Occlude
hardNeutral toneuh-KLOOD
verb
Definition
to block, obstruct, or close off
Memory hook
OCCLUDE: sounds like 'a CLOG' — a giant cork CLOGS the pipe and closes it off completely.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“Plaque can occlude an artery until blood barely trickles through.”
“Thick clouds occluded the moon, leaving the trail in total darkness.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“Plaque can ______ an artery until blood barely trickles through.”
Show answer
occlude
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Occlude is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "obstruct" or "block" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "open".
Related GRE Words
impede
to obstruct or hinder progress
aberrant
Deviating from what is normal or expected
distend
to swell or expand by internal pressure
rarefy
to make less dense or thinner; to refine or make more esoteric
striated
marked with parallel grooves, ridges, or stripes
stymie
to block, thwart, or frustrate progress toward a goal
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