GRE Words with Root "ex/e/extr" (23 words)

About this Root

Core idea: Latin ex- (also e- before some consonants) means out, from, or beyond. Forms like extra- stress “outside” or “additional.”

How it shows up on the GRE

Watch for two tracks: literal “out” (exclude, expel) and figurative “former” or “thoroughly out” (ex-president is common English; on the GRE, think exonerate — take blame off).

Quick hooks from this list

Exculpate — clear of blame.
Extraneous — not essential; from outside.
Exorbitant — going outside the usual track; excessive.

exacerbate

make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse.

exacting

making great demands on one's skill, attention, or other resources.

excoriate

To wear off the skin of; to chafe or flay.

exculpate

show or declare that (someone) is not guilty of wrongdoing.

exhort

strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something.

exigency

emergency an urgent situation

exonerate

To relieve (someone or something) of a load; to unburden (a load).

exorbitant

(of a price or amount charged) unreasonably high.

exorcise

To drive out (an evil spirit) from a person, place or thing, especially by an incantation or prayer.

exotic

An organism that is exotic to an environment.

expedient

(of an action) convenient and practical although possibly improper or immoral.

expedite

make (an action or process) happen sooner or be accomplished more quickly.

explicit

clear

exploit

to use

exponent

advocate

extant

still in existence

extemporaneous

impromptu

extenuate

reduce the strength of lessen seriousness partially excuse

extirpate

to destroy exterminate cut out exscind

extol

to praise highly

extort

obtain by threats violence

extraneous

Not belonging to, or dependent upon, a thing; without or beyond a thing; foreign

extrovert

cheerful person