in The Economist
Winsome (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/winsome/2017-01-30): adjective, Attractive or appealing in

appearance or character
Synonyms: engaging, charming, winning
“By the time Mr. Pattinson came along as the winsome (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/winsome/2017-01-
30) vampire in “Twilight”, the teenage rebels were starting the movie already dead.”
Source: "James Dean, death-cult idol" published in The Economist
Wizened (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/wizened/2016-10-24): adjective, Shriveled or wrinkled with age

Synonyms: lined, creased, withered
“His son, himself a wizened (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/wizened/2016-10-24) old man, is nonplussed
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/nonplussed/2016-08-31) by the news; he looks like an eccentric, or maybe
the village drunk...”

Source: "The meandering, sure-footed genius of "Thithi" published in The Economist
Wry: adjective, Using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor

Synonyms: ironic, sardonic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/sardonic/2016-12-11), satirical
“Catherine Merridale is one of the foremost foreign historians of Russia, combining wry insights with deep
sympathy for the human beings...”
Source: "Missed connection" published in The Economist
Zeal (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/zeal/2016-12-26): noun, Great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a

cause or an objective
Synonyms: passion, zealousness, fervor

“But it was his zeal (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/zeal/2016-12-26) in amassing land by borrowing heavily
that gave him his edge—and ultimately brought him down.”
Source: "A gambler on shale" published in The Economist
Level Two GRE Vocabulary: Medium Difficulty
Abasement (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/abasement/2017-07-07): noun, the action or fact of abasing or

being abased; humiliation or degradation
Synonyms: belittlement, disgrace
“But of course, Europe needs more than humility or self-abasement (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/abasement/2017-07-07) if it is to absorb the migrants who are now sailing or trudging towards its
heart.”
Source: "A non-European pope is hailed as the greatest European" published in The Economist
Abate (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/abate/2017-11-06): verb, become less intense or widespread

Synonyms: subside, die away, die down
“A broad cash crunch and broken supply chains threaten a sharp economic slowdown—albeit one that will
abate (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/abate/2017-11-06)...”
Source: "The dire consequences of India’s demonetization initiative" published in The Economist
Accession (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/accession/2017-01-18): verb, the action or process of formally

joining an association or institution
Synonyms: joining, signing up, enrollment
“China had expected to win the status of a market economy in December, 15 years after its accession
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/accession/2017-01-18) to the World Trade Organization...”
Source: "An obsession with stable growth leads to vulnerabilities in China" published in The Economist
Acerbic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/acerbic/2016-07-12): adjective, (Especially of a comment or style of

speaking) sharp and forthright
Synonyms: sardonic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/sardonic/2016-12-11), biting, caustic
“Mr. Zhang presented a friendly face in Hong Kong, prompting the Big Lychee, an acerbic
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/acerbic/2016-07-12) local blog, to note: 'Few sights are more painful to
behold than a senior Chinese Communist Party official attempting to be nice...'”

Source: "Rocking boats, shaking mountains" published in The Economist
Acolyte (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/acolyte/2016-12-07): noun, a person assisting the celebrant in a

religious service or procession
Synonyms: assistant, helper, follower
“Critics refer to a ‘cult’ of ‘acolytes’ around a ‘Great Leader’, unwilling to challenge him or engage seriously
with the work of non-Chomskyan scholars.”
Source: "Noam Chomsky" published in The Economist
Acumen: noun, the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain
Synonyms: astuteness, awareness, acuity
“Literary critics admire his summer reading selections, musicians his playlists, scientists and tech
entrepreneurs his acumen and curiosity.”
Source: "A reflection on Barack Obama’s presidency" published in The Economist
Apostle (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/apostle/2017-06-28): noun, a vigorous and pioneering advocate or

supporter of a particular cause
Synonyms: proponent, promoter, propagandist
“On the website of this apostle (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/apostle/2017-06-28) of anti-Americanism,
there is an article rejoicing in the fact that the United States need no longer be treated as an enemy... “
Source: "Russian anti-liberals love Donald Trump but it may not be entirely mutual" published in The
Economist
Apprise (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/apprise/2017-06-12): verb, Inform or tell (someone)

Synonyms: notify, let know, advise
“If not exactly legitimate, secret information is often useful in apprising countries of the intentions of
others.”
Source: "What are the spies for?" published in The Economist
Armada (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/armada/2017-06-22): noun, a fleet of warships

Synonyms: flotilla, squadron, navy
“This month he also unveiled plans to send an armada (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/armada/2017-06-
22) of tiny spaceships, powered by laser beams and equipped with all sorts of sensors...”
Source: "Crazy diamonds" published in The Economist
Arson: noun, the criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property

Synonyms: incendiarism, pyromania
“The political landscape already feels as ready to burn as any... drought-stricken forest, so that throwing
inflammatory statements around would be as wicked as any act of arson.”

Source: "A bloody week for America" published in The Economist
Ascribe (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/ascribe/2016-08-01): verb, Attribute something to (a cause)

Synonyms: attribute to, assign to, blame on
“He had spent years training to be a neurosurgeon; his doctor first ascribed his sharp pains and dwindling
frame to the demands of residency.”
Source: "As he lay dying" published in The Economist
Barrage (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/barrage/2016-11-24): noun, A concentrated outpouring, as of

questions or blows
Synonyms: abundance, mass, profusion
“Whatever the outcome of individual claims, the barrage (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/barrage/2016-11-
24) of litigation will probably prompt firms to adjust their online terms.”
Source: "Ticking all the boxes" published in The Economist
Bevy (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/bevy/2016-07-28): noun, a large group of people or things of a

particular kind
Synonyms: group, crowd, cluster
“Of the bevy (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/bevy/2016-07-28) of bullet points in Mr. Obama’s new package
of executive actions, the most consequential is his decision to require significantly expanded background
checks.”
Source: "Obama's new push for tougher gun controls" published in The Economist
Boor (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/boor/2016-10-10): noun, an unrefined, ill-mannered person

Synonyms: lout, oaf, ruffian
“End a sentence in a preposition, and there are still people who will think you a boor
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/boor/2016-10-10).”
Source: "Do you make Scandinavian mistakes?" published in The Economist
Bucolic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/bucolic/2016-10-04): adjective, Relating to the pleasant aspects of

the countryside and country life
Synonyms: rustic, rural, pastoral
“General Electric... is now swapping its bucolic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/bucolic/2016-10-04) site for a
collection of warehouses on the Boston waterfront.”
Source: "Leaving for the city" published in The Economist
Canonical (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/canonical/2016-10-14): adjective, (Of an artist or work) belonging

to the literary or artistic canon
Synonyms: established, authoritative
“The medium now mostly consists of recycling the same canonical (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/canonical/2016-10-14) works by European men from centuries past.”
Source: "Can classical music be cool?" published in The Economist
Capricious (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/capricious/2016-09-23): adjective, given to sudden and

unaccountable changes of mood or behavior
Synonyms: fickle, inconstant, changeable
“But there is a body of academic work that supports the idea that elections often misfire. For one thing,
voters can be capricious (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/capricious/2016-09-23).”
Source: "X marks the knot" published in The Economist
Chauvinism (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/chauvinism/2016-12-05): noun, Excessive or prejudiced loyalty

or support for one’s own cause, group, or gender
Synonyms: jingoism, excessive patriotism, sectarianism
“As recently as 2014, a biannual survey of right-wing attitudes in Germany found that xenophobia
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/xenophobia/2016-08-04), chauvinism (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/chauvinism/2016-12-05), anti-Semitism and authoritarian longings were declining.”
Source: "Radikale Rechte" published in The Economist
Circumspect (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/circumspect/2016-08-17): adjective, Wary and unwilling to take

risks
Synonyms: cautious, wary, careful
“'This is an area where we need to be extraordinarily careful and circumspect (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/circumspect/2016-08-17)', he said. 'We’re literally talking about life and death.'”
Source: "How assisted suicide is gradually becoming lawful in America" published in The Economist
Coalesce (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/coalesce/2016-07-25): verb, Come together and form one mass or

whole
Synonyms: merge, unite, fuse
“As they radiate away, the waves tend to coalesce (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/coalesce/2016-07-25) to
form two main shock waves.”
Source: "How supersonic jets may become less noisy" published in The Economist
Coffer (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/coffer/2017-06-18): noun, the funds or financial reserves of a group

or institution
Synonyms: resources, money, finances
“This scheme drains public coffers and is horribly corrupt.”
Source: "State of denial" published in The Economist
Condone (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/condone/2016-09-27): verb, Accept and allow (behavior that is

considered morally wrong or offensive)
Synonyms: disregard, let pass, excuse
“Rashad Ali... argues that deradicalisation can be worse than useless if practitioners, while condemning
IS, condone (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/condone/2016-09-27) other violence.”
Source: "A disarming approach" published in The Economist
Contrite (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/contrite/2016-07-18): adjective, Feeling or expressing remorse or

penitence
Synonyms: regretful, sorry, apologetic
“As the election results were coming in, a contrite (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/contrite/2016-07-18) Mr.
Turnbull took 'full responsibility' for the government’s poor performance.”
Source: "The churn down under" published in The Economist
Credulous (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/credulous/2016-08-09): adjective, having or showing too great a

readiness to believe things
Synonyms: gullible, naive
“Supplements boast a unique trifecta: lax (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/lax/2017-03-29) regulation,
potent marketing and millions of credulous (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/credulous/2016-08-
09)consumers keen to pin their hopes of a healthier life on a pill.”
Source: "Miracle healers" published in The Economist
Demur (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/demur/2017-01-25): verb, Raise doubts or objections or show

reluctance
Synonyms: object, take exception, take issue
“Mr. Sasse demurs. He does not want less fighting between the left and right. He wants more “meaningful
fighting” about issues of substance.”
Source: "Ben Heard" published in The Economist
Depravity (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/depravity/2016-11-01): noun, Moral corruption; wickedness

