GRE vocabulary: character and temperament.

Not self-indulgent, especially regarding eating and drinking; moderate

Her abstemious lifestyle stood in stark contrast to the lavish habits of her peers.

Excessively interested in acquiring money or material things; greedy

The acquisitive collector amassed over three thousand rare manuscripts in a single decade.

Excessive interest in acquiring money or material things; greediness

Her acquisitiveness extended beyond material goods to an insatiable hunger for knowledge and credentials.

Clever or skillful in using the hands or mind

The diplomat was adroit at navigating complex international negotiations.

The quality of being friendly, good-natured, and easy to talk to

The diplomat's affability masked a shrewd and calculating mind that rarely conceded a negotiating point.

Brisk and cheerful readiness; eager willingness

The volunteers accepted the challenging assignment with surprising alacrity.

Not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant; detached

The professor remained aloof during department meetings, contributing only when directly addressed.

The state of being distant or detached in manner

What some interpreted as aloofness was actually a profound shyness that the novelist never fully overcame.

The state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something

The memoir captures the author's ambivalence toward her hometown—a place she both loved and longed to escape.

Open and responsive to suggestion; easily persuaded or controlled; susceptible

The committee proved amenable to revising the policy once presented with compelling new data.

Showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern; indifferent

Voter turnout dropped to historic lows as an increasingly apathetic electorate lost faith in both parties.

Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern

The administration mistook the public's apathy for approval and was blindsided by the backlash that followed.

Anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen

The crew grew apprehensive as storm clouds gathered on the horizon with no harbor in sight.

Enthusiasm or passion; intense feeling

She pursued her research with an ardor that inspired her graduate students.

An exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities; overbearing pride

The general's arrogance blinded him to the tactical advantages his opponents possessed in the rugged terrain.

Characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention from indulgence

The philosopher lived an ascetic life, owning nothing beyond a few books and simple clothing.

Having an ability to accurately assess situations and turn them to one's advantage; shrewd

The astute investor recognized the market trend months before her competitors.

Showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks; impudent

The audacious plan to restructure the entire department met with both admiration and resistance.

Severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance; having no comforts or luxuries

The monastery's austere stone walls and bare furnishings reflected the monks' commitment to simplicity.

Severity or strictness of manner or attitude; extreme plainness and simplicity of style; conditions of reduced spending

Years of government austerity left hospitals underfunded and schools struggling to retain qualified teachers.

Extreme greed for wealth or material gain

The novel paints a portrait of corporate avarice at the expense of environmental responsibility.

Extreme eagerness or enthusiasm; keen interest

The young scholar pursued rare manuscripts with an avidity that impressed even the most seasoned bibliophiles.

With great interest, enthusiasm, or eagerness

He avidly consumed every new publication on quantum mechanics, filling notebook after notebook with questions.

Hostile and aggressive; eager to fight

The ambassador's belligerent tone during the summit alarmed delegates who had come expecting constructive dialogue.

Puzzled, confused, or bewildered

The professor looked bemused when a student challenged the foundational premise of the entire lecture.

Gentle, kindly; not harmful in effect

What initially appeared to be a benign policy shift turned out to have far-reaching economic consequences.

The quality of being gentle, kind, or harmless

The queen's reputation for benignity endeared her to subjects who had suffered under her predecessor's harsh rule.

Showing a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper

His blithe disregard for the safety regulations eventually led to a serious accident.

Given to sudden, unpredictable changes of mood or behavior

The capricious funding decisions of the arts council left theater companies unable to plan more than a season ahead.

Wary and unwilling to take risks; careful to consider all circumstances

A circumspect leader, she consulted advisors from across the political spectrum before making any major decision.

Formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech

Even in the heat of the debate, both candidates maintained a level of civility that impressed the moderators.

A feeling of smug self-satisfaction with oneself or one's situation, unaware of potential dangers

The team's early success bred complacency, and by midseason their performance had deteriorated sharply.

Showing a high degree of skill and flair; complete in every detail

A consummate professional, she handled the crisis with poise and efficiency.

Feeling or expressing remorse at having done wrong

The contrite executive issued a public apology for the company's lapses in safety.

Sad and disappointed; dejected

The crestfallen candidate conceded the election shortly after midnight, thanking supporters through tears.

Believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity

The columnist took a cynical view of the politician's sudden interest in education reform during an election year.

A distrustful and contemptuous attitude toward the motives of others

Years of broken promises had bred a deep cynicism among voters who once believed in the democratic process.

To make someone feel intimidated or apprehensive

The sheer scale of the project did not daunt the experienced architect.

Outward behavior or bearing

The witness's calm demeanor under cross-examination impressed the jury more than any single piece of evidence.

Lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm; occurring randomly or intermittently

Their desultory conversation touched on many topics but explored none in depth.

Separate; aloof and objective; not involved emotionally

The journalist maintained a detached perspective, reporting the facts without editorializing about either side.

The state of being objective, aloof, or emotionally uninvolved

Scientific detachment is essential when evaluating data, especially when the results challenge one's own hypothesis.

Modesty or shyness resulting from a lack of self-confidence

His diffidence in social settings contrasted sharply with the confidence he displayed in the laboratory.

Slow to act; intended to cause delay

The committee's dilatory tactics prevented the bill from reaching a vote before the recess.

A person who cultivates an area of interest without real commitment or knowledge; an amateur

Serious scholars dismissed him as a dilettante who lacked the rigor for genuine research.

A state of dissatisfaction, especially with people in authority or a system of control

Growing disaffection among the rank and file led to a wave of strikes across the industrial sector.

Angry or dissatisfied; discontented

Disgruntled employees leaked internal documents that revealed unsafe working conditions at the plant.

Not influenced by strong emotion; able to be rational and impartial

A dispassionate analysis of the evidence reveals that both sides of the debate have overstated their case.

A person's inherent qualities of mind and character; temperament

The child's cheerful disposition endeared her to teachers and classmates alike.

The tendency to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true, without consideration of evidence

The scientist's dogmatism about her theory prevented her from considering evidence that might have led to a breakthrough.

Feeling or expressing great sorrow or distress

The cellist's dolorous interpretation of the elegy moved several audience members to tears.

Cheerful and full of energy; enthusiastic

The ebullient crowd erupted in applause when the results were announced.

Unconventional and slightly strange; deviating from the norm

The eccentric mathematician lived in near-total seclusion, communicating with colleagues only through handwritten letters.

Feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement

The team was ecstatic when the probe successfully landed on the asteroid after a seven-year journey.

Insolent or impertinent behavior; shameless boldness

The employee had the effrontery to demand a raise after being reprimanded for chronic tardiness.

The quality of expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained way

The critic's effusiveness about the debut novel struck some readers as excessive, setting unrealistic expectations.

Ecstatically happy; in high spirits

The researchers were elated when the clinical trial produced results that exceeded even their most optimistic projections.

A feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of excitement; boredom

The existentialist novel captured the profound ennui of postwar European intellectuals.

Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation

She faced the devastating news with remarkable equanimity, calmly reassuring her colleagues.

Characterized by or feeling intense excitement and happiness

The nation was euphoric after winning the World Cup, with celebrations lasting well into the following week.

Filled with energy, excitement, and cheerfulness; lavishly abundant

The exuberant crowd spilled out of the stadium and into the streets, singing and waving flags.

Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail; meticulous

The fastidious editor reviewed every footnote and citation in the manuscript.

Excessive attention to detail and accuracy; meticulous care

The curator's fastidiousness about proper lighting conditions preserved the collection's fragile watercolors for future generations.

Silly and pointless; devoid of intelligence

The interviewer's fatuous questions wasted the time of the distinguished panelists.

Having or displaying a passionate intensity

The fervent supporters lined up hours before the rally to secure front-row positions.

Impressive delicacy and skill; subtle handling of a situation

The conductor led the orchestra with a finesse that brought out subtleties in the score no one had noticed before.

Obsessively focused on or attached to something; unable to shift attention

The researcher became so fixated on one hypothesis that she overlooked data pointing to a far simpler explanation.

The quality of being irritable, quarrelsome, or difficult to control

The fractiousness of the coalition government made it nearly impossible to pass any significant legislation.

Lack of seriousness; lightheartedness; triviality

The philosopher condemned the court's frivolity at a time when the nation faced existential threats on every border.

Not having any serious purpose or value; trivial

The judge dismissed the lawsuit as frivolous, noting that the plaintiff had no legal standing to bring the claim.

