Desiccate
hardNegative toneDES-ih-kayt
verb
Definition
to dry out completely; to drain of vitality
Memory hook
DESiccate sounds like 'the SICK ate': a sun so harsh it left everything SICK and bone-dry.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“The relentless sun desiccated the crops within a single week.”
“Decades of bureaucracy had desiccated what was once a vibrant institution.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“The relentless sun ______ the crops within a single week.”
Show answer
desiccated
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Desiccate is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "dehydrate" or "parch" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "moisten".
Related GRE Words
atrophy
To waste away or deteriorate, especially from lack of use
emaciate
To make abnormally thin or weak, especially through illness or starvation
languish
To lose or lack vitality; to suffer from being forced to remain in an unpleasant place or situation
delineate
to describe or portray precisely; to outline in detail
lassitude
weariness or lack of energy
striated
marked with parallel grooves, ridges, or stripes
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