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The mayor; despite his avuncular face plastered about the city; was hardly aboveboard -- some concluded that it was his ingratiating smile that allowed him to engage in corrupt behavior and get away with it.
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I can't believe you've bought this painting. It's abysmal! commencer à apprendre
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Coach Ramsey took his newest player off the field after watching a few painful minutes of her abysmal performance.
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likeable; easy to talk to For all his surface affability; Marco was remarkably glum when he wasn't around other people.
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The center of the city had sadly become a pit of penury; while; only five miles away; multi-million dollar homes spoke of affluence.
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She seemed an amiable girl, but then I was disappointed with her impoliteness. commencer à apprendre
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Amy's name was very apt: she was so amiable that she was twice voted class president.
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The experience of being exhausted is in a way analogous to drunkenness. commencer à apprendre
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similar in some respects but otherwise different In many ways; the Internet's transformative effect on society has been analogous to that of the printing press.
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old-fashioned; belonging to an earlier period in time Aunt Betty had antiquated notions about marriage; believing that a man should court a woman for at least a year before receiving a kiss.
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something that is a concise and instructive of a general truth or principle Sometimes I can't stand Nathan because he tries to impress everyone by being aphoristic; but he just states the obvious.
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large enough to be noticed (usu. refers to an amount) There is an appreciable difference between those who say they can get the job done and those who actually get the job done.
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"Thy" is an archaic word, nobody uses it anymore. commencer à apprendre
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so old as to appear to belong to a different period Hoping to sound intelligent; Mary spoke in archaic English that was right out of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice--needless to say; she didn't have many friends.
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marked by active interest and enthusiasm Martin is an avid birdwatcher; often taking long hikes into remote mountains to see some rare eagle.
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appropriate; and matches nicely Her dress was becoming and made her look even more beautiful. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE
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warlike; inclined to quarrel Known for their bellicose ways; the Spartans were once the most feared people from Peloponnesus to Persia.
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(medicine) not dangerous to health; not recurrent or progressive The tumor located in your ear lobe seems to be benign and should not cause you any trouble.
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having a depressing or gloomy outlook Unremitting overcast skies tend to lead people to create bleak literature and lugubrious music -- compare England's band Radiohead to any band from Southern California.
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He was a boon companion to many; and will be sadly missed.
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ill-mannered and coarse or contemptible in behavior or appearance Bukowski was known for being a boorish drunk and alienating close friends and family.
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Some actors take challenging roles in which they have to lose so much weight that they appear cadaverous.
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a straightforward and honest look at something Even with a perfect stranger; Charles was always candid and would rarely hold anything back.
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of primary importance; fundamental Most cultures consider gambling a cardinal sin and thus have outlawed its practice. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE
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persistently petty and unjustified criticism What seemed like incessant nagging and carping about my behavior from my mother turned out to be wise and useful advice that has served me well.
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given to haughty disregard of others Percy dismissed the issue with a cavalier wave of his hand.
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involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct A cerebral analysis of most pop music finds it to be simple and childish; but that ignores the point--the music's effect on the listener. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE
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one that is marked by disreputable happenings One by one; the presidential candidates dropped out of the race; their respective checkered pasts-- from embezzlement to infidelity--sabotaging their campaigns. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE
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being attentive to women like an ideal knight Marco's chivalrous ways; like opening doors and pulling out chairs; was much appreciated by his date.
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A cogent argument will change the minds of even the most skeptical audience.
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well integrated; forming a united whole A well-written; cohesive essay will keep on topic at all times; never losing sight of the main argument.
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Eiffel Tower is not big, it is colossal! commencer à apprendre
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so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe Few appreciate the colossal scale of the sun: if hollow; it could contain a million Earths.
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For your commendable effort I would like to give you a rise. commencer à apprendre
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The efforts of the firefighters running into the burning building were commendable.
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contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions After the water polo team won their sixth championship; they became complacent and didn't even make it to the playoffs the next year.
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enhancing each other's qualities (for two things or more). The head waiter was careful to tell the amateur diners that red wine was complementary with beef; each bringing out subtle taste notes in the other.
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making a situation or outcome more likely to happen Studying in a quiet room is conducive to learning; studying in a noisy environment makes learning more difficult.
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having or revealing supreme mastery or skill Tyler was the consummate musician: he was able to play the guitar; harmonica; and the drum at the same time. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE
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scornful; looking down at others with a sneering attitude Always on the forefront of fashion; Vanessa looked contemptuously at anyone wearing dated clothing.
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Though he stole his little sister's licorice stick with malevolent glee; Chucky soon became contrite when his sister wouldn't stop crying.
