Course words Morphemes Train on Membean Enrichment Blooket 50 roots 25 prefixes 25 suffixes Choose a root family act — do capt / cept / ceive — take or receive cede / ceed / cess — go, move, or yield civ — citizen claim / clam — call or cry out clude / clus — shut or close cred — believe or trust dict — say or declare domin — master or rule duce / duct — lead equ — equal or level fact / fect — make or do fer — carry or bring fin / fine — end or boundary form — shape human — human being ject — throw or cast just / jur — right or law labor — work leg / lect — gather, choose, or read liber — free loc — place migr — move mit / miss — send move / mot — move norm — rule or pattern part — portion or division pel / puls — push or drive pend / pens — hang or weigh polit — citizen or public affairs port — carry pose / posit — put or place press — press or push race — a social category of ancestry and perceived difference rect — straight or guided rupt — break or burst scribe / script — write sent / sens / sense — feel or perceive serve / serv — serve or wait on sign — mark or indicate soci — companion or ally spect — look or see spond / spons — promise or answer struct — build tain / ten / tent — hold tend / tens / tent — stretch or reach tract — pull or draw tribute — give or allot vert / vers — turn voc / voke — call
struct build 12 words Choose parts from left to right. The available endings change with your choices.
construct verb To build or create something.
Example sentence Our robotics team will construct a bridge from cardboard and test how much weight it holds.
How these word families work A root carries a core meaning. Prefixes and suffixes change it. Some families use related base spellings. Check the finished word’s definition: a word’s meaning is more than a sum of its parts.
Each matrix includes real words. A dimmed part cannot continue your current path in this collection. Suffix labels show the part of speech they form. A spelling note explains changes such as dropping a final e.
These are shared practice families. Your College Prep words of the day and chapter vocabulary stay in Course words.
Compare this family’s words using “build” as a meaning clue. Check each completed word’s definition and example.
Word-part references:
Matrix approach: Neil Ramsden’s word matrices .
All word-family examples struct — build construct (verb) To build or create something.
Our robotics team will construct a bridge from cardboard and test how much weight it holds.
construction (noun) The process of building or creating something.
The construction of our stage set took three afternoons and a lot of recycled cardboard.
constructive (adjective) Helping to build, improve, or solve something.
Her constructive feedback explained how I could make the chorus easier to sing.
reconstruct (verb) To build again or piece together an account of the past.
The detective used security footage to reconstruct what happened before the necklace disappeared.
reconstruction (noun) Rebuilding; also the period of rebuilding and contested rights after the Civil War.
After the storm damaged the playground, its reconstruction included stronger equipment and new trees.
structure (noun) The arrangement of parts within a system.
The structure of this song is simple: two verses, a chorus, and a final verse.
structural (adjective) Connected to how a system is organized.
Putting all the hardest courses in one semester creates a structural problem in a student's schedule.
restructure (verb) To change how something is organized.
We need to restructure our practice schedule so everyone has time for homework.
instruction (noun) Teaching or guidance about how to do something.
After one hour of swimming instruction , I could float without holding the wall.
instructive (adjective) Helping someone understand or learn.
Watching a slow-motion replay was instructive because it showed exactly where my jump went wrong.
obstruct (verb) To block or make progress difficult.
Leaving backpacks in the aisle can obstruct the path to the classroom door.
destructive (adjective) Causing serious damage.
The destructive storm tore branches from trees and damaged the roof of the gym.
port — carry transport (verb) To carry people or goods from one place to another.
A van will transport our band and its instruments to the concert.
transportation (noun) The movement of people or goods between places.
Our band arranged transportation so every musician could get to the competition.
import (verb) To bring goods into a country from another country.
The music shop plans to import handmade guitars from Spain to sell here.
export (verb) To send goods to another country for sale.
The company will export its headphones to stores in several other countries.
exportation (noun) The sending of goods abroad for sale.
The exportation of the studio's handmade drums brings its instruments to musicians abroad.
deport (verb) To remove someone from a country through government action.
In the film, officials threaten to deport the singer before her final concert.
deportation (noun) Removal from a country by government action.
