Root List
Terms
undefined, object
copy deck
- A
-
Without
amoral: neither moral nor immoral
atheist: one who does not believe in God
atypical: not typical
anonymous: of unknown authorship or origin
apathy: lack of interest or emotion
atrophy: the wasting away of body tissue
anomaly: an irregularity
agnostic one who questions the existence of God - Ab/Abs
-
Off, Away From, Apart, Down
abduct: to take by force
abhor: to hate, detest
abolish: to do away with, make void
abstract: conceived apart from concrete realities, specific objects or actual instances
abnormal: deviating from a standard
abdicate: to renounce to relinquish a throne
abstinence: forbearance from any indulgence of appetite
abstruse: hard to understand; secret, hidden - Ac/Acr
-
Sharp, Bitter
acid: something that is sharp, sour, or ill natural
acute: sharp at the end; ending in a point
acerbic: sour or astringent in taste; harsh in temper
acrid: sharp or biting to the taste or smell
acrimonious:caustic, stinging, or bitter in nature
exacerbate: to increase bitterness or violence; aggravate - Act/Ag
-
To Do; To Drive; To Force; To Lead
agile: quick and well coordinated in movement; active, lively
agitate: to move or force into violent, irregular action
litigate: to make the subject of a lawsuit
prodigal: wastefully or recklessly extravagant
pedagogue: a teacher
synagogue: a gathering or congregation of Jews for the purpose of religious worship - Ad/AL
-
To, Toward, Near
adapt: adjust or modify fittingly
adjacent: near, close, or continuous; adjoining
addict: to give oneself over, as to a habit of pursuit
admire, to regard with wonder, pleasure, and approval
address: to direct a speech or written statement to
adhere: to stick fast; cleave; cling
adjoin: to be close or in contact with
advocate: to plead in favor of - Al/Ali/Alter
-
Other, Another
alternative: a possible choice
alias: an assumed name; another name
alibi: the defense of an accused person that he was verifiably elsewhere at the time of the crime with which he is charged
alien: one born in another country; a foreigner
alter ego: the second self; a substitute or deputy
altruist: a person unselfishly concerned for the welfare of others
allegory: figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another - Am
-
Love
amateur: a person who engages in an activity for pleausre rather than financial or professional gain
amatory: of or pertaining to lovers or lovemaking
amenity: agreeable ways of manners
amorous: inlcidng to love esp. sexual love
enamored: inflamed with love; charmed; captivated
amity: friendship; peaceful harmony
inamorata: a female lover
amiable: having or showing agreeable personal qualities
amicable: characterized by exhibiting good will - Amb
-
To Go; To Walk
ambient: moving freely; circulating
ambitious: desirous of achieving or obtaining power
preamble: an introductory statement
ambassador: an authorized messenger or representative
ambulance: a wheeled vehicle equipped for carrying sick people, usually to a hospital
ambulatory: of, pertaining to, or capable of walking
ambush: the act of lying concealed so as to attack by surprise
perambulator: one who makes a tour of inspection on foot - Ambi/Amph
-
Both, More Than One, Around
ambiguous: open to various interpretations
amphibian: any cold-blooded vertebrate, the larva of which is aquatic, and the adult of which is terrestrial; a person of thing having a twofold nature
ambidextrous: able to use both hands equally well - Anim
-
Of the Life, Mind, Soul, Spirit
unanimous: in complete accord
animosity: a feeling of ill will or enmity
animus: hostile feeling or attitude
equanimity: mental or emotional stability, especially under tension - Annui/Enni
-
Year
annual: of, for, or pertaining to a year; yearly
anniversary: the yearly recurrence of the date of a past event
annuity: a specified income payable at stated intervals
perennial: lasting for an indefinite amount of time
annals: a record of events, esp. a yearly record - Ante
-
Before
anterior: placed before
antecedent: existing, being, or going before
antedate: precede in time
antebellum: before the war
antediluvian: belonging to the period before the biblical flood; very old or old-fashioned - Anthro/Andr
-
Man, Human
anthropology: the science that deals with the origins of mankind
android: robot; mechanical man
misanthrope: one who hates humans or mankind
philanderer: one who carries on flirtations
androgynous: being both male and female
androgen: any substance that promotes masculine characteristics
anthropocentric: regarding man as the central fact of the universe - Anti
-
Against
antibody: a protein naturally existing in blood serum, that reacts to overcome the toxic effects of an antigen
antidote: a remedy for counteracting the effects of poison, disease, ecetera
antiseptic: free from germs; particularly clean or neat
antipathy: aversion
antipodal: on the opposite side of the globe - Apo
-
Away
apology: an expression of one's regret of sorrow for having wronged another
apostle: one of the 12 diciples sent forth by Jewsus to preach the gospel
apocalypse: revelation, discovery, disclosure
apogee: the highest of most distant point
apocryphal: of doubtful authorship or authenticity
apostasy: a total desertion of one's religion, principles, party, cause, etcetera - Arch/Archi/Archy
-
Chief, Principal, Ruler
architect: the devisor, maker of planner of anything
archenemy: chief enemy
monarchy: a government in which the supreme power is the lodge in a sovereign
anarchy: a state or society without government or law
oligarchy: a state of society ruled by a select group - Auto
-
Self
automatic: self-moving or self-acting
autocrat: an absolute ruler
autonomy: independence or freedom - Be
-
To Be
belittle: to regard something as less impressive that it apparently is
bemoan: to express pity for
bewilder: to confuse or puzzle completely
belie: to misrepresent; to contradict - Bel
-
War
antebellum: before the war
