Words Indexed by Roots

Somnos/sop = sleep

Somnambulism =sleep walking

Insomnia = sleeplessness, wakefulness, restlessness

Soporific = sleep causing

SON = SOUND

Dissonance = discord, disagreement, conflict, dissention, difference

X harmony

Resonant = echo, reverberating, resonate, booming, echoing, ringing

Sonorous = loud, deep, booming, echoing

X thin

Consonance = agreement


SOPH = LEARNING

Sophistry = literalism, lack of imagination, laboriousness

X creativity

Sophisticated = complicated, urbane, stylish, difficult, chic, refined

X primitive
SPER = HOPE

Prosper = become rich, flourish, thrive

Desperate = hopeless, frantic, anxious, worried, distressed, distracted, fraught

X calm

Aspersion = A disparaging remark, calumny
SPIR = BREATH, LIVE

Conspirator = partner in a crime, schemer, plotter, conniver

Transpire = happen, emerge, revealed become apparent/known/obvious
STRUC/STRU = BUILD
Construe = interpret, understand by

Misconstrue = misinterpret, misunderstand

Obstruct = impede, hinder, block, barricade, thwart, frustrate, hamper
SUB = BELOW, UNDER

Subterranean = bottomless, profound, unfathomable, cavernous, yawning

X shallow

Subcutaneous = Relating to or located below the epidermis, hypodermic

Subvert = undermine, destabilize, sabotage, weaken, threaten, challenge
Subversive = dissident, rebellious, revolutionary, insubordinate, seditious

Subpoena = A writ issued by court authority to compel the attendance of a witness at a judicial proceeding; disobedience may be punishable as a contempt of court

Subliminal = unintentional, hidden, unconscious, subconscious, concealed

X conscious

STUDE/STUDI = EAGER

Studious = industrious, diligent, sedulous, serious, bookish, scholarly, academic

Studied = deliberate, calculated, premeditated, intentional, willful

X casual, adventitious

SAL/SAULT = SPRING, JUMP

Salient = most important, outstanding, prominent, relevant, significant, leading, main

X minor

Somersault = cartwheel, flip flop, tumble, turn over, forward roll

Assault = physical attack, staging, mugging, beating, battering

Desultory = unmethodical, irregular, haphazard, unfocused, random, aimless, halfhearted

X methodical, focused
SUMMA = HIGHEST

Summit = pinnacle, acme, apex, peak

(2) meeting

consummate = fulfilled, accomplished, culminated, completed, perfect, achieved, expert

Summum bonum = he supreme good in which all moral values are included or from which they are derived, highest good

Summa cum laude = highest honors

SURG/SURRECT = RISE

Surge = rush, flow, gush, coarse, pitch, heave, pour

Resurgent = Rising again as to new life and vigor

Insurgent = rebel, uprising, mutinous, insurrection, dissatisfied, revolutionary

X content

Resurrect = bring back to life, revive, save

X kill

Resuscitate = revive, save, breathe new life into

X asphyxiate
SUPER/SUR = EXCESS, ABOVE, OVER

Supercilious = arrogant, haughty disdainful, scornful, contemptuous, condescending, patronizing

Supercede = succeed, displace, surpass, supplant

Superfluous = unwanted, redundant, surplus

Surplice = garment worn over, fur coat

Surfeit = oversupply, glut, excess

X deficit, scarce

Insurmountable = invincible, unconquerable, intractable, insoluble

X easy

Surly = rude, impolite, churlish, gruff, brusque

Surrogate = substitute, replacement, deputy, stand-in

SYM/SYN = SAME, TOGETHER

Symbiosis = mutually beneficial

X internecine, mutually destructive

Synergy = work together

Syncopation = changing beat or accent in music

Syncope = temporary loss of consciousness due to drop in blood pressure

TACT/TANG = TOUCH

Tactile = tangible, palpable, concrete

Tangential = peripheral, superficial, lateral, divergent

Tangent = departure, digression

Tact = skill
TACIT/TIC = SILENT

Tacit = unspoken, implicit, inferred, understood

X explicit

Taciturn = laconic, reserved, aloof, introvert, reticent

Reticent = unwilling to tell, uncommunicative

X loquacious, talkative

Tain/Ten/Tent/Tin = holding

Tenant = occupant, resident, renter, lodger, boarder, paying guest, lessee

Pertinacious = sticking, stubborn, adamant, pig-headed, obdurate, obstinate, persistent, unshakeable, tenacious, preserve, willful, headstrong