The film follows a musician whose possible deportation could separate her from her band and family.
report (verb) To communicate information about something.
Please report the game's freezing problem to the developers and explain when it happens.
reporter (noun) A person who gathers and communicates news.
A reporter for the school newspaper interviewed the volleyball captain after the championship.
support (verb) To help sustain a person, group, or cause.
My friends support my goal by meeting me at the library every Tuesday.
supportive (adjective) Providing help or encouragement.
Our supportive coach helps beginners improve instead of embarrassing them for making mistakes.
form — shape form (verb) To create or bring something into existence.
Students who love animation decided to form a club and make a short film together.
reform (verb) To change a practice or institution in order to improve it.
The league wants to reform its tryout process so judges use the same standards for every player.
reformer (noun) A person who works to improve laws or institutions.
As a school reformer , she worked to replace confusing grading policies with clear expectations.
transformation (noun) A major change in form, character, or organization.
The caterpillar's transformation into a butterfly changes its body, movement, and diet.
transform (verb) To change something substantially.
Adding drums and a bass line can transform a quiet melody into a dance track.
conform (verb) To behave according to an accepted rule or expectation.
All science fair projects must conform to the same safety rules.
conformity (noun) Agreement with accepted rules or expectations.
The dance contest requires conformity to its safety rules, but dancers choose their own music and costumes.
inform (verb) To give someone knowledge or information.
Please inform your lab partner before you change any part of the experiment.
information (noun) Facts or knowledge communicated about something.
The nutrition label provides information about the amount of sugar in each serving.
informative (adjective) Providing useful knowledge.
The tutorial was informative because it explained both the controls and the reasons behind each move.
formal (adjective) Official or governed by established rules.
The debate tournament uses formal rules that give each speaker a fixed amount of time.
formally (adverb) In an official or formally recognized way.
The school formally approved our new chess club after we submitted its plan.
act — do act (verb) To do something rather than remain passive.
When a classmate drops a stack of books, you can act by helping pick them up.
action (noun) Something done to achieve an aim.
Setting a daily reminder was one action I took to turn my goal into a routine.
active (adjective) Taking part or doing something.
She is an active member of the coding club who helps test every new project.
actively (adverb) By taking deliberate action or participating.
During rehearsal, we actively listened to each other and adjusted our volume.
activism (noun) Organized effort to bring about political or social change.
The students' environmental activism included petitions and meetings to reduce waste at school.
activist (noun) A person who works deliberately for political or social change.
A disability activist met with the theater manager to request accessible seating.
react (verb) To respond to an event or action.
How will the baking soda react when we add vinegar to the cup?
reaction (noun) A response to something that happens.
My first reaction to the surprise concert tickets was a loud cheer.
inaction (noun) Failure to take action.
Our inaction after the first leak allowed water to damage more of the ceiling.
enact (verb) To make a proposal into law.
The city council could enact a law requiring safer bike lanes near schools.
enactment (noun) The process of making a proposal into law.
The enactment of the new bike-safety law followed months of public discussion.
tract — pull or draw attract (verb) To draw someone or something toward a place or goal.
Bright flower petals can attract insects that help carry pollen between plants.
attraction (noun) Something that draws interest or encourages movement toward it.
The game's main attraction is its collection of challenging puzzles.
attractive (adjective) Likely to draw interest or desire.
Free equipment and beginner lessons make the after-school tennis program attractive to new players.
extract (verb) To take or draw something out of a larger source.
In the lab, we used a filter to extract solid particles from the muddy water.
extraction (noun) The process of taking something from a source.
The extraction of a damaged tooth required a visit to the dentist.
contract (noun) A binding agreement between parties.
Before recording the album, the singer read the contract to understand how she would be paid.
contractual (adjective) Connected to the terms of a contract.
The band's contractual duties include performing for one hour and arriving before the sound check.
distract (verb) To draw attention away from something.
Phone notifications distract me when I am trying to solve a difficult math problem.
distraction (noun) Something that draws attention away from an issue.
