GRE Vocabulary — Set 23

Set 23 of GRE Vocabulary covers 5 words: debilitate, gainsay, expiate, extricate, deprecate. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. debilitate · verb/dɪˈbɪlɪˌteɪt/

   to weaken or impair the strength or effectiveness of

   Chronic stress can debilitate the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections.

   Synonyms: weaken, impair, undermine

   Origin: from Latin 'debilitare', from 'debilis' meaning 'weak'

2. gainsay · verb/ɡeɪnˈseɪ/

   to deny or contradict

   No one can gainsay the importance of free speech in a democratic society.

   Synonyms: deny, dispute, contradict

   Origin: From Middle English 'gainsaien', which comes from 'gain-' meaning 'against' + 'sai(en)' meaning 'to say'

3. expiate · verb/ˈɛkspiˌeɪt/

   to make amends for guilt or wrongdoing

   After the scandal, the politician tried to expiate his mistakes through numerous charitable donations and public service.

   Synonyms: atone, redress, rectify

   Origin: from Latin 'expiāre', meaning 'to make amends' (ex- 'out' + piāre 'to atone')

4. extricate · verb/ˈɛkstrɪˌkeɪt/

   to free or remove from a constraint or difficulty

   The firefighters worked diligently to extricate the trapped hikers from the wreckage of their car after the accident.

   Synonyms: extract, free, disengage

   Origin: from Latin 'extricāre', meaning 'to disentangle'

5. deprecate · verb/ˈdɛprɪkeɪt/

   to express disapproval of or to belittle

   Many experts deprecate the use of outdated teaching methods, arguing that innovation is crucial for student engagement.

   Synonyms: disapprove, belittle, disparage

   Origin: from Latin 'deprecatus', the past participle of 'deprecari' meaning 'to pray against'.