Lacking ease or grace; unsophisticated and socially awkward

His gauche attempt at humor during the formal dinner offended several guests.

Nervously awkward and ungainly quality of movement

The adolescent gawkiness of the young dancer gave way, almost overnight, to a graceful command of the stage.

Courteous, kind, and pleasant; showing grace and good manners

The host was unfailingly gracious, making even the most reserved guests feel welcome at the reception.

Fond of company; sociable; tending to live in groups

The gregarious sales director thrived at networking events and industry conferences.

Devoted to the pursuit of pleasure; self-indulgent

The novel's protagonist abandons a hedonistic lifestyle in Rome to pursue spiritual meaning in a remote monastery.

The practice of accumulating and storing a supply of something, often secretly

Panic buying led to the hoarding of essential supplies, leaving store shelves empty for weeks.

Excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance

The CEO's hubris in dismissing all outside advice led directly to the company's spectacular collapse.

Lacking excitement or variety; dull and monotonous

The memoir transforms the humdrum details of small-town life into a meditation on the nature of happiness.

A situation in which no progress is possible; a deadlock

The negotiations reached an impasse when neither side would compromise on the key issue.

Filled with or showing great emotion or feeling

The senator delivered an impassioned speech on the Senate floor, drawing on personal experience to advocate for the bill.

In a manner befitting an emperor; in a domineering, arrogantly overbearing way

The director imperiously dismissed suggestions from the cast, insisting that every scene be performed exactly as she envisioned.

Not allowing fluid to pass through; unable to be affected by

The senator seemed impervious to criticism, maintaining her position despite intense public pressure.

Acting or done quickly without thought or care; rash; impulsive

The young officer's impetuous charge into enemy territory cost the regiment dearly in both lives and strategic position.

Acting quickly and without thought or care; rashly

She impetuously signed the contract without reading the fine print and spent the next year regretting it.

Not showing care for the consequences of an action; rash

The treasurer's imprudent investments of pension funds in volatile markets left retirees facing an uncertain future.

The inability to make a decision quickly; vacillation

The general's indecision at the critical moment allowed the enemy to regroup and mount a devastating counterattack.

Not in keeping with good taste and propriety; improper

The diplomat's indecorous remark at the state dinner created an international incident that took weeks to smooth over.

Having no particular interest or concern; apathetic

The committee appeared indifferent to the concerns raised by residents who would be most affected by the rezoning.

Wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy

The indolent student relied on natural talent rather than effort to pass his courses.

An intense but short-lived passion or admiration for someone or something

What began as an infatuation with the city's nightlife gradually deepened into a genuine appreciation for its culture.

Showing very poor judgment; unwise

The manager's injudicious comments to the press revealed confidential details about the merger negotiations.

Having or showing a lack of self-control; immoderate

His intemperate outburst at the press conference drew widespread condemnation.

Fearless; adventurous and brave

The intrepid journalist traveled to the conflict zone to report firsthand on the situation.

An inherent quality of lacking seriousness or being trivially silly

The critic dismissed the entire genre on the grounds of its intrinsic frivolity, a judgment many readers found unfair.

Accustomed to something unpleasant; hardened

Decades of covering war zones had inured the journalist to scenes that would shock most civilians.

Having a habit or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change

An inveterate optimist, she believed every setback contained the seed of an opportunity.

Having or showing a tendency to be easily angered

The irascible professor was known for snapping at students who arrived late to class.

Generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others

The philanthropist's largesse funded the construction of three new hospitals.

A state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy

A pervasive lassitude settled over the office during the long, hot summer afternoons.

Affected by lethargy; sluggish and apathetic

The lethargic economy showed few signs of the recovery experts had predicted.

Humor or lack of seriousness, especially during a serious occasion

A moment of levity during the tense negotiations helped ease the mood.

Very generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or less powerful person

The victor proved magnanimous in defeat's reverse, pardoning former adversaries and inviting them into the new government.

The state or condition of being malevolent; the quality of wishing evil to others

The novel's villain is driven not by rational self-interest but by a deep, almost primal malevolence.

Disposed to cause harm or suffering; virulently harmful

The malignant influence of propaganda warped public opinion and silenced legitimate dissent.

Easily influenced; pliable; capable of being shaped or formed

Young minds are particularly malleable, making early education critically important.

Suggesting the presence of danger; threatening

The menacing tone of the ultimatum left little doubt that military action would follow if demands were not met.