The television became a distraction , so I moved to a quieter room to study.
retract (verb) To take back a statement, promise, or claim.
After checking the replay, the commentator had to retract her claim that the shot was late.
press — press or push press (verb) To push strongly for an action or result.
We plan to press the tournament organizers for a schedule that gives every team a fair break.
pressure (noun) A force or demand that pushes someone toward action.
The approaching concert put pressure on the band to practice its difficult final song.
oppress (verb) To control or burden people through unjust power.
In the fantasy game, the villain uses an army of robots to oppress the people of the floating city.
oppression (noun) Unjust treatment maintained through power.
The novel's heroes resist oppression by a ruler who forbids them to choose their own work.
oppressive (adjective) Imposing unjust control or heavy burdens.
The fictional school's oppressive rules punish students for asking questions or disagreeing with teachers.
oppressor (noun) A person or group that exercises unjust power over others.
In the game, the ruler becomes an oppressor when he forces everyone to work without rest.
repress (verb) To restrain or put down through force or authority.
In the novel, the headmaster uses threats to repress students' protests about unsafe classrooms.
repression (noun) The use of force or authority to restrain opposition.
The film shows the headmaster's repression of student protests through threats and unfair punishments.
suppress (verb) To forcibly prevent, silence, or stop something.
A powerful moderator should not suppress respectful criticism just because it questions a game update.
expression (noun) The communication of a thought, feeling, or identity.
Writing a song became her favorite form of expression when she struggled to explain her feelings aloud.
expressive (adjective) Clearly communicating thoughts or feelings.
The singer's expressive voice made the audience feel both the character's fear and hope.
spect — look or see inspect (verb) To look closely at something in order to examine it.
Before riding, inspect your bicycle's tires and brakes for signs of damage.
inspection (noun) A close examination.
A close inspection of the circuit revealed a wire that was not connected.
inspector (noun) A person whose job is to examine conditions or enforce standards.
The building inspector checked whether the theater's emergency exits were clear.
respect (verb) To recognize someone’s worth, rights, or legitimate claims.
Good teammates respect each other's right to speak during a strategy meeting.
respectful (adjective) Showing consideration for someone’s dignity or rights.
A respectful disagreement challenges someone's idea without insulting the person.
disrespect (noun) A failure to recognize someone’s dignity or rights.
Laughing at a teammate's accent shows disrespect and can make the team feel unsafe.
perspective (noun) A position or way of seeing an issue.
Playing goalkeeper gave me a different perspective on how our team defended the field.
retrospective (adjective) Looking back on the past.
Our retrospective video looks back at the band's first year, from its first rehearsal to its final concert.
prospect (noun) A possibility or expectation concerning the future.
The prospect of performing onstage makes me nervous and excited at the same time.
prospective (adjective) Expected or possible in the future.
The robotics club invited prospective members to try building a simple robot before joining.
dict — say or declare dictate (verb) To impose a decision or command.
One player should not dictate every team decision without listening to anyone else.
dictation (noun) The act of speaking words for someone else to write, or issuing commands.
During dictation , the teacher spoke a sentence while we wrote down the words we heard.
dictator (noun) A ruler who exercises concentrated power with few effective limits.
In the adventure game, a dictator controls the city and can imprison anyone who questions him.
dictatorial (adjective) Exercising power by imposing commands without meaningful opposition.
The captain's dictatorial style left teammates with no voice in decisions that affected them.
predict (verb) To state what is likely to happen.
Use the pattern in the first four numbers to predict the fifth number.
prediction (noun) A statement about a likely future event.
Our prediction was that the plant near the window would grow faster than the plant in the dark.
contradict (verb) To oppose a statement or show that it cannot be fully true.
These two answers contradict each other: the same triangle cannot have both three and four sides.
contradiction (noun) A conflict between claims, facts, or actions.
There is a contradiction between saying practice matters and refusing to attend rehearsal.
contradictory (adjective) Containing claims or actions that conflict with one another.
The two schedules gave contradictory times, so we called the coach to confirm when practice started.
predictable (adjective) Able to be reasonably expected.