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describing a lively atmosphere The wedding reception was convivial; friends who hadn't seen each other for ages drank and ate together before heading to the dance floor.
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highly complex or intricate Instead of solving the math problem in three simple steps; Kumar used a convoluted solution requiring fifteen steps.
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comprising many cultures; global in reach and outlook There are few cities in the world as diverse and cosmopolitan as New York.
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deserving of praise but not that amazing Critics agreed the movie was creditable; but few gave it more than three out of five stars.
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difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight Only ten years ago; being an avid reader and a traveler meant carrying a cumbersome backpack stuffed with books--these days we need only an e-reader.
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The portrait of her in a simple white blouse was sweet and demure.
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abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule I was surprised by her derisive tone; usually; she is sweet; soft spoken; and congenial.
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expressed as worthless or in negative terms Never before have we seen a debate between two political candidates that was so derogative and filthy.
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" completely wanting or lacking (usually ""destitute of"") Now that the mine is closed; the town is destitute of any economic activity."
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" (sometimes followed by ""to"") causing harm or injury" Many know that smoking is detrimental to your health; but processed sugar in large quantities is equally bad.
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to be extremely wicked like the devil The conspirators; willing to dispatch anyone who stood in their way; hatched a diabolical plan to take over the city.
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The main house has been restored but the gazebo is still dilapidated and unuseable.
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characterized by care and perseverance in carrying out tasks Michael was a diligent gardener; never leaving a leaf on the ground and regularly watering each plant.
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careful and prudent in one's speech or actions, especially in order to keep something confidential or to avoid embarrassment. The professor thought that he was discreet; subtly wiping the stain off of his shirt; but as soon as he stepped off the podium a member of the audience pointed out the large ketchup stain.
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made less hopeful or enthusiastic After the visiting team scored nine times; the home team's fans were disheartened; some leaving the game early.
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two things are fundamentally different With the advent of machines capable of looking inside the brain; fields as disparate as religion and biology have been brought together by scientists trying to understand what happens in the brain when people have a religious experience.
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easily handled or managed; willing to be taught or led or supervised or directed Barnyard animals are considerably more docile than the wild animals.
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highly unconventional or usual (usually describes a person) Mozart was well-known for his eccentricities; often speaking words backward to confuse those around him.
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marked by complexity and richness of detail Thomas; on returning from Morocco; replaced his dirty gray carpet with an elaborate one he'd brought back with him.
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difficult to capture or difficult to remember Many first time skydivers say that describing the act of falling from the sky is elusive.
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involved in argument or contention These days we are never short of a D.C. politician embroiled in scandal--a welcome phenomenon for those who; having barely finished feasting on the sordid details of one imbroglio; can sink their teeth into a fresh one.
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showing understanding and ready comprehension of other peoples' states and emotions Most discrimination and hatred is based on a lack of empathetic awareness of people that have the same aspitations and fears.
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native; originating where it is found Irish cuisine makes great use of potatoes; but ironically; the potato is not endemic to Ireland.
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to be wandering; not sticking to a circumscribed path; erring or straying from the accepted course or standards. Unlike his peers; who spent their hours studying in the library; Matthew preferred errant walks through the university campus.
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My girlfriend is really erratic. One day she's caring and loving, and the other day she is angry with me for no reason. commencer à apprendre
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unpredictable; strange and unconventional It came as no surprise to pundits that the President's attempt at re-election floundered; even during his term; support for his policies was erratic; with an approval rating jumping anywhere from 30 to 60 percent.
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deliberately vague or ambiguous Every time I call the bank; I receive the same evasive answers about our mortgage and never get a clear response.
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Teachers often have trouble being evenhanded to all of their varied students.
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After the boulder rolled a couple of feet; pinning my friend's arm; he experienced excruciating pain.
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making less guilty or more forgivable The jury was hardly moved by the man's plea that his loneliness was an extenuating factor in his crime of dognapping a prized pooch.
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Facetious behavior will not be tolerated during sex eduation class; it's time for all of you to treat these matters like mature adults.
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liable to sudden unpredictable change; esp. in affections or attachments She was so fickle in her politics; it was hard to pinpoint her beliefs; one week she would embrace a side; and the next week she would denounce it.
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young and inexperienced; describing any new participant in some activity Murray has years of experience in family practice; but he is just a fledgling in surgery.
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The exam's passage is flush with difficult words; words that you may have learned only yesterday.
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marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences The police regularly face dangerous situations; so for a police officer not to wear his bullet-proof vest is foolhardy.