Subject to sudden or unpredictable changes; volatile

The director's mercurial temperament made rehearsals unpredictable—praise one moment, fury the next.

Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise

The restorer's meticulous attention to detail preserved the painting's original colors beneath centuries of grime.

Dull, tedious, and repetitious; lacking in variety

The monotonous landscape of the salt flats stretched to the horizon without a single distinguishing feature.

Sullen and ill-tempered; gloomy

The morose atmosphere in the office reflected the anxiety everyone felt about the impending layoffs.

Lacking interest or excitement; dull; of this earthly world rather than heavenly

The biographer refused to gloss over the mundane details of the artist's life, finding in them clues to her creative process.

Larger or more generous than is usual or necessary

The munificent donation transformed the small library into a state-of-the-art research facility.

Lacking imagination, foresight, or intellectual insight; nearsighted

Critics called the economic plan myopic, arguing it sacrificed long-term stability for short-term gain.

A feeling of sickness with an inclination to vomit

The side effects of the treatment included nausea, dizziness, and fatigue that persisted for several days.

Wicked, villainous, or criminal in nature

The investigation uncovered the nefarious scheme to defraud thousands of elderly investors.

A person who is new to a subject, skill, or belief; a beginner

As a neophyte in the world of finance, she relied heavily on her experienced colleagues.

Feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety

Despite the gravity of the accusations, the defendant maintained a nonchalant demeanor.

Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action; hard-hearted

The obdurate negotiator refused to make even the smallest concession.

Not aware of or not concerned about what is happening around one

The tourists were oblivious to the historical significance of the ruins they were casually photographing.

Excessively compliant or submissive; fawning

The courtier's obsequious flattery disgusted even the king, who preferred honest counsel to empty praise.

Asserting authority in a domineering way, especially regarding trivial matters

The officious bureaucrat insisted on reviewing every minor procedural detail.

Characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress

The ostentatious mansion stood in stark contrast to the modest homes surrounding it.

Showing excessive confidence or pride; arrogant, presumptuous

The general's overweening confidence in his strategy blinded him to the vulnerabilities his opponents would exploit.

Flamboyant confidence of style or manner; dash and verve

The chef presented each dish with a panache that transformed a simple meal into a theatrical experience.

A strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something

The director had a penchant for casting unknown actors in leading roles.

Relating to or expressing penitence (sorrow and regret for sin or wrongdoing); self-punishing

The pilgrim's penitential journey across the desert was meant to atone for a lifetime of perceived moral failings.

Insisting on immediate attention or obedience, especially in a brusquely imperious way

The CEO's peremptory directive left no room for discussion or dissent.

The quality of carrying out a duty with minimal effort; superficial or cursory treatment

The perfunctoriness of the safety inspection—lasting barely five minutes—raised serious concerns about regulatory oversight.

Having an unemotional and calm disposition; not easily excited

The phlegmatic captain remained calm as the crew panicked during the storm.

In a devoutly religious manner; with hypocritical righteousness

The senator piously invoked family values while voting against legislation that would have supported working parents.

Not easily upset or excited; calm and peaceful

The village's placid exterior concealed long-simmering tensions between old residents and recent arrivals.

Having developed certain abilities at an earlier age than usual

The precocious child was reading university-level textbooks by the age of ten.

A preference or special liking for something; a bias in favor of something

The curator's predilection for abstract art was evident in every exhibition she organized.

People, especially young ones, endowed with exceptional abilities or qualities

Musical prodigies often face immense pressure to fulfill the expectations placed on them before they reach adulthood.

An inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way

His propensity for exaggeration made his colleagues skeptical of his claims.

Eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight; combative

The pugnacious debater challenged every point raised by the opposing team.

Showing great attention to detail or correct behavior

The punctilious accountant double-checked every figure in the annual report.

Complaining in a petulant or whining manner

The querulous tone of the letter undermined the validity of its legitimate complaints.

Exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical

The senator's quixotic campaign to abolish the electoral college attracted idealistic supporters but few political allies.

The tendency to avoid others; living in seclusion

The author's reclusiveness only intensified public curiosity, turning every rare interview into front-page news.

Unwillingness or disinclination to do something

Her reluctance to publish the findings stemmed not from doubt about their accuracy but from concern about their implications.

