GRE Words for Wordy and Longwinded

These 8 GRE words all share the meaning of wordy and longwinded. Studying them as one cluster is far more efficient than learning each in isolation, because the GRE tests words by how they relate to each other. Each entry below links to a full definition page with example sentences and memory hooks.

Why this cluster matters

On Sentence Equivalence you must choose two words that give the sentence the same meaning. That means the answer is almost always a synonym pair pulled from a cluster like this one. Watch the connotation tone on each word: a positive and a negative word rarely form a correct pair, even when their definitions look close.

The 8 words

circumlocutoryadjectiveNegative tone

Using many words where fewer would do; roundabout in expression

digressiveadjectiveNegative tone

Departing from the main subject; rambling

discursiveadjectiveNegative tone

Digressing from subject to subject; rambling

periphrasticadjectiveNegative tone

Using many words where fewer would suffice; roundabout

pleonasticadjectiveNegative tone

Using more words than necessary; redundant

prolixadjectiveNegative tone

Using or containing too many words; tediously lengthy

ramblingadjectiveNegative tone

Lengthy and confused or inconsequential; sprawling

verboseadjectiveNegative tone

Using or expressed in more words than are needed

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