GMAT Vocabulary
Graduate Management Admission Test
Top 100 vocabulary words for GMAT verbal section. Essential words for sentence correction, critical reasoning, and reading comprehension.
Start LearningAbout Graduate Management Admission Test
GMAT is a standardized test for admission to graduate business programs worldwide. It assesses analytical writing, quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and integrated reasoning skills.
Exam Sections
Analytical Writing Assessment
Integrated Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning
Why Vocabulary Matters
Vocabulary is crucial for the Verbal Reasoning section, which includes reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction. GMAT tests your ability to understand precise meanings and use words correctly in business contexts.
Essential Vocabulary Words
Master these 100 high-frequency words to excel in your GMAT exam
Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas
Example: She felt ambivalent about accepting the job offer.
Something that deviates from what is standard
Example: The test results showed an anomaly requiring investigation.
Involving strenuous effort; difficult
Example: The arduous journey tested their endurance.
articulate
adjectiveAble to speak fluently and coherently
Example: She is an articulate speaker.
Severe or strict; having no luxuries
Example: The monk lived an austere life.
Something that precipitates an event
Example: The crisis was a catalyst for change.
compelling
adjectiveEvoking interest or attention
Example: She made a compelling case.
comprehensive
adjectiveComplete; including all elements
Example: The report was comprehensive.
concise
adjectiveGiving information clearly in few words
Example: Please provide a concise summary.
Making a situation likely to happen
Example: The environment is conducive to learning.
consensus
nounGeneral agreement
Example: The team reached a consensus.
consolidate
verbTo make stronger or more solid
Example: They consolidated their market position.
contentious
adjectiveCausing disagreement
Example: The proposal is contentious.
credible
adjectiveAble to be believed
Example: She provided credible evidence.
criterion
nounA principle for judging something
Example: Quality is the main criterion.
crucial
adjectiveOf great importance
Example: Timing is crucial to success.
curtail
verbTo reduce or limit
Example: They had to curtail expenses.
debatable
adjectiveOpen to discussion or argument
Example: The point is debatable.
deliberate
adjectiveDone consciously and intentionally
Example: It was a deliberate decision.
demonstrate
verbTo clearly show the existence of
Example: The study demonstrates the benefits.
detrimental
adjectiveTending to cause harm
Example: Smoking is detrimental to health.
discern
verbTo perceive or recognize
Example: It was hard to discern the truth.
discrepancy
nounA lack of compatibility
Example: There was a discrepancy in the accounts.
disparate
adjectiveEssentially different
Example: They held disparate views.
disseminate
verbTo spread widely
Example: They disseminate information globally.
diverse
adjectiveShowing variety
Example: The company has a diverse workforce.
dubious
adjectiveHesitating or doubting
Example: I am dubious about the plan.
efficacy
nounThe ability to produce a desired result
Example: The drug's efficacy was proven.
efficient
adjectiveAchieving maximum productivity
Example: The process is highly efficient.
elaborate
adjectiveInvolving many careful details
Example: They made elaborate plans.
elicit
verbTo evoke or draw out
Example: The question elicited a response.
empirical
adjectiveBased on observation or experience
Example: The study provides empirical evidence.
enhance
verbTo intensify or improve
Example: Technology enhances productivity.
equitable
adjectiveFair and impartial
Example: They sought an equitable solution.
exemplify
verbTo be a typical example of
Example: This case exemplifies the problem.
expedite
verbTo make happen sooner
Example: We need to expedite the process.
explicit
adjectiveStated clearly and in detail
Example: The instructions were explicit.
feasible
adjectivePossible to do easily
Example: The plan is feasible.
fluctuate
verbTo rise and fall irregularly
Example: Prices fluctuate daily.
formidable
adjectiveInspiring fear or respect
Example: They faced formidable challenges.
fundamental
adjectiveForming a necessary base
Example: This is a fundamental principle.
hamper
verbTo hinder or impede
Example: Bad weather hampered progress.
hypothetical
adjectiveBased on a suggested idea
Example: Let's consider a hypothetical scenario.
implement
verbTo put into effect
Example: They implemented new policies.
implicit
adjectiveSuggested though not directly expressed
Example: There was an implicit threat.
incentive
nounSomething that motivates action
Example: They offered financial incentives.
innovative
adjectiveFeaturing new methods
Example: The company is innovative.
integral
adjectiveNecessary to make complete
Example: Communication is integral to success.
intrinsic
adjectiveBelonging naturally
Example: The work has intrinsic value.
invoke
verbTo cite as an authority
Example: He invoked company policy.
justify
verbTo show to be right or reasonable
Example: Can you justify the expense?
legitimate
adjectiveConforming to rules
Example: He raised legitimate concerns.
lucrative
adjectiveProducing a great deal of profit
Example: It was a lucrative business.
magnitude
nounThe great size or extent
Example: The magnitude of the problem is clear.
marginal
adjectiveRelating to or at the edge
Example: The improvement was marginal.
Showing great attention to detail
Example: She is meticulous in her work.
negligible
adjectiveSo small as to be not worth considering
Example: The difference is negligible.
objective
adjectiveNot influenced by personal feelings
Example: We need an objective assessment.
obsolete
adjectiveNo longer in use
Example: The technology is obsolete.
optimize
verbTo make the best use of
Example: They optimized the process.
paramount
adjectiveMore important than anything else
Example: Safety is paramount.
pervasive
adjectiveSpreading widely throughout
Example: The problem is pervasive.
plausible
adjectiveSeeming reasonable or probable
Example: The explanation is plausible.
preclude
verbTo prevent from happening
Example: This precludes other options.
predominant
adjectivePresent as the strongest element
Example: English is the predominant language.
preliminary
adjectiveDenoting an action preceding something
Example: These are preliminary results.
prerequisite
nounA thing required as a prior condition
Example: Experience is a prerequisite.
prevalent
adjectiveWidespread in a particular area
Example: The disease is prevalent here.
proliferate
verbTo increase rapidly in number
Example: Smartphones proliferated quickly.
prominent
adjectiveImportant; famous
Example: She is a prominent figure.
propensity
nounAn inclination or tendency
Example: He has a propensity for risk.
redundant
adjectiveNot needed; superfluous
Example: The information is redundant.
relevant
adjectiveClosely connected to the matter
Example: Please provide relevant information.
Able to withstand or recover quickly
Example: The economy proved resilient.
rigorous
adjectiveExtremely thorough and careful
Example: The study was rigorous.
scrutinize
verbTo examine closely
Example: They scrutinized the contract.
significant
adjectiveSufficiently great to be worthy of attention
Example: There was significant progress.
Of considerable importance or size
Example: They made substantial gains.
tangible
adjectivePerceptible by touch; clear and definite
Example: We need tangible results.
tenuous
adjectiveVery weak or slight
Example: The connection is tenuous.
undermine
verbTo weaken gradually
Example: This undermines our efforts.
viable
adjectiveCapable of working successfully
Example: The plan is viable.
volatile
adjectiveLiable to change rapidly
Example: The market is volatile.
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Start Learning FreeQuick Facts
Exam Type
standardizedDifficulty Level
intermediateTotal Words
100 essential words
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