GRE Vocabulary You Will Actually See: 300 High-Yield Words

Two weeks before her GRE, Maya stopped cramming thousand-word lists and switched to a short, targeted deck. She focused on 300 high-yield words and jumped from a 158 to a 164 in Verbal. Less noise, more recall, better accuracy.

High-yield GRE vocabulary means words you actually see on test day. These are repeat offenders from past exams and top expert analyses, with clear patterns across Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence, and Reading Comprehension. They show up often, carry strong connotations, and control the logic of a sentence.

Why 300? Because a compact set that covers common themes does more work per minute of study. You learn power roots, tone words, argument verbs, tricky twins, and degree words that unlock blanks and trap answers. You cut guesswork and read choices faster.

Here’s what you’ll get in this guide: clean categories, tight definitions, and quick examples that mirror test style. We’ll flag common confusions, note positive or negative tone, and show how a single clue word can flip a choice. Short drills help you test recall on the spot.

You’ll also get simple study tips that fit a busy schedule. Think daily sets of 20 to 30 words, spaced repetition, and make-your-own sentences that match GRE clues. We’ll show you how to stack similar words, spot roots that repeat, and build speed without losing accuracy.

These 300 words aren’t random. The full lists draw from reliable sources on frequent test words, then filter for clarity, test relevance, and coverage of high-yield themes. If you want a focused plan that actually moves your score, start here, keep it tight, and track accuracy over time. You don’t need every word in the dictionary. You need the right ones.

Master Intelligence, Skill, and Dullness Words to Sharpen Your GRE Edge

Words about smarts and boredom show up in arguments, reviews, and history passages. They signal how an author judges a person, an idea, or a method. Learn these, and you read tone and intent faster.

You will see them in humanities and social science texts that weigh claims or critique style. Spotting a single tone word can flip a blank or an answer set. For guided practice with tone-heavy passages, consider Online GRE classes with experts.

Key Words for Intelligence and Skill on the GRE

These words often praise a thinker or a method. They can hint at approval, credibility, or sharp analysis in a passage.

adroit: skillful and clever (She solved the knotty issue adroitly.)
adept: very skilled or proficient (He is adept at data modeling.)
astute: quick to notice and judge well (Her astute reading caught the flaw.)
canny: smart and careful in judgment (A canny investor waited for proof.)
deft: quick and neat in skill (The deft move saved the project.)
dexterous: showing fine skill with hands or mind (A dexterous editor cut the bloat.)
shrewd: sharp and practical in decisions (A shrewd compromise won support.)
savvy: practical understanding or know-how (Tech-savvy users fixed it fast.)
ingenious: inventive and original (The device uses an ingenious latch.)
innovative: introducing new ideas or methods (An innovative trial design reduced bias.)
perspicacious: very insightful and clear-sighted (Her perspicacious critique reshaped the debate.)
sagacious: wise and sound in judgment (A sagacious mentor warned him early.)
incisive: clear and direct, cutting to the point (His incisive review exposed errors.)
acute: sharp, highly perceptive (An acute observer noted the pattern.)
apt: suitable and quick to learn (An apt example made the rule clear.)
acumen: keen insight or judgment (Fiscal acumen kept the lab funded.)
proficient: competent and skilled (She is proficient in R and Python.)
expert: having authoritative skill or knowledge (An expert witness explained the study.)
resourceful: quick and clever in finding solutions (A resourceful team rerouted supplies.)
facility: natural skill or ease (He has a facility with analogies.)
flair: natural talent or style (Her flair for synthesis stood out.)
erudite: very learned and scholarly (An erudite historian traced the sources.)
keen: sharp and eager, highly perceptive (His keen eye caught the inconsistency.)
masterful: showing great skill or control (A masterful argument carried the vote.)

Tip: Words like astute, incisive, and shrewd often mark positive tone about argument quality, while canny or cunning can tilt pragmatic. Match the connotation to the author’s stance.