Tenacious = holding tightly, stubborn

Retinue = entourage, followers, attendance, escort, convoy

Retain = hold back, preserve, save

Detain = arrest, hold, capture, confine, control, restrain

X release

TELE = DISTANT

Telekinesis = supposed ability to move objects by mental power

TEMPO = TIME

Contemporary = of the same period, modern, current, up to date, fashionable, present day

X old

Extempore = impromptu, off the cuff, ad-lib, unplanned, improvised

TEND/TENS/TENT = STRETCH

Distend = balloon, swell, stretch, bloat, inflate, expand, increase

X deflate

Tense = worry, anxious, nervous, stressed, edgy, upright, overwrought

Tension = worry, nervousness, anxiety, stress, strain, pressure, apprehension

X relief

Tensile = capable of being stretched

Fragile = easily broken, brittle, delicate

Ostensible = showy, apparent, seeming, pompous
TERR = FRIGHTEN

Terrify = frighten, horrify, petrify scare

TERRA/TERRE = LAND, EARTH

Terrestrial = related to land, earthly

X celestial, heavenly

Terrain = landscape

TREM/TREP = SHAKE, FEAR

Tremulous = unsteady, quivering, trembling, quavering, shaky, wobbly, timid

X steady

Trepidation = fear, consternation, anxiety, apprehension, concern, foreboding, unease

Intrepid = fearless, valiant, gallant, brave, mettlesome, bold, courageous
TESTA = WITNESS

Testimonial = evidence, memorial, testament, shrine, tribute

Testify = confirm, give evidence, bear witness, swear, show, bear out

Vindication = justification, proof, evidence, exoneration, absolution, acquittal

X conviction

Vindicate = support, defend, assert, prove, justify, claim

Vindictive = seeking revenge, spiteful, malicious, bitter, mean, cruel

Testator = man who writes wills

Testatrix = woman who writes wills
THENATOS = DEATH
Thenatophobia = necrophobia, fear of death
Thei/Theo = God, religion

Theophobia = fear of god

Theocracy = A political unit governed by a deity (or by officials thought to be divinely guided)

Pantheist = believing that god exists everywhere

THERM = HEAT
Thermostat = A device for automatically regulating temperature by starting or stopping the supply of heat
TIM = FEAR

Timid = coward, nervous, shy, fearful, timorous, hesitant, apprehensive

Intimidate = frighten, bully, cow, scare, threaten, daunt, coerce
TOME = CUT/SLICE

Epitome = essence, personification, embodiment, quintessence, archetype

Tomicide = destruction of books

Menticide = brain wash

TOPOS = PLACE

Utopia = imaginary, ideal place;

TORP = STIFF

Torpid = lazy, stagnant, languorous

Torpor = dullness, inactivity, indolence, inertia, languor

Turpitude = lack of morals, depravity

TORS/TORT = TWIST

Distort = twisted, misrepresent, deform,

twist, warp, alter, disfigure

X straighten

Tortuous = convoluted, winding, twisted,

meandering, circuitous, indirect

X straight

Retort = reply angrily, answer back,

comeback, rejoin, (2) a vessel where substances are distilled or decomposed

Contort = twist, screw up, wrap

Torsion = A twisting force
TOX = POISON

Toxic= poisonous, noxious, venomous,

deadly, lethal, contaminated

X harmless

Intoxication = A temporary state resulting

from excessive consumption of alcohol, drunkenness, tipsiness, inebriation

Intoxicant = alcohol, able to intoxicate
TRACT = DRAW, PULL

Distract = draw attention out, divert, perturb,

sidetrack, unhinge

Protract = draw out, prolong, extend, extend,

spin out, drag out

Intractable = stubborn, obdurate, obstinate,

pig-headed, difficult, willful, inflexible

X easy going

Traduce = speak unfavorably about,

badmouth, malign, criticize

TRANS = BEYOND

Transient = fleeting, passing, temporary,

momentary, transitory, short lived, ephemeral, brief

Transgress = lapse, sin, misbehave, disobey, go astray, contravene, break the rules, go wrong