rebel: a person who resists authority, control, or tradition
belligerent: warlike, given to waging war - Ben/Bon
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Good
benefit: anything advantageous to a person or thing
benign: having a kindly disposition
benediction: act of uttering a blessing
benevolent: desiring to do good to others
bonus: something given over and above what is due
bona fide: in good faith; without fraud - Bi
-
Twice/Double
binoculars: involving two eyes
biennial: happening every two years
bilateral: pertaining to or affecting two or both sides
bilingual: able to speak one's native language and another equally well
bipartisan: representing two parties - Cad/Cid
-
To Fall; To Happen By Chance
accident: happening by chance; unexpected
coincidence: a striking occurrence of two or more events at one time, apparently by chance
decadent: decaying; deteriorating
cascade: a waterfall descending over a steep surface
recidivist: one who repeatedly relapses, as into crime - Centr
-
Center
concentrate: to bring to a common center; to converge,
to direct toward one point
eccentric: off center
concentric: having a common center, as in circles or
spheres
centrifuge: an apparatus that rotates at high speed that
separates substances of different densities using
centrifugal force
centrist: of or pertaining to moderate political or social
ideas - Cant/Cent/Chant
-
To Sing
accent: prominence of a syllable in terms of pronunciation
chant: a song; singing
enchant: to subject to magical influence; bewitch
recant: to withdraw or disavow a statement
incantation: the chanting of words purporting to have magical power
incentive: that which incites action - Cap/Cip/Cept
-
To Take; To Get
capture: to take by force or stratagem
anticipate: to realize beforehand; foretaste of foresee
susceptible: capable of receiving, admitting, undergoing, or being affected by something
emancipate: to be free from restraint
percipient: having perception; discerning; discriminating
precept: a commandment or direction given as a rule of conduct - Cern/Cert/Cret/Crim/Crit
-
To Separate; To Judge; To Distinguish;
To Decide
discrete: detached from others, separate
ascertain: to make sure of; to determine
certitude: freedom from doubt
discreet: judicious in one's conduct of speech, esp. with
regard to maintaining silence about something of
a delicate nature
hypocrite: a person who pretends to have beliefs that
she does not
criterion: a standard of judgment or criticism - Cap/Capit/Cipit
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Head, Headlong
capital: the city or town that is the official seat of government
disciple: one who is a pupil of the doctrines of another
precipitate, to hasten the occurrence of; to bring about prematurely
precipice: a cliff with a vertical face
capitulate: to surrender unconditionally or on stipulated terms
caption: a heading or title - Card/Cord/Cour
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Heart
cardiac: pertaining to the heart
encourage: to inspire with sprite of confidence
concord: agreement; peace, amity
discord: lack of harmony between persons or things
concordance: agreement, concord, harmony - Carn
-
Flesh
carnivorous: eating flesh
carnage: the slaughter of a great number of people
carnival: a traveling amusement show
reincarnation: rebirth of a soul in a new body
incarnation: a being invested with a bodily form - Chron
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Time
synchronize: to occur at the same time or agree in time
chronology: the sequential order in which past events
occurred
anachronism: an obsolete or archaic form
chronic: constant, habitual
chronometer: a time piece with a mechanism to adjust
for accuracy - Cast/Chast
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Cut
cast: to throw or hurl; fling
caste: a hereditary social group, limited to people of the same rank
castigate: to punish in order to current
chastise: to discipline, esp. by corporal punishment
chaste: free from obscenity; decent - Circu
-
Around, On All Sides
circumference: the outer boundary of a circular area
circumstances: the existing conditions or state of affairs
surrounding and affecting an agent
circuit: the act of going or moving around
circumambulate: to walk about or around
circuitous: roundabout, indirect - Ced/Ceed/Cess
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To Go; To Yield, To Stop
antecedent: existing, being or going before
concede: to acknowledge as true, just or proper; admit
predecessor: one who comes before another in an office, position, etcetera
cessation: a temporary or complete discontinuance
incessant: without stop - Cli
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To Lean Toward
decline: to cause to slope or incline downward
recline: to lean back
climax: the most intense point in the development
of something
proclivity: inclination, bias
disinclination: aversion, distast - Cis
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To Cut
scissors: cutting instrument for paper
precise: definitely stated or defined
exorcise: to seek to expel an evil spirit by ceremony
incision: a cut, gash, or notch
incisive: penetrating, cutting - Co/Col/Com/Con
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With, Together
connect: to bind or fasten together
coerce: to compel by force, intimidation, or authority
compatible: capable of existing together in harmony
collide: to strike one another with a forceful impact
collaborate: to work with another, cooperate
conciliate: to placate, win over
commensurate: suitable in measure, proportionate - Cla/Clo/Clu
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Shut, Close
conclude: to bring to an end; finish; to terminate
claustrophobia: an abnormal fear of enclosed places
disclose: to make known, reveal, or uncover
exclusive: not admitting of something else; shutting
out others
cloister: a courtyard bordered with covered walks, esp.