Spotting Unoriginality and Dullness in GRE Passages

These words often signal criticism of style or ideas. You will see them in reviews that fault writers for safe or stale thinking.

banal: common and uninteresting (The speech offered banal promises.)
trite: overused and lacking freshness (A trite metaphor weakened the claim.)
hackneyed: worn out from overuse (Hackneyed tropes filled the ad.)
cliché: phrase or idea that is overused (The hero’s journey felt like a cliché.)
platitudinous: full of flat, obvious remarks (Platitudinous lines drew polite claps.)
derivative: imitative, lacking originality (A derivative study added little.)
commonplace: ordinary, unremarkable (The findings were commonplace and thin.)
prosaic: dull and unimaginative (A prosaic intro lost the reader.)
pedestrian: dull and ordinary (Pedestrian prose slowed the chapter.)
mundane: everyday and unexciting (Mundane details crowded the review.)
quotidian: daily and routine, often boring (Quotidian chores filled the diary.)
stale: no longer fresh or interesting (Stale jokes sank the set.)
insipid: lacking flavor or interest (Insipid dialogue drained the scene.)
vapid: empty and lifeless (Vapid banter killed the tension.)
humdrum: boring and routine (Humdrum steps padded the method.)
dreary: dull and depressing (A dreary lecture lost the class.)
colorless: lacking vividness or force (Colorless prose masked the insight.)
conventional: following accepted rules, unoriginal (Conventional claims went untested.)
formulaic: predictable and by the book (A formulaic plot bored the panel.)
threadbare: thin from overuse (Threadbare arguments resurfaced again.)
shopworn: worn out from too much use (Shopworn slogans filled the flyer.)
run-of-the-mill: average and unremarkable (A run-of-the-mill survey added nothing.)
uninspired: lacking energy or creativity (Uninspired writing dulled the message.)
unimaginative: not creative or fresh (An unimaginative plan repeated old steps.)

Tip: When a passage uses words like platitudinous, hackneyed, or formulaic, the author is critiquing style or thought, not just content. That tone can steer you to negative answer choices in Text Completion and Reading Comprehension.

Tackle Emotions, Anger, and Change with These High-Frequency GRE Terms

Emotion words steer tone, and tone steers answers. You will see these in literature, psychology, and social science passages where attitude matters. Group them into three buckets: Emotion (happy or sad), Anger or Aggression, and Change or Uncertainty. Learn each word with its connotation, then match it to context clues. For extra practice, skim a trusted high-frequency list like GRE High Frequency Words and build short, test-style sentences.

GRE Words for Joy, Happiness, and Sadness

Tone pivots fast in prose. Pair bright words with their darker mirrors to read contrast in emotional passages and avoid trap choices.

buoyant: cheerful and optimistic (Her buoyant mood lifted the team.)
ecstatic: intensely happy (Fans were ecstatic after the upset win.)
elated: filled with joy (She was elated by the acceptance letter.)
ebullient: full of high energy (His ebullient speech rallied volunteers.)
exultant: triumphant and joyful (The exultant crowd sang in unison.)
jovial: friendly and jolly (A jovial host kept the table lively.)
jubilant: rejoicing, very happy (The city was jubilant at dawn.)
mirthful: full of laughter (Mirthful banter eased the tension.)
sanguine: confidently hopeful (Analysts stayed sanguine about recovery.)
euphoric: intensely thrilled (The drug induced a brief euphoric state.)
blithe: carefree and lighthearted (Her blithe tone ignored the risks.)
gleeful: openly delighted (He gave a gleeful shout at the news.)
upbeat: positive and lively (The report struck an upbeat note.)
sunny: bright in mood (Her sunny outlook calmed doubts.)
gloomy: dark or depressed (The forecast gave a gloomy outlook.)
wistful: sadly longing (A wistful glance lingered on the photo.)
dejected: downcast and low (He felt dejected after the rejection.)
despondent: without hope (The team grew despondent by winter.)
disconsolate: unable to be comforted (She was disconsolate after the loss.)
lugubrious: mournful, overly sad (Lugubrious music set a somber mood.)
melancholy: gentle, reflective sadness (A melancholy air filled the house.)
morose: sullen and gloomy (His morose silence worried friends.)
dour: stern and joyless (A dour review sank the play.)
downcast: sad and discouraged (She looked downcast at the verdict.)
crestfallen: deeply disappointed (He walked out crestfallen.)
somber: serious and grave (A somber tone marked the memo.)
doleful: sorrowful (Her doleful eyes told the story.)
woeful: full of grief or misery (A woeful season ended early.)

