Synonyms: Using Roots to Identify Synonyms - ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning

To solve this problem it is necessary to consider the meaning of the root of the word "scribe." The root word -scrib- means write, so a "scribe" is a writer. To "inscribe" is to write in for example.

To solve this synonym you have to examine the roots in the word "incredible." -cred- means believe and in- means not. So the word "incredible" means not believable, which is the same as "unbelievable." Notice here how the prefixes in- and un- both function the same way, they take the original meaning of the word and negate it causing it to mean the opposite. So "unwelcoming" means not welcoming.

The root -mal- means bad. It is a very common prefix and appears in words like "malevolent" which means bad natured and "malicious" which means cruel. So, "dismal" must mean something bad. All of these answer choices describe a state of happiness, except "depressing" which means very sad. "Dismal" means depressing, gloomy, dark.

The roots -vers- and -vert- mean turn. As in, "revert" which means turn back, return to a previous state. "Versatile" means adaptable, able to change to suit different environments or situations. It helps to think of it like this "versatile" = able to turn towards a different approach. Additionally, "viable" means workable, capable of being accomplished; "portable" means able to be moved, able to be carried; "incapable" means not capable, not able to do something; "incomprehensible" means not able to be understood. Based on these words what do you think the suffixes -able and -ible mean?

The roots -vey- and -vect- mean carry, move. So, to "convey" means to move from one place to another. This is identical in meaning to "transport." Additionally, "whine" means complain about; "stare" means look at intensely; "tumble" means trip, fall over; "mumble" means whisper, talk quietly, talk in a way that is hard to understand.

The root -amor- means love, friend. So, "enamored" means in love with, obsessed with. This is closest in meaning to "captivated" which means fascinated by, attracted to, in love with. Additionally, "momentous" means massive, of great importance; "frustrated" means annoyed, irritated; "alleviated" means (of pain) made better, soothed; "circumstantial" means (of evidence) indirect, only partially relevant or applicable.

The prefix in- means not and the root -anima- means life. So, "inanimate" means not living, lifeless, devoid of life. Additionally, "horrendous" means terrible; "painstaking" means done with careful attention to detail; "lethal" means deadly; "frail" means weak, sick.

The word "apprehend" comes from the Latin for to lay ahold of. When we "com-prehend" something, we understand it thoroughly—we grasp it thoroughly. The word "apprehend" is often used when we talk about capturing a criminal. The police "apprehend" a wrongdoer, meaning that they capture, seize, or catch him or her. Therefore, the best answer among those provided is "catch."

The word "admire" is perhaps so common that you will at first trick yourself into choosing the wrong answer. The word comes from Latin roots that are related to the word "miracle" and "miraculous." Miracles and miraculous things are things that arouse wonder, for they are unexpected and marvelous. When we "admire" someone, we find that person to be wonderful or out of the ordinary. This sense of marvel and wonder leads us to have respect for the person. Therefore, while we can perhaps say that admiration is more than mere respect, still among the answers provided, this is the best option for a synonym.

The prefix "sev-" or "sec_-_" often relates to cutting, so it makes sense that the word “sever” means to cut one thing off of another completely. The word “sprint” means to run quickly; the word “fix” means to mend or repair something; and the word “aid” means help.

The word "sanctuary" includes the root "sanct-," which is from the Greek for "holy." "Sanctuary" originally referred to a religious place of worship where people could not be arrested for certain crimes. Since then, the word's meaning has shifted to be more general, and today it is used to mean a place that offers comfort or shelter , sometimes associated with a particular religious group, so "shelter" is the correct answer.

The prefix inter- means between and the suffix -sect means cut. So, to "intersect" is to cut in the middle of something, to make a cut between two things. This is closest in meaning to "divide" which means to split, to cut in half. Additionally, "outlaw" means ban, forbid; "replenish" means refill, fill something up; "remain" means stay; "outline" means give a summary of something, show the main points.

The prefix contra- means against and the suffix -dict means speak. So, to "contradict" means to speak against, to argue. Additionally, "vent" means express frustration, let off steam; "vend" means sell; "waver" means to be unsure of oneself and frequently be changing one's mind.

The prefix vis- means see, sight and the suffix -ible means able to be. So, "visible" means able to be seen. This is closest in meaning to "clear." Additionally, "dense" means thick; "acute" can mean sharp, clever or severe, intense or it can describe an angle in mathematics that is less than ninety-degrees; "obtuse" can mean stupid, not clever or it can describe an angle in mathematics that is more than ninety-degrees, but less than one-hundred-and-eighty-degrees; "parallel" means in line with , a line that runs alongside another line.

The root -cis- means cut. As in "concise" which means cut to the point, exactly to the point. So, an "incision" is a cut made in something.

The prefix pro- means push and the suffix -pel means forward, through. So, to "propel" means to push forward or simply to push. Additionally, "gather" means collect; "replace" means get a new version of something else, take the old place of; "donate" means give to (charity).

The prefix clar- means clear and the suffix -ify means to make into. So, to "clarify" something means to make it clear, to make it able to be understood. This is closest in meaning to "explain." Additionally, "salvage" means rescue, save, particularly save from being thrown away; "hesitate" means delay, pause; "inquire" means ask about, question; "occupy" means take up the space of.

The word "verify" comes from the Latin for true. The word "very" means truly, and the "verdict" in a court case is the statement of truth (at least how it is judged to be true). Thus, to "verify" means to prove to be true. The best option given in this question is to confirm. When something is "confirmed," we know that it is the case. (Indeed, the word itself helps to express this sort of meaning—it proves that something is firm or certain.)

The word "inspect" is related to words like "spectator" and "spectacles." A "spectator" is someone who watches something (like a football game), and "spectacles" are glasses that we use to help our vision. The root "spect-" often has this sense of meaning to look at. Thus, to "in+spect" means to look into something. It means that you look into the details carefully. This is best expressed by "investigate."