in a religious institution
preclude: to prevent the presence, existence, or
occurrence of - Cour/Cur
-
Running; A Course
recur: to happen again
curriculum: the regular course of study
courier: a messenger traveling in haste who bears news
excursion: a short journey or trip
cursive: handwriting in flowing strokes with the letters
joined together
concur: to accord in opinion; agree
incursion: a hostile entrance into a place, esp. suddenly
cursory: going rapidly over something; hasty; superficial - Cre/Cresc/Cret
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To Grow
accrue: to be added as a matter of periodic gain - Claim/Clam
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To Shout; To Cry Out
exclaim: to cry out or speak suddenly and vehemently
proclaim: to announce or declare in an official way
clamor: a loud uproar
disclaim: to deny interest in or connection with
reclaim: to claim or demand the return of a right or
possession - Cred
-
To Believe; To Trust
incredible: unbelievable
credentials: anything that provides the basis for belief
credo: any formula of belief
credulity: willingness to believe or trust too readily
credit: trustworthiness - Cryp
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Hidden
crypt: a subterranean chamber or vault
apocryphal: of doubtful authorship or authenticity
cryptology: the science of interpreting secret writings,
codes, ciphers, and the like
cryptography: procedures of making and using secret
writing - Cub/Cumb
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To Lie Down
cubicle: any small space or compartment that is
partitioned off
succumb: to give away to superior force; yield
incubate: to sit upon for the purpose of hatching
incumbent: holding an indicated position
recumbent: lying down; reclining; leaning - Culp
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Blame
culprit: a person guilty for an offense
culpable: deserving blame or censure
inculpate: to charge with fault
mea culpa: through my fault; my fault - Dac/Doc
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To Teach
doctor: someone licensed to practice medicine;
a learned person
doctrine: a particular principle advocated, as of
a government or religion
indoctrinate: to imbue a person with learning
docile: easily managed or handled; tractable
didactic: intended for instruction - De
-
Away Off, Down, Completely, Reversal
descend: to move from a higher to a lower place
decipher: to make out the meaning; to interpret
defile: to make foul, dirty, or unclean
defame: to attack the good name or reputation of
deferential: respectful; to yield to judgment
delineate: to trace the outline of; sketch or trace in outline - Dem
-
People
democracy: government by the people
epidemic: affecting at the same time a large number of
people, and spreading from person to person
endemic: peculiar to a particular people or locality
pandemic: general, universal
demographics: vital and social statistics of populations - Di/Dia
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Apart, Through
dialogue: conversation between two or more persons
diagnose: to determine the identity of something from
the symptoms
dilate: to make wider or larger; to cause to expand
dilatory: inclined to delay or procrastinate
dichotomy: division into two parts, kinds, etcetera - Dic/Dict/Dit
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To Say; To Tell; To Use Words
dictionary: a book containing a selection of the words of a
language
predict: to tell in advance
verdict: judgment, decree
interdict: to forbid; prohibit - Dign
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Worth
dignity: nobility or elevation of character; worthiness
dignitary: a person who holds a high rank or office
deign: to think fit or in accordance with one's dignity
condign: well deserved; fitting; adequate
disdain: to look upon or treat with contempt - Dis/Dif
-
Away From, Apart, Reversal, Not
disperse: to drive or send off in various directions
disseminate: to scatter or spread widely; promulgate
dissipate: to scatter wastefully
dissuade: to deter by advice or persuasion
diffuse: to pour out and spread, as in a fluid - Dog/Dox
-
Opinion
orthodox: sound or correct in opinion or doctrine
paradox: an opinion or statement contrary to accepted
opinion
dogma: a system of tenets, as of a church - Dol
-
Puffer, Pain
condolence: expression of sympathy with one who is
suffering
indolence: a state of being lazy or slothful
doleful: sorrowful, mournful
dolorous: full of pain or sorrow, grievous - Don/Dot/Dow
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To Give
donate: to present as a gift or contribution
pardon: kind indulgence, forgiveness
antidote: something that prevents or counteracts ill
effects
anecdote: a short narrative about an interesting event
endow: to provide with a permanent fund - Dub
-
Doubt
dubious: doubtful
dubiety: doubtfulness
indubitable: unquestionable - Duc/Duct
-
To Lead
abduct: to carry off or lead away
conduct: personal behavior, way of acting
conducive: contributive, helpful
induce: to lead or move by influence
induct: to install in a position with formal ceremonies
produce: to bring into existence; give cause to - Dur
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Hard
endure: to hold out against; to sustain without yielding
durable: able to resist decay
duress: compulsion by threat, coercion
dour: sullen, gloomy
duration: the length of time something exists - Dys
-
Faulty, Abnormal
dystrophy: faulty or inadequate nutrition or development
dyspepsia: impaired digestion
dyslexia: an impairment of the ability to read due to a
brain defect
dysfunctional: poorly functioning - E/Ef/Ex
-
Out, Out Of, From, Former, Completely
evade: to escape from, avoid
exclude: to shut out; to leave out
extricate: to disentangle, release
exonerate: to free or declare free from blame
expire: to come to an end, cease to be valid
efface: to rub or wipe out; surpass, eclipse - Epi
-
Upon
epidemic: affecting at the same rime a large number of
people, and spreading from person to person
epilogue: a concluding part added to a literary work
epidermis: the outer layer of the skin
epigram: a witty or pointed saying tersely expressed
epithet: a word or phrase, used invectively as a term of
abuse - Equ
-
Equal, Even
equation: the act of making equal
adequate: equal to the requirement or occasion
equidistant: equally distant
iniquity: gross injustice; wickedness - Err
-
To Wander
err: to go astray in thought or belief, to be mistaken
error: a deviation from accuracy or correctness
erratic: deviating from the proper or usual course in conduct
arrant: downright, thorough, notorious - Esce
-
Becoming
adolescent: between childhood and adulthood
obsolescent: becoming obsolete
incandescent: glowing with heat, shining
convalescent: recovering from illness
reminiscent: reminding or suggestive of - Eu
-
Good, Well
euphemism: pleasant-sounding term for something
unpleasant
eulogy: speech or writing in praise or commendation
eugenics: improvement of qualities of race by control of
inherited characteristics
euthanasia: killing person painlessly, usually one who has
an incurable, painful disease
euphony: pleasantness of sound - Extra
-
Outside, Beyond
extraordinary: beyond the ordinary
extract: to take out, obtain against person's will
extradite: to hand over (person accused of crime) to state
where crime was committed
extrasensory: derived by means other than known senses
extrapolate: to estimate (unknown facts or values) from
known data - Fab/Fam
-
Speak
fable: fictional tale, esp. legendary
affable: friendly, courteous
ineffable: too great for description in words; that which
must not be uttered
famous: well known, celebrated
defame: attack good name of - Fac/Fic/Fig/Fait/Feit/Fy
-
To Do; To Make
factory: building for manufacture of goods
faction: small dissenting group within larger one, esp.
