Synonyms: Prefixes from Latin - ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning

In this question, the answer that makes the most sense is strengthen or support. When you reinforce, you strengthen something.

"Incredulous" means disbelieving or doubtful of the credibility of something. Thus, the best answer choice is "disbelieving_._" For instance, if a child gives an incredulous look about whether drinking tea will help his or her cold, it means that the child is doubtful whether the tea can help him or her.

"Disingenuous" is an adjective meaning "not truly honest or sincere" or "giving the false appearance of being honest or sincere," so we need to pick out an answer choice that is also an adjective and means something like "not honest." While "candid" may look like a potentially correct answer because it has to do with truth, "candid" actually means "truthful and straightforward; frank," so it is an antonym of "disingenuous" and cannot be the correct answer. "Deceitful," however, means "guilty of or involving deceit; deceiving or misleading others," so "deceitful" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "disingenuous."

One might assume that "sneak" is the correct answer because "guile" means "sly or cunning intelligence" and "beguile" contains the word "guile." However, "beguile" means "charm or enchant someone, sometimes in a deceptive way" or "trick someone into doing something." So, between "charm" and "sneak," "charm" is actually the closer synonym of "beguile," so it is the correct answer.

"Unruly" is an adjective that means "disorderly and disruptive and not amenable to discipline or control." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "disruptive." "Well-behaved" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "well-behaved" is an antonym of "disruptive." "Rowdy," however, is an adjective that means "noisy and disorderly," and because "rowdy" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "unruly," "rowdy" is the correct answer.

"Imperceptible" is an adjective that means "impossible to perceive," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "impossible to perceive." So, "prominent" cannot be the correct answer because one meaning of "prominent" is "situated so as to catch the attention; noticeable," making it an antonym of "imperceptible." "Undetectable," however, is an adjective that means "not able to be detected," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "imperceptible," "undetectable" is the correct answer.

"Disinterested" is an adjective that can mean either "not influenced by personal feelings, opinions, or concerns" or "having no desire to know about a particular thing : not interested." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not influenced by emotions" or "not interested." "Partial," then, cannot be the correct answer because "partial" means " favoring one side in a dispute above the other; biased," making it an antonym of "disinterested." "Unbiased," however, is an adjective that means "showing no prejudice for or against something; impartial," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "disinterested," "unbiased" is the correct answer.

"Malevolent" is an adjective that means "having or showing a wish to do evil to others," so we need to pick out a word that means something like "wanting to do evil to others." While three of the answer choices begin with the negative prefix "mal-," only "malicious," an adjective that means "characterized by malice; intending or intended to do harm," is close in meaning to "malevolent." Because "malicious" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "malevolent," "malicious" is the correct answer.

"Indeterminate" is an adjective that means "not exactly known, established, or defined." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not exactly defined." "Definite," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "definite," which means "clearly stated or decided; not vague or doubtful" or "clearly true or real; unambiguous," is an antonym of "indeterminate," not a synonym. "Unspecified," however, is an adjective that means "not stated clearly or exactly," and because "unspecified" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "indeterminate," "unspecified" is the correct answer.

"Unhindered" is an adjective that means "not hindered or obstructed," so we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "unobstructed." So, "stymied" cannot be the correct answer, because "stymied" is an adjective that means "prevented or having the progress of (something) hindered," making the word an antonym, not a synonym, of "unhindered." "Unimpeded," however, means "not obstructed or hindered," and because "unimpeded" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "unhindered," "unimpeded" is the correct answer.

"Congenial" and "congenital" are etymologically related but have quite different meanings. "Congenital" means present from birth (if you chose "inherited," you were likely thinking of this word). "Congenial" means agreeable and pleasant to be around. Both words combine the roots "com_-" (meaning together) and "-_gen" (meaning birth), but they take these root combinations in different directions—"congenital" more literally relating to inborn qualities, and "congenial" relating to the kind of relationship "kindred spirits" might have.

To "inundate" means to flood, either literally with water or (more commonly) metaphorically with anything that happens to be "swamping" you. If you have a waterbed, you will be familiar with its "undulations" (movements in wavelike motions), which is a related word. You may have recognized the "in-" root, meaning "into," and chosen "enter." Though this is incorrect, don't beat yourself up over it—it's better to base a guess on one root than to guess randomly.

"Belittle" means make a person seem or feel unimportant, so "criticize," which means point out the flaws in something or someone, is the best match. "Flatter" and "praise" are both opposites of "belittle."

"Behoove" means be necessary, fitting, or proper, so "suit," which when used as a verb means be suitable for, is the best match.

"Compile" means collect into a volume or a list, so "organize" would be the best choice here. "Disperse," meaning scatter, has the opposite meaning.

The word "prescient" means having knowledge of things before they happen. The best choice is "foreknowing," as it shares the same definition as "prescient." Considering the other choices, "do" means perform an act, "science" is knowledge gained from systematic study, and "sentient" means conscious.

A "misnomer" is an inaccurate name. The best choice is "inaccurate name," as it is part of the definition of "misnomer_."_ This is fitting as a misnomer is a mistake in naming something. Considering the other options, "nominate" means suggest for an honor, "miss" means fail or fail to meet, and "snore" means breathe with harsh sounds while asleep.

Something that is "minuscule" is very small. Therefore, "small" is the correct answer.

"Resolve" has several meanings, one of which is to decide. For example, one might write, "After getting sick from eating too many cookies, Brad resolved to never eat cookies again." So, since "resolved" means decided, "decided" is the correct answer.

If someone is "unwelcome," they are not wanted or not welcome. You can figure this out, because "un-" means not, so "unwelcome" means not welcome. So, "unwanted," which means not wanted, is the correct answer, because it is closest in meaning to "unwelcome."