Anachronism
hardNegative toneuh-NAK-ruh-niz-um
noun
Definition
Something that is out of place in terms of historical or chronological context
Memory hook
ANA-CHRON-ism: Against TIME -- like seeing a smartphone in a medieval movie.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“A cell phone in a period drama would be an obvious anachronism.”
“His views on gender roles are an anachronism in modern society.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“A cell phone in a period drama would be an obvious ______.”
Show answer
anachronism
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Anachronism is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "incongruity" or "relic" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "contemporary".
Related GRE Words
aberration
A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected
antediluvian
Of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood; ridiculously old-fashioned
dilatory
Slow to act; intended to cause delay
discrepancy
A lack of compatibility or similarity between two facts or claims
dissonance
Lack of harmony; disagreement or inconsistency between ideas, sounds, or statements
evanescent
Soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing
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