GRE Words Starting with D (149 words)

daunting

seeming difficult to deal with in prospect; intimidating.

It was a daunting task, but it was accomplished with some forward planning.

deify

worship or regard as a god.

The people deified the emperor.

didactic

in the manner of a teacher, particularly so as to appear patronizing.

didactic poetry

disseminate

spread (something, especially information) widely.

The values of the human rights movement have disseminated throughout the world.

decorum

behaviour in keeping with good taste and propriety.

according to strict neoclassic decorum only the aristocracy had the right to appear in tragedy

deft

neatly skilful and quick in one's movements.

the photographer's deft use of lighting

demur

raise objections or show reluctance.

The word 'demur' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

derivative

Something derived.

The word 'derivative' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

desiccate

remove the moisture from (something); cause to become completely dry.

the desiccated land

diatribe

a forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.

The article is a diatribe against mainstream media.

deference

polite submission and respect.

Her relatives treat one another with deference .

desultory

lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm.

a dragged-out ordeal of … desultory shopping

diffident

modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence.

He becomes diffident [= shy , timid ] around girls.

dilatory

Relating to dilation; dilative

dilatory tactics

disparate

essentially different in kind; not able to be compared.

The conversation covered topics as disparate [= diverse ] as fashion and biology.

debunk

expose the falseness or hollowness of (an idea or belief).

The explosion story was thoroughly debunked on National Public Radio in November 1999.

diminutive

(grammar) A word form expressing smallness, youth, unimportance, or endearment.

The word 'diminutive' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

discernible

able to be discerned; perceptible.

There is a discernible performance difference between a Porsche and a Civic.

dissemble

conceal or disguise one's true feelings or beliefs.

dissembling the facts

dogged

having or showing tenacity and grim persistence.

The woman cursed him so that trouble would dog his every step.

dupe

deceive; trick.

The word 'dupe' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

dearth

a scarcity or lack of something.

The word 'dearth' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

decadent

characterized by or reflecting a state of moral or cultural decline.

The word 'decadent' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

deleterious

causing harm or damage.

deleterious effects

dichotomy

a division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different.

the dichotomy between theory and practice

debilitating

make (someone) very weak and infirm.

The American Dream suffered a debilitating effect after the subprime crisis.

deliberate

done consciously and intentionally.

The word 'deliberate' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

droll

curious or unusual in a way that provokes dry amusement.

The word 'droll' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

distressed

To cause strain or anxiety to someone.

federal grants for distressed cities

dwindling

gradually diminishing in size, amount, or strength.

The word 'dwindling' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

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