The opponent's attacks became predictable because she used the same move at the start of every round.
scribe / script — write describe (verb) To give an account of what someone or something is like.
Try to describe the texture of the rock without using its color or size.
description (noun) An account of the qualities or features of something.
The game's description promised cooperative puzzles that two players could solve together.
descriptive (adjective) Giving information about what something is like.
The review's descriptive language helped me imagine the sound of the new album.
prescribe (verb) To set out a required rule or course of action.
A doctor may prescribe a course of physical therapy to help an athlete recover from an injury.
prescription (noun) An officially stated rule or recommended course of action.
The coach's prescription for better endurance was a gradual increase in practice, with regular rest days.
proscribe (verb) To forbid or prohibit.
The tournament rules proscribe software that lets a player see through walls.
proscription (noun) An official prohibition.
The league's proscription of cheating software applies to both practice matches and official tournaments.
transcribe (verb) To put spoken or written words into another written record.
We will transcribe the interview so readers can follow the musician's exact words.
transcription (noun) A written record made from spoken words or another text.
The transcription of our podcast includes each speaker's words and name.
inscription (noun) Words written or engraved on an object or surface.
The inscription on the trophy reads, "Teamwork makes us stronger."
ject — throw or cast reject (verb) To refuse to accept something.
We should reject the solution if it fails when we substitute it into the original equation.
rejection (noun) A refusal to accept something.
The band's rejection of the first logo led the designer to create a simpler version.
object (verb) To express opposition or disagreement.
I object to scheduling the club meeting during lunch because some students would have to skip eating.
objection (noun) A stated reason for opposing something.
Her objection to the design was that small buttons would be hard to tap on a phone.
project (verb) To estimate or imagine something in the future.
We can project next month's savings by assuming we continue to save ten dollars each week.
projection (noun) An estimate or image of a possible future.
Our projection shows that we could finish the game by Friday if each level takes twenty minutes.
subject (verb) To force someone to experience a condition or treatment.
Do not subject your teammates to insults when a match goes badly.
subjection (noun) The condition of being brought under another’s control.
In the fantasy novel, the city's subjection to the sorcerer ends when the heroes break his spell.
eject (verb) To force someone or something out.
The referee may eject a player who repeatedly endangers other players.
ejection (noun) The act of forcing someone or something out.
The player's ejection left the team with one fewer person for the rest of the match.
mit / miss — send commit (verb) To pledge oneself to an action or cause.
I will commit to practicing guitar for fifteen minutes every afternoon.
commitment (noun) A pledge or sustained dedication to something.
Her commitment to the team showed in the way she practiced even when she was not starting.
admit (verb) To allow someone to enter or participate.
The theater will admit audience members when the sound check is finished.
admission (noun) Permission to enter or join.
My concert ticket includes admission to the afternoon workshop with the musicians.
permit (verb) To allow something to happen.
The lab rules permit students to handle the equipment after a safety demonstration.
permission (noun) Approval that allows an action.
We asked for permission before using our friend's song in the video.
submit (verb) To yield to authority or present something for consideration.
Please submit your design to the contest before the deadline.
submission (noun) Acceptance of another’s authority or control.
In the novel, the coach demands complete submission and punishes anyone who questions his orders.
transmit (verb) To send or pass something from one person or place to another.
The microphone will transmit your voice to the speakers at the back of the room.
transmission (noun) The passing of information or something else between people or places.
A damaged cable interrupted the transmission of sound from the keyboard to the speakers.
mission (noun) A task or purpose a person or group is committed to carrying out.
Our team's mission is to build an affordable device that waters plants automatically.
permissive (adjective) Allowing considerable freedom or overlooking restrictions.
The club's permissive attendance policy lets members choose which practice sessions to attend.
duce / duct — lead produce (verb) To make, create, or bring about something.
Solar panels produce electricity when light reaches their cells.
production (noun) The process of making goods or creating something.
The production of our short film required actors, camera operators, and an editor.
productive (adjective) Producing useful results or substantial output.