Synonyms: vice, perversion, deviance
“He condemned the 'anarchical plutocracy' he lived in, scorning the depravity (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/depravity/2016-11-01) of modern society and its politics.”
Source: "The discomfort of words" published in The Economist
Deride (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/deride/2017-03-28): verb, Express contempt for; ridicule

Synonyms: mock, jeer at, scoff at
“Mr. Trudeau’s domestic critics—so far a minority—deride (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/deride/2017-03-
28) him as 'Prime Minister Selfie' for posing incessantly with fans and celebrities...”
Source: "The last liberals" published in The Economist
Diatribe (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/diatribe/2016-12-19): noun, a forceful and bitter verbal attack

against someone or something
Synonyms: tirade, harangue (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/harangue/2016-08-08), onslaught
“CNN and other outlets were wrong to turn one disgruntled passenger’s Facebook diatribe
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/diatribe/2016-12-19) into headline news. “
Source: "One can of worms, please. Unopened" published in The Economist
Dictum (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/dictum/2016-08-25): noun, a short statement that expresses a

general truth or principle
Synonyms: saying, maxim, axiom
“Sometimes the old army dictum (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/dictum/2016-08-25) 'Don’t volunteer for
anything' must be broken.”
Source: "Lights, camera, action men" published in The Economist
Diffuse (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/diffuse/2017-01-29): verb, Spread out over a large area

Synonyms: scattered, dispersed, not concentrated
“The political economy of trade is treacherous (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/treacherous/2016-10-09): its
benefits, though substantial, are diffuse (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/diffuse/2017-01-29)...”
Source: "The consensus crumbles" published in The Economist
Dilate (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/dilate/2017-06-25): verb, Make or become wider, larger, or more open

Synonyms: enlarge, expand
“By being able to increase heartbeat, while dilating blood vessels, theobromine can help reduce high blood
pressure.”
Source: "Confection of the gods" published in The Economist
Discordant (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/discordant/2016-07-13): adjective, Disagreeing or incongruous

Synonyms: divergent, opposing, clashing
“It represents an opening of musical trade routes between two often discordant (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/discordant/2016-07-13) sides of the world.”
Source: "Omar Souleyman, not a debaser but an Arab conduit to the West" published in The Economist
Divest (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/divest/2017-06-09): verb, Rid oneself of something that one no

longer wants or requires, such as a business interest or investment
“So far the protesters have managed to persuade 220 cities and institutions to divest
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/divest/2017-06-09) some of their holdings...”
Source: "Fight the power" published in The Economist
Droll (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/droll/2016-11-07): adjective, Curious or unusual in a way that provokes

dry amusement
Synonyms: funny, humorous, amusing
“Karo Akpokiere, from Nigeria, will present a series of droll (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/droll/2016-11-
07) paintings inspired by the fast-moving pop culture that has emerged in Lagos...”
Source: "New on the Rialto" published in The Economist
Echelon (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/echelon/2016-11-26): noun, a level or rank in an organization, a

profession, or society
Synonyms: level, rank, grade
“The social shock of the arrival of online education will be substantially greater if it devours the top echelon
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/echelon/2016-11-26) of public universities.”
Source: "The disruption to come" published in The Economist
Eddy (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/eddy/2017-06-08): verb, (of water, air, or smoke) move in a circular

way
Synonyms: swirl, whirl, spiral
“Above all, Hokusai was a master of line and pattern, inscribing his forms within contours that eddy
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/eddy/2017-06-08) and spill like the currents of a mountain stream.”
Source: "Riding the crest" published in The Economist
Effigy (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/effigy/2017-06-13): noun, a sculpture or model of a person

Synonyms: statue, statuette, figure
“The tradition of lighting bonfires and burning effigies of Guy Fawkes began shortly after the foiled plot, and
schoolchildren still learn the ghoulish rhyme 'Remember, remember the fifth of November.'”
Source: "In Cuba, app stores pay rent" published in The Economist
Elucidate (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/elucidate/2017-01-01): verb, Make (something) clear

Synonyms: explain, make plain, illuminate
“One was from almost 600 people who had completed... a questionnaire intended to elucidate
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/elucidate/2017-01-01)the different tendencies of people to engage in sexual
relationships without a deep emotional commitment.”

Source: "Cads and dads" published in The Economist
Endemic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/endemic/2016-12-21): adjective, (Of a disease or condition)

regularly found among particular people or in a certain area
Synonyms: local, regional
“One of the mysteries of epidemiology is why Asia does not suffer from yellow fever. The disease is endemic
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/endemic/2016-12-21) in Africa, the continent where it evolved.”
Source: "A preventable tragedy" published in The Economist
Epistemology (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/epistemology/2016-09-09): noun, the theory of knowledge,

especially with regard to its methods, validity, and scope
“The only way to know for sure is to run the experiment (Mr. Lind's exotic epistemology
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/epistemology/2016-09-09)notwithstanding).”
Source: "Michael Lind's bad argument against anything" published in The Economist
Epithet: noun, an adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing; a
term of abuse
Synonyms: name, label, smear
“Preposterous’ and ‘absurd’ were among the milder epithets that could be overheard in the multilingual din.”
Source: "Snafus and successes at the Olympics" published in The Economist
Errant: adjective, Erring or straying from the proper course or standards

Synonyms: offending, guilty, culpable
“He could admit the error and fire the errant speechwriter.”
Source: "Melania Trump’s excruciating blunder" published in The Economist
Esoteric (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/esoteric/2016-07-21): adjective, Intended for or likely to be

understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest
Synonyms: abstruse, obscure, arcane
“The subjects at hand often sound esoteric (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/esoteric/2016-07-21), if not silly,
but the questions may prove more than merely academic.”
Source: "Sneaking with the fishes" published in The Economist
Exemplar (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/exemplar/2017-06-21): noun, a person or thing serving as a typical

example or excellent model
Synonyms: epitome, perfect example
‘At times 'Utopia' seems less an exemplar (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/exemplar/2017-06-21) of idealism,
and more of a satire on it.”
Source: "500 years on, are we living in Thomas More’s Utopia?" published in The Economist
Extol (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/extol/2017-02-14): verb, Praise enthusiastically

Synonyms: go wild about, wax lyrical about
“This is likely to become a media circus, with patient advocates likely to attend and extol
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/extol/2017-02-14) the benefits of the treatments they received.”
Source: "A dish called hope" published in The Economist
Façade: noun, the face of a building

Synonyms: front, frontage, exterior
“Its grey stone façade and arched doorways convey a feeling of prosperity, a splash of high finance in this
small county town in eastern China...”
Source: "Big but brittle" published in The Economist
Fetid: adjective, smelling extremely unpleasant

Synonyms: stinking, smelly, foul-smelling
“The fetid smog that settled on Beijing in January 2013 could join the ranks of these game-changing
environmental disruptions.”
Source: "The East is grey" published in The Economist
Florid (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/florid/2017-03-05): adjective, using unusual words or complicated

rhetorical constructions
Synonyms: extravagant, grandiloquent (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/grandiloquent/2016-11-15)
“A victorious Governor Jerry Brown, his voice gruffer, his pate sparer and his metaphors more florid
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/florid/2017-03-05) than during his first stint in office...”
Source: "Brownian motion" published in The Economist
Flout: verb, Openly disregard

Synonyms: defy, refuse to obey, go against
“It relies on its members, and on institutions... to shame and discourage people who flout important political
norms.”
Source: "How strong are the institutions of liberal societies?" published in The Economist
Foible (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/foible/2016-12-09): noun, a minor weakness or eccentricity in

someone’s character
Synonyms: idiosyncrasy, eccentricity, peculiarity
“The elder Bongo had a gift for politics as outsized as his personality (among other foibles, he liked to show
off his pet tiger to guests).”
Source: "Trying to get past oil" published in The Economist
Forestall (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/forestall/2017-05-29): verb, Prevent or obstruct (an anticipated

event or action) by taking action ahead of time
Synonyms: pre-empt, get in before, get ahead of
“To forestall (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/forestall/2017-05-29) a social crisis, he mused, governments
should consider a tax on robots; if automation slows as a result, so much the better.”
Source: "Why taxing robots is not a good idea" published in The Economist
Frenetic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/frenetic/2016-08-26): adjective, Fast and energetic in a rather wild

and uncontrolled way
Synonyms: frantic, wild, frenzied
“Frenetic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/frenetic/2016-08-26) multi-tasking—surfing the web while
watching TV while listening to music—is a formula for distraction, rather than good management.”
Source: "Here comes SuperBoss" published in The Economist
Gall (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/gall/2017-03-26): noun, Bold, impudent behavior

Synonyms: insolence, nerve, audacity
With enough gall (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/gall/2017-03-26) and entrepreneurial spirit, it suggests,
anyone can end up driving a Porsche and living in a marble-floored luxury apartment.
Source: "War games" published in The Economist
Galvanize (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/galvanize/2016-09-08): verb, Shock or excite (someone), typically

into taking action
Synonyms: jolt, impel
“'The decay of American politics,' Mr. Fukuyama writes, 'will probably continue until some external shock
comes along to catalyze a true reform coalition and galvanize (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/galvanize/2016-09-08) it into action.'”
Source: "Pandering and other sins" published in The Economist
Gambit (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/gambit/2017-05-26): noun, a device, action, or opening remark,

typically one entailing a degree of risk, that is calculated to gain an advantage
Synonyms: plan, scheme, strategy
“What began as a gambit (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/gambit/2017-05-26) to hold together his divided
Tory party is turning into an alarmingly close contest.”
Source: "The real danger of Brexit" published in The Economist
Goad (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/goad/2017-03-30): verb, Provoke or annoy (someone) so as to

stimulate some action or reaction
Synonyms: spur, prod, egg on
“Her words were meant to goad (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/goad/2017-03-30) officials into action, not
(presumably) to describe how she saw the coming four years of her term.”
Source: "A series of unfortunate events" published in The Economist
Gossamer (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/gossamer/2016-08-30): adjective, Used to refer to something very

light, thin, and insubstantial or delicate
Synonyms: gauzy, gossamery, fine
“Like a saintly relic, the gossamer (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/gossamer/2016-08-30) threads that tie the
two halves offer the promise of miraculous healing by evoking the vulnerability of the suffering body.”
Source: "Die and do" published in The Economist
Gouge (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/gouge/2017-07-06): verb, Overcharge; swindle

