Aphoristic
hardPositive toneaf-uh-RIS-tik
adjective
Definition
Containing or characterized by aphorisms; concise and memorable
Memory hook
A-FOUR-ISTIC: wisdom packed into just FOUR words — short, pithy, and memorable.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“Her aphoristic writing style packed profound wisdom into few words.”
“The philosopher was known for his aphoristic observations on life.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“Her ______ writing style packed profound wisdom into few words.”
Show answer
aphoristic
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Aphoristic is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "pithy" or "succinct" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "verbose".
Related GRE Words
laconic
Using very few words; concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious
concise
Giving a lot of information clearly and in few words; brief but comprehensive
epigrammatic
Concise, clever, and memorable in expression
pithy
Concise and forcefully expressive
succinct
Briefly and clearly expressed
compendious
Containing a lot of information in a concise form; comprehensive yet brief
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