Synonyms: Prefixes from Greek - ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning

"Apathy" means indifference or lack of interest, so "indifference" is the correct answer

The word "biological" refers to living things. The best choice is "alive" as it is a part of the definition of "biological." Considering the other choices, "math" refers to _mathematical operations, "_biology" is a branch of science concerned with living creatures, and "sleepy" means exhausted or tired.

An "autobiography" is a written, first person account of someone's life written by that person, so "memoir," which means a written, first person account of some event, is the correct answer, because both an "autobiography" and a "memoir" are written, first person accounts of real events. As for the other answer choices, a "documentary" is a film exploring a factual issue, a "recital" is a musical performance, and "fiction" can mean the genre of written works that concern events that have not actually happened.

"Antithesis" means an opposite, so "opposite" is the correct answer.

"Antipathy" means a strong feeling of dislike. To provide further help, a "miscreant" is someone who behaves badly; "abhorrent" means grotesque and hateful; "sympathy" is a feeling of sorrow for someone else's feelings; "apathy" means not caring.

"Hyperbole" is exaggeration of something. The best choice is "exaggeration" because it is a part of the definition of "hyperbole." Considering the other choices, "coax" means urge, "conduit" means a pipe or tube for moving liquids from one location to another, and "hear" means listen to.

An “antecedent” is something that comes before, a forerunner. The prefix ante- means before, preceding, as seen in “antebellum” which means before the Civil War. To provide further help, “obsolete” means no longer needed or of any use; “antiquated” means obsolete, ancient; “nomadic” and “itinerant” are two words used to describe wandering people who do not have a fixed home.

The prefix "hyper_-" usually means super, excessive, or a lot of, so “hyperbole” is the literary device of dramatically overstating something. To provide further help, “overwhelming” means overpowering, too much, or extremely large, and “underwhelming” means too little or disappointing. Notice how the prefixes "hyper-" and "over-" are similar to one another, and opposites of the prefix "under-_."

The word fragment "morph­"refers to form or shape,and the prefix "a-" means without,so “amorphous” means without form, or _formless.To provide further help, “aimless” means without direction or purpose, and “hopeless” means without love. (Observe the meaning of the suffix "-less"—without.) "Converted" means changed from one thing to another; and "solidified" means having attained a solid shape or_strengthened.

The Greek root "dynam" means energy, so the word “dynamic” means having energy, exciting, or “active.” “Vacant” means unoccupied; “inert” means lifeless and having no energy; "dominant” means in control and in charge; and "despondent" means very sad and pessimistic.

The Greek prefix phys- means related to nature, the human body, and medicine. So a "physician" is a doctor. Another example of a phys- word is "physical," which means relating to the body or to movement.

The Greek prefix a- means without, so "abyss" means without a bottom, bottomless, a void, a chasm. To provide further help, "timeless" means not fixed in any era, always fashionable and appropriate; "thankless" refers to a task that no-one wants to do because it is little appreciated.

The Greek prefix dia- means through, between, across, so "dialogue" means a conversation between two people. Another example of a dia- word is "diameter" which refers to a line that goes from one side of a circle to another, the passes across and through the circle. To provide additional help, "commiseration" is showing sympathy for someone's sadness, joining someone in sadness; "condescension" is talking down to someone in an arrogant way; a "confrontation" is a fight.

The Greek prefix ego- means self. So, someone who is "egotistical" is self-centered, selfish. Additionally, "selfless" means not selfish, generous; "helpless" means not able to be helped.

The Greek prefix di- means two. So, a "dilemma" is a problem with two possible solutions, a predicament, a quandary. To provide additional help, a "notion" is an idea or a feeling; a "suggestion" is an idea expressed to help someone with a problem.

The Greek prefix arch- can have two meanings. It either means chief as in "monarch" or ancient, old-fashioned as in "archaic." "Archaic" means old-fashioned and out of date, obsolete, no longer needed or used. To provide additional help, "impressive" means inspiring admiration, making people impressed; "domineering" means bossy, dominating, in-charge; "confounding" means confusing, bewildering; "recessive" means (of a gene) not dominant, hidden.

The Greek prefix mis- means wrong, bad, as in "mistake" which means error. A "misnomer" is an inaccurate name, an error in naming something. So, the best possible answer is "error." You might also notice the root word -nom- which often means name. So, simply a "misnomer" is a wrong name, an error in naming.

The Greek prefix micro- means very small, as in "microscope" which is a tool used to look at things that are very small. So, "microscopic" means tiny, very, very small. To provide additional help, "susceptible" means vulnerable, at risk; "immune" is an antonym of "susceptible" it means not vulnerable, cannot be affected by (usually a disease); "massive" means very large; "gorgeous" means beautiful, attractive.

The Greek prefix melan- means black, dark, so "melancholy" means a dark mood, sadness, depression, misery. Additionally, the other four answer choices all mean deep happiness.