Transcend = exceed, surpass, go beyond,

outdo, go above, excel

X trail

Translucent = semi-transparent

X opaque

Transfix = fascinate, mesmerize, engross,

hypnotize, spellbind, grip, hold, rivet

Transmute = change, alter, transform, metamorphose

Transpire = come to light, emerge, be revealed, become known/apparent/obvious,

(2) Give off (water) through the skin,

(3) Come about, happen, or occur

TRUD/TRUS = THRUST, PUSH

Protrude = jut, extend beyond, project, stick out, overhang, obtrude, bulge out, pop out, come out

Protuberance = swelling, bulge, bump, lump,

knob, protrusion, distension, flange

outcropping, extension
TUIT = WATCH OVER

Intuition = instinct, perception, sixth sense,

hunch, insight, feeling, suspicion
TURB = SHAKE, MOVE

Perturb = disturb, trouble, bother, agitate,

worry, upset, be a problem for you

Imperturbable = calm, cool, unflappable, in

control, composed, steady, serene, tranquil

Turbid = muddy, dirty, murky, opaque,

cloudy, thick

X clear

Turpitude = A corrupt or depraved or

degenerate act or practice, depravity

Turgid = Ostentatiously lofty in style,

pompous, bombastic, swollen

Turbulent = confused, unstable, disordered, chaotic, tumultuous, in turmoil, agitated

X orderly

UMBR = SHADE, SHADOW

Umbrage = angry, offence, resentment, bitterness, indignation, pique, insulted

Penumbra = partial shade, obscurity, uncertainty, cloudiness

Umbrageous = Filled with shade, (2) Angered at something unjust or wrong

Adumbrate = to give incomplete idea of future events, outline, sketch, intimate, insinuate
UNDA = WAVE

Abundance = profuse, plenty

X scarcity

Redundant = superfluous, outmoded, disused, surplus, unneeded, unnecessary, uncalled-for

Undulate = roll, ripple, rise and fall, swell, heave, surge, move like a wave

Inundate = flood, overwhelm, submerge, swamp, deluge, engulf

Adulation = praise, reverence, admiration, worship, adoration, exaltation

UN/UNI = ONE

Unanimity = agreement, harmony, accord, union,

X discord

Unilateral = one-sided, independent

X joint

Unify = amalgamate, combine, coalesce, fuse, merge, bring together, join

Unison = accord, harmony, agreement, unity

X discord

URB = CITY

Urbane = sophisticated, polished, refined, cultured, elegant, refined, gentle, suave, stylish, debonair

VAC = EMPTY

Vacant = empty, available, unoccupied, free

X occupied

Evacuate = vacate, empty, abandon, withdraw from, leave, relinquish

Vacuous = empty-headed, blank, stupid, unintelligent, inane, dim

X bright

Vacuity = blankness, emptiness, void, space, nothingness, vacuum

Vacillation = indecisive, irresolute, hesitancy, wavering, fluctuation, uncertainty

X resolution
VAD/VAS = GO

Invade = attack, raid, assault, overrun, plague, march into, occupy

Evade = avoid, elude, dodge, escape, skirt

Evasive = elusive, slippery, equivocal, ambiguous, cagey, hard to pin down, vague

VAG = WANDER

Vagrant = Vagabond, nomadic, itinerant, homeless person, beggar, tramp, drifter, hobo

Vagary = a sudden desire, whim, impulse, caprice,
VAIL/VAL = VALUE, STRENGTH

Avail = benefit, advantage, reward, gain,

purpose

Valour = The qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle), strength, courage, bravery, gallantry, heroism,

