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199 Words to Master for the GMAT

Word List with 199 words
*By Dictionary.com

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Words in This List

pedantic
adjective
ostentatious in one's learning, overly concerned with minute details or formalisms, especially in teaching
ambiguous
adjective
open to or having several possible meanings or interpretations; difficult to comprehend, distinguish, or classify
repudiate
verb
to reject as having no authority or binding force, to cast off or disown
paradigm
noun
a set of forms all of which contain a particular element, an example serving as a model or pattern
paradox
noun
a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth
See all words ‣
refute
verb
to prove to be false or erroneous, as an opinion or charge
innocuous
adjective
not harmful or injurious; harmless
austere
adjective
severe in manner or appearance, rigorously self-disciplined and severely moral; lacking softness
arcane
adjective
known or understood by very few; mysterious, secret or obscure
anomaly
noun
a deviation from the common rule, type, arrangement, or form; an odd or peculiar condition
pernicious
adjective
causing insidious harm or ruin, injury or hurt
spurious
adjective
not genuine, authentic, or true; pretended or counterfeit
petulant
adjective
moved to or showing sudden, impatient irritation, especially over some trifling annoyance
propensity
noun
a natural inclination or tendency
mercurial
adjective
changeable, volatile, fickle, flighty and erratic
nascent
adjective
beginning to exist or develop
sporadic
adjective
appearing or happening at irregular intervals in time; scattered or isolated instances
arduous
adjective
requiring great exertion; laborious, using much energy and vigor; full of hardships
cogent
adjective
convincing or believable by virtue of forcible, clear, or incisive presentation
perfunctory
adjective
performed merely as a routine duty; hasty and superficial; lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; indifferent or apathetic
pithy
adjective
brief, forceful, and meaningful in expression; full of vigor, substance, or meaning; terse
catalyst
noun
a person or thing that precipitates an event or change
tacit
adjective
understood without being openly expressed; implied, unvoiced or unspoken
placate
verb
to appease or pacify, especially by concessions or conciliatory gestures
ascetic
noun
a person who dedicates his or her life to a pursuit of contemplative ideals and practices extreme self-denial for religious reasons
ostensible
adjective
outwardly appearing, professed or pretended
terse
adjective
neatly or effectively concise, brief and pithy
abscond
verb
to depart in a sudden and secret manner, especially to avoid capture and legal prosecution
obdurate
adjective
unmoved by persuasion, pity, or tender feelings; stubborn, unyielding
guile
noun
insidious cunning in attaining a goal; crafty or artful deception
impede
verb
to retard in movement or progress by means of obstacles or hindrances
maverick
noun
an unbranded calf that is separated from its mother, or a lone dissenter who takes an independent stand apart from his or her associates
levity
noun
lightness of mind, character, or behavior; lack of appropriate seriousness or earnestness
phlegmatic
adjective
not easily excited to action or display of emotion; self-possessed, calm, or composed
abeyance
noun
temporary inactivity, cessation, or suspension
aberrant
adjective
departing from the right, normal, or usual course; exceptional
umbrage
noun
offense, annoyance or displeasure; the slightest indication or vaguest feeling of suspicion, doubt or hostility
partisan
noun
an adherent or supporter of a person, group, party, or cause, especially one that shows a biased, emotional allegiance
lassitude
noun
weariness of body or mind from strain; a condition of indolent indifference
apposite
adjective
suitable, well-adapted, pertinent, relevant or apt
salubrious
adjective
favorable to or promoting health
reprobate
adjective
morally depraved, unprincipled or bad; rejected by God and beyond hope of salvation
castigate
verb
to criticize or reprimand severely, or punish in order to correct
chicanery
noun
trickery or deception by quibbling or sophistry
recondite
adjective
dealing with very profound or difficult subject matter; beyond ordinary knowledge or understanding
imperious
adjective
domineering in a haughty manner; dictatorial or overbearing
laud
verb
to praise, extol
reverent
adjective
feeling, exhibiting, or characterized by reverence; deeply respectful
pedestrian
adjective
lacking in vitality, imagination or distinction; commonplace or dull
impecunious
adjective
having little or no money; penniless, poor
sedulous
adjective
diligent in application or attention; persistently or carefully maintained
trenchant
adjective
incisive or keen, as language or a person; vigorous, effective and energetic
mendacious
adjective
telling lies, habitually dishonest, untruthful
mollify
verb
to soften in feeling or temper; pacify or appease; reduce or soften
perfidious
adjective
deliberately faithless, treacherous or deceitful
torpid
adjective
inactive or sluggish; slow; dull or lethargic
objective
noun
something that one's efforts or actions are intended to attain or accomplish; a purpose, goal or target
sanguine
adjective
cheerfully optimistic or confident; reddish, ruddy
moot
adjective
open to discussion or debate; doubtful
mitigate
verb
to lessen in force or intensity, as wrath, grief, harshness, or pain; moderate
astute
adjective
of keen penetration or discernment; clever or shrewd
