GRE Vocabulary — Set 4

Set 4 of GRE Vocabulary covers 5 words: vilify, placate, exculpate, assuage, adulterate. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. vilify · verb/ˈvɪl.ɪ.faɪ/

   to speak or write about in an abusively disparaging manner

   Many politicians vilify their opponents during campaigns, spreading misinformation to damage their reputations.

   Synonyms: defame, malign, denigrate

   Origin: The word 'vilify' comes from the Latin word 'vilificare,' which means 'to make cheap or disgraceful.' The prefix 'vili-' refers to 'cheap or worthless,' and the suffix '-fy' means 'to make.'

2. placate · verb/pleɪˈkeɪt/

   to calm or appease someone who is upset

   To placate the angry customer, the manager offered a full refund and a complimentary meal.

   Synonyms: pacify, appease, mollify

   Origin: from Latin 'placare', meaning 'to soothe or calm'

3. exculpate · verb/ˈɛk.skəl.peɪt/

   to clear from guilt or blame

   The new evidence was able to exculpate the defendant, proving that he was not at the crime scene.

   Synonyms: absolve, exonerate, vindicate

   Origin: Latin 'exculpatus', from 'ex-' (out) + 'culpa' (blame, fault)

4. assuage · verb/əˈsweɪdʒ/

   to make an unpleasant feeling less intense

   He tried to assuage her fears about the surgery by explaining the procedure in detail.

   Synonyms: alleviate, mitigate, relieve

   Origin: Middle English 'assuagen', from Old French 'assuagier', derived from Latin 'assuaviare', meaning 'to soften'.

5. adulterate · verb/əˈdʌltəreɪt/

   to make something poorer in quality by adding another substance

   The factory was fined for attempting to adulterate its products with cheaper materials to boost profits.

   Synonyms: dilute, contaminate, debase

   Origin: from Latin 'adulterare', meaning 'to corrupt, to debase', which is formed from 'ad-' (to) + 'alterare' (to change)