Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms - SSAT Middle Level: Verbal

Something that is "gruesome" is grotesque and horrible. For clarification, mediocre, middling and average are all synonyms that mean in the middle.

"Innovative" is an adjective that means original and unprecedented. Of the answer choices, the word with the closest meaning is "new."

"Fortify" means strengthen, so "strengthen" is the correct answer. "Fortify" is derived from the Latin word "fortis," which means strong; English words like "fort" and "fortitude" are derived from the same root.

"Innocuous" means harmless.

"Nebulous" means hazy or indistinct, so "hazy" is the correct answer.

"Taciturn" most nearly means not saying much, or "reticent." One might write, "The taciturn man listened to the conversation, but didn't volunteer his own opinion."

"Incongruous" means inappropriate, out of place, or ill-fitting,so "ill-fitting" is the correct answer.

"Innocuous" means harmless. The Latin root word "noc" means harmful. The prefix "in-" means not.

"Verbose" means talkative or characterized by the use of a lot of words. The Latin root word "verb" means word.

"Credulous" means too ready to believe or easily deceived. Thus, the best choice is the word "gullible." The root word "cred-" means believe.

"Bellicose" means hostile or eager to fight. The Latin root word, "bellum" means war.

"Synchronize" is a synonym of "coordinate." "Synchronize" means to make happen or work at the same rate and contains the prefixes "syn-",which means same; together, and "chrono-", which means time.

"Primitive" means ancient.

"Amorphous" means without shape or form, so the correct answer is “formless.” For clarification, "shapely" means well-proportioned; "crafty" means sly and sneaky.

An "egotist" is a selfish and conceited person. For clarification, "conceited" means self-obsessed and arrogant.

Berate means to scold angrily and at length.

"Outfox" is a verb that means trick or defeat someone by being more clever than him or her, so we need to pick out a word that means trick using wits. While many of the answer choices also begin with "out," only "outwit" has a meaning similar to "outfox." Since "outwit" means to trick or win against someone by being more clever than him or her, it is the correct answer.

“Beguile” means to charm or entice someone, so the correct answer is “entice," which means to tempt someone. For clarification, "deride" means to mock, and "quell" means to suppress or subdue.

"Beseech" means beg or ask someone to do something, so "beg" is the correct answer. "Combine" means blend or put together. "Direct" is a verb that means order or command. "Warn" means inform someone of a potential danger. "Familiarize" means become familiar with something or gain information about a person or topic.