Incipient
hardin-SIP-ee-unt
adjective
Definition
In an initial stage; beginning to happen or develop
Examples
“The doctor detected incipient signs of the disease.”
“There were incipient stirrings of rebellion among the workers.”
Categories
GRE Tip
Incipient is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "nascent" or "embryonic" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "mature".
Related GRE Words
nascent
Just beginning to develop; emerging
inchoate
Just begun; not fully formed or developed
embryonic
In an early stage of development; rudimentary
emergent
In the process of coming into being or becoming prominent
evolve
To develop gradually, especially from a simple to a more complex form
progress
To move forward or onward in space or time; to develop toward an improved state
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