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mendacity

noun/mɛnˈdæsɪti/

the quality of being untruthful or deceitful

The politician's mendacity was exposed when his lies were fact-checked by the media.

dishonestyfalsehooddeception
word origin — from Latin 'mendacitas', from 'mendax' meaning 'lying, deceitful'

GRE Vocabulary — Set 21

Set 21 of GRE Vocabulary covers 5 words: mendacity, dirge, efficacy, forbearance, dissolution. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

  1. mendacity · noun/mɛnˈdæsɪti/

    the quality of being untruthful or deceitful

    The politician's mendacity was exposed when his lies were fact-checked by the media.

    Synonyms: dishonesty, falsehood, deception

    Origin: from Latin 'mendacitas', from 'mendax' meaning 'lying, deceitful'

  2. dirge · noun/dɜrdʒ/

    a mournful song or piece of music expressing sorrow for the dead

    As the funeral procession moved through the streets, the somber dirge filled the air, echoing the collective sorrow of the mourners.

    Synonyms: lament, requiem, mourning song

    Origin: from Middle English 'dirge', from Latin 'dirige', the first word of a hymn sung at a burial.

  3. efficacy · noun/ˈɛfɪkəsi/

    the ability to produce a desired or intended result

    The efficacy of the new vaccine was proven through extensive clinical trials.

    Synonyms: effectiveness, efficiency, potency

    Origin: from Latin 'efficacia', from 'efficax' meaning 'effective'

  4. forbearance · noun/fɔrˈbɛrəns/

    the act of refraining from enforcing a debt or obligation

    The bank showed great forbearance by allowing the struggling borrower additional time to make their payments.

    Synonyms: tolerance, patience, leniency

    Origin: From Middle English 'forberen', from Old English 'forberan', meaning 'to bear with, tolerate'.

  5. dissolution · noun/dɪsəˈluːʃən/

    the process of dissolving or the state of being dissolved

    The dissolution of the sugar in water created a sweet solution that enhanced the flavor of the drink.

    Synonyms: disintegration, dissolution, decomposition

    Origin: from Latin 'dissolutio', meaning 'a loosening, dissolution', from 'dissolvere' meaning 'to loosen, dissolve'