in politics
deficient: incomplete or insufficient
prolific: producing many offspring or much output
configuration: manner of arrangement, shape
ratify: to confirm or accept by formal consent
effigy: sculpture or model of person - Fer
-
To Bring; To Carry; To Bear
offer: to present for acceptance, refusal, or consideration
confer: to grant, bestow
referendum: to vote on political question open to the
entire electorate
proffer: to offer
proliferate: to reproduce; produce rapidly - Ferv
-
To Boil; To Bubble
fervor: passion, zeal
fervid: ardent, intense
effervescent: with the quality of giving off bubbles of gas - Fid
-
Faith, Trust
confide: to entrust with a secret
affidavit: written statement on oath
fidelity: faithfulness, loyalty
fiduciary: of a trust; held or given in trust
infidel: disbeliever in the supposed true religion - Fin
-
End
final: at the end; coming last
confine: to keep or restrict within certain limits; imprison
definitive: decisive, unconditional, final
infinite: boundless; endless
infinitesimal: infinitely or very small - Flag/Flam
-
To Burn
flammable: easily set on fire
flambeau: a lighted torch
flagrant: blatant, scandalous
conflagration: large destructive fire - Flect/Flex
-
To Bend
deflect: to bend or turn aside from a purpose
flexible: able to bend without breaking
inflect: to change or vary pitch of
reflect: to throw back
genuflect: to bend knee, esp. in worship - Flu/Flux
-
To Flow
fluid: substance, esp. gas or liquid, capable of flowing
freely
fluctuation: something that varies, rising and falling
effluence: flowing out of (light, electricity, etcetera)
confluence: merging into one
mellifluous: pleasing, musical - Fore
-
Before
foresight: care or provision for future
foreshadow: be warning or indication of (future event)
forestall: to prevent by advance action
forthright: straightforward, outspoken, decisive - Fort
-
Strength
fortify: to provide with fortifications; strengthen
fortissimo: very loud
forte: strong point; something a person does well - Fra/Frac/Frag/Fring
-
To Break
fracture: breakage, esp. of a bone
fragment: a part broken off
fractious: irritable, peevish
refractory: stubborn, unmanageable, rebellious
infringe: to break or violate (law, etcetera) - Fus
-
To Pour
profuse: lavish, extravagant, copious
fusillade: continuous discharge of firearms or outburst of criticism
suffuse: to spread throughout or over from within
diffuse: to spread widely or thinly
infusion: infusing; liquid extract so obtained - Gen
-
Birth, Creation, Race, Kind
generous: giving or given freely
genetics: study of heredity and variation among animals
and plants
gender: classification roughly corresponding to the two
sexes and sexlessness
carcinogenic: producing cancer
congenital: existing or as such from birth
progeny: offspring, descendants
miscegenation: interbreeding of races - Gn/Gno
-
Know
agnostic: person who believes that existence of God is
not provable
ignore: to refuse to take notice of
ignoramus: a person lacking knowledge, uninformed
recognize: to identify as already known
incognito: with one's name or identity concealed
prognosis: to forecast, especially of disease
diagnose: to make an identification of disease or fault
from symptoms - Grad/Gress
-
To Step
progress: forward movement
aggressive: given to hostile act or feeling
degrade: to humiliate, dishonor, reduce to lower rank
digress: to depart from main subject
egress: going out; way out
regress: to move backward, revert to an earlier state - Grat
-
Pleasing
grateful: thankful
ingratiate: to bring oneself into favor
gratuity: money given for good service
gracious: kindly, esp. to inferiors; merciful - Her/Hes
-
To Stick
coherent: logically consistent; having waves in phase and
of one wavelength
adhesive: tending to remain in memory; sticky; an
adhesive substance
inherent: involved in the constitution or essential
character of something
adherent: able to adhere; believer or advocate of a
particular thing
heredity: the qualities genetically derived from one's
ancestors and the transmission of those qualities - (H)etero
-
Same
homogeneous: of the same or a similar kind of nature; of
uniform structure of composition throughout
homonym: one of two or more words spelled and
pronounced alike but different in meaning
homosexual: of, relating to, or exhibiting sexual desire
toward a member of one's own sex
anomaly: deviation from the common rule
homeostasis: a relatively stable state of equilibrium - Hyper
-
Over, Excessive
hyperactive: excessively active
hyperbole: purposeful exaggeration for effect
hyperglycemia: an abnormally high concentration of sugar
in the blood - Hypo
-
Under, Beneath, Less Than
hypodermic: relating to the parts beneath the skin
hypochondriac: one affected by extreme depression of
mind or spirits often centered on imaginary physical
ailments
hypocritical: affecting virtues or qualities one does not
have
hypothesis: assumption subject to proof - Idio
-
One's Own
idiot: an utterly stupid person
idiom: a language, dialect, or style of speaking particular
to a people
idiosyncrasy: peculiarity of temperament; eccentricity - Im/In/Em/En
-
In, Into
embrace: to clasp in the arms; to include or contain
enclose: to close in on all sides
intrinsic: belonging to a thing by its very nature
influx: the act of flowing in; inflow
implicit: not expressly stated; implied
incarnate: given a bodily, esp. a human, form
indigenous: native; innate, natural - Im/In
-
Not, Without
inactive: not active
innocuous: not harmful or injurious
indolence: showing a disposition to avoid exertion; slothful
impartial: not partial or biased; just
indigent: deficient in what is requisite - Inter
-
Between, Among
interstate: connecting or jointly involving states
interim: a temporary or provisional arrangement;
meantime
interloper: one who intrudes in the domain of others
intermittent: stopping or ceasing for a time
intersperse: to scatter here and there - Ject
-
To Throw; To Throw Down
inject: to place (quality, etc.) where needed in something
dejected: sad, depressed
eject: to throw out, expel
conjecture: formation of opinion on incomplete
information - Join/Junct
-
To Meet; To Join
junction: the act of joining; combining
adjoin: to be next to and joined with
subjugate: to conquer
rejoinder: to reply, retort
junta: (usually military) clique taking power after
a coup d'etat. - Jur
-
To Swear
perjury: willful lying while on oath
abjure: to renounce on oath
adjure: to beg or command - Lav/Lut/Luv
-
To Wash
lavatory: a room with equipment for washing hands and face
dilute: to make thinner or weaker by the addition of water
pollute: to make foul or unclean
deluge: a great flood of water
antediluvian: before the biblical flood; extremely old
ablution: act of cleansing - Lect/Leg
-
To Select, To Choose
collect: to gather together or assemble
elect: to choose; to decide
select: to choose with care
