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

The prefix morph- means shape. So, to "morph" literally means to change shape. Additionally, "suffer" means feel pain; "rejoice" means celebrate, draw happiness from; "unite" means bring together, join, connect; "preach" means deliver a speech to a group of people, particularly a religious message.

The prefix vol- means will. "Will" when used as a noun refers to a person's ability to do what they want to do. So, someone with "free will" is in control of his or her own life and can do what he or she wants to do. So, "voluntary" means done of one's own free will, optional, chosen. Additionally, "innocent" means not guilty; "invincible" means unstoppable, unable to be defeated; "scarce" means rare, in short supply; "sore" means in pain, hurting.

The prefix pro- means forward. So, to "prolong" means to extend, to extend something forward into the future. Additionally, to "discover" means to find; to "offend" means to upset someone, to cause anger; "menace" means threaten, scare; to "retire" means to stop doing something, often to stop working.

The prefix scrib- means write. As in "scribe" which means writer. So, "scribble" means to doodle, to write messily. This is, of course, closest in meaning to "write." Additionally, "complete" means finish; to "intend" means to mean to do, to deliberately do.

The prefixes bi- and di- mean two. As in, "biweekly" which means happening every two weeks. "Diverge" means split, separate and go in different directions. It helps to think of it like "diverge" = to go in two different directions. Additionally, "remain" means stay; "spoil" means ruin; "preserve" means maintain, save something for future use; "instruct" can mean either order, tell or teach, educate.

The prefix chron- means time. So, a "chronicle" is a record of events that have happened over time. Additionally, "amuse" means entertain, make laugh; "scatter" means spread out; "reproduce" means make another copy of or produce a child; "rush" means force something to happen too quickly.

The prefix a- means not. So, "atypical" means not typical, not normal, uncommon. Additionally, "tightfisted" means not generous with money, not likely to spend money; "earsplitting" means deafening, extremely loud; "gullible" means easily tricked into believing something, easily lied to; "roomy" means spacious, containing lots of room.

The prefix commu- means share. As in, "community" or "communism." So, "communal" means shared among a group. Additionally, "tender" means soft and delicate, caring; "remorseful" means feeling sorry for a wrongdoing; "vulgar" means rude and tasteless, lacking class; "efficient" means able to work quickly and correctly.

The prefix acro- means high. As in, "acropolis" which means city or building on a hill above a larger city. So, an "acrobat" is a high-flyer, otherwise known as a "gymnast." Additionally, an "omen" is a sign that warns about the future; a "chef" is someone who cooks food professionally; an "academic" is a scholar, someone who studies and teaches at a university; an "engineer" is someone who designs things for construction.

The prefix ultra- means above, beyond. As in, "ultrawide" which means very wide, beyond wide. So, "ultrasensitive" means very sensitive, beyond sensitive. This is closest in meaning to "delicate." Additionally, "temporary" means not permanent, not long-lasting; "swift" means quick, rapid; "fretful" means worried, upset, distressed; "vigorous" means healthy, strong, fit.

The prefix sub- means below. As in, "submarine" which is a ship that moves below the water. So, "subpar" means below average, of poor quality. You may have heard the word "par" used before to refer to average (such as in golf). Additionally, "grand" means great and spectacular.

The prefix agon- means pain. As in "agonize" which means to stress and feel pain over a decision. So, "talent" is ability, skill; "humility" is modesty, lack of arrogance; "matrimony" means marriage; "integrity" means honesty, the quality of having strong principles.

The prefix uni- means one. As in, "unicyle" which is sort of like a bicycle, but with one wheel. So, "universal" means the same everywhere, worldwide. It helps to think of it like this "universal" = one thing that is the same everywhere. Additionally, "regional" means local, found in one region; "illegal" means against the law; "adamant" means determined, refusing to change one's mind; "inconclusive" means not leading to a definite conclusion.

The prefix dyna- means force, power, energy. As in "dynamite" which is a sort of bomb that produces a powerful explosion. So, "dynamic" means forceful, energetic, powerful. Additionally, "alluring" means appealing, attractive; "wacky" means crazy, weird; "hellish" means resembling hell, awful, terrible; "frail" means weak, usually sick, weak, and old.

The prefix inter- means between. As in "international" which means including or existing between two or more nations. So, "intermission" means a break in between two parts of a performance. Additionally, "harmony" means peace, agreement; "duty" is something that has to be done, responsibility; an "inquest" is a formal inquiry into something that happened; a "drama" is an emotional event.

The prefix non- means not. So, "nonsense" means something that does not make sense, silliness, foolishness, absurdity. Additionally, "justice" is fair treatment, particularly the fair and equal treatment and punishment under the law; "disbelief" is the lack of belief; "eccentricity" means the quality of being unusual and weird.

The prefix ambi- means both. As in, "ambidextrous" which means equally capable of using both one's left and right hands. "Ambiguous" means uncertain, vague, not clear. It helps to think of it like this - "ambiguous" = believing both arguments or conclusions could be true. Additionally, "outlawed" means banned, made illegal; "lame" means boring, uncool; "sincere" means truthful, honest; "enormous" means very large.

The prefix alt- means high, height. As in, "exalt" which means praise highly. So, "altitude" means height. Additionally, "breadth" is another word for "width" (how wide something is).

The prefixes dei- and div- mean God. As in, a "deity" which means a God. So, "divine" means possessing qualities attributed to God, heavenly. Additionally, "poised" means calm and under control, particularly when faced with stress or pressure; "massive" means very large; "goofy" means silly, quirky, weird; "permissible" means able to be permitted, allowed.

The prefix un- means not. As in, "unlikely" which means not likely. So, "unremarkable" means not remarkable, not interesting. This is closest in meaning to "boring." If it is helpful, "remarkable" means interesting, amazing, worthy of being remarked about. Additionally, "hilarious" means very funny; "petite" means little, small; "shy" means not wanting to talk to others.