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

The “-tend” found in the word “distend” is related to the same root found in “extend.” It generally means to stretch or (more broadly) to reach. When one “extends” his or her arm, he or she reaches or stretches it out toward something. When something becomes “distended,” it becomes stretched in the sense of being swollen—as in “a distended stomach” because of disease or gaseous buildup.

The word “edict” comes from the prefix “e-” meaning “out or out of” and “-dict,” which means “to say or speak.” The latter is found in many words like “diction,” “dictate,” “dictionary,” and “benediction” (as well as many, many others). “Edict” thus literally means “something spoken out.” The sense of this “out” is that the thing is proclaimed, particularly by one in authority. For this reason, the option “proclamation” is the best option among those provided.

The word “predict” is very familiar, but let us be careful not to associate it with incorrect meanings (such as “announce” or even “invoke”).

The word is clearly composed of two parts—“pre-” and “-dict.” The former means before (in the temporal sense). The latter means to speak or say. It is related to many English words like “diction,” “dictation,” “valedictorian,” and “edict.”

To "predict" something is to state that something will happen in the future, often as the consequence of something else. To make a pop cultural reference, think of how many people “predict the outcome of the football game.” This means that they try to declare who will be the winner—before the competition even takes place. The word “foretell” merely comes from different roots—clearly meaning to tell before.

Often, one speaks of a “eulogy” being delivered at a funeral, but such speeches are not necessarily limited to those occasions. The word is comprise of the prefix “eu-” and “-logy.” The former means “good.” It is found in the word “euphony,” meaning “good sounding.” The “-logy” portion of “eulogy” means “words” as found in the English word “logic.” For these reasons, “eulogy” generally means a speech given in praise of someone. A panegyric is likewise such a positive speech.

Although the word “pretentious” is related to the word “pretend,” do not be fooled. “Pretend” literally means to stretch forward in the sense of taking or claiming something. The “-tend” means stretch, as is found in “extend.” The “pre-” does not mean before in a temporal sense but instead in the physical sense—e.g. “he stood before the magistrate.” When someone is pretentious, he or she claims to be something that he or she is not, often doing so with much fanfare to draw attention. The word “ostentatious” means much the same, itself being derived from Latin roots meaning to stretch out to show.

The word “gel” and “gelatin” both are derived from a similar base as “congeal.” They all share the general sense of “freezing” or (more broadly) “hardening” from a liquid state. When something “congeals” it “gels together.” (The “con-” prefix means “with,” as you likely know.) In general it means to “to solidify” or “to coagulate” (like blood that thickens and clots). The word “congeal” can be used to describe a group coming together as well, as in, “The parts of the project congealed into a working whole.”

Do not confuse the word “immanent” with “imminent.” The latter means “soon to occur,” such as “imminent danger.” The word “immanent” comes from the prefix “in-” (here becoming “im-”) affixed to a base that means “to remain.” The words “remain,” “mansion,” and “permanent” all have this same latter base, which is derived from the Latin “manere,” meaning “to stay or remain.” Something immanent “remains within” another thing. For instance, one can say that a thought is an “immanent action” in that it remains “within the one knowing.” Sometimes, the word “immanent” is used in contrast to “transcendent,” the latter meaning “standing over and above something else.” For instance, one might speak of a “transcendent God,” that is, a deity that is neither the same as the world nor contained therein.

The prefix "fore-" means before, so it makes sense that "forebear" means progenitor or "ancestor." As for the other answers, “descendent” means someone who descends from a particular person or animal; an “outlaw” is a criminal; "discord” means disagreement or conflict; and a “mosaic” is a pattern or picture produced by arranging many small colorful pieces of glass in a ceramic base.

The prefix "over-" means above or superior, so it makes sense that “overbearing” means assuming superiority and acting oppressively and arrogantly towards others. This means that "oppressive" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “monotonous” means boring, uniform, and predictable; “humiliating” means debasing or embarrassing, “atrocious” means appalling, terrible, and disgusting; “deleterious” means harmful.

The prefix "a-" means without and "chromatic" means having to do with color, so “achromatic” means without color or"colorless." As for the other answer choices, "thoughtless" means inconsiderate and not thinking about others; “colorful” means full of color; “thoughtful” means considerate and kind; “metallic” means made of metal.

The prefix "pseudo_-_" means fake or artificial, so it makes sense that a “pseudonym” is a fake name, or an “alias.” A “grievance” is an injustice you feel has been done to you or a problem you might have with something; “fusion” means blend or combination; “diffidence” is lack of self-confidence; and a “prototype” is a first model of something.

To solve this synonym problem you need to rely on your knowledge of Greek prefixes. The prefix ante- means before, so an "antecedent" is something that comes before, also known as a "precursor." To provide further help, a "lamentation" is an expression of mourning; a "frontrunner" is a favorite in a competition; an "outlier" is unusual, outside of the normal reach of data; a "node" is a regional center of human activity.

The prefix eu- in Greek means good, fine. So the word "euphoria" means a state of feeling very good, deep happiness.

The Greek prefix hyper- means too much of, so "hyperactive" means having too much energy, restless. Additionally, "cantankerous" means grumpy, bad-tempered; "rambunctious" means playful and boisterous, rowdy; "macabre" means related to death; "susceptible" means vulnerable, likely to be affected by.

The Greek prefix xer- means dry, so "xeric" means containing very little moisture, dry and arid. "Wet" is an antonym to "xeric."

The Greek prefix crani- means skull, brain, as in "craniology" which is the study of the composition of the skull (it is worth noting that the suffix -ology means study of, as in "biology" or the study of life). So, "cranium" means skull or less commonly brain. Additionally, a "tendon" is a fiber that connects muscle to bone; an "artery" is a vessel that transports blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

The Greek prefix icono- means image, as in "iconography" which refers to images used in works of art or traditional settings. So, an "iconoclast" is someone who attacks the image of a treasured institution, a critic, a heretic. Additionally, a "trailblazer" is a pioneer; a "nomad" is someone who wanders from place to place and does not live anywhere; an "itinerant" is a wanderer, a nomad; a "custodian" is a caretaker, someone who looks after something for someone else.

The Greek prefix soph- means wise, as in "philosopher" or "sophisticated;" however, in "sophist" it has a contrary meaning. A "sophist" is a misleading argument, an argument that appears wise but is in fact not. This is closest in meaning to "fallacy," which means an incorrect argument or assumption. Additionally, "epicurean" means hedonist, a lover of pleasure and indulgence; a "savant" is a learned person, particularly someone who seems to have unusually intense expertise in one area; an "artisan" is a craftsman, a skilled-worker; a "forerunner" is something or someone that comes before the development or emergence of something or someone else, a precursor.

The Greek prefix gyno- means related to women, as in "gynecologist" which is a doctor that specializes in the care of the female body. So, "gynecoid" means relating to women, feminine, qualities associated with women. Additionally, "diligent" means hard-working, rigorous; "masculine" means a quality associated with men; "refined" means dignified, elegant, sophisticated; "juvenile" means childish, immature.

The Greek prefix ergo- means work, as in "energy" or the ability to do work. So, "ergonomic" means designed to be as comfortable and user-friendly as possible for work. Additionally, "egregious" means shocking, appalling, disgraceful; "capricious" means inconsistent, subject to sudden changes in mood or desire; "resplendent" means magnificent, splendid, attractive and imposing.