“They do not want monopolists to gouge (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/gouge/2017-07-06) consumers and
stifle innovation, yet they often struggle to determine the extent to which such things are happening.”
Source: "It’s complicated" published in The Economist
Grandiloquent (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/grandiloquent/2016-11-15): adjective, Pompous or

extravagant in language, style, or manner
Synonyms: pompous, bombastic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/bombastic/2016-09-19), magniloquent

“The authors give it a rather grandiloquent (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/grandiloquent/2016-11-15) name:
the desire 'to force destiny, to create serendipity.'”
Source: "In praise of misfits" published in The Economist
Grouse (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/grouse/2017-07-05): verb, complain pettily; grumble

Synonyms: moan, groan, protest
“Some economists grouse (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/grouse/2017-07-05) about such rules, which can
interfere with the smooth functioning of competitive labour markets...”
Source: "Apps and downsides" published in The Economist
Hapless (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/hapless/2016-11-17): adjective, (Especially of a person) unfortunate

Synonyms: unlucky, luckless, out of luck
“By the 1970s, many fans argued that the spectacle of hapless (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/hapless/2016-11-17) pitchers feebly trying to fend off blazing fastballs was turning their at-bats into a
mockery of the game.”

Source: "Is it ever a good idea to let a hurler hit?" published in The Economist
Homage (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/homage/2016-12-22): noun, Special honour or respect shown

publicly
Synonyms: tribute, acknowledgement, admiration
“Over the past year, numerous young directors have been paying gushing homage (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/homage/2016-12-22) to the movies which enchanted them in their youth.”
Source: "The dangerous chill of Chilcot" published in The Economist
Imbue (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/imbue/2017-03-08): verb, Inspire or permeate with a feeling or

quality
Synonyms: saturate, fill, suffuse
“Some feminists argue, moreover, that the very framework of economics is imbued with subtler forms of
sexism.”
Source: "A proper reckoning" published in The Economist
Immutable (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/immutable/2016-07-14): adjective, Unchanging over time or

unable to be changed
Synonyms: permanent, set, steadfast
“After all, whom institutions choose to celebrate and how they depict the past are choices to be debated,
not immutable (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/immutable/2016-07-14) facts.”
Source: "The colliding of the American mind" published in The Economist
Impasse (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/impasse/2016-12-06): noun, a situation in which no progress is

possible, especially because of disagreement
Synonyms: deadlock, dead end, stalemate
“The Catalan impasse (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/impasse/2016-12-06) is part of a wider Spanish
gridlock. Elections on December 20th splintered the political landscape.”
Source: "The chore of the Spanish succession" published in The Economist
Inculcate: verb, Instill (an attitude, idea, or habit) by persistent instruction

Synonyms: imbue (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/imbue/2017-03-08), infuse, inspire
“The tests and ceremonies were to start inculcating a sense of common values that had previously been
lacking.”
Source: "Integration nation" published in The Economist
Indolence (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/indolence/2017-02-01): noun, Avoidance of activity or exertion

Synonyms: laziness, idleness, slothfulness
“The indolence (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/indolence/2017-02-01) of a society brought up to expect that
oil riches will be lavished upon them is another large hurdle.”
Source: "Saudi Arabia’s post-oil future" published in The Economist
Inquest (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/inquest/2017-05-02): noun, a judicial inquiry to ascertain the facts

relating to an incident, such as a death
Synonyms: enquiry, investigation, inquisition
“A jury at a second inquest (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/inquest/2017-05-02) ruled that they were
unlawfully killed.”
Source: "The significance of the Hillsborough inquests" published in The Economist
Irascible (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/irascible/2016-07-27): adjective, having or showing a tendency to

be easily angered
Synonyms: irritable, quick-tempered, short-tempered
“He survived, but some of his contemporaries thought that the accident changed his personality from
pleasant to irascible (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/irascible/2016-07-27).”
Source: "From neurosis to neurons" published in The Economist
Itinerant (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/itinerant/2016-07-19): adjective, Traveling from place to place

Synonyms: peripatetic, wandering, roving
“Her first America-set film is a freewheeling road movie in which an 18-year-old escapes a dysfunctional
family by joining a group of itinerant (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/itinerant/2016-07-19) young misfits.”
Source: "Noblesse oblige at Cannes" published in The Economist
Laconic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/laconic/2017-03-27): adjective, (of a person, speech, or style of

writing) using very few words
Synonyms: brief, concise, terse (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/terse/2016-10-15)
“After decades in obscurity, he has been resurrected as an important literary figure, praised for his laconic
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/laconic/2017-03-27) style and eyewitness testimony...”
Source: "Darkness before dawn" published in The Economist
Largesse (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/largesse/2017-03-24): noun, Generosity in bestowing money or

gifts upon others
Synonyms: liberality, munificence, bounty
“All else equal, such largesse (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/largesse/2017-03-24) should indeed give the
economy some temporary vim.”
Source: "King of debt" published in The Economist
Leery (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/leery/2017-03-21): adjective, Cautious or wary due to realistic

suspicions
Synonyms: careful, circumspect (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/circumspect/2016-08-17), on one's guard
“The past two decades have left working-class voters in many countries leery (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/leery/2017-03-21) of globalisation.”
Source: "Trade in the balance" published in The Economist
Limpid (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/limpid/2017-01-27): adjective, (especially of writing or music) clear

and accessible or melodious
Synonyms: lucid, plain, understandable
“Unlike many writers of Spanish, he preferred short, simple sentences, and they gave his writing a limpid
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/limpid/2017-01-27) intensity.”
Source: "Poet of a magical Latin American world" published in The Economist
Loquacious: adjective, Tending to talk a great deal

Synonyms: talkative, voluble, communicative
“Edwina, Williams’ mother, was judgmental, frigid and pious, but also as loquacious
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/loquacious/2016-10-28)as her husband was laconic
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/laconic/2017-03-27).”
Source: "Making Tenn out of Tom" published in The Economist
Lucid: adjective, Showing ability to think clearly

Synonyms: rational, sane, in one's right mind
“But his style is lucid and his judgments scrupulously fair.”
Source: "A near-run thing" published in The Economist
Malign (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/malign/2017-02-26): adjective, evil in nature or effect

Synonyms: harmful, bad, malevolent
“Other, darker interpretations of what malign (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/malign/2017-02-26) force the
monster may represent once again abound...”
Source: "A well-loved monster takes Japan’s box office by storm once again" published in The Economist
Maudlin (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/maudlin/2017-03-03): adjective, Self-pityingly or tearfully

sentimental
Synonyms: emotional, tearful, lachrymose (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/lachrymose/2016-08-16)
“Alas, he never really fixed his state’s finances, and voters at home have tired of his maudlin
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/maudlin/2017-03-03)theatrics...”
Source: "Chris Christie and Carly Fiorina drop out" published in The Economist
Milieu (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/milieu/2016-11-16): noun, a person’s social environment

Synonyms: sphere, background, backdrop
“Armed with a view of themselves in a seething milieu (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/milieu/2016-11-16) of
particles careening around a stretchy space-time, readers are reminded they are 'an integral part of the
world which we perceive...'”
Source: "The universe, writ small" published in The Economist
Mire (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/mire/2017-03-13): verb, involve someone or something in (a difficult

situation)
Synonyms: entangle, tangle up, embroil
“Ms Park is hopelessly mired in an ever-deepening influence-peddling scandal.”
Source: "Why Park Geun-hye should resign" published in The Economist
Modish (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/modish/2017-03-22): adjective, Conforming to or following what is

currently popular and fashionable
Synonyms: modern, trendy, in
“With these modish (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/modish/2017-03-22) safety demonstrations becoming
the norm, the question is what, exactly, do they accomplish?”
Source: "Why airline safety videos are getting catchier" published in The Economist
Morose (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/morose/2016-12-10): adjective, Sullen and ill-tempered

Synonyms: sullen, sulky, gloomy
“Mr. Macron’s can-do political energy stands out in morose (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/morose/2016-
12-10) France, home to 10% unemployment and growth last year of just 1.1%.”
Source: "Beardless youth" published in The Economist
Nascent (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/nascent/2017-01-09): adjective, just coming into existence and

beginning to display signs of future potential
Synonyms: emerging, beginning, dawning
“Weakening the legislature in a nascent (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/nascent/2017-01-09) democracy will
not fix corruption by itself.”
Source: "Why politicians are granted immunity from prosecution" published in The Economist
Natty (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/natty/2017-09-04): adjective, (of a person or an article of clothing)

smart and fashionable
Synonyms: stylish, dapper, debonair
“The British Museum, the National Gallery and the Wallace Collection have all flirted with natty
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/natty/2017-09-04)continental leaders...”
Source: "Two new museum heads herald a generational shift in advocates for the arts in Britain" published
in The Economist
Nexus (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/nexus/2016-11-08): noun, a connection or series of connections

linking two or more things
Synonyms: union, link
“Some chapters read like a thriller, because they offer a microscopic look at the unwholesome nexus
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/nexus/2016-11-08) between Germany’s media, politics and judiciary.”
Source: "An unwholesome nexus (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/nexus/2016-11-08)" published in The

Economist
Nonplussed (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/nonplussed/2016-08-31): adjective, (Of a person) surprised and

confused so much that they are unsure how to react
Synonyms: baffled, confounded
“And as usual, internet commenters seemed nonplussed (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/nonplussed/2016-
08-31) by what seemed to be a venerable institution (i.e., Oxford) validating teenage slang.”
Source: "How dictionary-makers decide which words to include" published in The Economist
Normative (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/normative/2016-11-18): adjective, Establishing, relating to, or

deriving from a standard or norm
“...Japanese philosopher and merchant, Tominaga Nakamoto, who was highly critical of the normative
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/normative/2016-11-18) thought of his time and favoured free trade.”
Source: "Craig Wright reveals himself as Satoshi Nakamoto" published in The Economist
Opine (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/opine/2016-11-10): verb, Hold and state as one’s opinion

Synonyms: suggest, say, declare
“The voters may opine (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/opine/2016-11-10) on the overarching principle but
the voters cannot get involved in the minutiae of policy implementation.”
Source: "A recipe for Parliamentary chaos?" published in The Economist
Pallid (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/pallid/2017-02-12): adjective, (of a person's face) pale, typically

because of poor health
Synonyms: white, pasty, wan
“Its protagonists (played by the suitably pallid (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/pallid/2017-02-12) and
slender Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton) are named Adam and Eve.”
Source: "Nonfatal attraction" published in The Economist
Panache (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/panache/2016-11-02): noun, Flamboyant confidence of style or

manner
Synonyms: self-assurance, style, flair
“Second, a quick mind: he wrote with speed and panache (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/panache/2016-11-
02), after strolling round leisurely with a big cigar beforehand.”
Source: "The Fab One" published in The Economist
Paragon: noun, a person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality

Synonyms: model, epitome, exemplar (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/exemplar/2017-06-21)
“Despite the reasons to see it as a paragon of modernity, Odebrecht has long been accused of winning
business in an old-fashioned and less admirable way.”