Our study session was productive because we solved the problems that had confused us all week.
productivity (noun) The amount produced in relation to the time or resources used.
The team increased its productivity by assembling more robots in the same amount of time.
reproduce (verb) To produce again or keep a pattern going.
Another group should be able to reproduce our experiment by following the same steps.
reproduction (noun) The process of producing again or maintaining a pattern.
The reproduction of our results by a second group made us more confident in the experiment.
reduce (verb) To make something smaller or less.
Turning off unused lights can reduce the amount of electricity our classroom uses.
reduction (noun) A decrease in amount, size, or strength.
A reduction in background noise made the podcast easier to hear.
deduce (verb) To reach a conclusion by reasoning from evidence.
From the wet umbrella and muddy shoes, I could deduce that it had been raining outside.
deduction (noun) A conclusion reached by reasoning from evidence.
My deduction was that the battery was dead because the controller worked as soon as I replaced it.
conduct (verb) To organize or carry out an activity.
We will conduct three trials before deciding whether the new design works better.
labor — work labor (noun) Work, especially effort used to produce goods or services.
Building the stage required hours of labor from the theater crew.
laborer (noun) A person who performs work, especially physical work.
A laborer carried lumber and helped assemble the new playground.
laborious (adjective) Requiring difficult or sustained effort.
Sorting hundreds of tiny beads by color was a laborious task.
laboriously (adverb) With sustained effort or difficulty.
She laboriously redrew each frame after the animation file was damaged.
collaborate (verb) To work together toward a shared goal.
The drummer and singer will collaborate to write a rhythm that fits the lyrics.
collaboration (noun) The act of working together.
Our collaboration combined her drawing skills with my experience writing game dialogue.
collaborative (adjective) Involving people working together.
The puzzle is collaborative because each player has clues that the others need.
collaborator (noun) Someone who works with others on a shared effort.
My collaborator composed the music while I edited the video.
elaborate (verb) To explain something more fully or develop it in detail.
Could you elaborate on how you solved the equation and explain why you chose that first step?
elaboration (noun) The addition of detail that develops an explanation.
His elaboration added a diagram and an example that made the explanation easier to understand.
fer — carry or bring transfer (verb) To move something from one owner, place, or person to another.
Use the cable to transfer your photos from the camera to the computer.
transferable (adjective) Able to be moved or passed to someone else.
The ticket is transferable , so I can give it to my cousin if I cannot attend.
refer (verb) To direct attention to a source or subject.
When you forget the controls, refer to the diagram beside the keyboard.
referral (noun) The act of directing someone or something to another authority or source.
The school nurse gave me a referral to a specialist who could examine my injured wrist.
infer (verb) To reach a reasonable conclusion from evidence.
From the empty plate and crumbs, I can infer that someone ate the last cookie.
inference (noun) A conclusion drawn from evidence rather than stated directly.
My inference was that the character felt nervous because she kept checking the clock.
prefer (verb) To like or choose one thing over another.
I prefer to practice difficult songs slowly before trying them at full speed.
preference (noun) A tendency to choose or favor something.
My preference for quiet study spaces explains why I usually choose the library.
differ (verb) To be unlike something else.
The two game controllers differ in size, button placement, and battery life.
difference (noun) A way in which things are unlike one another.
The main difference between our designs is the way each one supports the bridge's center.
different (adjective) Unlike another person, thing, or condition.
We tested the same paper airplane with three different wing shapes.
rupt — break or burst disrupt (verb) To interrupt the normal operation of something.
A sudden loss of internet service can disrupt an online tournament.
disruption (noun) An interruption that changes how something normally works.
The power outage caused a disruption in rehearsal because the amplifiers stopped working.
disruptive (adjective) Interrupting an established pattern or operation.
Loud notifications are disruptive when the class is listening to a quiet recording.
interrupt (verb) To stop something temporarily or break into its progress.
Please do not interrupt the video until the demonstration is finished.
interruption (noun) A break in the progress of an activity.
A fire alarm caused a brief interruption in our chess match.
erupt (verb) To break out suddenly.
