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Essential Vocabulary for the GRE - Certainty & Likelihood

Here you will learn some English words about doubt and certainty, such as "halting", "cinch", "robust", etc. that are needed for the GRE exam.

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Essential Words Needed for the GRE
certitude
certitude
[noun]

the feeling of complete certainty

Ex: She spoke with certitude about the accuracy of her research findings. 
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conviction

a belief or opinion that is very strong

Ex: Despite criticism, she held onto her conviction that renewable energy is the key to a sustainable future. 
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robust
robust
[Adjective]

remaining strong and effective even when facing challenges or difficulties

Ex: The CEO's robust leadership style transformed the struggling company into an industry leader within a few years. 
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tentative
tentative
[Adjective]

not firmly established or decided, with the possibility of changes in the future

Ex: They reached a tentative agreement on the terms of the contract, pending further negotiation. 
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decidedly
decidedly
[Adverb]

in a way that is certain and beyond any doubt

Ex: The weather was decidedly colder than the forecast suggested. 
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supposedly
supposedly
[Adverb]

used to suggest that something is assumed to be true, often with a hint of doubt

Ex: She was supposedly the last person to leave the building, according to eyewitnesses. 
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presumably
presumably
[Adverb]

used to say that the something is believed to be true based on available information or evidence

Ex: She left the office early, presumably to attend a family event. 
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inconclusive
inconclusive
[Adjective]

not producing a clear result or decision

Ex: The medical tests were inconclusive, so further examination is needed to determine the cause of the symptoms. 
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notional
notional
[Adjective]

being solely based on imagination or theory rather that reality

Ex: The notional model of the universe was intriguing but lacked practical application. 
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surmise
surmise
[noun]

an idea or conclusion formed on the basis of limited or uncertain evidence

Ex: His surmise about the cause of the accident proved to be correct. 
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educated guess

a guess that is made according to one's experience or knowledge thus is more likely to be true

Ex: Based on her experience, she made an educated guess about the project's completion date. 
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conjecture

an idea that is based on guesswork and not facts

Ex: The detective's conjecture about the suspect's motives proved to be incorrect. 
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to guesstimate

to estimate something by calculating and guessing

Ex: I had to guesstimate the number of attendees for the event since not everyone RSVP'd. 
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to check over

to inspect something closely to ensure accuracy, quality, or its overall condition

Ex: She spent hours checking over the accounts for any discrepancies. 
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to swear by

to be certain that something is good or useful

Ex: She swears by the healing properties of herbal tea for relieving stress. 
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speculative
speculative
[Adjective]

according to opinions or guesses instead of facts or evidence

Ex: The article contained speculative theories about the origins of the universe. 
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to second-guess

to predict or anticipate an event or someone's reaction

Ex: You can't second-guess how the team will react to the new strategy until they try it. 
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reputedly
reputedly
[Adverb]

used to say that something is true according to what people say, although it is uncertain

Ex: The castle is reputedly haunted by the ghost of a former king. 
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halting
halting
[Adjective]

acting or talking with hesitation due to uncertainty or lack of confidence

Ex: Her halting speech revealed her nervousness about presenting in front of the class. 
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probabilistic
probabilistic
[Adjective]

based on the likelihood of an event or outcome occurring

Ex: The weather forecast is a probabilistic model that predicts the chance of rain. 
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concrete
concrete
[Adjective]

according to facts instead of opinions

Ex: In scientific research, it is crucial to provide concrete evidence to support hypotheses and conclusions. 
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the dust [settle]

to allow or wait for a situation to become calmer or more stable after a significant change or serious dispute

Ex: Let's wait for the dust to settle before we make any big decisions. 
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paradoxical
paradoxical
[Adjective]

appearing contradictory or conflicting but potentially true

Ex: The concept of time is paradoxical; it's both infinite and finite depending on how it's perceived. 
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foregone conclusion

a result or decision that seems certain before it officially happens

Ex: Many voters saw his victory as a foregone conclusion. 
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to cross-check

to check the accuracy or validity of something by using alternative sources or methods

Ex: She cross-checked the data with multiple sources to ensure its accuracy. 
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categorical
categorical
[Adjective]

without a doubt

Ex: His categorical denial of the allegations was clear and unambiguous. 
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cinch
cinch
[noun]

something that will surely happen

Ex: Winning the championship was a cinch after their outstanding performance all season. 
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beyond doubt
beyond doubt
[phrase]

in a way that is absolutely certain and cannot be questioned

Ex: Her dedication to her work was beyond doubt, as she consistently delivered exceptional results. 
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if in doubt
if in doubt
[phrase]

‌used to offer advice or instructions to someone who is incapable of making decisions

Ex: When faced with a tough decision, if in doubt, seek advice from a mentor. 
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long shot
long shot
[noun]

an attempt made without having any high hopes of achieving success

Ex: Applying for that scholarship is a long shot, but you should still try. 
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