Source: "Principles and values" published in The Economist
Parry: verb, Answer (a question or accusation) evasively

Synonyms: evade, sidestep, avoid
“In the course of his business career, the president-elect has shown a remarkable ability to dodge and parry
and reverse himself on everything...”
Source: "How the Supreme Court will change under President Trump" published in The Economist
Penchant (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/penchant/2017-06-24): noun, A strong or habitual liking for

something or tendency to do something
Synonyms: fondness, inclination, preference
“Mr. Gorsuch also shares Mr. Scalia’s literary talents: he is an elegant writer with a penchant
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/penchant/2017-06-24) for playful eruditio.”
Source: "Donald Trump taps Neil Gorsuch for the Supreme Court" published in The Economist
Pithy: adjective, (of language or style) terse (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/terse/2016-10-15) and

vigorously expressive
Synonyms: concise, brief, compact
“Academics are not known for brevity in writing. And physics does not lend itself to pithy introductions.”
Source: "The universe, writ small" published in The Economist
Plethora (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/plethora/2016-07-26): noun, a large or excessive amount

Synonyms: excess, overabundance, surplus
“Podcasts were facing fierce competition for audiences’ attention from a plethora (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/plethora/2016-07-26) of other new digital-native products including Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.”
Posit: verb, Put forward as fact or as a basis for argument

Synonyms: postulate, propound, submit
“Mr. Ansar and his co-authors assume this margin is 40%: they posit a ratio of expected benefits to costs of
1.4 for every project.”
Source: "Opinion is divided on China’s massive infrastructure projects" published in The Economist
Presage: verb, be a sign or warning of (an imminent event, typically an unwelcome one)
Synonyms: point to, mean, signify
“Stock markets are set to open down today, and the election could presage a longer slump if investors feel
that the uncertainty generated... will harm growth and corporate profits.”
Source: "The economic consequences of Donald Trump" published in The Economist
Prolific (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/prolific/2017-02-24): adjective, (of an artist, author, or composer)

producing many works
Synonyms: productive, creative, inventive
“It is true that few artists have been so prolific (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/prolific/2017-02-24). On
average, he released a studio album every year...”
Source: "Everything flowed through Prince" published in The Economist
Proxy (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/proxy/2017-02-21): noun, a person authorized to act on behalf of

another
Synonyms: representative, substitute, stand-in
“...Mr. Thaksin’s sister Yingluck, who took over his political movement after he left the country and who in
2011 was elected prime minister as his proxy (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/proxy/2017-02-21).”
Source: "The death of the Thai king throws the country into turmoil: Chris Christie and Carly Fiorina drop
out" published in The Economist
Prudish (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/prudish/2017-03-01): adjective, having a tendency to be easily

shocked by matters relating to sex or nudity
Synonyms: puritanical, prim, goody-goody
“Several Pacific nations ban cross-dressing (another hand-me-down from prudish (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/prudish/2017-03-01) Victorians).”
Source: "Knife-edge lives" published in The Economist
Qualm (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/qualm/2017-02-23): noun, an uneasy feeling of doubt, worry, or fear

Synonyms: misgiving, doubt, reservation
“Qualms about the force’s quality extend beyond their handling of demonstrators.”
Source: "The force is with who?" published in The Economist
Quell (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/quell/2016-10-30): verb, Suppress (a feeling, especially an unpleasant

one)
Synonyms: calm, soothe, pacify
“So the correct response is to...plump up the capital cushions of its vulnerable banks with enough public
money to quell (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/quell/2016-10-30) fears of a systemic crisis.”

Source: "The Italian job" published in The Economist
Quibble: verb, Argue or raise objections about a trivial matter

Synonyms: object to, criticize, nitpick
“One can quibble (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/quibble/2016-11-14)with some of the detail; perhaps the
labour market participation rate can rise again, particularly if baby boomers find they don't have enough
money with which to retire.”
Source: "Nevsky’s prospects: China, fat tails and opaque (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/opaque/2016-08-
24) markets" published in The Economist
Quotidian (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/quotidian/2016-10-12): adjective, Ordinary or everyday, especially

when mundane
Synonyms: day-to-day, average, daily
“They are seers, and mystics unfettered by the quotidian (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/quotidian/2016-
10-12), connecting with the divine and reporting back.”
Source: "The figure of the mad artistic genius is compelling, but unhelpful" published in The Economist
Recalcitrant (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/recalcitrant/2016-09-13): adjective, having an obstinately

uncooperative attitude toward authority
Synonyms: uncooperative, intractable
“In a move that may test the mettle of recalcitrant (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/recalcitrant/2016-09-
13) Senate Republicans, Barack Obama nominated Merrick Garland, a widely respected and politically
moderate judge...”
Source: "Barack Obama nominates Merrick Garland to fill Antonin Scalia’s seat" published in The Economist
Recant (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/recant/2017-03-04): verb, Say that one no longer holds an opinion or

belief
Synonyms: renounce, disavow, retract
“Analysts who predict turmoil are warned to shut up or recant (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/recant/2017-
03-04).”
Source: "The muzzle grows tighter" published in The Economist
Salient (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/salient/2016-11-06): adjective, Most noticeable or important

Synonyms: conspicuous, noticeable, obvious
“The reason for that emphasis may in part be because of the salient (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/salient/2016-11-06) threat of terrorism…”
Source: "The Democrats’ orchestral finale" published in The Economist
Sardonic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/sardonic/2016-12-11): adjective, grimly mocking or cynical

Synonyms: satirical, sarcastic, ironic
“Ms Jefferson, it must be said, is a master of the arched-eyebrow, sardonic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/sardonic/2016-12-11) quip.”
Source: "A world apart" published in The Economist
Savant (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/savant/2016-10-17): noun, a learned person, especially a

distinguished scientist
Synonyms: intellectual, scholar, sage
“The more a society treats its businesspeople as hero savants based on their professional successes,
elevating them to positions of political power.”
Source: "Let them die" published in The Economist
Soliloquy (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/soliloquy/2016-09-07): noun, an act of speaking one’s thoughts

aloud when by oneself, especially by a character in a play
Synonyms: monologue, speech
“Patrick Stewart, for instance, reworked Hamlet’s soliloquy (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/soliloquy/2016-
09-07) as an ode to the letter B ('B or not a B, that is the question').”
Source: "Big Bird, big brain" published in The Economist
Stigma (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/stigma/2017-07-01): noun, a mark of disgrace associated with a

particular circumstance, quality, or person
Synonyms: shame, disgrace, dishonour
“A stigma (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/stigma/2017-07-01) against adults having fun, strong in the
aftermath of the Second World War, has faded.”
Source: "Toymakers bounce back in the land of adult nappies" published in The Economist
Stipulate (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/stipulate/2017-07-08): verb, Demand or specify (a requirement),

typically as part of a bargain or agreement
Synonyms: set down, set out, lay down
“In trade negotiations, size matters. Larger economies can stipulate (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/stipulate/2017-07-08) terms that suit them.”
Source: "Britain’s excruciating embrace of Donald Trump shows how little independence it has gained from
Brexit" published in The Economist
Stratum: noun, a thin layer within any structure

Synonyms: level, class, echelon (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/echelon/2016-11-26)
“But exalting Western aviation security to a higher stratum than that found in Africa is a delusion.”
Source: "The troubling case of the bomb on a flight from Mogadishu" published in The Economist
Subpoena (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/subpoena/2016-07-29): noun, A writ ordering a person to attend a

court
Synonyms: summons, mandate, court order
“Subpoenas issued by a federal grand jury earlier this year demanded that the Port Authority hand over Mr.
Samson’s personal travel records...”
Source: "The chairman’s flight" published in The Economist
Syntax (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/syntax/2016-10-16): noun, the arrangement of words and phrases to

create well-formed sentences in a language
“The three decided to record their reactions to Belinda’s not-particularly-erotic escapades and the author’s
idiosyncratic syntax (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/syntax/2016-10-16).”
Tenet: noun, a principle or belief