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characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion I did not expect the insurance agent to give us any straight answers; but I was pleasent surprised by how forthright he was.
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producing no result or effect; unproductive of success I thought I could repair the car myself; but after two days of work with no success; I have to admit that my efforts were futile.
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agreeable; conducive to comfort Betty is a genial young woman: everyone she meets is put at ease by her elegance and grace.
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marked by refinement in taste and manners A live string quartet would provide a more genteel air to the wedding than would a folk singer.
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(of a person) speaking with ease but without sincerity I have found that the more glib the salesman; the worse the product.
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dull and lacking excitement Having grown up in a humdrum suburb; Jacob relished life in New York City after moving.
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contrary to or forbidden by law Though Al Capone was engaged in many illicit activities; he was finally arrested for income tax evasion; a relatively minor offense.
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The judge found the defendant's comments immaterial to the trial; and summarily dismissed him from the witness stand.
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He was impeccably dressed in the latest fashion without a single crease or stain.
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close in time; about to occur The impending doom of our world has been a discussed and debated for 2000 years--maybe even longer.
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does not allow fluids to pass through The sand bags placed on the river formed an impermeable barrier; protecting the town from flooding.
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impossible to estimate or figure out According to many lawmakers; the huge variety of factors affecting society make devising an efficient healthcare system an imponderable task.
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immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with As a child; Amy would build pillow castles and pretend they were impregnable fotresses.
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happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally Although Prohibition was rooted in noble ideals; the inadvertent and costly consequences of making alcohol illegal in the U.S. led its the repeal.
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without or deprived of the use of speech or words Although a brilliant economist; Professor Black was completely inarticulate; a terrible lecturer.
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uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing I don't mind small children in brief doses; but I think the incessant exposure that their parents have to them would quickly wear me down.
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(of the weather) unpleasantly cold or wet; (of the weather) harsh and unmerciful When packing for a trip to the Caribbean bring tank tops and shorts, but don't forget a raincoat in case of inclement weather. Marcus Aurelius; though a fair man; was inclement to Christians during his reign; persecuting them violently.
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necessary (for someone) as a duty or responsibility Middle managers at times make important decisions; but real responsibility for the financial well-being of the corporation is ultimately incumbent on the CEO.
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originating in a certain area The plants and animals indigenous to Australia are notably different from those indigenous to the U. S-- one look at a duckbill platypus and you know you're not dealing with an opossum.
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feeling anger over a perceived injustice "When the cyclist swerved into traffic; it forced the driver to brake and elicited an indignant shout of ""Hey; punk; watch where you're going!"""
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characterized by hard work and perseverance Pete was an industrious student; completing every assignment thoroughly and on time.
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extremely controversial; incendiary It only takes one person to leave an inflammable comment on an Internet thread for that thread to blow up into pages upon pages of reader indignation.
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The movie director was known for hiring beautiful actors in order to deflect attention away from the insipid scripts he would typically use.
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unable to pay one's bills; bankrupt With credit card bills skyrocketing; a shockingly large number of Americans are truly insolvent.
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stopping and starting at irregular intervals The intermittent thunder continued and the night was punctuated by cracks of lightning--a surreal sleepless night.
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If Arthur's dog is not fed adequately; he becames highly irascible; even growling at his own shadow.
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uncertain how to act or proceed He stood irresolute at the split in the trail; not sure which route would lead back to the camp.
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characterized by jokes and good humor My uncle was always in a jocular mood at family gatherings; messing up people's hair and telling knock- knock jokes to anyone who would listen.
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The business trip is going to be extremely laborious. commencer à apprendre
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characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort The most laborious job I've had was working 20 hours a day as a fisherman in King Salmon; Alaska.
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openly distrustful and unwilling to confide Without checking his references and talking to previous employers; I am leery of hiring the candidate.
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Nothing can make a person more lethargic than a big turkey dinner.
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(of language) transparently clear; easily understandable Though Walters writes about physics and time travel; his writing is always lucid; so readers with little scientific training can understand difficult concepts.
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suggesting the horror of death and decay; gruesome Edgar Allen Poe was considered the master of the macabre; his stories vividly describe the moment leading up to--and often those moments after--a grisly death.
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wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from intense ill will or hatred Villians are known for their malevolent nature; oftentimes inflicting cruetly on others just for enjoyment
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My little brother is so malleable that I can convince him to sneak cookies from the cupboard for me.
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having an unpleasant smell Some thermally active fountains spew sulfur fumes--the air around them is sometimes so malodorous that many have to plug their noses.