obtuse
adjective
not quick or alert in perception, feeling, or intellect; dull
sycophant
noun
a person who uses flattery to win favor; one who fawns, a toady
nefarious
adjective
extremely wicked or villainous; iniquitous
clandestine
adjective
characterized by secrecy or concealment, especially for purposes of subversion or deception
manifest
verb
to make clear or evident, to prove beyond a doubt
solace
noun
comfort in sorrow, misfortune, or trouble; something that gives comfort, consolation, or relief
innate
adjective
existing in one from birth; inherent in the essential character of something
ephemeral
adjective
lasting a very short time; short-lived or transitory
perpetual
adjective
continuing or enduring forever or an indefinitely long time
futile
adjective
incapable of producing any result; useless
trite
adjective
lacking in freshness or effectiveness because of constant use or excessive repetition; hackneyed and stale
laconic
adjective
expressing much in few words; concise
implicit
adjective
implied rather than expressly stated; unquestioning or unreserved
implication
noun
something suggested as naturally to be inferred or understood
prosaic
adjective
commonplace or dull; having the character of prose rather than poetry
jaded
adjective
dulled by overindulgence; worn out or wearied, as by overwork or overuse
resolution
noun
a formal opinion or intention made after voting by a formal organization, a legislature or a club
affable
adjective
pleasantly easy to approach and to talk to; friendly or cordial
rhetorical
adjective
concerned with mere style or effect; tending to use bombast
obfuscate
verb
to confuse, bewilder, or stupefy, to make obscure or unclear
stigma
noun
a mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain or reproach, as on one's reputation
reiterate
verb
to say or do again; to repeat excessively
pejorative
adjective
having a disparaging, derogatory, or belittling effect or force
infer
verb
to derive by reasoning; conclude or judge from premises or evidence; to indicate, hint or suggest
chagrin
noun
a feeling of vexation, marked by disappointment or humiliation
nexus
noun
a means of connection; the core or center, as of a matter or situation
nebulous
adjective
hazy, vague, indistinct, or confused; cloudy or cloudlike
idiosyncrasy
noun
a characteristic, habit, mannerism, or the like, that is peculiar to an individual
haughty
adjective
disdainfully proud, snobbish or scornfully arrogant
protocol
noun
the customs and regulations dealing with diplomatic formality, precedence, and etiquette
abhor
verb
to regard with extreme aversion or to detest utterly
fortitude
noun
mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty, adversity, danger, or temptation courageously
incorrigible
adjective
bad beyond correction or reform
abstruse
adjective
hard to understand, esoteric or secretive
maudlin
adjective
tearfully or weakly emotional; foolishly sentimental
furtive
adjective
taken and used by stealth; secret, sly or shifty
abrogate
verb
to abolish by official means; annul by an authoritative act; repeal
tepid
adjective
lukewarm; characterized by a lack of force or enthusiasm
impervious
adjective
not permitting entrance; incapable of being injured, influenced or persuaded
omniscient
adjective
having complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness, or understanding; perceiving all things
incessant
adjective
continuing without interruption; ceaseless or unending
xenophobia
noun
an unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers
censure
verb
to criticize or reproach in a harsh or vehement manner
inchoate
adjective
not yet completed or fully developed
cache
noun
a hiding place in the ground, for ammunition, food or treasure
wanton
adjective
done maliciously or unjustifiably; deliberate and without motive or provocation
juxtapose
verb
to place close together or side by side for comparison or contrast
mandate
noun
a command or authorization to act in a particular way on a public issue given by the electorate to its representative
allude
verb
to refer casually or indirectly; to make an allusion
tenet
noun
any opinion, principle, doctrine, dogma held as true by members of a profession, group, or movement
ramification
noun
a related or derived subject, problem; an outgrowth, consequence or implication
forbearance
noun
a refraining from something, patient endurance or self-control
cohort
noun
a group or company, companion or associate
heed
noun
careful attention, notice or observation
hone
verb
to enlarge or finish; to make more acute or effective
raconteur
noun
a person who is skilled in relating stories and anecdotes interestingly
pecuniary
adjective
pertaining to money; exacted in monetary payments or involving a fine
bucolic
adjective
pertaining to shepherds or suggesting an idyllic rural life
adroit
adjective
nimble in the use of the hands or body; cleverly skillful, resourceful, or ingenious
stagnant
adjective
not flowing or running, such as water or air; characterized by lack of development, advancement, or progressive movement
obviate
verb
to anticipate and prevent by effective measures; render unnecessary
odious
adjective
deserving or causing hatred; highly offensive or disgusting
heresy
noun
an opinion at variance with the orthodox or accepted doctrine, especially of a church or religious system
soporific
adjective
tending to cause sleep; sleepy or drowsy
superlative
adjective
of the highest kind, surpassing all else or others; supreme; extreme
abstemious
adjective
moderate in eating and drinking, temperate in diet
prevaricate
verb