eclectic: selecting ideas, etcetera from various sources
predilection: preference, liking - Lev
-
Lift, Light, Rise
relieve: to mitigate; to free from a burden
alleviate: to make easier to endure, lessen
relevant: bearing on or pertinent to information at hand
levee: embankment against river flooding
levitate: to rise in the air or cause to rise
levity: humor, frivolity, gaiety - Loc/Log/Loqu
-
Word, Speech
dialogue: conversation, esp. in a literary work
elocution: art of clear and expressive speaking
prologue: introduction to poem, play, etcetera
eulogy: speech or writing in praise of someone
colloquial: ordinary or familiar conversation
grandiloquent: pompous or inflated in language
loquacious: talkative - Luc/Lum/Lus
-
Light
illustrate: to make intelligible with examples or analogies
illuminate: to supply or brighten with light
illustrious: highly distinguished
translucent: permitting light to pass through
lackluster: lacking brilliance or radiance
lucid: easily understood, intelligible
luminous: bright, brilliant, glowing - Lud/Lus
-
To Play
allude: to refer casually or indirectly
illusion: something that deceives by producing a false
impression of reality
ludicrous: ridiculous, laughable
delude: to mislead the mind or judgment of, deceive
elude: to avoid capture or escape defection by
prelude: a preliminary to an action, event, etcetera - Mag/Maj/Max
-
Big
magnify: to increase the apparent size of
magnitude: greatness of size, extent, or dimensions
maximum: the highest amount, value, or degree attained
magnate: a powerful or influential person
magnanimous: generous in forgiving an insult or injury
maxim: an expression of general truth or principle - Mal/Male
-
Bad, Ill, Evil, Wrong
malfunction: failure to function properly
malicious: full of or showing malice
malign: to speak harmful untruths about, to slander
malady: a disorder or disease of the body
maladroit: clumsy, tactless
malapropism: humorous misuse of a word
malfeasance: misconduct or wrongdoing often
committed by a public official
malediction: a curse - Man
-
Hand
manual: operated by hand
manufacture: to make by hand or machinery
emancipate: to free from bondage
manifest: readily perceived by the eye or the
understanding
mandate: an authoritative order or command - Min
-
To Project, To Hang Over
eminent: towering above others; projecting
imminent: about to occur; impending
prominent: projecting outward
preeminent: superior to or notable above all others
minatory: menacing, threatening - Mis/Mit
-
To Send
transmit: to send from one person, thing, or place to another
emissary: a messenger or agent sent to represent the
interests of another
intermittent: stopping and starting at intervals
remit: to send money
remission: a lessening of intensity or degree - Misc
-
Mixed
miscellaneous: made up of a variety of parts or
ingredients
miscegenation: the interbreeding of races, esp. marriage
between white and nonwhite persons
promiscuous: consisting of diverse and unrelated parts or
individuals - Mon/Monit
-
To Remind; To Warn
monument: a structure, such as a building, tower,
or sculpture, erected as a memorial
monitor: one that admonishes, cautions, or reminds
summon: to call together; convene
admonish: to counsel against something; caution
remonstrate: to say or plead in protect, objection, or reproof
premonition: forewarning, presentiment - Morph
-
Shape
amorphous: without definite form; lacking a specific shape
metamorphosis: a transformation, as by magic or sorcery
anthropomorphism: attribution of human characteristics
to inanimate objects, animals, or natural phenomena - Mort
-
Death
immortal: not subject to death
morbid: susceptible to preoccupation with unwholesome
matters
moribund: dying, decaying - Mut
-
Change
commute: to substitute; exchange; interchange
mutation: the process of being changed
transmutation: the act of changing from one form into
another
permutation: a complete change; transformation
immutable: unchangeable, invariable - Nat/Nas/Nai
-
To Be Born
natural: present due to nature, not to artificial or manmade
means
native: belonging to one by nature; inborn; innate
naive: lacking worldliness and sophistication; artless
cognate: related by blood; having a common ancestor
renaissance: rebirth, esp. referring to culture
nascent: starting to develop - Nic/Noc/Nox
-
Harm
innocent: uncorrupted by evil, malice, or wrongdoing
noxious: injurious or harmful to health or morals
obnoxious: highly disagreeable or offensive
innocuous: having no adverse effect; harmless - Nom
-
Rule, Order
astronomy: the scientific study of the universe beyond
the earth
economy: the careful or thrifty use of resources, as of
income, materials, or labor
gastronomy: the art or science of good eating
taxonomy: the science, laws, or principles of classification
autonomy: independence, self-governance - Nom/Nym/Noun/Nown
-
Name
synonym: a word having a meaning similar to that of
another word of the same language
anonymous: having an unknown or unacknowledged
name
nominal: existing in name only; negligible
nominate: to propose by name as a candidate
nomenclature: a system of names; systematic naming
acronym: a word formed from the initial letters of a name - Nounc/Nunc
-
To Announce
announce: to proclaim
pronounce: to articulate
renounce: to give up, especially by formal announcement - Nov/Neo/Nou
-
New
novice: a person new to any field or activity
renovate: to restore to an earlier condition
innovate: to begin or introduce something new
neologism: a newly coined word, phrase, or expression
neophyte: a recent convert
nouveau riche: one who has lately become rich - Ob/Oc/Of/Op
-
Toward, To, Against, Over
obese: extremely fat, corpulent
obstinate: stubbornly adhering to an idea, inflexible
obstruct: to block or fill with obstacles
oblique: having a slanting or sloping direction
obstreperous: noisily defiant, unruly
obtuse: not sharp, pointed, or acute in any form
obfuscate: to render indistinct or dim; darken
obsequious: overly submissive - Omni
-
All
omnibus: an anthology of the works of one author or of
writings on related subjects
omnipresent: everywhere at one time
omnipotent: all powerful
omniscient: having infinite knowledge - Pac/Peac
-
Peace
appease: to bring peace to
pacify: to ease the anger or agitation of
pacifier: something or someone that eases the anger or
agitation of
pact: a formal agreement, as between nations - Pan
-
All, Everyone
panorama: an unobstructed and wide view of an
extensive area
panegyric: formal or elaborate praise at an assembly
panoply: a wide-ranging and impressive array or display
pantheon: a public building containing tombs or
memorials of the illustrious dead of a nation
pandemic: widespread, general, universal - Par
-
Equal
par: an equality in value or standing
parity: equally, as in amount, status, or character
apartheid: any system or caste that separates people
according to race, etc.