Synonyms: doctrine, precept, creed
“In the Warren and Burger courts of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, religious accommodation was a liberal
tenet.”
Source: "Left, right" published in The Economist
Tout (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/tout/2017-02-13): verb, Attempt to sell (something), typically by

pestering people in an aggressive manner
Synonyms: endorse, urge
“Providers have focused on the home, touting products such as coffee pots that turn on when the alarm
clock rings...”
Source: "Where the smart is" published in The Economist
Urbane (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/urbane/2017-01-02): adjective, (Of a person, especially a man)

courteous and refined in manner
Synonyms: suave, sophisticated, debonair

“Beneath its urbane (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/urbane/2017-01-02) surface all Mr. Hough’s music is, in
one way or another, a crusade.”
Source: "He’s the piano man" published in The Economist
Verbose (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/verbose/2016-12-31): adjective, Using or expressed in more words

than are needed
Synonyms: wordy, loquacious, long-winded
“But in recent years they have become particularly verbose (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/verbose/2016-
12-31), bombarding consumers with any small detail that might enhance the brand.”
Source: "It’s the real thing" published in The Economist
Whet (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/whet/2016-12-28): verb, Excite or stimulate (someone's desire,

interest, or appetite)
Synonyms: arouse, rouse, trigger
“But sham democracy often whets people’s appetite for the real thing.”
Source: "The road less travelled" published in The Economist
Level 3 GRE Vocabulary: Most Difficult
Abeyance (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/abeyance/2017-01-11): noun, a state of temporary disuse or

suspension
Synonyms: suspense, remission, reserve
“With the euro crisis in abeyance (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/abeyance/2017-01-11), high oil prices have
become the latest source of worry for the world economy.”
Source: "The new grease?" published in The Economist
Abjure (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/abjure/2016-12-12): verb, Solemnly renounce (a belief, cause, or

claim)
Synonyms: relinquish, reject, disavow
“Since 1986 he has been asking candidates for public office to sign his Taxpayer Protection Pledge, in which
they abjure (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/abjure/2016-12-12) tax increases of any sort forever.”
Source: "It’s not over for Grover" published in The Economist
anodyne (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/%3Ca%20href=)/2016-11-27">Anodyne
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/anodyne/2017-01-21): adjective, not likely to cause offence or disagreement
and somewhat dull

Synonyms: bland, inoffensive, innocuous
“The prospect of a day spent milling around... at the G20 summit this week, with nothing to show for it but
an anodyne (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/%3Ca%20href=)/2016-11-27">anodyne
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/anodyne/2017-01-21) communiqué, must be depressing enough.”
Source: "Agreeing to agree" published in The Economist
Bilk (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/bilk/2017-06-11): verb, Obtain or withhold money from (someone) by

deceit or without justification
Synonyms: swindle, defraud, deceive
“Partly because they are not paid properly, they bilk (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/bilk/2017-06-11) the
system and get away with it, thanks to political contacts.”
Source: "A tale of two villages" published in The Economist
Canard (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/canard/2017-03-23): noun, an unfounded rumor or story

Synonyms: piece of gossip, whisper
“In March 2014 Newsweek... identified a man living in California... as the real Satoshi, but this turned out to
be an embarrassing canard (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/canard/2017-03-23).”
Source: "Craig Steven Wright claims to be Satoshi Nakamoto. Is he?" published in The Economist
Catalyst (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/catalyst/2016-09-30): noun, a person or thing that precipitates an

event
Synonyms: stimulus, impetus, spark
“Europe, which is where the global refugee regime began 65 years ago... will have to be the catalyst
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/catalyst/2016-09-30) for change.”
Source: "Looking for a home" published in The Economist
Catharsis (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/catharsis/2016-12-15): noun, the process of releasing and providing

relief from strong or repressed emotions
Synonyms: emotional release, relief
“...Robin Hanbury-Tenison, another British explorer, who is president of Survival International, calls 'the gosh
factor'—that rush of amazement and catharsis (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/catharsis/2016-12-15) when a
pinnacle is reached or a mad exploit in some jungle or desert achieved...”
Source: "A new age of discovery" published in The Economist
Cloture (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/cloture/2017-07-02): noun, (in a legislative assembly) a procedure

for ending a debate and taking a vote
“'If you do not have the support of 60 Senators to invoke cloture (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/cloture/2017-07-02) and end a filibuster... you cannot pass such a deeming resolution in the Senate.'”
Source: "Why the Senate hasn't passed a budget" published in The Economist
Compendium (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/compendium/2016-11-23): noun, a collection of concise but

detailed information about a particular subject
Synonyms: compilation, anthology
“He relies on a crowdsourced compendium (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/compendium/2016-11-23) of
fishermen’s tales.”
Source: "Wiki-fishing" published in The Economist
Conscript (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/conscript/2017-06-27): verb, Enlist (https://gre.economist.com/gre-

vocabulary/enlist/2017-07-17) (someone) compulsorily
Synonyms: draft, recruit, call up

“Most Jewish Israelis are conscripted into the military; about 100,000 new recruits, fresh out of secondary
school, are drafted each year...”
Source: "Tales from Silicon wadi" published in The Economist
Cosset (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/cosset/2017-06-30): verb, Care for and protect in an overindulgent

way
Synonyms: indulge, pander to
“With a big haul, Scotland’s politicians could perhaps afford to cosset (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/cosset/2017-06-30) oil firms. Without one, the young nation might have to milk them harder than
ever.”
Source: "Running on fumes" published in The Economist
Coterie (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/coterie/2017-06-23): noun, a small group of people with shared

interests or tastes
Synonyms: clique, circle, inner circle
“He rules through a tight coterie (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/coterie/2017-06-23) of loyal aides, many of
whom worked with him in his previous job as governor of the state of Mexico...”
Source: "The unspeakable and the inexplicable" published in The Economist
Daguerreotype (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/daguerreotype/2016-08-02): noun, A photograph taken by an

early photographic process employing an iodine-sensitized silvered plate and mercury vapor
“Indeed, the earliest applications of multimedia for remembrance were the post-mortem daguerreotypes
used by grieving Victorians as mementos of their dear departed.”
Source: "Difference Engine: Facebook for the dead" published in The Economist
Dilettante (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/dilettante/2017-06-20): noun, a person who cultivates an area of

interest without real commitment or knowledge
Synonyms: dabbler, potterer, tinkerer
“This is not the work of a dilettante (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/dilettante/2017-06-20), but a strong
follow-up to her acclaimed short stories that came out in 2007.”
Source: "Magical realism" published in The Economist
Diurnal (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/diurnal/2016-12-01): adjective, (Of animals) active in the daytime

Synonyms: daily, everyday
“People walk on two legs like most avian species. They are also largely diurnal (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/diurnal/2016-12-01) and rely upon sight as their primary sense.”
Source: "Fairy creatures" published in The Economist
dross (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/%3Ca%20href=)/2017-03-31">Dross (https://gre.economist.com/gre-

vocabulary/dross/2017-07-13): noun, something regarded as worthless
Synonyms: rubbish, junk, debris

“Some of its best properties could be sold quickly, but the dross (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/%3Ca%20href=)/2017-03-31">dross (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/dross/2017-07-13) might take
years to offload.”
Source: "How Donald Trump should handle conflicts of interest" published in The Economist
Dyspeptic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/dyspeptic/2016-08-18): adjective, Of or having indigestion or

consequent irritability or depression
Synonyms: bad-tempered, short-tempered, irritable
“Pity V.S. Naipaul: every couple of years or so the dyspeptic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/dyspeptic/2016-
08-18) writer makes a pronouncement so extreme that it sounds like a plea for attention…”
Source: "A bend in the logic" published in The Economist
Ebullient (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/ebullient/2016-08-22): adjective, Cheerful and full of energy

Synonyms: exuberant, buoyant, joyful
“And in Elon Musk, its ebullient (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/ebullient/2016-08-22) boss, it has a

figurehead whose relentless promotion has quickly established Tesla as a luxury brand...”
Source: "On a charge" published in The Economist
Edify (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/edify/2016-11-28): verb, Instruct or improve (someone) morally or

intellectually
Synonyms: educate, instruct, enlighten
“Shows that revolve around women are so few and far between. The ones that exist are expected not only
to entertain but to represent and edify (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/edify/2016-11-28) us too.”
Source: "Great expectations" published in The Economist
Egress (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/egress/2016-12-13): noun, the action of going out of or leaving a

place
Synonyms: departure, exit, withdrawal
“The government must 'protect passenger safety by mandating minimum seat pitch standards to preclude
ingress/egress (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/egress/2016-12-13) and health issues.'”
Source: "A passenger revolt against squashed legroom" published in The Economist
Ersatz (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/ersatz/2016-12-23): adjective, (Of a product) used as a substitute,

typically an inferior one, for something else
Synonyms: artificial, substitute, imitation
“As any computer scientist will tell you, creating an ersatz (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/ersatz/2016-12-
23) version of something in software is inevitably less precise and more computationally costly than simply
making use of the thing itself.”

Source: "You’ve got a nerve" published in The Economist
Erstwhile (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/erstwhile/2017-06-06): adjective, former

Synonyms: old, past, one-time
“The stake of the Co-operative Group, its erstwhile (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/erstwhile/2017-06-
06) owner, was reduced to just 20%.”
Source: "The Co-op Bank puts itself up for sale" published in The Economist
Euphony (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/euphony/2017-06-26): noun, the quality of being pleasing to the

ear
Synonyms: melodiousness, musicality
“'Good news—clarity's a-coming!' extol (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/extol/2017-02-14) choristers from
the Hot Air Ensemble in jouncing Harlemesque euphony (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/euphony/2017-06-

26)...”
Source: "Blasting the bombast" published in The Economist
Expiate (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/expiate/2017-06-01): verb, Atone for (guilt or sin)

Synonyms: make amends for, make up for
“So, among the countless humiliations endured by a defeated nation, this was a petty one, now forgotten. It
will be expiated on May 26th...”
Source: "Rebuilding bridges" published in The Economist
Extant: adjective, still in existence; surviving

Synonyms: living, still existing, remaining
“The earliest extant painting dates to 1825 and shows him with vivid eyes and thin, sculpted lips.”
Source: "Bosom buddies" published in The Economist
Fracas (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/fracas/2017-05-31): noun, a noisy disturbance or quarrel

