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6000 GRE words

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GRE 6000 - Set 17

(310 words)
WordPOSDefinition
resuscitate
verb
To revive someone from unconsciousness or apparent death
retain
verb
To keep possession of
retainer
noun
A fee paid in advance to secure services
retaliate
verb
To do something harmful or negative to someone who has done something harmful or negative to you; to get revenge
retard
verb
To slow down
retentive
adj.
Having the ability to remember facts and impressions easily
reticence
noun
The quality of being reserved or restrained in communication
reticent
adj.
Not revealing one's thoughts or feelings easily
reticulate
verb
To form a network
retinue
noun
A group of advisors or assistants accompanying an important person
retiring
adj.
Shy and inclined to avoid attention or social activities
retort
verb
To reply sharply or angrily
retract
verb
To take back or withdraw something said or written
retraction
noun
The act of taking back a statement or promise
retrench
verb
To reduce costs or spending in response to economic difficulty
retribution
noun
Punishment inflicted as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act
retrieve
verb
To get back; to recover something
retroactive
adj.
Applying to a period before enactment
retrograde
adj.
Moving backward or in reverse
retrospective
adj.
Looking back on or dealing with past events or situations.
revamp
verb
To give new and improved form
revelry
noun
Lively and noisy festivities, especially when involving drinking and dancing.
reverberate
verb
To echo repeatedly
revere
verb
To hold in deep respect and admiration
reverend
noun
A title or form of address for a member of the clergy
reverent
adj.
Showing deep respect or admiration
reverie
noun
A state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts
revert
verb
To return to a former state or condition
revile
verb
To criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner.
reviler
noun
A person who criticizes or speaks abusively
revoke
verb
To officially cancel or withdraw
revulsion
noun
A strong feeling of disgust or repulsion
rhapsodize
verb
To speak or write with great enthusiasm and delight
rhapsody
noun
An enthusiastic expression of feeling
rhetoric
noun
The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing
rheumy
adj.
Watery, especially referring to the eyes
ribald
adj.
Referring to sexual matters in a humorous or rude way
rickety
adj.
Poorly made and likely to collapse
ridden
adj.
Dominated or burdened by something undesirable
riddle
noun
A question or statement that requires thought to answer or understand
rider
noun
A person who rides something, such as a horse or bicycle.
rife
adj.
Widespread, especially something undesirable
rift
noun
A crack or split in something
rig
verb
To set up (sails on a ship)
righteous
adj.
Morally right or justifiable
rightful
adj.
Having a legitimate claim or entitlement
rigid
adj.
Unable to bend or be forced out of shape; not flexible.
rigor
noun
The quality of being extremely thorough and careful
rile
verb
To make someone annoyed or irritated
rime
noun
Frost formed on cold surfaces by the rapid freezing of water vapor in cloud or fog.
rip
verb
To tear or pull apart quickly and forcefully
ripple
verb
To form small waves or undulations
risible
adj.
Causing laughter or amusement
rivet
verb
To hold attention tightly
riveting
adj.
Extremely interesting or exciting
rivulet
noun
A small stream of water
roan
adj.
Having a coat of mixed colors, typically red or brown with white.
robust
adj.
Strong and healthy; Able to withstand or overcome adverse conditions
rococo
adj.
Characterized by elaborate ornamentation and intricate detail, often used in reference to a style of art and architecture from 18th-century France.
roil
verb
To disturb or agitate
roister
verb
To engage in noisy and lively festivities
rolling
verb
To move by turning over and over on an axis.
romp
verb
To play or move in a lively, carefree manner
rood
noun
A cross or crucifix, especially one positioned above the entrance to the chancel of a church
rooster
noun
An adult male domestic chicken
roseate
adj.
Having a pink or rosy color
roster
noun
A list of names
rostrum
noun
A platform for public speaking
rote
noun
Mechanical or habitual repetition of something to be learned
rotund
adj.
Having a rounded shape
rotunda
noun
A large, circular building or room, often with a dome.
rotundity
noun
The quality of being round or plump
roue
noun
A man devoted to a life of sensual pleasure
rousing
adj.
Exciting or stirring
rout
verb
To defeat an enemy completely and force them to run away
row
noun
A linear arrangement of objects or people
rubble
noun
Broken fragments of stone, brick, or other materials from a building
rubicund
adj.
Having a healthy reddish color
rubric
noun
A set of guidelines or criteria used for assessment
ruddy
adj.
Having a healthy, reddish color
rudiment
noun
Basic principle or element
rudimentary
adj.