disparage: to belittle, speak disrespectfully about
disparate: essentially different - Para
-
Next To, Beside
parallel: extending in the same direction
parasite: an organism that lives on or within a plant or
animal of another species, from which it obtains
nutrients
parody: to imitate for purposes of satire
parable: a short, allegorical story designed to illustrate a
moral lesson or religious principle
paragon: a model of excellence
paranoid: suffering from a baseless distrust of others - Pas/Pat/Path
-
Feeling, Suffering, Disease
sympathy: harmony or agreement in feeling
empathy: the identification with the feelings or thoughts
of others
compassion: a feeling of deep sympathy for someone
struck by misfortune, accompanied by a desire to
alleviate suffering
dispassionate: devoid of personal feeling or bias
impassive: showing or feeling no emotion
sociopath: a person whose behavior is antisocial and who
lacks a sense of moral responsibility
pathogenic: causing disease - Pau/Po/Pov/Pu
-
Few, Little, Poor
poverty: the condition of being poor
paucity: smallness of quantity; scarcity; scantiness
pauper: a person without any personal means of support
impoverish: to deplete
pusillanimous: lacking courage or resolution
puerile: childish, immature - Ped
-
Child, Education
pedagogue: a teacher
pediatrician: a doctor who primarily has children as
patients
pedant: one who displays learning ostentatiously
encyclopedia: book or set of books containing articles on
various topics, covering all branches of knowledge or of
one particular subject - Ped/Pod
-
Foot
pedal: a foot-operated lever or part used to control
pedestrian: a person who travels on foot
expedite: to speed the progress of
impede: to retard progress by means of obstacles or
hindrances
podium: a small platform for an orchestra conductor,
speaker, etcetera
antipodes: places diametrically opposite each other on
the globe - Pen/Pun
-
To Pay; To Compensate
penal: of or pertaining to punishment, as for crimes
penalty: a punishment imposed for
a violation of law or rule
punitive: serving for, concerned with, or inflicting punishment
penance: a punishment undergone to express regret for a sin
penitent: contrite - Pend/Pens
-
To Hang; To Weight; To Pay
depend: to rely; to place trust in
stipend: a periodic payment; fixed or regular pay
compensate: to counterbalance, offset
indispensable: absolutely necessary, essential, or requisite
appendix: supplementary material at the end of a text
appendage: a limb or other subsidiary part that diverges
from the central structure - Per
-
Completely
persistent: lasting or enduring tenaciously
pedestrian: to make a way through or into something
perplex: to cause to be puzzled or bewildered over what
is not understood
peruse: to read with thoroughness or care
perfunctory: performed merely as routine duty
pertinacious: resolute - Peri
-
Around
perimeter: the border or outer boundary of a two-dimensional figure
periscope: an optical instrument for seeing objects in an
obstructed field of vision
peripatetic: walking or traveling about; itinerant - Pet/Pit
-
To Go; To Seek; To Strive
appetite: a desire for food or drink
compete: to strive to outdo another for acknowledgment
petition: a formally drawn request soliciting some benefit
centripetal: moving toward -the center
impetuous: characterized by sudden or rash action or
emotion
petulant: showing sudden irritation, esp. over some
annoyance - Phil
-
Love
philosophy: the rational investigation of the truths and
principles of being, knowledge, or conduct
philatelist: one who loves or collects postage stamps
philology: the study of literary texts to establish their
authenticity and determine their meaning
bibliophile: one who loves or collects books - Plac
-
To Please
placid: pleasantly calm or peaceful
placebo: a substance with no pharmacological effect
which acts to placate a patient who believes it to be
a medicine
implacable: unable to be pleased
complacent: self-satisfied, unconcerned
complaisant: inclined or disposed to please
perspicacious: shrewd, astute - Ple
-
To Fill
complete: having all parts or elements
deplete: to decrease seriously or exhaust the supply of
supplement: something added to supply a deficiency
implement: an instrument, tool, or utensil for
accomplishing work
replete: abundantly supplied
plethora: excess, overabundance - Plex/Plic/Ply
-
To Fold, Twist, Tangle, Or Bend
complex: composed of many interconnected parts
replica: any close copy or reproduction
implicit: not expressly stated, implied
implicate: to show to be involved, usually in an
incriminating manner
duplicity: deceitfulness in speech or conduct, double-dealing
supplicate: to make humble and earnest entreaty - Pon/Pos/Pound
-
To Put; To Place
component: a constituent part, elemental ingredient
expose: to lay open to danger, attack, or harm
expound: to set forth in detail
juxtapose: to place close together or side by side, esp. for
contract
repository: a receptacle or place where things are deposited - Port
-
To Carry
import: to bring in from a foreign country
export: to transmit abroad
portable: easily carried
deportment: conduct, behavior
disport: to divert or amuse oneself
importune: to urge or press with excessive persistence - Post
-
After
posthumous: after death
posterior: situated at the rear
posterity: succeeding in future generations collectively
post facto: after the fact - Pre
-
Before
precarious: dependent on circumstances beyond
one's control
precocious: unusually advanced or mature in mental
development or talent
premonition: a feeling of anticipation over a future event
presentiment: foreboding
precedent: an act that serves as an example for
subsequent situations
precept: a commandment given as a rule of action