Tip: Contrast clues matter. If a passage flips from buoyant to dour, expect answer choices that reflect that tonal shift.

Understanding Anger and Aggression Vocab for GRE Analysis

Conflict-themed readings use sharp tone words to signal hostility, bias, or rhetorical heat. In Text Completion and Reading Comprehension, these terms narrow choices by revealing stance and intensity.

belligerent: warlike, combative (The debate turned belligerent fast.)
bellicose: eager to fight (A bellicose remark sparked protest.)
combative: ready to argue or fight (Her combative stance alienated allies.)
contentious: likely to cause dispute (A contentious claim split the panel.)
fractious: irritable and quarrelsome (The fractious committee stalled progress.)
irascible: easily angered (An irascible coach berated players.)
truculent: aggressively defiant (His truculent reply ended talks.)
pugnacious: eager to argue (A pugnacious critic heckled the speaker.)
choleric: prone to anger (A choleric boss snapped at staff.)
indignant: angry at unfairness (Voters grew indignant over fees.)
incensed: very angry (Residents were incensed by the delay.)
wrathful: full of rage (Wrathful letters flooded the office.)
rancorous: deeply bitter (A rancorous feud dragged on.)
vitriolic: harsh and scornful (A vitriolic review attacked the author.)
acrimonious: sharp and bitter in tone (Talks ended in an acrimonious exchange.)

Tip: Degrees of anger matter. Indignant signals moral anger, while truculent or pugnacious suggests active aggression.

Words for Change and Uncertainty That Pop Up on the GRE

Science and history passages track shifts, not just states. These words point to unstable trends, mixed attitudes, or tentative claims. Map them to dynamic stories or studies with changing variables. For more practice sentences with tone and degree, see the Common (High-frequency) Words list.

capricious: sudden mood or behavior changes (His capricious decisions surprised everyone.)
mercurial: quick, unpredictable shifts (A mercurial market spooked investors.)
erratic: irregular and unstable (Erratic data weakened the claim.)
fickle: likely to change loyalties (Fickle fans switched sides again.)
volatile: likely to change fast (Volatile prices hurt small shops.)
inconstant: not steady or firm (Inconstant support doomed the bill.)
mutable: able to change (A mutable policy adapted to feedback.)
labile: easily altered (Labile mood states marked the sample.)
protean: many forms or roles (A protean artist kept critics guessing.)
fluid: flexible and changing (Fluid plans allowed quick pivots.)
malleable: easily shaped (Malleable views shifted with new data.)
plastic: capable of being molded (Neural plastic responses followed training.)
vacillating: wavering between options (A vacillating leader lost trust.)
wavering: undecided, shaky (Wavering support faded by fall.)
equivocal: unclear or ambiguous (Equivocal results limited conclusions.)
tentative: not final, subject to change (A tentative date appeared in notes.)
provisional: for now, pending change (A provisional title topped the draft.)
unsettled: not resolved or stable (Unsettled weather slowed the survey.)
fluctuating: rising and falling (Fluctuating rates confused buyers.)
whimsical: driven by odd, sudden ideas (Whimsical rules frustrated staff.)

Tip: When a passage stresses uncertainty, words like tentative, provisional, and equivocal often align with cautious claims in answer choices.

