GRE Vocabulary — Set 30

Set 30 of GRE Vocabulary covers 5 words: lachrymose, mendacious, penurious, contumacious, heterodox. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. lachrymose · adjective/ˈlæ.krə.moʊs/

   given to weeping or prone to produce tears

   After watching the deeply moving film, she felt a lachrymose urge to cry, unable to hold back her tears.

   Synonyms: tearful, sorrowful, mournful

   Origin: Late Latin 'lachrymosus', from 'lachryma' meaning 'tear'

2. mendacious · adjective/mɛnˈdeɪʃəs/

   given to or characterized by deceit or falsehood

   The politician's mendacious statements during the campaign raised serious doubts about his integrity.

   Synonyms: deceitful, dishonest, untruthful

   Origin: From Latin 'mendax', meaning 'lying' or 'deceitful'

3. penurious · adjective/pəˈnʊriəs/

   extremely poor or poverty-stricken

   Despite his penurious upbringing, he managed to achieve great success through hard work and determination.

   Synonyms: impoverished, needy, destitute

   Origin: from Latin 'penuriosus' meaning 'poor, needy', from 'penuria' meaning 'poverty, need'.

4. contumacious · adjective/ˌkɑn.tʃəˈmeɪ.ʃəs/

   stubbornly disobedient or rebellious

   Despite the judge's warnings, the contumacious defendant refused to comply with the court order, demonstrating a blatant disregard for authority.

   Synonyms: rebellious, defiant, obstinate

   Origin: Latin 'contumax', meaning 'stubborn, disobedient'

5. heterodox · adjective/ˌhɛtərəˈdɑks/

   diverging from established or orthodox beliefs especially in theories or opinions

   The scientist proposed a heterodox theory that challenged the traditional understanding of gravitational forces.

   Synonyms: unorthodox, divergent, unconventional

   Origin: from late Latin 'heterodoxus' meaning 'of another opinion', from Greek 'heterodoxos' where 'hetero-' means 'other' and 'doxa' means 'opinion' or 'belief'.