The GRE Verbal Reasoning Test: Warm-up Words: Warm-up, List 4

This list of warm-up words features common words on the test that you're probably familiar with. Brush up on these words first to make sure that you start off strong while taking the GRE.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. allure
    the power to entice or attract
    Being a little older than my classmates adds to my allure; they look up to me, admire me even. The Queen of Water
  2. approbation
    official acceptance or agreement
    Despite their welcome, I could not bring myself to speak much at our meal, so sensible am I of my youth and inexperience, so anxious am I for their approbation. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves
  3. bard
    a lyric poet
    The musicians began to play again, and the bard Abel began to sing “Two Hearts That Beat as One.” A Dance with Dragons
  4. clamor
    utter or proclaim insistently and noisily
    As he was led away, the crowd chanted its disapproval, clamoring “More! More!” Six of Crows
  5. consecrated
    made, declared, or believed to be holy
    According to tradition, being buried away from the consecrated soil of their parish church rendered the souls unable to reach heaven. The Guardian (Jan 12, 2018)
  6. covet
    wish, long, or crave for
    If during the year one of us coveted something that belonged to another, we might get the temporary loan of that item for January of the new year. Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High
  7. deference
    a disposition or tendency to yield to the will of others
    With every boat which we have over-hauled since then this trick has succeeded; we have had every deference shown to us, and not once any objection to whatever we chose to ask or do. Dracula
  8. fetter
    restrain with shackles
    Her mouth went dry as Fedu’s fingers fettered her wrists, no different from the ropes that had once bound her hands, but she resisted the urge to wince. Beasts of Prey
  9. impute
    attribute or credit to
    Scientists impute dental decay to high consumption of sugar, cautioning the public that children are not the only offenders. Time (Mar 5, 2015)
  10. indolent
    disinclined to work or exertion
    My MST classmates are so indolent, they wouldn’t read the book for homework, so the teacher is making us read it aloud to shame us. Please Ignore Vera Dietz
  11. inherent
    existing as an essential constituent or characteristic
    It took advantage of the inherent stability of nature, building on the fact that most communities of shrubs are strongly resistant to invasion by trees. Silent Spring
  12. insinuate
    suggest in an indirect or covert way; give to understand
    "Only someone wicked could eat witch's apples and come to no harm," he insinuated darkly. Beowulf: A New Telling
  13. luminous
    softly bright or radiant
    The dial of the clock was luminous and it shed a very soft green light. The Cricket in Times Square
  14. precept
    a rule of personal conduct
    Remember Mr. Browne’s November precept: “Have no friends not equal to yourself!” Auggie & Me
  15. provident
    giving something useful for the future
    The windfall proved to be provident when the coronavirus pandemic hit, allowing the pantry, which was feeding families once a week in November, to increase to four times a week. New York Times (Apr 22, 2020)
  16. secrete
    generate and separate from cells or bodily fluids
    Specific cells in the stomach lining, called parietal cells, secrete two substances that are important to B12 absorption. Salon (Nov 30, 2022)
  17. skeptic
    someone who habitually doubts accepted beliefs
    It is tempting for public health communicators to dismiss those who are refusers or hesitant by broadly labeling them as conspiracy theorists or misinformed skeptics who would come around if given the facts. Scientific American (Oct 12, 2020)
  18. suppliant
    humbly entreating
    A priest flocked by suppliant children entreats Oedipus, renowned for his mental prowess, to find the answer that will rescue the city. Los Angeles Times (Mar 26, 2020)
  19. supposition
    a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
    Astronomers expect that it will pierce a dark curtain of ignorance and supposition about the early days of the universe, and allow them to snoop on nearby exoplanets. New York Times (Dec 14, 2021)
  20. transgress
    act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
    He transgressed and was punished and the scars, it seems, have yet to fully heal. The Guardian (May 10, 2013)
Created on Wed Nov 30 13:01:18 EST 2022 (updated Thu Jan 12 14:59:02 EST 2023)

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