or conduct - Prehend/Prise
-
To Take; To Get; To Seize
surprise: to strike with an unexpected feeling of wonder
or astonishment
enterprise: a project undertaken
reprehensible: deserving rebuke or censure
comprise: to include or contain
reprisals: retaliation against an enemy
apprehend: to take into custody - Pro
-
Much, For, A Lot
prolific: highly fruitful
profuse: spending or giving freely
prodigal: wastefully or recklessly extravagant
prodigious: extraordinary in size, amount, or extent
proselytize: to convert or attempt to recruit
propound: to set forth for consideration
provident: having or showing foresight - Prob
-
To Prove; To Test
probe: to search or examine thoroughly
approbation: praise, consideration
opprobrium: the disgrace incurred by shameful conduct
reprobate: a depraved or wicked person
problematic: questionable
probity: honesty, high-mindedness - Pug
-
To Fight
pugnacious: to quarrel or fight readily
impugn: to challenge as false
repugnant: objectionable or offensive
pugilist: a fighter or boxer - Punc/Pung/Poign
-
To Point; To Prick
point: a sharp or tapering end
puncture: the act of piercing
pungent: caustic or sharply expressive
compunction: a feeling of uneasiness for doing wrong
punctilious: strict or exact in the observance of formalities
expunge: to erase, eliminate completely - Que/Quis
-
To Seem
acquire: to come into possession of
exquisite: of special beauty or charm
conquest: vanquishment
inquisitive: given to research, eager for knowledge
query: a question, inquiry
querulous: full of complaints
perquisite: a gratuity, tip - Qui
-
Quiet
quiet: making little or no sound
disquiet: lack of calm or peace
tranquil: free from commotion or tumult
acquiesce: to comply, give in
quiescence: the condition of being at rest, still, inactive - Rid/Ris
-
To Laugh
riddle: a conundrum
derision: the act of mockery
risible: causing laughter - Rog
-
To Ask
interrogate: to ask questions of, esp. formally
arrogant: making claims to superior importance or rights
abrogate: to abolish by formal means
surrogate: a person appointed to act for another
derogatory: belittling, disparaging
arrogate: to claim unwarrantably or presumptuously - Sacr/Sanct/Secr
-
Sacred
sacred: devoted or dedicated to a deity or religious
purpose
sacrifice: the offering of some living or inanimate thing to
a deity in homage
sanctify: to make holy
sanction: authoritative permission or approval
execrable: abominable
sacrament: something regarded as possessing sacred
character
sacrilege: the violation of anything sacred - Sal/Sil/Sault/Sult
-
To Leap, To Jump
insult: to treat with contemptuous rudeness
assault: a sudden or violent attack
somersault: to roll the body end over end, making a
complete revolution
salient: prominent or conspicuous
resilient: able to spring back to an original form after
compression
insolent: boldly rude or disrespectful
exult: to show or feel triumphant joy
desultory: at random, unmethodical - Sci
-
To Know
conscious: aware of one's own existence
conscience: the inner sense of what is right or wrong,
impelling one toward right action
unconscionable: unscrupulous
omniscient: knowing everything
prescient: having knowledge of things before they happen - Scribe/Scrip
-
To Write
scribble: to write hastily or carelessly
describe: to tell or depict in words
script: handwriting
postscript: any addition or supplement
proscribe: to condemn as harmful or odious
ascribe: to credit or assign, as to a cause or course
conscription: draft
transcript: a written or typed copy
circumscribe: to draw a line around - Se
-
Apart
select: to choose in preference to another
separate: to keep apart, divide
seduce: to lead astray
segregate: to separate or set apart from others
secede: to withdraw formally from an association
sequester: to remove or withdraw into solitude or
retirement
sedition: incitement of discontent or rebellion against a
government - Sec/Sequ
-
To Follow
second: next after the first
prosecute: to seek to enforce by legal process
sequence: the following of one thing after another
obsequious: fawning
non sequitur: an inference or a conclusion that does not
follow from the premises - Sed/Sess/Sid
-
To Sit; To Be Still; To Plan; To Plot
preside: to exercise management or control
resident: a person who lives in a place
sediment: the matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid
dissident: disagreeing, as in opinion or attitude
residual: remaining, leftover
subsidiary: serving to assist or supplement
insidious: intended to entrap or beguile
assiduous: diligent, persistent, hardworking - Sens/Sent
-
To Feel; To Be Aware
sense: any of the faculties by which humans and animals
perceive stimuli originating outside the body
sensory: of or pertaining to the senses or sensation
sentiment: an attitude or feeling toward something
presentiment: a feeling that something is about to
happen
dissent: to differ in opinion, esp. from the majority
resent: to feel or show displeasure
sentinel: a person or thing that stands watch
insensate: without feeling or sensitivity - Sol
-
To Loosen; To Free
dissolve: to make a solution of, as by mixing in a liquid
soluble: capable of being dissolved or liquefied
resolution: a formal expression of opinion or intention
made
dissolution: the act or process of dissolving into parts
or elements
dissolute: indifferent to moral restraints
absolution: forgiveness for wrongdoing - Spec/Spic/Spit
-
To Look; To See
perspective: one's mental view of facts, ideas, and their
interrelationships
speculation: the contemplation or consideration of some
subject
suspicious: inclined to suspect
spectrum: a broad range of related things that form a
continuous series