Synonyms: scuffle, brawl, affray
“By the time the broadcaster took the video off its website a day later, it had caused a diplomatic fracas
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/fracas/2017-05-31) between Turkey and Germany.”
Source: "There once was a prickly sultan" published in The Economist
Frieze (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/frieze/2016-09-15): noun, a broad horizontal band of sculpted or

painted decoration, especially on a wall near the ceiling
“A frieze (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/frieze/2016-09-15) on the wall of America's Supreme Court shows
some of the great law-givers of history, including the Roman emperor Justinian, Moses and Muhammad.”
Source: "Shalt or shalt not" published in The Economist
Fusillade (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/fusillade/2016-08-10): noun, a series of shots fired or missiles

thrown all at the same time or in quick succession
Synonyms: salvo, volley, bombardment
“But thanks to poor communication, many saw it as China’s first fusillade (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/fusillade/2016-08-10) in a global currency war. “
Source: "Taking a tumble" published in The Economist
Gaffe (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/gaffe/2017-03-09): noun, an unintentional act or remark causing

embarrassment to its originator
Synonyms: blunder, mistake, error

“Personally he is likeable. But he is also gaffe (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/gaffe/2017-03-09)-prone
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/prone/2017-09-02) and the progenitor of a series of undiplomatic
comments...”
Source: "Britain’s new prime minister will regret appointing Boris Johnson" published in The Economist
Gainsay (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/gainsay/2017-05-28): verb, Speak against or oppose (someone)

Synonyms: be against, object to, be hostile to
“She was too young to know better, let alone gainsay (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/gainsay/2017-05-
28) her wicked uncle.”
Source: "Royally embarrassed" published in The Economist
Gerontocracy (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/gerontocracy/2016-12-02): noun, a state, society, or group

governed by old people
“But Muhammad bin Salman is not merely a young face in a gerontocracy (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/gerontocracy/2016-12-02); he is a dynamic and apparently purposeful one.”
Source: "The challenged kingdom" published in The Economist
Halcyon (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/halcyon/2016-08-11): adjective, Denoting a period of time in the

past that was idyllically happy and peaceful
Synonyms: happy, golden, idyllic
“In their halcyon (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/halcyon/2016-08-11) days the mainstream parties used to
share most of the vote between them.”
Source: "The churn down under" published in The Economist
Hegemony (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/hegemony/2016-09-05): noun, Leadership or dominance,

especially by one group over others
Synonyms: leadership, dominance, dominion
“Yet if the hegemony (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/hegemony/2016-09-05) of the dollar is unstable, its
would-be successors are unsuitable.”
Source: "Dominant and dangerous" published in The Economist
Hermetic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/hermetic/2016-09-01): adjective, Insulated or protected from

outside influences
Synonyms: airtight, sealed
“More worryingly, there was a hermetic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/hermetic/2016-09-01) logic to them
which, with the passions they aroused, made it possible to see how they could beguile and thrill many
more.”
Source: "How a nation went mad" published in The Economist
Heterodox (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/heterodox/2016-11-12): adjective, not conforming with accepted

or orthodox standards or beliefs
Synonyms: unorthodox, heretical, dissenting
“Among those discriminated against for holding heterodox (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/heterodox/2016-
11-12) religious views, the Bahai community continues particularly to suffer.”
Source: "Human rights in Iran are still atrocious" published in The Economist
Homogeneous (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/homogeneous/2016-11-22): adjective, of the same kind; alike

Synonyms: uniform, identical, unvaried
“It also has proportionately more immigrants than almost anywhere else. Next to London, famously
cosmopolitan cities like Paris and Berlin are actually rather homogeneous (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/homogeneous/2016-11-22).”
Source: "Britain’s unparalleled diversity is here to stay" published in The Economist
Iconoclast (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/iconoclast/2016-08-19): noun, a person who attacks cherished

beliefs or institutions
Synonyms: critic, skeptic, dissenter
“He has overtaken Manuel Valls, the centre-left prime minister, as the left’s most outspoken iconoclast
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/iconoclast/2016-08-19), and shown up the Socialist left as die-hard
conservatives.”
Source: "How France’s economy minister is trying to change the country" published in The Economist
Idyll (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/idyll/2016-11-13): noun, an extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque

episode or scene
Synonyms: perfect time, ideal time, honeymoon
“That might just persuade them to forgive the scriptwriters for the unwelcome disruption to their rural idyll
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/idyll/2016-11-13).”
Source: "Violence in the shires" published in The Economist
Ignoble (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/ignoble/2016-08-15): adjective, not honorable in character or

purpose
Synonyms: dishonorable, unworthy, base
“Moreover, by controlling the body he controlled the equally unruly mind, keeping it pure from 'ignoble
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/ignoble/2016-08-15) strife'.”
Source: "Raising the temple" published in The Economist
Impugn (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/impugn/2017-03-15): verb, Dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of

(a statement or motive)
Synonyms: call into question, challenge
“Impugning Mr. Abe’s motives is too cynical. His commitment to economic revival was no doubt sincere...”
Source: "Three-piece dream suit" published in The Economist
Incise (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/incise/2017-01-24): verb, Mark or decorate (an object or surface) with

a cut or a series of cut
Synonyms: engrave, etch, carve
“This 12th-century incense burner is incised with calligraphy that identifies its maker and first owner.”
Source: "Centuries of glory" published in The Economist
Incubus (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/incubus/2017-01-28): noun, a cause of distress or anxiety

“The Japanese people, freed of the incubus (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/incubus/2017-01-28) of a war
industry which by 1938 was absorbing 61 per cent of their national income, have a chance of recovering...”
Source: "Victory in the East" published in The Economist
Knell (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/knell/2017-03-14): noun, the sound of a bell, especially when rung

solemnly for a death or funeral
Synonyms: toll, ringing, chime
“The change in policy is a blow to the prison industry, but it hardly sounds a death knell
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/knell/2017-03-14) for its business model.”
Source: "America is phasing out the federal use of private prisons" published in The Economist
Lachrymose (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/lachrymose/2016-08-16): adjective, Inducing tears; sad

Synonyms: sad, tearful, weepy
“This morning the world is not talking about a dubious song by the host, a lachrymose
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/lachrymose/2016-08-16) speech or even an appalling outfit.”
Source: "Normal for Hollywood" published in The Economist
Lacuna (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/lacuna/2016-09-14): noun, an unfilled space or interval; a gap

Synonyms: interval, gap
“This insane lacuna (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/lacuna/2016-09-14) in the justice system reflects

extreme systemic prejudice by drivers against cyclists, and would be easy enough to fix.”
Source: "The American right-of-way" published in The Economist
Lambaste (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/lambaste/2017-03-18): verb, Criticize (someone or something)

harshly
Synonyms: castigate, chastise, condemn
“Yet the president was lambasted for his otherworldly complacency.”
Source: "Learning to live with it" published in The Economist
Larceny (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/larceny/2017-02-08): noun, Theft of personal property

Synonyms: stealing, robbery, pilfering
“But there are still no checks and balances on its exercise, as the larceny (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/larceny/2017-02-08) of governors illustrates.”
Source: "With an unfriendly neighbour, Mexico needs to strengthen itself " published in The Economist
Libertine (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/libertine/2017-01-31): adjective, a person who rejects accepted

opinions in matters of religion
Synonyms: freethinker, hedonist, profligate
“There are aunts for every worldview, from libertine (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/libertine/2017-01-31) to
puritan and from reactionary to radical.”
Source: "Whatever should I do?" published in The Economist
Lugubrious: adjective, Looking or sounding sad and dismal

Synonyms: mournful, gloomy, sad
“The lugubrious (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/lugubrious/2016-07-22)strains of 'Heaven Knows I’m
Miserable Now' waft (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/waft/2017-05-19) across a sunny beach in Acapulco.”
Source: "Girlfriend in a conga" published in The Economist
Maelstrom (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/maelstrom/2016-12-04): noun, a situation or state of confused

movement or violent turmoil
Synonyms: turbulence, tumult, turmoil
“The execution of its leaders, as much as the Easter Rising itself, triggered a maelstrom
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/maelstrom/2016-12-04) of events: a surge of anti-British rage...”
Source: "A terrible problem is born" published in The Economist
Magnate (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/magnate/2017-02-19): noun, a wealthy and influential

businessman or businesswoman
Synonyms: industrialist, tycoon, mogul
“Several of America’s great industrialists built empires in Pittsburgh, including Andrew Carnegie, a
steel magnate (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/magnate/2017-02-19). “
Source: "From zero to seventy (billion)" published in The Economist
Mal (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/malediction/2016-07-15)aproprism: noun, the mistaken use of a word in

place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect
Synonyms: misuse, solecism, blunder
“And so on down the list of supposed malapropisms. 'You can observe a lot by watching,' means plenty...”
Source: "Yogi Berra, linguistic savant (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/savant/2016-10-17)" published in The
Economist
Misanthropy (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/misanthropy/2016-11-21): noun, a dislike of humankind

Synonyms: cynicism, hatred of mankind
“[Labour] did not fall into the traps of the old left: confusing individualism for misanthropy
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/misanthropy/2016-11-21)...”
Source: "The land that Labour forgot" published in The Economist
Monolithic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/monolithic/2016-11-25): adjective, large, powerful, and

intractably indivisible and uniform
Synonyms: inflexible, rigid, unbending
“Four things have made Europe a harsher environment for the centre left: its own success, structural change
in the economy, a reduced fear of political extremes and the decline of monolithic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/monolithic/2016-11-25) class groups.”
Source: "Rose thou art sick" published in The Economist
Munificent (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/munificent/2017-05-03): adjective, Larger or more generous than

is usual or necessary
Synonyms: bountiful, lavish, handsome
“Anyone with a few million dollars to spare can join in. The initial awards for physics, for example, were
followed by equally munificent (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/munificent/2017-05-03) prizes in life sciences
and mathematics.”
Source: "The Breakthrough prizes" published in The Economist
Myopic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/myopic/2016-12-10): adjective, nearsighted