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suggesting war or military life Americans tend to remember Abraham Lincoln as kindly and wise; not at all martial; despite the fact that he was involved in the fiercest war America has even fought.
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open to argument or debate; undecidable in a meaningless or irrelevant way Since the Board just terminated Steve as the CEO; what the finance committe might have thought of his proposed marketing plan for next year is now a moot point. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE
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ill-tempered and not inclined to talk; gloomy After Stanley found out he was no longer able to go on vacation with his friends; he sat in his room morosely.
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Helen preferred muted earth colors; such as green and brown; to the bright pinks and red her sister liked. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE
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stubbornly persistent in changing an opinion or action No number of pleas and bribes would get him to change his obdurate attitude.
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showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others "Even after all his success; I found him to be accommodating and obliging; sharing with me his ""secret tips"" on how to gain wealth and make friends."
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resistant to guidance or discipline; stubbornly persistent The coach suggested improvements Sarah might make on the balance beam; but she remained obstinate; unwilling to modify any of the habits that made her successful in the past.
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elaborately or highly decorated The ornate Victorian and Edwardian homes spread throughout San Francisco are my favorite part of the city.
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seemingly contradictory but nonetheless possibly true That light could be both a particle and a wave seems paradoxical; but nonetheless; it is true.
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relating to the countryside in a pleasant sense Those who imagine America's countryside as a pastoral region are often disappointed to learn that much of rural U.S. is filled with cornfields extending as far as the eye can see.
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easily irritated or annoyed Our office manager is peevish; so the rest of us tip-toe around him; hoping not to set off another one of his fits.
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lasting an indefinitely long time; eternal; everlasting Even at the old-timers games; Stan Musial would get the loudest cheer: he was a perennial favorite of the fans there. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE
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having precise or logical relevance to the matter at hand While the salaries of the players might draw attention in the media; such monetary figures are not pertinent to the question of who plays the best on the field.
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having an agreeably pungent taste The chef; with a mere flick of the salt shaker; turned the bland tomato soup into a piquant meal.
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concise and full of meaning I enjoy reading the Daodejing for its pithy and insightful prose; it always gives me something to think about.
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Doug is normally placid; so we were all shocked to see him yelling at the television when the Mets lost the game.
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(of movement) slow and laborious Charlie may seem to run at a plodding pace; but he is an ultramarathoner; meaning he runs distances of up to 100 miles; and can run for ten hours at a stretch.
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People smoke to relax and forget their cares; but ironically; in terms of health risks; smoking is far more precarious than either mountain-climbing or skydiving.
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done before someone else can do it Just as Martha was about to take the only cookie left on the table; Noah preemptively swiped it.
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confident that something will happen or that somebody will do something without making sure first, in a way that annoys people Many felt that Barney was presumptuous in moving into the large office before the management even made any official announcement of his promotion.
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Immaculately clean and unused Drill sergeants are known for demanding pristine cabinets; uniforms; and beds; and often make new recruits clean and clean and clean until they meet the expected high standards.
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plentiful; pouring out in abundance During mile 20 of the Hawaii Marathon; Dwayne was sweating so profusely that he stopped to take off his shirt; and ran the remaining six miles wearing nothing more than skimpy shorts.
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under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon Until the corporate office hands down a definitive decision on use of the extra offices; we will share their use in a provisional arrangement.
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eager to fight or argue; verbally combative "The comedian told one flat joke after another; and when the audience started booing; he pugnaciously back at them; ""Hey; you think this is easy -- why don""t you buffoons give it a shot?"""
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marked by a carefree unconventionality or disreputableness The men found him raffish; but the women adored his smart clothes and casual attitude.
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marked by a carefree unconventionality or disreputableness As soon as he arrived in the city; the rakish young man bought some drugs and headed straight for the seedy parts of town.
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marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences; imprudently incurring risk Although Bruce was able to make the delivery in time with a nightime motorcycle ride in the rain; Susan criticized his actions as rash. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE
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" to be negligent in one""s duty" Remiss in his duty to keep the school functioning efficiently; the principle was relieved of his position after only three months.
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completely stocked or furnished with something Only weeks after the hurricane made landfall; the local supermarket shelves were replete with goods; so quick was the disaster relief response.
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to be shy; and to be inclined to retract from company "Nelson was always the first to leave soirees--rather than mill about with ""fashionable"" folk; he was retiring; and preferred the solitude of his garret."
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sturdy and strong in form; constitution; or construction Chris preferred bland and mild beers; but Bhavin preferred a beer with more robust flavor.
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making a show of being pious; holier-than-thou Even during the quiet sanctity of evening prayer; she held her chin high; a sanctimonious sneer forming on her face as she eyed those who were attending church for the first time.