retrospective: contemplative of past situations
circumspect: watchful and discreet, cautious
perspicacious: having keen mental perception and
understanding
conspicuous: easily seen or noticed; readily observable
specious: deceptively attractive - Sta/Sti
-
To Stand; To Be In Place
static: of bodies or forces at rest or in equilibrium
destitute: without means of subsistence
obstinate: stubbornly adhering to a purpose, opinion, or
course of action
constitute: to make up
stasis: the state of equilibrium of inactivity caused by
opposing equal forces
apostasy: renunciation of an object of one's previous
loyalty - Sua
-
Smooth
suave: smoothly agreeable or polite
persuade: to encourage; to convince
dissuade: to deter
assuage: to make less severe, ease, relieve - Sub/Sup
-
Below
submissive: inclined or ready to submit
subsidiary: serving to assist or supplement
subliminal: existing or operating below the threshold of
confidence
subtle: thin, tenuous, or rarefied
subterfuge: an artifice or expedient used to evade a rule
supposition: the act of assuming - Super/Sur
-
Above
surpass: to go beyond in amount, extent, or degree
superlative: the highest kind or order
supersede: to replace in power, as by another person or
thing
supercilious: arrogant, haughty, condescending
superfluous: extra, more than necessary
surmount: to get over or across, to prevail
surveillance: a watch kept over someone or something - Tac/Tic
-
To Be Silent
reticent: disposed to be silent or not to speak freely
tacit: unspoken understanding
taciturn: uncommunicative - Tain/Ten/Tent/Tin
-
To Hold
detain: to keep from proceeding
pertain: to have reference or relation
tenacious: holding fast
abstention: the act of refraining voluntarily
tenure: the holding or possessing of anything
tenable: capable of being held, maintained, or defended
sustenance: nourishment, means of livelihood
pertinacious: persistent, stubborn - Tend/Tens/Tent/Tenu
-
To Stretch; To Thin
tension: the act of stretching or straining
tentative: of the nature of, or done as a trial, attempt
tendentious: having a predisposition towards a point
of view
distend: to expand by stretching
attenuate: to weaken or reduce in force
extenuating: making less serious by offering excuses
contentious: quarrelsome, disagreeable, belligerent - Theo
-
God
atheist: one who does not believe in a deity or divine
system
theocracy: a form of government in which a deity is
recognized as the supreme ruler
theology: the study of divine things and the divine faith
apotheosis: glorification, glorified ideal - Tract
-
To Drag; To Pull; To Draw
tractor: a powerful vehicle used to pull farm machinery
attract: to draw either by physical force or by an appeal to
emotions or senses
contract: a legally binding document
detract: to take away from, esp. a positive thing
abstract: to draw or pull away, remove
tractable: easily managed or controlled
protract: to prolong, draw out, extend - Trans
-
Across
transaction: the act of carrying on or conduct to a
conclusion or settlement
transparent: easily seen through, recognized, or detected
transition: change from one way of being to another
transgress: to violate a law, command, or moral code
transcendent: going beyond ordinary limits
intransigent: refusing to agree or compromise - Us/Ut
-
To Use
abuse: to use wrongly or improperly
usage: a customary way of doing something
usurp: to seize and hold
utilitarian: efficient, functional, useful - Ven/Vent
-
To Come Or To Move Toward
convene: to assemble for some public purpose
venturesome: showing a disposition to undertake risks
intervene: to come between disputing factions, mediate
contravene: to come into conflict with
adventitious: accidental - Ver
-
Truth
verdict: any judgment or decision
veracious: habitually truthful
verity: truthfulness
verisimilitude: the appearance or semblance of truth
aver: to affirm, to declare to be true - Verd
-
Green
verdant: green with vegetation; inexperienced
verdure: fresh, rich vegetation - Vers/Vert
-
To Turn
controversy: a public dispute involving a matter of opinion
revert: to return to a former habit
diverse: of a different kind, form, character
aversion: dislike
introvert: a person concerned primarily with inner
thoughts and feelings
extrovert: an outgoing person
inadvertent: unintentional
covert: hidden, clandestine
avert: to turn away from - Vi
-
Life
vivid: strikingly bright or intense
vicarious: performed, exercised, received, or suffered in
place of another
viable: capable of living
vivacity: the quality of being lively, animated, spirited
joie de vivre: joy of life (French expression)
convivial: sociable - Vid/Vis
-
To See
evident: plain or clear to the sight or understanding
video: the elements of television pertaining to the
transmission or reception of the image
adviser: one who gives counsel
survey: to view in a general or comprehensive way
vista: a view or prospect - Vil
-
Base, Mean
vilify: to slander, to defame
revile: to criticize with harsh language
vile: loathsome, unpleasant - Voc/Vok
-
To Call
vocabulary: the stock of words used by or known to a
particular person or group
advocate: to support or urge by argument
equivocate: to use ambiguous or unclear expressions
vocation: a particular occupation
avocation: something one does in addition to a principle
occupation
vociferous: crying out noisily
convoke: to call together
invoke: to call on a deity - Vol
-
To Wish
voluntary: undertaken of one's own accord or by free
choice
malevolent: characterized by or expressing bad will
benevolent: characterized by or expressing goodwill
volition: free choice, free will; act of choosing - Vor
-
To Eat
voracious: having a great appetite
carnivorous: meat-eating
omnivorous: eating or absorbing everything