Basic; not advanced
rue
verb
To feel regret or remorse
rueful
adj.
Expressing sorrow or regret, often in a slightly humorous way
ruffian
noun
A violent or lawless person
rumble
verb
To make a continuous, deep, resonant sound
ruminant
noun
A mammal that chews cud regurgitated from its rumen
ruminate
verb
To think deeply or repeatedly about something
rummage
verb
To search untidily through something
run-down
adj.
In a state of disrepair or neglect
runic
adj.
Relating to ancient characters or symbols used in early alphabets by Germanic peoples
ruse
noun
A trick or strategy intended to deceive someone
rustic
adj.
Relating to the countryside; simple and charming
rusticate
verb
To suspend from a university as a punishment
rustle
verb
To make a soft, muffled sound like that caused by the movement of dry leaves or paper
ruthless
adj.
Having no compassion or pity; merciless
saboteur
noun
A person who deliberately damages or obstructs something
saccharine
adj.
Excessively sweet or sentimental
sacerdotal
adj.
Relating to priests or the priesthood
sacrilegious
adj.
Showing disrespect towards something sacred
sacrosanct
adj.
Regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with
sadistic
adj.
Deriving pleasure from inflicting pain or suffering on others
saffron
noun
A spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, used for flavoring and coloring food.
saga
noun
A long story of heroic achievement
sagacious
adj.
Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment
sage
noun
A person known for wisdom and good judgment
salacious
adj.
Having or conveying undue or inappropriate interest in sexual matters
salient
adj.
Most noticeable or important
saline
adj.
Containing or resembling salt
sallow
adj.
Having an unhealthy yellow or pale brown color
salubrious
adj.
Promoting health or well-being
salutary
adj.
Producing a beneficial effect
salutatory
adj.
Relating to or of the nature of a greeting or welcoming
salvage
verb
To save something from damage or destruction
salve
noun
A soothing ointment for wounds or sores
salver
noun
A tray, typically made of silver, used for serving food or drinks.
sanctimonious
adj.
Pretending to be morally better than others
sanction
noun
A penalty for disobeying a rule or law
sanctuary
noun
A safe or holy place
sang-froid
noun
Calmness in difficult situations
sangfroid
noun
Calmness and composure, especially in a difficult situation
sanguinary
adj.
Involving or causing much bloodshed
sanguine
adj.
Optimistic or positive, especially in a difficult situation
sap
noun
Fluid that circulates through a plant, carrying nutrients
sapid
adj.
Having a pleasant taste
sapient
adj.
Having or showing great wisdom or discernment
sarcasm
noun
The use of irony to mock or convey contempt
sarcophagus
noun
A stone coffin, often decorated and associated with ancient civilizations.
sardonic
adj.
Mocking in a cynical way
sartorial
adj.
Related to tailoring, clothes, or style of dress
sate
verb
To satisfy fully
satellite
noun
An artificial object placed in orbit around a celestial body to collect information or for communication.
satiate
verb
To fully satisfy a desire or need
satiety
noun
The feeling of fullness or satisfaction after eating
satire
noun
The use of humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or mock
satirical
adj.
Using humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or mock
satrap
noun
A provincial governor in the ancient Persian Empire
saturate
verb
To soak completely with liquid
saturnine
adj.
Gloomy or sullen in temperament
satyr
noun
A creature in Greek mythology, part human and part goat, known for its love of revelry and mischief.
saunter
verb
To walk in a slow, relaxed manner
savant
noun
A person with exceptional skills or knowledge in a particular area
savoir-faire
noun
The ability to act or speak appropriately in social situations
savor
verb
To enjoy something completely, especially by dwelling on it
savory
adj.
Having a taste or smell that is not sweet, often salty or spicy.
savvy
adj.
Having practical understanding or knowledge
sbpoena
noun
A legal order to attend court
sbside
noun
A secondary or less important part
scabbard
noun
A sheath for a sword or dagger
scad
noun
A marine fish found in warm seas, often used as food.
scaffold
noun
A temporary structure used to support workers and materials during the construction or repair of a building.
scale
noun
A series of marks or points at known intervals used to measure distances or quantities
scant
adj.
Barely sufficient or adequate
scanty
adj.
Small or insufficient in quantity or amount
scapegoat
noun
A person or group blamed for the mistakes or faults of others
scarce
adj.
Insufficient for the demand; not readily available.
scarify
verb
To make shallow cuts in the surface of something, often for the purpose of aeration or to promote growth.
scathing
adj.
