Root: re/red

60 GRE vocabulary words

About this Root

Core idea: Latin re- means again, back, or against. It can signal repetition, return, or reversal of a prior state.

How it shows up on the GRE

If the sentence describes restoration, answer, or doing something a second time, test a re- word. Some roots are opaque—use process of elimination against other prefixes.

Quick hooks from this list

reactionary

opposing progress

rebuff

snub

recalcitrant

obstinately defiant

recant

say that one no longer holds an opinion or belief, especially one considered heretical; disavow; forswear; change one's mind; retract

recidivism

relapse into antisocial or criminal behavior

recluse

person who lives alone and avoids people

reconcile

To restore a friendly relationship; to bring back to harmony.

recondite

(of a subject or knowledge) little known; abstruse.

recourse

a source of help in a difficult situation.

recuperate

become strong after illness loss exhaustion

redoubtable

(of a person) formidable, especially as an opponent; fearsome; awe-inspiring

refractory

stubborn

refute

prove (a statement or theory) to be wrong or false; disprove.

regale

to delight or entertain to feast

regicide

crime of killing a king

reiterate

say something again or a number of times, typically for emphasis or clarity.

relegate

assign an inferior rank or position to.

relent

abandon or mitigate a severe or harsh attitude, especially by finally yielding to a request.

relinquish

voluntarily cease to keep or claim; give up.

relish

A pleasant taste

remedial

giving or intended as a remedy or cure.

remonstrate

to protest object

render

Stucco or plaster applied to walls (mostly to outside masonry walls).

renege

go back on a promise, undertaking, or contract.

renounce

formally declare one's abandonment of (a claim, right, or possession).

renovate

restore something to better condition

repast

meal

repel

refuse to accept/cause dislike

repercussion

an unintended consequence of an event or action, especially an unwelcome one.

repertoire

A list of dramas, operas, pieces, parts, etc., which a company or a person has rehearsed and is prepared to perform or display.

replenish

restore (a stock or supply) to a former level or condition.

reproach

express to (someone) one's disapproval of or disappointment in their actions.

reprobate

morally unprincipled person

repudiate

To reject the truth or validity of; to deny.

repugnant

Offensive or repulsive; arousing disgust or aversion.

requite

repay give in return

rescind

to cancel

resilient

(of objects or substances) Returning quickly to original shape after force is applied; elastic.

resolute

admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.

resolve

determination

resort

to frequently visit

restive

(of a person) unable to remain still, silent, or submissive, especially because of boredom or dissatisfaction.

reticence

uncommunicativeness

retinue

following; attendants

retiring

shy and fond of being on one's own; diffident, shrinking; self-effacing; unassuming

retrograde

receding

retrospective

Looking back on past

revere

to worship

reverent

feeling or showing deep respect

rhetoric

the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the exploitation of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.

riddle

puzzling person or thing

rife

widespread

rift

split crack dissension

rigor

Short for rigor mortis.

robust

Evincing strength and health; strong.

ruddy

reddish, healthy-looking

rudimentary

involving or limited to basic principles.

ruffian

violent cruel man

ruminate

To chew cud. (Said of ruminants.) Involves regurgitating partially digested food from the rumen.

rumple

make rough
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