The capacity to recover quickly or withstand difficulty

The community's resilience in the face of repeated natural disasters became a model studied by disaster preparedness agencies.

Admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering

The captain remained resolute in her decision to stay the course, even as the storm intensified around the ship.

Restlessly impatient; unable to keep still; uneasy

The restive crowd grew increasingly agitated as the delay stretched from minutes into hours.

The quality of being reserved or restrained in manner; reluctance to speak freely

The scientist's reticence about discussing his methodology raised suspicions among colleagues who valued transparency.

Not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily; reserved

Normally reticent in interviews, the reclusive novelist surprised everyone by speaking candidly about her creative process.

The quality of being unyielding, stiff, or inflexible

The rigidity of the curriculum left teachers no room to adapt lessons to the needs of individual students.

Deep, careful thought or contemplation

The essay is less an argument than a rumination—a thoughtful, meandering reflection on the nature of memory.

Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; shrewd

The sagacious investor foresaw the market downturn and adjusted her portfolio accordingly.

Optimistic or positive, especially in a difficult situation

Despite the grim economic forecasts, the finance minister remained sanguine about the country's long-term prospects.

Diligent, thorough, and extremely attentive to details; having moral integrity

The journalist's scrupulous fact-checking ensured that every claim in the article could withstand legal scrutiny.

Showing dedication and diligence; persistent and hardworking

The sedulous researcher spent years painstakingly assembling the complete archive.

Preoccupation with one's own thoughts, feelings, or interests

The memoirist was accused of self-absorption, though defenders argued that introspection was the genre's defining feature.

Nervously inclined to shy away; easily frightened; excitable and unpredictable

Investors grew skittish after the unexpected earnings report, and the stock dropped sharply in after-hours trading.

The quality of being very loyal and committed in attitude; firmness

The community's staunchness in defending its traditions impressed anthropologists who had expected rapid cultural assimilation.

Calm, dependable, and showing little emotion or animation

The stolid farmer showed no outward reaction to the news, though his neighbors were frantic.

A person who acts obsequiously toward someone important to gain advantage; a flatterer

The CEO surrounded himself with sycophants who told him only what he wanted to hear.

The quality of being reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying very little

The diplomat's taciturnity during negotiations unnerved opponents accustomed to more talkative counterparts.

Excessive confidence or boldness; audacity; rashness

The junior analyst had the temerity to challenge the chairman's conclusions in front of the entire board.

Moderation or self-restraint, especially in drinking alcohol; the movement advocating abstinence from alcohol

The temperance movement of the early twentieth century ultimately led to the passage of Prohibition in the United States.

The quality of being very determined; persistence and resolve

Her tenacity in pursuing the investigation eventually led to a breakthrough.

Mentally or physically inactive; lethargic; sluggish

The torpid economy showed no signs of recovering from the prolonged recession.

Easy to control or influence; manageable

The problem, once considered impossible, proved tractable with the new mathematical framework.

Free from disturbance; calm; peaceful

The tranquil surface of the mountain lake reflected the snow-capped peaks with mirror-like clarity.

Eager or quick to argue or fight; aggressively defiant

The truculent spokesperson refused to answer questions and berated the journalists.

Not tending to express feelings openly; reserved

His undemonstrative manner led colleagues to underestimate the depth of his commitment to the cause.

Not acting in accordance with moral principles; unscrupulous

The biographer portrayed the tycoon as an unprincipled opportunist who exploited every crisis for personal gain.

Not proper or appropriate; not in good taste

The candidates' unseemly personal attacks during the debate disappointed voters who had hoped for a substantive discussion.

To alternate or waver between different opinions or actions; to be indecisive

The committee vacillated for weeks before finally reaching a decision.

Showing or motivated by susceptibility to bribery; corrupt

The mayor's venal administration sold building permits to the highest bidder, ignoring safety codes entirely.

Wanting or devouring great quantities; having a very eager approach to an activity

A voracious reader, she consumed several books a week across every genre.

Feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems

Investors remained wary of the market's sudden rally, suspecting it might be a temporary correction rather than a genuine recovery.

Great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective

The reformer's zeal for social justice inspired a generation of activists who continued her work long after her death.

Having or showing zeal; great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause

The prosecutor's zealous pursuit of the case raised questions about whether the investigation had been conducted impartially.