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With the prospect of having to learn 3;000 words during the course of the summer; Paul was anything but sanguine.
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well-informed or perceptive With his savvy business partner; the company was able to turn a profit within a year.
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describes someone who is brilliant and lively Richard Feynman was renowned for his scintillating lectures--the arcana of quantum physics was made lucid as he wrote animatedly on the chalkboard.
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effusively or insincerely emotional; especially in art; music; and literature I don't like romanticism for the same reason I don't like melodramatic acting and soap operas--overly sentimental.
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I'd never seen him so serene; usually; he was a knot of stress and anxiety from hours of trading on the stock exchange.
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carelessly and hastily put together The office building had been constructed in a slapdash manner; so it did not surprise officials when; during a small earthquake; a large crack emerged on the façade of the building.
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marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction When Phil was dating the model; he had a smug attitude that annoyed his buddies.
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expressive of contempt; derogatory or mocking in an indirect way The chairman interpreted Taylor's question about promotions as a snide remark; but in all innocence Taylor was trying to figure out the company's process.
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involving ignoble actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt; foul and run-down and repulsive The nightly news simply announced that the senator had had an affair; but the tabloid published all the sordid details of the interaction. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE
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characterized by dignity and propriety Frank came from a staid enviroment; so he was shocked that his college rooommate sold narcotics.
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marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable A good captain needs to be steadfast; continuing to hold the wheel and stay the course even during the most violent storm.
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having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited Elephants may appear stolid to casual observers; but they actually have passionate emotional lives.
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Every morning; Bhavin was a surly unhappy person; but once he ate breakfast; he became loving; laughing; and a joy to be around.
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showy but cheap and of poor quality. Carol expected to find New York City magical; the way so many movies had portrayed it; but she was surprised how often tawdry displays took the place of genuine elegance.
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use to the limit; exhaust The hike to the summit of Mt. Whitney was so taxing that I could barely speak or stand up. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE
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significant and revealing of another factor Her unbecoming dress was very telling when it came to her sense of fashion.
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The many telltale signs of chronic smoking include yellow teeth; and a persistent; hacking cough.
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As a thoroughgoing bibliophile; one who had turned his house into a veritable library; he shocked his friends when he bought a Kindle.
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He was economical; spending his money thriftily and on items considered essential.
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lasting a very short time If we lived forever and life was not transitory; do you think we would appreciate life less or more?
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I thought you are twins, not friends! There is an uncanny resemblance between you two. commencer à apprendre
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suggesting the operation of supernatural influences; surpassing the ordinary or normal Reggie has an uncanny ability to connect with animals: feral cats will readily approach him; and sometimes even wild birds will land on his finger.
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The relationship between Bart and Hilda ultimately failed because they were both so uncompromising; never wanting to change their opinions.
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unreasonable; unscrupulous; excessive The lawyer's demands were so unconscionable that rather than pay an exorbitant sum or submit himself to any other inconveniences; the defendant decided to find a new lawyer.
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having never been done or known before; novel When America first created its national parks; the idea of setting aside the most beautiful land in a country was unprecedented in the history of mankind.
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(of persons) noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline; unwilling to submit to authority Walk in to any preschool and I am sure that you will find an unruly and chaotic scene--unless it's nap time.
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not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society He acted in an unseemly manner; insulting the hostess and then speaking ill of her deceased husband.
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(of a person) courteous and refined in manner Because of his service as an intelligence officer and his refined tastes; W. Somerset Maugham became the inspiration for the urbane and sophistcate spy James Bond.
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devoid of intelligence; matter; or significance To the journalist's pointed question; the senator gave a vacuous response; mixing a few of his overall campaign slogans with platitudes and completely avoiding the controversial subject of the question.
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felt as if one were taking part in the experience or feelings of another "The advent of twitter is a celebrity stalker's dream; as he or she can--through hundreds of intimate ""tweets""--vicariously live the life of a famous person."
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to have a very strong desire for revenge Though the other girl had only lightly poked fun of Vanessa's choice in attire; Vanessa was so vindictive that she waited for an entire semester to get the perfect revenge.
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engaging in an activity with great eagerness or enthusiasm Steven was a voracious reader; sometimes finishing two novels in the same day.
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without check or limitation; showing no moral restraints to one's anger; desire; or appetites Due to wanton behavior and crude language; the drunk man was thrown out of the bar and asked to never return.
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determined by impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason Adults look to kids and envy their whimsical nature at times; wishing that they could act without reason and play without limitation.
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