From Communication to Resistance: Advanced GRE Words for Praise, Difficulty, and More

You know the basics. These words go a level deeper, so you can read tone, track stance, and sharpen logic in blanks. They show up across Verbal Reasoning and make your essays sound precise. Think of them as power tools that build on simple roots like talk, praise, or resist, then add fine shades you can spot in a sentence.

For a tight check against common test items, see quick lists like Top 52 GRE Vocabulary Words or the broader Top 101 High Frequency GRE Words. Use them to confirm tone and degree while you study.

GRE Vocab for Talking and Communication Styles

These words help you read style and intent in arguments, reviews, and author bios. Many appear often in Verbal Reasoning.

loquacious: talkative (The loquacious student dominated the discussion.)
voluble: very talkative, fluent (A voluble host filled every pause.)
garrulous: excessively talkative (His garrulous stories ran long.)
verbose: wordy, too many words (A verbose memo buried the point.)
circumlocutory: indirect, roundabout in speech (Her circumlocutory answer dodged blame.)
pithy: brief yet full of meaning (A pithy line closed the brief.)
succinct: concise and clear (Keep your summary succinct and sharp.)
terse: curt and spare in wording (His terse reply ended debate.)
laconic: using very few words (A laconic note said enough.)
taciturn: habitually silent (A taciturn witness offered little.)
reticent: reserved in speech (She was reticent about details.)
eloquent: persuasive and moving in speech (An eloquent close swayed the jury.)
articulate: clear and effective in expression (He is articulate under pressure.)
candid: open and honest in speech (Her candid remarks built trust.)
glib: fluent but insincere or shallow (A glib answer pleased no one.)

Terms for Agreeing, Yielding, and Giving In

These show acceptance, surrender, or polite give-and-take. Great for Text Completion tone.

acquiesce: agree unwillingly (She finally acquiesced to the plan.)
concede: admit or yield (He conceded the key point.)
capitulate: surrender after resistance (They capitulated under pressure.)
relent: soften or give in (The manager relented by noon.)
defer: yield to another’s judgment (We defer to expert advice.)
submit: accept authority or a decision (They submitted without protest.)
accede: agree to a request (The board acceded to demands.)
assent: express approval (Members assented after review.)
comply: act in line with rules (Vendors must comply by May.)
compliant: willing to agree or obey (A compliant partner sped talks.)
cede: give up power or territory (He ceded control of hiring.)
yield: give way or produce (They yield when facts are clear.)

Words Showing Stubbornness and Resistance on the Test

Stance words like these steer tone and predict outcomes in arguments and negotiations.

obstinate: stubborn (His obstinate attitude caused delays.)
obdurate: hardhearted, unmoved (An obdurate critic refused all edits.)
intransigent: unwilling to compromise (Both sides stayed intransigent.)
recalcitrant: resistant to control (Recalcitrant members ignored rules.)
refractory: hard to manage (A refractory coalition broke apart.)
unyielding: not giving in (Her unyielding stance blocked a deal.)
adamant: firm and resolute (He was adamant about timing.)
tenacious: persistent and tough (A tenacious advocate kept pushing.)
dogged: stubbornly persistent (Dogged effort won late support.)
pertinacious: holding firm to a view (A pertinacious skeptic pressed on.)
headstrong: willful and rash (A headstrong move backfired.)
willful: deliberate and stubborn (A willful refusal stalled aid.)
hardline: strict, uncompromising (Hardline voices set the tone.)
balky: refusing to proceed (A balky vendor missed deadlines.)
stiff-necked: proud and stubborn (Stiff-necked leaders lost allies.)