Severely critical or harsh
scavenge
verb
To search for and collect usable items from discarded material.
scavenger
noun
An animal or person that searches for and consumes discarded or dead material.
scenario
noun
A sequence of events
schadenfreude
noun
Pleasure derived from another person's misfortune
schematic
noun
A simplified drawing or diagram showing the components of a system
scheme
noun
A systematic plan or arrangement for attaining a particular goal
schism
noun
A split or division between strongly opposed parties, caused by differences in opinion or belief.
scholarly
adj.
Involving or relating to serious academic study
scintilla
noun
A very small amount
scintillate
verb
To emit flashes of light; sparkle
scintillating
adj.
Sparkling or shining brightly
sciolism
noun
Superficial knowledge
scion
noun
A young shoot or twig of a plant, especially one cut for grafting or rooting.
scoff
verb
To speak to someone or about something in a scornfully derisive or mocking way
scorch
verb
To burn and damage the surface of something with flame or heat
score
noun
A number that expresses the accomplishment in a game or test
scorn
noun
A feeling of contempt or disdain
scotch
verb
To stop something from happening
scourge
noun
A cause of great suffering or a severe affliction
scowl
verb
To frown in an angry or bad-tempered way
scrap
noun
A small piece or fragment
scrappy
adj.
Full of fighting spirit
scraps
noun
Small pieces left over, especially of food or material
screech
verb
To make a loud, harsh, piercing sound
screed
noun
A long, often tedious speech or piece of writing
scrimmage
noun
A practice game or informal match
scruple
noun
A feeling of doubt or hesitation about the morality of an action
scrupulous
adj.
Very careful and thorough
scrutinize
verb
To examine closely and critically
scuffle
noun
A short, confused fight or struggle at close quarters.
scullion
noun
A kitchen servant
scurrilous
adj.
Making or spreading scandalous claims with the intention of damaging someone's reputation
scurry
verb
To move quickly with short, hurried movements
scurvy
noun
A disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, leading to symptoms such as anemia, gum disease, and skin problems.
scuttle
verb
To move quickly with short steps
seamy
adj.
Involving unpleasant or sordid aspects
sear
verb
To burn or scorch the surface of something with a sudden, intense heat
searchingly
adv.
In a manner that seeks to find or discover something
season
noun
A division of the year marked by changes in weather
seasonable
adj.
Appropriate to the time or season
seasonal
adj.
Occurring at or dependent on a particular season
seasoned
adj.
Having experience or skill in a particular area
sebaceous
adj.
Relating to oil or fat, especially in the skin
secession
noun
The act of formally withdrawing from an organization or political entity
seclusion
noun
The state of being private and away from other people
secrete
verb
To produce and release a substance, often in a biological context
sect
noun
A group with distinct beliefs
sectarian
adj.
Relating to religious or political sects and the differences between them
secular
adj.
Not connected to religious or spiritual matters
sedate
verb
To calm or make someone sleep by administering a drug
sedative
noun
A drug that calms or induces sleep.
sedentary
adj.
Characterized by much sitting and little physical activity
sediment
noun
Material that settles to the bottom of a liquid
sedition
noun
Conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against authority.
seduce
verb
To attract someone to do something unwise or wrong
sedulous
adj.
Showing dedication and diligence
seedy
adj.
Sordid and disreputable
seemly
adj.
Conforming to accepted notions of propriety or good taste
seep
verb
To flow or leak slowly through porous material or small holes.
seethe
verb
To be filled with intense but unexpressed anger.
seine
noun
A large fishing net designed to be set vertically in the water with floats at the top and weights at the bottom.
seismic
adj.
Relating to earthquakes or other vibrations of the earth
selective
adj.
Carefully choosing as the best or most suitable
self-indulgence
noun
Excessive or unrestrained gratification of one's own desires
self-righteous
adj.
Having an unfounded certainty in one's own moral superiority.
semantic
adj.
Relating to meaning in language or logic
semblance
noun
The outward appearance or apparent form of something, especially when the reality is different
seminal
adj.
Highly influential in an original way and providing a basis for further development
seminary
noun
A school for training religious leaders
senescence
noun
The process of growing old
senility
noun
The condition of mental deterioration associated with old age.
sensational
adj.
Causing intense interest or excitement
sensitization
noun
The process of becoming more responsive or sensitive to a stimulus.
sensual
adj.
Relating to or involving gratification of the senses, especially sexual pleasure.
sensuous
adj.
Affecting the senses in a pleasing way
sententious
adj.
