GRE Vocabulary

#261

deride

Verb

Example sentences

1. Some people deride ideas they do not understand.
2. The students should not deride a classmate's mistake.
3. Critics began to deride the expensive project.

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#262

derisive

Adjective

Example sentences

1. He gave a derisive laugh at my suggestion.
2. Her derisive comments hurt the young artist.
3. The crowd made derisive noises during the speech.

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#263

derivative

Adjective

Example sentences

1. The film felt derivative and copied many older stories.
2. This word is derivative of a Latin term.
3. The design is attractive but highly derivative.

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#264

derive

Verb

Example sentences

1. Many English words derive from Latin.
2. Plants derive energy from sunlight.
3. She can derive useful lessons from the experience.

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#265

derogative

Adjective

Example sentences

1. The report used a derogative term for the minority group.
2. He was punished for making a derogative remark.
3. Avoid derogative language when discussing other cultures.

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#266

desecrate

Verb

Example sentences

1. Vandals tried to desecrate the historic grave.
2. War can desecrate places that people consider holy.
3. The community was shocked when someone chose to desecrate the temple.

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#267

desiccated

Adjective

Example sentences

1. The desiccated fruit was dry but still sweet.
2. They found a desiccated plant in the empty house.
3. The hot wind left the soil desiccated.

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#268

desideratum

Noun

Example sentences

1. Affordable housing is a major desideratum for the city.
2. Peace remained the central desideratum of the talks.
3. A reliable water supply is the village's main desideratum.

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#269

despot

Noun

Example sentences

1. The cruel despot ruled through fear.
2. People finally rose against the despot.
3. The novel tells the story of a powerful despot.

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#270

destitute

Adjective

Example sentences

1. The fire left the family destitute.
2. The charity provides food to destitute people.
3. Without help, many refugees may become destitute.

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#271

deter

Verb

Example sentences

1. High fines may deter people from speeding.
2. The rain did not deter us from going outside.
3. Strong locks can deter some thieves.

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#272

detrimental

Adjective

Example sentences

1. Too little sleep is detrimental to your health.
2. The delay had a detrimental effect on sales.
3. Constant criticism can be detrimental to a child's confidence.

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#273

devolve

Verb

Example sentences

1. More power will devolve to local councils.
2. The peaceful discussion began to devolve into an argument.
3. Responsibility may devolve upon the senior officer.

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#274

diabolical

Adjective

Example sentences

1. The villain created a diabolical plan.
2. The prisoners lived under diabolical conditions.
3. It was a diabolical act of cruelty.

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#275

diatribe

Noun

Example sentences

1. He launched a long diatribe against modern music.
2. The article became a bitter diatribe about the government.
3. We listened quietly to her angry diatribe.

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#276

dictatorial

Adjective

Example sentences

1. The boss's dictatorial style made employees afraid.
2. People protested against the dictatorial government.
3. His dictatorial manner allowed no discussion.

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#277

didactic

Adjective

Example sentences

1. The story is didactic and teaches children to be honest.
2. His lecture was helpful but too didactic.
3. The film has a didactic message about protecting nature.

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#278

differentiate

Verb

Example sentences

1. It can be hard to differentiate the two twins.
2. Good teachers differentiate lessons for different students.
3. Color helps differentiate one line on the chart from another.

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#279

diffident

Adjective

Example sentences

1. The diffident student rarely spoke in class.
2. He seemed diffident during the interview.
3. Her diffident manner hid her strong skills.

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#280

dilapidated

Adjective

Example sentences

1. They lived in a dilapidated old house.
2. The city closed the dilapidated bridge.
3. A dilapidated bus stood beside the road.

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