Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms - ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning

“Disgrace” means to shame or dishonor. To provide further help, “dissatisfaction” is a lack of satisfaction or happiness; “disapproval” is the feeling of not approving of something; “disgusting” means gross; “disproportionate” means uneven.

“Unsurpassed” literally means not taken over, however it is most commonly used to mean best or supreme. To provide further help, “insipid” and “banal” are synonyms and both mean boring, dull, lifeless; "uncommitted" means not interested, casual; “uncontrollable” means not able to be controlled.

The prefix im- means in or into. So the word “impose” means to force into doing something. This is closest in meaning to the answer choice “compel,” which means to make someone do something. To provide further help, “collect” means gather; “catalogue” means record data and information; “imply” means suggest; “impassive” means unemotional.

The prefix ob- means in the way of, against. The word “obviate” means to make something unnecessary, to prevent something from happening. As such, it is closest in meaning to “preclude” which means to stop something from happening. To provide further help, “secede” means pull out of an union; “recede” means go back; “wanton” means random; “apparent” means obvious.

The word fragment -dict- means related to speaking or words, as in “dictionary” or “diction.” The word “indict” means to say someone did something wrong, to “accuse.” To provide further help, “imply” means suggest and “implore” means beg. Please note that "indict" rhymes with "in light."

The prefix per- means through, so the word “pervade” means to spread, or to have spread, throughout something. To provide further help, “undermine” means weaken.

The prefix un- means either one or not. In this instance “unanimous” means sharing one opinion. This is closest in meaning to “undisputed” which means not disputed, not argued over. To provide further help, “impotent” means powerless; “inquiry” means formal investigation; “unbecoming” means not attractive; “underwhelming” means disappointing.

To "decipher" something like a code means to translate it or "decode" it. The other answer choices are not as fitting since "deem" is to suppose; "unearth" is to discover; and "instruct" is to teach.

To "intervene" means to step in or meddle in a situation, so "meddle" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "intervene": "unnerve" means make nervous; "concern" means worry, whether it is used as a noun or as a verb; "gather" means collect into a single group at one location, and "pause" means temporarily stop.

"Carn-" means in the flesh, related to the body. “Incarnate” literally means in the flesh; however, it is taken to mean “personified,” which means the epitome of something, the most obvious example of something. To provide further help, “serendipitous” means owed to good fortune; a “synthesis” is a mixture; a “portent” is an omen; “pertinent” means relevant.

To “disavow” means to deny or renounce responsibility for someone or something, as such "disavowal" is closest in meaning to “renunciation,” which means rejection or denial of something. To provide further help, “encouragement” is support; a “proviso” is a condition that must be met in order to get something done or attain something; "acceptance" means agreeing to receive something or go along with a plan; and "denunciation" means condemnation.

“Innocuous” means not harmful, which is identical in definition to “benign.” Here might be a good time to examine the differences between the prefixes "ben_-" and "mal-." "Ben-"means good, positive, helpful, etc. and "mal-_" means bad, evil, hurtful, etc. “Malevolent” means evil or wicked-natured and “benevolent” means good-natured, while “malfeasant” means exhibiting bad behavior and “malodorous” means bad-smelling.

The word "stellar" comes from the Latin word "stella," meaning star. Thus, something that is called "stellar" is something that is as bright and rare as a star. This is meant to describe something that is marvelous, outstanding, or superlative. The word can also describe things in outer space—like stars. Thus, one would speak of "stellar phenomena," but none of the options pertain to that meaning. Do not be tempted by options like "scientific" and "telescopic."

The Latin root -cess- means go, yield, obtain. So "accessible" means able to be reached, able to be accessed, reachable. Another example of a -cess- word is "exceed" which means to go beyond. Additionally, "fortunate" means lucky; "hapless" means unfortunate, unlucky; "malleable" means flexible, changeable.

The Latin root -vac- means empty, without, as in "vacant" which means empty, not occupied. So, "evacuate" means to remove people from an area, to make an area empty. To provide additional help, "insert" means add to and the other three answer choices are all synonyms they all mean to hint at or propose an idea.

The prefix "im-" means not, and the Latin root "mort" means death, so it makes sense that "immortal" means not mortal, or not able to die. This makes "eternal," which means lasting forever, the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “effortless” means not requiring effort or done with such skill as to make look extremely easy; “laborious” means difficult and involving hard work; "inconclusive" means not supporting any definite conclusions; and "frequent" means occurring often.

The prefix "e-" can mean away or out and the "-ject" portion of the word derives from the Latin for "throw," so it makes sense that "eject" means throw away from. That makes "discharge" the correct answer, as "discharge" means toss away from. Considering the other answer choices, "reward" means give someone something nice for doing the right thing; “reproach” means_show that one does not approve of something_; “distress” means cause to become upset; and “vend” means sell.

The prefix "arch-" means most or most important, so one's “archenemy” is one's biggest enemy, or “nemesis_._” “Accomplice” means coconspirator or someone who works with someone else, especially to commit a crime; “compatriot” means fellow countryman; and “misanthrope” means someone antisocial who dislikes people.

A “session” is a meeting of a council or a span of time scheduled for doing one specific thing, or a “sitting.” “Forerunner” means predecessor; “crook” means criminal; a “benefactor” is someone who funds something; and “omen” means sign of what might happen in the future.

The prefix "co-" means together, so it makes sense that “composition” means how something is put together, also known as its makeup or "structure." "Composition" can also mean the act of making something, but none of the answer choices matches this definition. “Declaration” means official announcement; “equity” means the trait of being fair and impartial; “ambush” means a surprise attack; and "posture" means the way in which one carries oneself and sits.