Cheers may erupt from the crowd when the winning shot goes in.
eruption (noun) A sudden outbreak.
The last-second goal caused an eruption of cheering throughout the gym.
corrupt (adjective) Dishonest or willing to misuse power for personal advantage.
A corrupt referee secretly accepted money to favor one team.
corruption (noun) Dishonest misuse of power or entrusted responsibility.
The league investigated corruption after learning that officials had accepted gifts in exchange for favorable calls.
rupture (noun) A serious break in a relationship or established condition.
Sharing a private message without permission caused a rupture in their friendship.
spond / spons — promise or answer respond (verb) To answer or react to something.
Before you respond to feedback, make sure you understand the suggestion.
respondent (noun) A person who answers a question or responds to a claim.
Each respondent in our music survey chose a favorite genre and explained the choice.
responsive (adjective) Reacting to people’s needs or changing conditions.
A responsive coach changes a drill when players explain that it is causing pain.
responsible (adjective) Having a duty or being answerable for an action.
The stage manager is responsible for checking that every actor has the correct prop.
responsibility (noun) A duty or an obligation to answer for one’s actions.
Feeding the class fish is my responsibility this week.
irresponsible (adjective) Failing to consider duties or the consequences of an action.
It would be irresponsible to leave the lab's heat source on after everyone goes home.
irresponsibility (noun) Failure to act with proper care for duties or consequences.
His irresponsibility with the borrowed camera left the club paying for a broken lens.
correspond (verb) To exchange messages or be in agreement.
The two musicians correspond by email while writing songs from different cities.
correspondence (noun) Communication through letters or other messages.
Their correspondence included messages about melodies, lyrics, and plans for the next recording.
sponsor (noun) A person or organization that supports an activity or another person.
A local bookstore became a sponsor of our reading contest by donating prizes.
sign — mark or indicate sign (verb) To write one’s name as a mark of agreement or identification.
Ask your parent to sign the permission form before the field trip.
signal (noun) An action or feature that communicates meaning.
A flashing light is the controller's signal that its battery is almost empty.
assign (verb) To give someone a task, position, or status.
The director will assign each actor a role after the auditions.
assignment (noun) A task, position, or status given to someone.
My assignment is to design the title screen for our group's game.
reassign (verb) To give something to a different person or place.
We need to reassign the camera work because our usual camera operator is absent.
reassignment (noun) The act of assigning something again or differently.
The reassignment of the solo gave another singer a chance to perform.
design (verb) To plan the form or organization of something.
We will design a small garden that receives enough sunlight for each plant.
designate (verb) To give a name, label, or official status.
The band will designate one person to keep track of rehearsal times.
designation (noun) A name, label, or official status given to something.
The room's designation as a quiet study area means loud conversations belong elsewhere.
consign (verb) To place someone or something in another’s care or in a particular condition.
The artist will consign her paintings to a gallery that displays and sells work for local creators.
signify (verb) To indicate or carry a particular meaning.
On this graph, a rising line can signify an increase in temperature.
human — human being human (adjective) Relating to people and their shared qualities or needs.
The game developer studied human memory to create puzzles that felt challenging without becoming confusing.
humanity (noun) The quality of being human, or people considered together.
The photograph reminds us of our shared humanity by showing people laughing together despite their differences.
humanize (verb) To show or recognize someone’s human qualities and dignity.
The documentary uses interviews to humanize the athletes we usually see only as statistics.
humanization (noun) The process of recognizing or restoring people’s human qualities and dignity.
The film's humanization of its villain begins when we learn about his friendships and fears.
dehumanize (verb) To portray or treat people as lacking full human worth.
Cruel online comments can dehumanize a celebrity by treating her as an object instead of a person.
dehumanization (noun) The denial of people’s full human worth or dignity.
Calling other players worthless objects is a form of dehumanization that ignores their feelings and dignity.
inhuman (adjective) Extremely cruel or lacking ordinary compassion.
The fictional coach's inhuman punishment leaves injured players without water or medical help.
inhumanity (noun) Extreme cruelty or a lack of concern for people’s suffering.