Valiant = brave, courageous, heroic, noble, intrepid, bold, gallant

Convalescence = period of recovery, recuperation, restoration

Valetudinarian = Weak or sickly person especially one morbidly concerned with his or her health
VAN = FRONT

Vanguard = forefront, precursor, forerunner, advance guard, front, frontline

Avant-garde = Artists or writers whose ideas are ahead of their time, ultramodern, activist, forward-thinking, advanced, ahead-of-time, way-out, far-out, futuristic
VEN/VENT/VENI = COME

Contravene = breach, flout, disobey, break, disregard

X observe

Intervene = interfere, arbitrate, meditate, intercede, get involved

Conventional = Traditional, usual, straight, predictable, conformist, conservative, square

X activist

Prevent = stop, put off, avert, avoid, foil, thwart

Advent = arrival, dawn, initiation

X departure

Adventitious = unexpected, accidental

Circumvent = thwart, avoid, dodge, get around

Vintner = Someone who makes and sells wine

VER = TRUTH

Veracity = trueness, genuineness, sincerity, actuality, authenticity

Aver = avow, state, affirm, declare, profess

Verisimilitude = The appearance of truth; the quality of seeming to be true

Simile = comparison

Verve = zeal, spirit, vigor, dynamism, vitality

Vertex = summit, pinnacle, zenith, acme
VERT/VERS = TO TURN

Revert = go back to previous state, relapse, slip back, regress

Avert = avoid, elude, ward off, prevent, fore stall, turn aside/off/away

Subvert = sabotage, weaken, undermine, destroy, destabilize, threaten

Vertigo = dizziness, giddiness, lightheadedness, unsteadiness

Versatile = multipurpose, flexible, adaptable, resourceful, multitalented,

all-around,

X limited

VIA = WAY

Trivial = unimportant

Viand = dish, a choice of delicious dish
VICT/VINC/VANQ = CONQUER

Victor = winner, champion, conqueror, defeater, beater, vanquisher

X dark horse

Invincible = undefeatable, unconquerable, unbeatable, unshakable, indomitable, unassailable, insuperable, indestructible

Vanquish = conquer, subjugate, defeat, crush, annihilate, subdue, overcome, rout
VID/VIS = TO SEE

Vision = dream, hallucination, apparition, idea

Vista = view, panorama, outlook, scene, landscape, seascape

Visage = face, countenance, features, facade, mug

Evidence = proof, conformation, substantiation, indication

Supervise = oversee, manage, administer, control, organize, take charge of

Viscid = sticky, having the properties of glue

Viscous = thick, sticky, gummy, glutinous,

gelatinous, gluey, tacky
VITA/VIVA = LIFE, ALIVE

Vivid = lively, bright, glowing, brilliant, colorful, stunning, flamboyant, dramatic

Convivial = warm, welcoming, hospitable, friendly, genial, cordial

X unfriendly

Vivacious = lively, bubbly, cheerful, spirited, energetic, chirpy, effervescent,

full of life

Vitality = energy, vivacity, liveliness, strength, animation, verve
VOC/VOCA/VOK = CALL, WORD

Equivocal = vague, ambiguous, ambivalent, unclear, oblique, evasive

X clear

Invoke = cite, bring to play, call upon/up

Vociferous = vocal, loud, determined, enthusiastic, clamorous, boisterous, noisy, voluble, raucous, strident

Vocation = profession, career, job, occupation, work, trade, craft, art

Avocation = hobby, an auxiliary activity
VOL = FREE WILL, WISH

Volition = wish, will, choice, desire, decision, preference, option

X coercion

Benevolent = munificent, kind, caring, generous, benign, compassionate, giving

X malevolent

Malevolent = malicious, spiteful, wicked, nasty, mean

Voluble = vociferous, fluent, inarticulate, verbose, talkative, garrulous
VOR = EATING

Voracious = insatiable, greedy, hungry, ravenous, gluttonous, rapacious

Grassivore = grass eating

Herbivore

Carnivore = flesh eating

Omnivore = both herbivore and carnivore

Frugivore = fruit eating

Devour = eat greedily, gulp, rapacious, consume, demolish, get through, overcome