Praise and Respect Vocabulary to Elevate Your GRE Writing

Use these to signal approval, esteem, or strong positive tone in essays and passages.

laud: praise (They lauded the team’s success.)
acclaim: enthusiastic praise (The study won broad acclaim.)
extol: praise highly (Experts extol its design.)
exalt: raise in rank or praise (The article exalted her method.)
revere: regard with deep respect (Scholars revere the dataset.)
venerate: honor with respect (They venerate early pioneers.)
idolize: admire to excess (Fans idolize the founder.)
eulogize: praise after death or loss (Students eulogized their mentor.)
commend: praise formally (The report commended the fix.)
applaud: express approval (Reviewers applauded the clarity.)
lionize: treat as a celebrity (Media lionized the whistleblower.)
encomium: formal expression of praise (An encomium closed the ceremony.)

Facing Difficulty and Opposition with GRE Terms

These mark challenge, strain, or active pushback. They help you weigh feasibility, risk, and constraint in arguments.

arduous: hard work (The arduous task took hours.)
onerous: burdensome duty (An onerous rule slowed labs.)
taxing: tiring and demanding (The schedule became taxing.)
grueling: very exhausting (A grueling sprint ended Friday.)
laborious: requiring much effort (Laborious data entry ate time.)
toilsome: involving hard work (A toilsome climb tested them.)
Herculean: requiring great strength (A Herculean cleanup followed.)
formidable: intimidating in difficulty (A formidable backlog loomed.)
prohibitive: too costly or restrictive (Prohibitive fees deterred applicants.)
intractable: hard to manage or solve (An intractable bug persisted.)
knotty: difficult and complex (A knotty clause caused confusion.)
thorny: tricky and sensitive (A thorny issue split the board.)
byzantine: overly complex (Byzantine rules slowed progress.)
convoluted: complex and hard to follow (A convoluted plan lost support.)
uphill: requiring steady effort (An uphill fight awaited.)
burdensome: heavy and hard to carry (Burdensome forms clogged intake.)
punishing: causing great strain (Punishing heat reduced output.)
exacting: demanding high standards (An exacting review cut fluff.)
stiff: severe or difficult (A stiff penalty forced changes.)
adverse: harmful or unfavorable (Adverse conditions hurt yields.)
antagonistic: opposed or hostile (An antagonistic tone ended talks.)
balk: stop short or refuse (Several members balked late.)
obstruct: block or hinder (New rules may obstruct entry.)
impede: slow or block progress (Delays impede the rollout.)
hamper: hold back (Traffic will hamper delivery.)
thwart: prevent from succeeding (The audit thwarted the deal.)
stymie: block or frustrate (New limits stymie research.)
forestall: prevent by preemptive action (Early action forestalled a crisis.)
inhibit: restrain or hold back (Cold temps inhibit growth.)
counter: oppose or respond to (They counter the argument with data.)
rebut: refute with evidence (She rebutted the claim in detail.)
contradict: state the opposite (The figures contradict the memo.)
withstand: resist or endure (The model can withstand shocks.)
resilient: able to recover quickly (A resilient team returned strong.)
corroborate: support with evidence (New trials corroborate the findings.)
deride: mock or insult (Critics deride the weak method.)

Tip: Combine tone with function. Words like corroborate signal support, while deride flags sharp criticism. Those cues narrow answer choices fast.

Conclusion

You now have a tight playbook that targets what the GRE actually tests. These 300 words, grouped by tone and function, cut noise and speed up every choice you make. You learn the roots, the connotations, and the degree words that steer blanks and arguments. Fewer misses, cleaner reads, more points.

Small, steady steps win. Ten to fifteen minutes a day, five days a week, will stack fast gains. Cycle one category at a time, then mix them in short drills. Track recall, mark weak spots, and write your own test-style sentences. This focused loop builds accuracy you can trust under time.

Start today with one category you find hard. Revisit it tomorrow, then add a second bucket by midweek. Keep cards light and examples short. If you want expert guidance or a structured plan with feedback and practice tests, consider expert GRE prep courses with seasoned tutors.

Maya’s switch to a lean set worked because it matched the test. Yours can too. Stay consistent, keep it simple, and let repetition work for you. When these words feel familiar, the GRE reads like a story you already know.

Thanks for reading. Share your progress, note your score jumps, and keep going.

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