to speak falsely or misleadingly; deliberately misstate or create an incorrect impression; lie
realm
noun
the region, sphere, or domain within which anything occurs, prevails, or dominates
guise
noun
general external appearance; aspect or semblance
static
adjective
characterized by a stationary condition showing little or no change; lacking movement, development or vitality
inculcate
verb
to implant by repeated statement or admonition; teach persistently and earnestly
impasse
noun
a position or situation from which there is no escape; deadlock
urbane
adjective
having the polish regarded as characteristic of sophisticated social life in major cities; reflecting elegance and sophistication
rectify
verb
to make or set right; remedy; to correct
indelible
adjective
making marks that cannot be erased or removed
truculent
adjective
fierce, cruel, brutally harsh or aggressively hostile
opulence
noun
wealth, riches, or affluence
parochial
adjective
pertaining to a parish or the education they provide; very limited or narrow in scope or outlook; provincial
impartial
adjective
not biased; fair and just
indemnify
verb
to compensate for damage or loss sustained; to secure against anticipated loss
mercenary
adjective
working or acting merely for money or other reward; venal
indomitable
adjective
that cannot be subdued or overcome, as persons, will, or courage; unconquerable
bellicose
adjective
inclined to fight; aggressively hostile
uncouth
adjective
awkward, clumsy, or unmannerly; strange and ungraceful in appearance or form
steadfast
adjective
fixed in direction, firm in purpose, resolution, faith or attachment; unwavering
inimical
adjective
adverse in effect; unfavorable, harmful and unfriendly
chimera
noun
a mythological monster, commonly represented with a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail; any horrible creature of the imagination
fret
verb
to express worry, annoyance or discontent
wry
adjective
produced by a distortion or lopsidedness of the facial features, devious in course or purpose; misdirected
bereft
adjective
deprived
brusque
adjective
abrupt in manner; blunt or rough
surfeit
noun
an excessive amount or overindulgence in eating or drinking
cessation
noun
a temporary or complete stopping; discontinuance
berate
verb
to scold or rebuke
imbue
verb
to impregnate or inspire, as with feelings, opinions, moisture or color
garner
verb
to gather or deposit in or as if in a granary
calumny
noun
a false and malicious statement designed to injure the reputation of someone or something
taut
adjective
tightly drawn, not slack; emotionally or mentally strained or tense
collusion
noun
a secret agreement for fraudulent or treacherous purposes; conspiracy
frenetic
adjective
frantic; frenzied
rant
verb
to speak or declaim extravagantly or violently; talk in a wild or vehement way; rave
harangue
noun
a long, passionate, vehement speech delivered before a public gathering
accede
verb
to give consent or approval
suave
adjective
smoothly agreeable or polite; agreeably or blandly urbane
callow
adjective
immature or inexperienced; a featherless young bird
rancor
noun
bitter, rankling resentment or ill will; hatred or malice
perdition
noun
a state of final spiritual ruin; loss of the soul
abase
verb
to reduce or lower, as in rank, office, reputation, or estimation
initiate
verb
to begin or to introduce into the knowledge of some art or subject
gauche
adjective
lacking social grace, sensitivity, or acuteness
miscreant
noun
a vicious or depraved person; a villain
artifice
noun
a clever trick or stratagem; a cunning, crafty device
parity
noun
equality in amount, status, or character; equivalence or correspondence
mellifluous
adjective
sweetly or smoothly flowing; sweet-sounding
foray
noun
a quick raid, a quick, sudden attack
amity
noun
friendship, mutual understanding and a peaceful relationship
tawdry
adjective
gaudy; showy and cheap; low, mean or base
mire
verb
to plunge and fix in marshy land; to involve or entangle
gaffe
noun
a social blunder, a faux pas
disperse
verb
to move apart in different directions without order or regularity; become scattered
recidivism
noun
habitual relapse, as into crime or antisocial behavior
staid
adjective
of settled character, not flighty or capricious
metamorphosis
noun
a complete change of form, structure, or substance, appearance, character or circumstance
lateral
adjective
pertaining to the side; situated at, proceeding from, or directed to a side
innovate
verb
to introduce something new; make changes in anything established
strident
adjective
making a harsh sound; having a shrill, irritating quality or character
syllogism
noun
using deductive reasoning; an extremely subtle, sophisticated, or deceptive argument
galvanize
verb
to stimulate by an electric current
flux
noun
the flowing in of the tide; continuous change or movement
gravity
noun
heaviness or weight; serious or critical nature
inundate
verb
to flood with water; deluge or overwhelm
goad
verb
to prick or drive with, to prod or incite
caliber
noun
the diameter of something of circular section, especially the inside of a tube
beseech
verb
to make an urgent appeal
odium
noun
intense hatred or dislike toward a person or thing regarded as contemptible, despicable, or repugnant
obeisance
noun
a movement of the body expressing deep respect or deferential courtesy; a bow or curtsy
infamy
noun
extremely bad reputation, public reproach, or strong condemnation as the result of a shameful, criminal, or outrageous act
savant
noun
a person of profound or extensive learning; a learned scholar

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