GRE Verbal Reasoning Practice Test 2026 – All-in-One Guide to Achieve Exam Success!

Desiccate is the verb that means to remove all moisture, to dry something out completely. The idea is about making something dry to the very last drop of moisture, and you’ll often see it in contexts like preserving foods or drying specimens in a lab. Desiccation is the noun form of the process, and a related word you might hear is desiccant, a substance that absorbs moisture.

Diatribe describes a harsh verbal attack, not anything to do with moisture. Diffident means shy or lacking self-confidence. Dilettante refers to a person with superficial interest in a field, not related to dryness.