Synonyms: short-sighted, insular, small-minded
“They are also myopic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/myopic/2016-12-10), judging politicians’ economic
management on the basis of only the very recent past.”
Source: "X marks the knot" published in The Economist
Nadir (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/nadir/2017-06-15): noun, the lowest point in the fortunes of a person

or organization
Synonyms: the all-time low, zero
“Between its pre-crisis peak in late 2007 and its nadir (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/nadir/2017-06-15) at
the end of 2009, the economy contracted by 11.2%”
Source: "Celtic phoenix" published in The Economist
Neophyte (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/neophyte/2016-11-30): noun, a person who is new to a subject,

skill, or belief
Synonyms: beginner, learner, novice
“Mr. Gioia also delves into musical theory, in a way that will help both jazz neophytes and experts
understand what they are listening to.”
Source: "Steps to heaven" published in The Economist
Noisome: adjective, having an extremely offensive smell

Synonyms: irritating, disagreeable, unpleasant
“Last July the Internal Security Ministry placed a follow-on order for Skunk, worth $45,000. So far the
noisome substance has not been used abroad...”
Source: "A whiff from hell" published in The Economist
Nostrum (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/nostrum/2017-05-25): noun, a pet scheme or favorite remedy,

especially one for bringing about some social or political reform or improvement
Synonyms: cure, prescription, answer
“It became a nostrum (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/nostrum/2017-05-25) among rank-and-file
Republicans that mainstream opinion polls are biased and should be ignored...”
Source: "State of denial" published in The Economist
Occlude (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/occlude/2017-01-10): verb, Stop, close up, or obstruct

Synonyms: block, cover, shut in
“Mars will be as far away as 370m kilometres in 2013, and occluded for two weeks by the sun to boot...”
Source: "Interplanetary broadband" published in The Economist
Paean (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/paean/2016-08-05): noun, a song of praise or triumph

Synonyms: song of praise, hymn, alleluia
“'It is the right that has inherited the ambitious modernist urge to destroy and innovate in the name of a
universal project,' Tony Judt, a British historian, lamented in 'Ill Fares the Land', a paean
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/paean/2016-08-05) to social democracy he dictated on his death bed.”
Source: "Rose thou art sick" published in The Economist
Panoply (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/panoply/2016-10-19): noun, a complete or impressive collection of

things
Synonyms: array, range, collection
“'The panoply (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/panoply/2016-10-19) of restrictions results in greater
disenfranchisement,' the ruling read, 'than any of the law’s provisions individually.'”
Source: "North Carolina voter ID law is struck down as racially discriminatory" published in The Economist
Pastiche (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/pastiche/2016-12-17): noun, an artistic work consisting of a medley

of pieces taken from various sources
Synonyms: mixture, blend, medley
“Both enjoyed producing small articles and pastiches, she for the college magazine, he for avant-garde
publications...”
Source: "The finger of fame" published in The Economist
Paucity (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/paucity/2016-10-26): noun, the presence of something only in small

or insufficient quantities or amounts
Synonyms: scarcity, sparseness, dearth
“Yet the paucity (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/paucity/2016-10-26) of businesses is not due to a shortage
of opportunities to make money.”
Source: "Opportunities galore" published in The Economist
Pellucid: adjective, Lucid in style or meaning; easily understood

Synonyms: comprehensible, understandable
“Turning a crowd from hostility to adoration through pellucid, charismatic truthtelling is a venerable
Hollywood trope...”
Source: "Fiction about stories" published in The Economist
Phalanx (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/phalanx/2017-05-22): noun, a body of troops or police officers

standing or moving in close formation
“A collection of giant slabs surrounded by thick iron railings, protected by a phalanx
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/phalanx/2017-05-22) of armed guards...”
Source: "Open for business" published in The Economist
Philistine (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/philistine/2016-12-20): noun, A person who is hostile or indifferent

to culture and the arts
Synonyms: oaf, anti-intellectual, boor (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/boor/2016-10-10)
“By choosing such an unimpeachably serious and artistic project as its first film production, the company
has made anyone who grumbles seem like a philistine (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/philistine/2016-12-
20).”
Source: "Netflix's first theatrical release deserves to be watched at the cinema" published in The Economist
Pique (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/pique/2016-10-23): noun, a feeling of irritation or resentment

resulting from a slight (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/slight/2017-07-22)
Synonyms: annoyance, displeasure, indignation
“The Russians have responded with predictable pique (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/pique/2016-10-23)—
just as many refused to condemn the violence of their football hooligans...”
Source: "Russia’s track-and-field team has been barred from the Olympics for doping" published in The
Economist
Polemic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/polemic/2016-09-22): noun, a strong verbal or written attack on

someone or something
Synonyms: diatribe (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/diatribe/2016-12-19), invective
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/invective/2017-04-08)
“Marion Nestle's heavyweight polemic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/polemic/2016-09-22) against Coca-

Cola and PepsiCo comes at an odd moment for the industry.”
Source: "Popped" published in The Economist
Précis (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/pr%C3%A9cis/2017-04-27): noun, a summary or abstract of a text or

speech
Synonyms: synopsis, summation
“His latest book, 'Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking', is a précis (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/pr%C3%A9cis/2017-04-27) of those 50 years, distilled into 77 readable and mostly bite-sized chapters.”
Source: "Pump-primer" published in The Economist
Prosaic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/prosaic/2016-09-16): adjective, Commonplace; unromantic

Synonyms: ordinary, everyday
“However, while it is large-scale evacuations at times of crisis that grab attention, the biggest risks that
business travellers face are more prosaic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/prosaic/2016-09-16).”
Source: "Risky business" published in The Economist
Puerile: adjective, childishly silly and trivial

Synonyms: immature, babyish, infantile
“Meanwhile, out of puerile spite, Mr. Trump launched an assault on his disapproving party leadership...”
Source: "Donald Trump’s disastrous fortnight" published in The Economist
Pundit (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/pundit/2017-03-06): noun, an expert in a particular subject or field

who is frequently called on to give opinions about it to the public
Synonyms: authority, adviser
“And yet the prevailing view among pundits is that Russia is indeed back in Asia.”
Source: "Russia’s pivot to Asia" published in The Economist
Querulous: adjective, Complaining in a petulant or whining manner

Synonyms: pettish, touchy, testy
“Their querulous, hostile or annoyed faces recur in her work from the late 1950s.”
Source: "Exposed" published in The Economist
Quiescence (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/quiescence/2017-04-26): noun, a state or period of inactivity or

dormancy
Synonyms: inactivity, inertia, latency
“Horrible conditions do not guarantee revolts, and moderately bad conditions do not necessarily thwart
them. The question is what to make of the relative quiescence (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/quiescence/2017-04-26) of America’s poor.”
Source: "Why aren’t the poor storming the barricades?" published in The Economist
Quixotic: adjective, exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical

Synonyms: unrealistic, impractical, romantic
“In one chapter... the director probes some of the quixotic visionaries driving the digital revolution forward.”
Source: "Werner Herzog marvels at the internet" published in The Economist
Raconteur: noun, a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way
Synonyms: storyteller, spinner of yarns
“The latest continental raconteur eager to spin Ireland’s tale is the European Union.”
Source: "The emerald shines again" published in The Economist
Redress: noun, remedy or compensation for a wrong or grievance

Synonyms: reparation, restitution, recompense
“There must be redress by an independent tribunal for those who have been mistreated.”
Source: "The solace of the law" published in The Economist
Repast (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/repast/2017-05-10): noun, a meal

Synonyms: feast, banquet
“Lunchtime, it is held, would be the optimal time to invade France. Little can distract a Frenchman from his
sacred noonday repast (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/repast/2017-05-10).”
Source: "Point me at the SKY" published in The Economist
Ribald: adjective, Referring to sexual matters in an amusingly rude or irreverent way

Synonyms: bawdy, indecent, risqué
“When challenged... about human rights in Chechnya, he replied with a ribald offer to arrange for the
questioner's Islamic circumcision.”
Source: "Russia has always had an ambivalent (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/ambivalent/2016-12-
16) relationship with Islam" published in The Economist
Rococo (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/rococo/2016-10-31): adjective, Characterized by an elaborately

ornamental late baroque style of decoration
‘The building, which once served as the local town hall, boasts rococo (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/rococo/2016-10-31) wall carvings, a statue of Pallas Athena...”
Source: "How foundations linked to Hungary’s central bank used $1 billion" published in The Economist
Sanguine: adjective, Optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation

Synonyms: hopeful, buoyant, assured
“Some fear a future of mass unemployment. Others are sanguine that people will have time to adapt.”
Source: "Retraining low-skilled workers" published in The Economist
Scintilla: noun, a tiny trace or spark of a specified quality or feeling

Synonyms: particle, iota, smidgen
“After a scintilla of regret over lost youth, to turn 50 should be to enter the prime of life, with a plenitude of
projects and achievements.”
Source: "Time for a (long overdue) change" published in The Economist
Semantic: adjective, Relating to meaning in language or logic

Synonyms: lingual, semasiological
“Semantic parsing also ensued over whether the modifier 'meaningful' is significantly (or meaningfully)
different from 'significant.'”
Source: "The Supreme Court considers what states owe to disabled students" published in The Economist
Sobriquet (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/sobriquet/2016-11-09): noun, a person’s nickname

Synonyms: appellation, moniker
“This provoked widespread debate about the role of intellectual property and earned him the sobriquet
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/sobriquet/2016-11-09) 'Champion of Patents.'”
Source: "Land of hope and glory" published in The Economist
Soporific (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/soporific/2016-10-29): adjective, Tending to induce drowsiness or

sleep
Synonyms: sleep-inducing, somnolent, sedative
“In the soporific (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/soporific/2016-10-29) heat you would be forgiven for
thinking that time had forgotten the New Jersey-sized nation.”
Source: "The superpowers’ playground" published in The Economist
Supine (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/supine/2016-09-02): adjective, Failing to act as a result of moral

weakness or indolence (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/indolence/2017-02-01)
Synonyms: weak, spineless
“Last year Shinzo Abe, the prime minister, brought in a corporate-governance code which...requires
hitherto supine (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/supine/2016-09-02) institutional investors to keep a close
eye on firms they invest in.”
Source: "Coming clean?" published in The Economist
Synoptic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/synoptic/2017-05-11): adjective, Taking or involving a

comprehensive mental view
Synonyms: concise, succinct, compressed
“They were mind-expandingly right in their synoptic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/synoptic/2017-05-

11) vision, if frequently inexact and sometimes mistaken in their specifics.”
Source: "The see-through sea" published in The Economist
Toady: verb, Act in an obsequious way

Synonyms: be servile towards, grovel (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/grovel/2016-12-27) to
“Britain’s Conservative government is accused of sacrificing the steel industry to toady up to China.”
Source: "The 15-year hitch" published in The Economist
Truculent (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/truculent/2016-08-29): adjective, Eager or quick to argue or fight

Synonyms: defiant, aggressive
“Mr. Boehner, having abandoned his long battle with his party’s truculent (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/truculent/2016-08-29) right-wingers and announced his resignation in September, wanted to ‘clear the
barn’ for his successor.”

