GRE Words for Anger: Etymology and Memory Hooks

The GRE distinguishes between being momentarily angry and being prone to anger. Learning these words together captures that nuance and prepares you for the contrast with composure words.

Irascible (easily angered). From Latin irasci, "to grow angry," from ira, "anger" (the same ira in "irate" and "ire"). Hook: an irascible person is always one spark from ire.

Choleric (bad-tempered, irritable). From Greek kholerikos, relating to "choler," one of the four bodily humors believed to cause anger. Hook: someone choleric is ruled by their hot temper.

Splenetic (bad-tempered, spiteful). From "spleen," once thought to be the seat of ill temper. Hook: a splenetic remark vents pent-up bile.

Incensed (furious, enraged). From Latin incendere, "to set on fire" (the same root as "incendiary"). Hook: an incensed person is inflamed — set on fire with anger.

Irate (very angry). From Latin iratus, from ira, "anger." Hook: irate shares its ira with irascible, but irate is the state, not the disposition.

Wrathful (full of intense anger). From Old English wraththu, "anger." Hook: wrathful is the adjective form of wrath, deep and righteous fury.

A useful distinction for the GRE: irascible and choleric describe a temperament (prone to anger), while incensed and irate describe a state (angry right now). Sentence Equivalence often hinges on that difference.

Verbloom drills these in context and contrasts them with composure words, so you learn both the meaning and whether the word describes a mood or a personality.