Given to moralizing in a pompous or affected manner
sentient
adj.
Able to perceive or feel things
sentimental
adj.
Having or arousing feelings of nostalgia, tenderness, or sadness
sentinel
noun
A soldier or guard whose job is to stand and keep watch.
septic
adj.
Infected with bacteria
sepulcher
noun
A small room or monument, cut in rock or built of stone, where a dead person is laid or buried.
sequester
verb
To isolate or hide away
seraph
noun
An angelic being associated with light and purity
seraphic
adj.
Resembling an angelic being, especially in beauty or purity
sere
adj.
Dry or withered, especially vegetation
serendipitous
adj.
Occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
serendipity
noun
The occurrence of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way
serene
adj.
Calm, peaceful, and untroubled
serenity
noun
The state of being calm and peaceful
serpentine
adj.
Having a winding or twisting form
serrated
adj.
Having a jagged edge or saw-like teeth
serried
adj.
Pressed together or compacted
servile
adj.
Having or showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others
servitude
noun
The state of being under the control of someone else
sever
verb
To cut off or apart
severance
noun
The act of ending a connection or relationship
severity
noun
The condition of being very bad, serious, or unpleasant
sextant
noun
An instrument used for measuring the angle between two visible objects, commonly used in navigation to determine latitude and longitude.
shack
noun
A small, crudely built cabin or house
shackle
noun
A metal fastening used to bind a limb
shade
noun
A slight darkness caused by something blocking the direct light from the sun.
sham
noun
Something that is not what it appears to be; a fraud or hoax.
shambles
noun
A state of total disorder or chaos
shard
noun
A small, sharp piece of something
shaving
noun
The act of removing hair from the skin using a razor or other tool.
sheaf
noun
A bundle of grain stalks tied together after reaping.
shear
verb
To cut the wool off a sheep or other animal
sheathe
verb
To put a blade, such as a knife or sword, into a sheath
shed
verb
To lose or drop something naturally
sheer
adj.
Complete or absolute
sherbet
noun
A frozen dessert made with fruit juice and sugar, sometimes containing milk or egg white.
shibboleth
noun
A custom or tradition that distinguishes a particular group or class of people.
shift
verb
To move or cause to move from one place or position to another.
shimmer
verb
To shine with a soft, flickering light
shirk
verb
To avoid responsibilities or duties
shoal
noun
A large group of fish swimming together
shoddy
adj.
Badly made or done
shoot
verb
To fire a bullet or projectile from a weapon
shove
verb
To push someone or something roughly or with force
shrew
noun
A small insectivorous mammal resembling a mouse
shrewd
adj.
Having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astute.
shrill
adj.
High-pitched and piercing
shrivel
verb
To become or make wrinkled and smaller, often due to loss of moisture.
shudder
verb
To tremble from fear or cold
shuffle
verb
To mix up or rearrange in a random order
shun
verb
To deliberately avoid or keep away from
shunt
verb
To redirect or move to a different path or position
shyster
noun
A person, especially a lawyer, who uses deceptive or unethical methods.
sibilant
adj.
Making or characterized by a hissing sound
sibling
noun
A brother or sister
sibylline
adj.
Mysterious or cryptic, often with a sense of prophecy
sidereal
adj.
Related to the stars or constellations
sidetrack
verb
To divert from the main topic or course
siege
noun
A military operation where forces surround a place to force surrender
sift
verb
To put a substance through a sieve to remove lumps or large particles
significant
adj.
Having a particular meaning; indicative of something
silt
noun
Fine sand, clay, or other material carried by running water and deposited as a sediment.
simian
adj.
Relating to or resembling monkeys or apes
simile
noun
A figure of speech that compares two different things using 'like' or 'as'.
similitude
noun
A resemblance or similarity between things
simper
verb
To smile in a silly or affected way
simplistic
adj.
Treating complex issues as if they are simpler than they are.
simulacrum
noun
An image or representation of someone or something.
simulate
verb
To imitate or mimic the conditions of something
simultaneous
adj.
Happening at the same time
sinecure
noun
A position requiring little or no work but giving the holder status or financial benefit
sinewy
adj.
Lean and muscular
singular
adj.
Exceptionally good or great
sinister
adj.
Giving the impression that something harmful or evil is happening or will happen
sinuous
adj.
Having many curves and turns
siren
noun
A device that makes a loud, prolonged sound as a signal or warning.
sirocco
noun
A hot, dry wind that originates in the Sahara and blows across the Mediterranean to southern Europe.