Synonyms: Roots from Latin - SSAT Upper Level Verbal

If you don't recognize a word, it is almost always a good idea to try to use roots to figure out its meaning. You can break the word ambiguous into its component parts fairly easily ("ambi" + "guous"). "Ambi-" is a pretty common prefix, so you should recognize it even if you don't know what the whole word means. It's even in one of the other answer choices: "ambidextrous." The prefix "ambi-" has to do with something that goes in two directions at once. "Ambidextrous," for instance, means able to use both hands to do tasks (e.g. to write). "Ambiguous" means unclear, or _having an unclear or undecidable meaning—_a meaning that is unclear because it is one among multiple possible meanings. The answer choices "pristine," "indubitable," and "undeniable" each have to do with either clearness or certainty, and we already know what ambidextrous means, so "unclear" is the only choice left.

When someone is “acquitted” of an action, he or she is “forgiven” or set free from any sort of charges of that action. For instance, someone “acquitted of murder” is judged to be innocent of the crime. The word “exonerate” best matches this usage. It means to remove blame officially. Literally, it is derived from the Latin meaning to lift the burden from someone. The “-onerate” portion of the word means “burden,” while (as you likely know) “ex-” means out of or away from. The word is related to “onerous,” meaning burdensome or difficult.

The word “verbose” comes from the Latin for “word.” It is related to words like “verbal” and “verb.” It means using too many words to communicate something. Although the word “wordy” is a bit informal, it means just this—that someone uses too many words.

Benevolent means kind, friendly, or charitable. The root word "bene" means good or well.

Someone who is benevolent is kindly, helpful, or friendly. The root word is "bene," Latin for "good."

Circumlocution is the act of talking around the point instead of getting directly to it; it's speaking evasively or indirectly. The roots are "circum", Latin for "around", and "locut-" Latin for "speaking;" "circumlocution" is "around-speaking."

Something that is cogent is logical, sensible, and intelligent. It comes from the Latin root "cog-" meaning "think/know", as in "cognition" (the act of thinking or knowing) and "incognito" (unknown, or under cover).

Someone who is corpulent is very fat, or obese. This comes from the Latin root "corp-", meaning body, as in "corpse" and "incorporate."

Credulity is the condition of being eager to believe something, so the synonym is gullibility. The Latin root here is "cred-", which means to believe, as in "credit" (being willing to trust or believe someone or something), and "incredible" (unbelievable).

"Diminutive" means small, so the synonym you want is "tiny." This comes from the Latin root "minute," meaning a small thing, as in "minute" (small measure of time) and "mini-" (a prefix meaning anything small in size) or "minus" (to make smaller by subtracting).

The root 'nov' means new. Thus, novel means new.

The root 'fid' means faith or trust. Fidelity means loyalty.

"To nullify" is to cancel. The Latin root word, "nullus," means no or none.

"Copious" means plentiful or large in quantity. The Latin root word, "copia," means abundance.

The term “domicile” is used to refer to a home. The prefix dom- usually precedes a term about the house or home, as in domesticated.

"Complacent" means pleased, especially with oneself or one's situation. Thus, the best answer choice is smug. The root word "plac-" means please.

"Cosmopolitan" means familiar with and at ease in many different countries and cultures. It also means sophisticated. Thus, the best answer choice is "worldly," which also means sophisticated. The root word "cosmo-" means world or universe, and the root word "poli" means city.

A "soliloquy" is a monologue. The root word "sol-" means alone, and the root word "loqu-" means talk. "Monologue" is thus the correct answer.

A "magnate" is an influential or powerful person. A tycoon is a businessperson of great power and wealth. The root word "magnus" means great.

"Odious" means detestable or causing hatred. The Latin root word, "odium," means hatred.