GRE Vocabulary — Set 202

Set 202 of GRE Vocabulary covers 5 words: wile, welter, wheedle, zealot, zenith. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. wile · noun/waɪl/

   a cunning or deceitful action or trick

   The fox relied on its natural wiles to outsmart the hunters.

   Synonyms: trick, deception, scheme

   Origin: Middle English 'wile', from Old English 'wīl', meaning 'guile, trick'.

2. welter · verb/ˈwɛltər/

   to move in a turbulent or chaotic manner

   After the storm passed, the leaves began to welter across the yard, tossed about by the strong winds.

   Synonyms: tumble, writhe, flounder

   Origin: Middle English 'welteren', from Old English 'welforian', meaning 'to roll, tumble' or 'to roll over'.

3. wheedle · verb/ˈwiːdəl/

   to persuade someone to do something through flattery or coaxing

   She managed to wheedle a promise from him to help with her project by complimenting his skills.

   Synonyms: cajole, coax, persuade

   Origin: Originates from the early 19th century, possibly a combination of the word 'wheedle' itself, likely related to the dialect word 'wheed', meaning to persuade or to coax.

4. zealot · noun/ˈzɛl.ət/

   a person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals

   The political zealot refused to compromise on his controversial beliefs, insisting that his ideology was the only way forward.

   Synonyms: fanatic, extremist, radical

   Origin: From Greek 'zelotes', meaning 'zealous person', from 'zeloo' meaning 'to be zealous'.

5. zenith · noun/ˈzinəθ/

   the highest point reached by a celestial or other object

   At midnight, the stars reached their zenith in the clear night sky, illuminating the landscape with their brilliance.

   Synonyms: peak, pinnacle, summit

   Origin: The word 'zenith' originates from the Arabic phrase 'samt' al-ra's, meaning 'direction of the head', which passed into Latin as 'zenith' and was later adapted into Middle English.