GRE words starting with A

to lower in rank, dignity, or self-respect

to make someone feel embarrassed or ashamed

to lessen in intensity or amount

to formally give up power or responsibility

departing from what is normal or expected

a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected

a state of temporary suspension or inactivity

to regard with strong disgust or hatred

utterly hopeless, humiliated, or servile in condition or spirit

to formally reject or renounce a belief or claim

to renounce or deny oneself something

to put an end to something formally

to exist or be present in great quantities

harsh or irritating in manner

side by side and facing the same direction, or up to date with current information

to shorten a text while keeping its core content

to abolish or repeal a law or agreement by authority

the act of cutting off or separating

to leave secretly to avoid capture or accusation

to deliberately refrain from doing something

marked by moderation, especially in food and drink

the practice of restraining oneself from indulgence

existing as an idea rather than a concrete object

difficult to understand; obscure

the quality of being hard to comprehend

existing in large quantities; plentiful

extremely bad or profound in degree

a deep, immeasurable chasm or void, often used figuratively for something profound or catastrophic

to agree to a request or demand

to praise someone or something publicly and enthusiastically

an expression of praise or a mark of honor

to approach and speak to someone boldly or aggressively

gradual growth or increase by accumulation

a state of spiritual apathy, listlessness, and indifference toward one's duties

sharp and biting in tone or expression

harshness or bitterness of tone or manner

slightly sour in taste or manner; sharp or cutting in tone

the highest point of achievement or perfection

to accept or agree to something reluctantly without protest

eager to acquire and possess things

to free someone from a charge by declaring them not guilty

unpleasantly sharp or harsh in smell or taste

angry and bitter in tone or nature

bitterness or harshness in speech or feeling

the policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change

sharpness of perception, thought, or insight

keen insight and shrewd judgment

refusing to be persuaded; utterly unyielding

unbreakably hard, firm, and unyielding

to confuse or muddle someone's thinking

highly skilled or proficient at something

to stick firmly to a surface or to follow and support a rule or belief

a person who supports a particular cause or leader

to warn or reprimand someone firmly

clever and skillful, especially in handling situations

to praise or admire someone excessively and obsequiously

excessive admiration or flattery

expressing excessive or servile admiration and praise

to make impure by adding inferior or harmful substances

to outline or foreshadow something faintly

a faint foreshadowing or shadowy outline of something

coming from an outside source or by chance

harmful or unfavorable to one's interests

to publicly support or recommend a cause or policy

lasting for an immeasurably long age, eternal

a lofty nest of an eagle or other bird of prey, or any lofty dwelling or retreat

a person who has or affects great sensitivity to beauty, especially in art and literature

concerned with beauty or artistic appreciation

friendly, warm, and easy to talk to

artificial behavior meant to impress

artificial or insincere in manner

a natural attraction or close relationship

having an abundance of wealth

a deliberate insult or act of disrespect

to increase the power, wealth, or reputation of

to make a problem or condition worse

a whole formed by combining several elements

feeling wronged or treated unfairly

to stir up or disturb, especially emotions or opinion

very eager or curious; in a state of excited anticipation

marked by brisk and cheerful eagerness or readiness

brisk and cheerful eagerness

though; even though; used to introduce a concession

a seemingly magical process of transformation

to cause someone to feel isolated or hostile

to reduce or relieve fear, worry, or pain

a claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof

to assert something without providing proof

loyalty or commitment to a group, cause, or leader

a story whose characters and events symbolize deeper meanings

to make suffering or a problem less severe

to distribute resources for a particular purpose

to refer to something indirectly

distant and emotionally detached

to combine or unite into one whole

unfading and undying, eternally beautiful (after the mythical never-fading flower)

to gather or accumulate a large quantity

circuitous and roundabout, especially in a way that obscures or evades the point

open to more than one interpretation; unclear

the range or scope of something

having mixed or contradictory feelings about something

exceptionally pleasing to taste or smell; divinely delicious or fragrant

to make a bad situation better

willing to cooperate or be persuaded

a feature that provides comfort or convenience

having a friendly and pleasant disposition

lacking a clear shape or structure

to gradually pay off a debt or reduce the cost of an asset over a set period of time

something placed outside its proper historical time

the inability to feel pain while remaining conscious, or the relief of pain without loss of consciousness