Source: "Cleaning the barn" published in The Economist
Turgid (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/turgid/2017-01-04): adjective, (of language or style) tediously

pompous or bombastic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/bombastic/2016-09-19)
Synonyms: overblown, inflated, grandiose
“It promotes a cult of personality around Mr. Baghdadi. It churns out turgid (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/turgid/2017-01-04) propaganda about repaired bridges and newly opened schools.”
Source: "Fighting near and far" published in The Economist
Tyro (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/tyro/2016-10-27): noun, a beginner or novice

Synonyms: learner, neophyte (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/neophyte/2016-11-30), newcomer
“When he was a young tyro (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/tyro/2016-10-27) in Silicon Valley, his libertarian
vision inspired many of his business decisions.”
Source: "The evolution of Mr. Thiel" published in The Economist
Umbrage (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/umbrage/2016-10-21): noun, Offense or annoyance

Synonyms: insult, affront
“Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine’s president, takes umbrage (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/umbrage/2016-10-
21) at charges that reforms are lagging.”
Source: "Commitment anxiety" published in The Economist
Upbraid (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/upbraid/2017-02-06): verb, Find fault with (someone)

Synonyms: scold, reprimand, rebuke
“In the past its neighbours isolated and upbraided Austria for its flirtations with nationalist extremism...”
Source: "Why Austria’s presidential election matters" published in The Economist
Verdant (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/verdant/2017-02-02): adjective, (of countryside) green with grass or

other rich vegetation
Synonyms: leafy, grassy, lush
“The Holey Artisan Bakery... overlooking a placid lake in Dhaka, was a foodie’s labour of love in a verdant
(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/verdant/2017-02-02) corner of the chaotic capital.”
Source: "The new terrorism in Bangladesh" published in The Economist
Virulent (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/virulent/2016-10-13): adjective, extremely severe or harmful in its

effects
Synonyms: toxic, deadly, destructive
‘A more likely catastrophe, Mr. Rawles believes, would be a pandemic virulent (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/virulent/2016-10-13) enough to cause the breakdown of the national sewerage system as well as the
grid.”
Source: "The last big frontier" published in The Economist
Vitiate (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/vitiate/2017-05-18): verb, Destroy or impair the legal validity of

Synonyms: put an end to, do away with, scrap
‘The firm admitted that it vitiated its stated standards for evaluating securities in an area where those
standards put in question its ability to win business.”
Source: "Regulatory settlements raise questions about America’s financial markets" published in The
Economist
Vitriol (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/vitriol/2016-08-23): noun, Cruel and bitter criticism

Synonyms: venom, nastiness
“Given the vitriol (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/vitriol/2016-08-23) that has followed the film since its
inception, it does well simply not to be a colossal misstep.”
Source: "Ghostbusters: funny and (almost) feminist" published in The Economist
Vociferous (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/vociferous/2016-07-20): adjective, (Especially of a person or

speech) vehement or clamorous
Synonyms: blatant, clamorous, noisy
“Ten weeks of ever-more vociferous (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/vociferous/2016-07-20) argument,

claims and counterclaims stretch between now and June 23rd, when the vote will take place.”
Source: "Britain’s EU referendum campaigns are officially launched today" published in The Economist
Welter (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/welter/2017-05-16): noun, a large number of items in no order; a

confused mass
Synonyms: confusion, jumble, tangle
“At the same time they are subjected to a welter (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/welter/2017-05-16) of
conflicting pressures—acting as spin-doctors and bean-counters as well as corporate strategists and
auditors.”
Source: "The imperial CFO" published in The Economist
Winnow (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/winnow/2016-08-08): verb, blow a current of air through (grain) in

order to remove the chaff
Synonyms: sift out, filter out
“Many lawmakers from both parties join Mr. Obama in wishing to winnow (https://gre.economist.com/gre-
vocabulary/winnow/2016-08-08) America’s overstuffed prisons.”
Source: "How Barack Obama has reformed America’s prisons" published in The Economist
Xenophobia (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/xenophobia/2016-08-04): noun, Intense or irrational dislike or

fear of people from other countries
“Denk will not win more than a few seats in next year’s general election, but it is posing a crucial question: at
a time of rising xenophobia (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/xenophobia/2016-08-04), can Europe’s minorities
rely on the broad centre-left parties for which they usually vote?”
Source: "The politics of alienation" published in The Economist
Yoke (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/yoke/2017-02-28): noun, a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over

the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull
Synonyms: bond, tie, subjection
“The existential consequences of throwing off the yoke (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/yoke/2017-02-28) of
religion is debated in many countries.”
Source: "Getting into Valhalla" published in The Economist

Most Common GRE Vocabulary - A List Organized by Difficulty

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Most Common GRE Vocabulary - A List Organized by Difficulty

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Most common GRE vocabulary: A list organized by diﬃculty

Level One GRE Vocabulary: Least Diﬃcult

Aberration (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/aberration/2016-09-26): noun, a departure from what is normal,

Source: "When barometers go wrong" published in The Economist

Abreast (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/abreast/2017-02-09): adjective, Up to date with the latest news,

Source: "China’s market mess" published in The Economist

Abstain (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/abstain/2017-02-18): verb, Restrain oneself from doing or enjoying

“The decision to abstain (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/abstain/2017-02-18) from such techniques, just and

Abyss: noun, a deep or seemingly bottomless chasm

Adept (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/adept/2016-07-08): adjective, Very skilled or proﬁcient at something

Agog (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/agog/2017-07-03): adjective, Very eager or curious to hear or see

Altruism (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/altruism/2016-10-03): noun, the belief in or practice of selﬂess

Source: "Matthew 22:39" published in The Economist

Ambivalent (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/ambivalent/2016-12-16): adjective, having mixed feelings or

Synonyms: equivocal, uncertain, unsure

Annul: verb, Declare invalid

Apathy (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/apathy/2017-02-27): noun, Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern

Arbiter (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/arbiter/2016-08-03): noun, a person who settles a dispute or has

Artless (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/artless/2017-06-16): adjective, without guile or deception

Audacious (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/audacious/2016-09-21): adjective, showing a willingness to take

Austere (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/austere/2016-11-19): adjective, Having an extremely plain and

Blight (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/blight/2016-09-28): noun, a thing that spoils or damages something

Blithe (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/blithe/2016-10-06): adjective, showing a casual and cheerful

Blowhard (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/blowhard/2017-01-23): noun, a person who blusters and boasts in

Source: "The art of the demagogue" published in The Economist

Bolster: verb, Support or strengthen

Bombastic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/bombastic/2016-09-19): adjective, High-sounding but with little

“Cynics may ascribe (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/ascribe/2016-08-01) Mr. Rubio’s mild tone to the diverse

Source: "A bloody week for America" published in The Economist

Boycott (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/boycott/2017-03-12): noun, a punitive ban that forbids relations

Source: "Blood on the leaves" published in The Economist

Burlesque (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/burlesque/2016-11-29): noun, a variety show

Cacophony (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/cacophony/2016-12-08): noun, a harsh, discordant

Synonyms: racket, noise, clamor

Chronic (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/chronic/2016-10-11): adjective, (Of a problem) long lasting and

Technological advances, they say, are ever-less revolutionary...”

Coda (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/coda/2016-10-05): noun, a concluding event, remark or section

Source: "Bohemian Rhapsody's long legacy" published in The Economist

Confound (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/confound/2017-02-03): verb, Prove (a theory, expectation, or

Deign (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/deign/2017-02-05): verb, Do something that one considers to be

Disingenuous: adjective, not candid or sincere

Docile (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/docile/2017-06-02): adjective, Ready to accept control or instruction;

Doff (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/doff/2017-06-29): verb, Remove (an item of clothing)

Dote (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/dote/2017-06-14): verb, be extremely and uncritically fond of

Endow (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/endow/2017-06-19): verb, Provide with a quality, ability, or asset

Ephemeral (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/ephemeral/2016-07-11): adjective, Lasting for a very short time

Ethos: noun, the characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community

Facetious: adjective, Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor

Faction (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/faction/2017-02-07): noun, a small, organized, dissenting group

Fallow (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/fallow/2017-07-04): adjective, Inactive

Falter (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/falter/2017-02-11): verb, Move unsteadily or in a way that shows lack

Flail (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/ﬂail/2017-06-05): verb, Flounder; struggle uselessly

Fluke (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/ﬂuke/2017-03-20): noun, Unlikely chance occurrence, especially a

Forage (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/forage/2017-02-16): verb, (of a person or animal) search widely for

(https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/forage/2017-02-16) for good ideas across the political spectrum.”

Source: "The next supermodel" published in The Economist

Fortuitous: adjective, Happening by a lucky chance

Source: "Can she ﬁx it?" published in The Economist

Fringe (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/fringe/2017-02-20): noun, the unconventional, extreme, or marginal

Garner (https://gre.economist.com/gre-vocabulary/garner/2017-02-25): verb, Gather or collect (something, especially