relating to or causing the relief of pain without inducing unconsciousness

similar in a way that allows comparison

a state of disorder due to absence of authority

something or someone intensely disliked or detested

providing support; subordinate or supplementary

a critical or censorious remark

to strengthen or toughen, often through hardship

to declare invalid or legally void; to cancel or abolish officially

unlikely to cause offense; bland and inoffensive

to smear or rub with oil as part of a religious ceremony, or to officially choose someone for a position

deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected

something that deviates from what is standard or expected

to provoke hostility or opposition in someone

something that comes before and influences what follows

to come before in time

extremely old or outdated

a strong feeling of dislike or aversion

old-fashioned and no longer useful

preventing the growth of disease-causing microorganisms, or so clean as to lack warmth or character

the exact opposite of something

directly opposed or contrasted; mutually incompatible

lack of interest, emotion, or concern

a concise statement expressing a general truth

expressed in or resembling short, clever, and memorable sayings that convey general truths

self-confidence and poise in difficult situations

of doubtful authenticity, though widely circulated

a person who abandons a former belief or allegiance

a vigorous and pioneering advocate or supporter of a particular cause or movement

a short, pointed saying that expresses a truth

the highest or most perfect example of something

a ghost or ghostlike figure; something remarkable or unexpected that appears suddenly

to pacify someone by giving in to demands

a name, title, or designation

highly relevant and appropriate to the matter at hand

to assess the value, quality, or nature of something

anxiety or fear about a future event; also, the act of understanding or grasping something mentally

anxious or fearful about the future

to inform or notify someone of something

formal approval or praise

to take something for one's own use, often without permission

relevant and timely to the situation

appropriate or fitting in the circumstances

a natural ability or talent for acquiring a particular skill

containing, dissolving in, or relating to water

suitable for growing crops

a person with the authority to settle a dispute

based on personal whim rather than reason or system

to settle a dispute between opposing parties

understood by only a few; mysterious

belonging to an earlier period; old-fashioned

a typical or original model on which others are based

a group or chain of islands

marked by intense passion or enthusiasm

intense enthusiasm or passion

requiring great effort; difficult and tiring

extremely dry; lacking moisture or interest

complete and utter, usually in a negative sense

an offensive display of superiority or self-importance

to claim or seize something without justification

cunningly clever, often in a sly or manipulative way

able to express ideas clearly and effectively

an object made by humans, typically one of cultural or historical interest

clever or cunning trickery to deceive

without guile or pretense; natural and sincere

the quality of being natural and sincere, free from cunning or guile

a position of dominant power or influence

rising in power, influence, or status

to find out or determine something with certainty

practicing severe self-discipline and abstinence

to attribute something to a cause or source

free from contamination by harmful bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms

harshness of tone or manner

to attack the reputation or integrity of someone with false charges

a damaging or disparaging remark about someone

attacks on the reputation or integrity of someone; damaging or derogatory remarks

a strong desire or ambition to achieve something, or the act of breathing in

to attack violently or with strong criticism

to state or maintain something confidently

to evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, or value of something

the act of declaring something earnestly and solemnly

showing great care, attention, and persistence

to absorb and integrate information or people fully

to ease or relieve an unpleasant feeling

sharp or severe in manner or effect

shrewd and perceptive in judgment

reverting to an ancestral or primitive type after an absence of generations

eagerly longing or keenly desirous

to make amends or reparation for a wrong or injury that one has committed

to waste away or decline from disuse

paying close attention to something or someone, or thoughtfully considerate of the needs of others

to reduce the strength, force, or value of something

to provide evidence or confirmation of something

a gradual reduction in strength or numbers

responsive to or aware of something; in harmony or accord with

showing bold and daring disregard for risk or convention

bold disregard for normal restraints or risk

to make something greater by adding to it

to be a sign of a future outcome

a sign or omen of what is to come

inspiring respect and admiration; dignified

suggesting a favorable outcome; promising

severe or plain in manner or appearance

sternness or severe simplicity, especially in living

a condition of economic self-sufficiency and independence from outside trade or control

demanding strict obedience to authority

ruling with absolute, unchecked power

self-governing and independent

extreme greed for wealth or material gain

extremely greedy for wealth

to state or assert something to be true with confidence

having a strong dislike or unwillingness

a strong feeling of dislike or repugnance

to prevent something unpleasant from happening; or to turn away one's eyes or thoughts

having keen interest or enthusiasm

to declare or admit something openly

kind and friendly in the manner of an uncle

a statement or proposition that is regarded as established, accepted, and self-evidently true

self-evident and requiring no proof