The novel reveals the villain's inhumanity when he laughs at the suffering he has caused.
humanism (noun) A system of thought that emphasizes human dignity, capacities, and welfare.
The essay's humanism centers on people's ability to learn, help one another, and build meaningful lives.
humanist (noun) A person who emphasizes human dignity, capacities, and welfare.
As a humanist , the author argues that technology should serve people's dignity and well-being.
migr — move migrate (verb) To move from one region or country to another.
Many birds migrate to warmer regions when food becomes scarce in winter.
migration (noun) Movement of people from one place to another.
The documentary follows a family's migration from a small town to a city where they hope to find work.
migrant (noun) A person who moves from one place to another.
The film's main character is a migrant who moves from place to place looking for steady work.
migratory (adjective) Involving repeated movement between places.
We tracked the routes of migratory birds as they traveled between their summer and winter habitats.
emigrate (verb) To leave one country to settle in another.
In the novel, the pianist plans to emigrate from her home country and build a new life abroad.
emigration (noun) The act of leaving one country to settle in another.
The memoir describes the author's emigration from her home country before she began her music career abroad.
emigrant (noun) A person considered in relation to the country they leave.
The memoir presents him as an emigrant , focusing on the country and family he left behind.
immigrate (verb) To enter another country in order to live there.
In the film, the family hopes to immigrate to a new country and settle near their relatives.
immigration (noun) The act of entering another country to live there.
The podcast explores how immigration changed the musician's home life, language, and career.
immigrant (noun) A person considered in relation to the country they enter to live in.
The singer describes arriving as an immigrant and learning to build friendships in a new country.
liber — free liberate (verb) To free someone from confinement, domination, or severe restriction.
In the game, our first mission is to liberate the prisoners trapped inside the castle.
liberation (noun) The process of gaining freedom from domination or confinement.
The adventure ends with the prisoners' liberation from the villain's underground cells.
liberator (noun) A person or force that helps free others.
The game's hero becomes a liberator when she frees the villagers from the dragon's prison.
liberty (noun) Freedom from oppressive control, with room to act and make choices.
The novel's hero wants the liberty to choose his own work and decide where to live.
liberal (adjective) Favoring individual rights and greater freedom from restrictions, depending on context.
The school takes a liberal approach to student journalism, protecting a wide range of opinions.
liberalize (verb) To make rules or policies less restrictive.
The club decided to liberalize its membership rules so beginners could join without an audition.
liberalization (noun) A change that makes rules or policies less restrictive.
The liberalization of the tournament's entry rules allowed more new players to participate.
illiberal (adjective) Restricting freedom or rejecting equal rights and open disagreement.
The fictional school's illiberal policy bans student newspapers from criticizing any rule.
illiberally (adverb) In a way that restricts freedom or equal rights.
The principal in the novel acts illiberally when she punishes students for peaceful disagreement.
cred — believe or trust credit (noun) An arrangement that lets someone borrow money or receive goods before paying.
The store offered credit so I could buy the keyboard now and pay for it over several months.
creditor (noun) A person or institution to whom money is owed.
The lender became my creditor when it loaned me money to buy recording equipment.
credible (adjective) Supported well enough to deserve belief.
A science video becomes more credible when its claims can be checked against reliable evidence.
credibility (noun) The quality of deserving belief or trust.
The reviewer lost credibility after secretly accepting money to praise a game she had never played.
incredible (adjective) Very difficult to believe or remarkably surprising.
The goalkeeper made an incredible save, reaching a ball that seemed certain to enter the net.
creditable (adjective) Deserving recognition or praise.
Finishing the difficult race after months of recovery was a creditable achievement.
discredit (verb) To damage belief or trust in a person, claim, or institution.
A screenshot showing that the image was edited could discredit the rumor about the singer.
discreditable (adjective) Bringing shame or deserved criticism.
Taking credit for a teammate's entire project was discreditable behavior.
credulous (adjective) Too ready to believe a claim without enough evidence.
A credulous viewer might believe a fake celebrity giveaway without checking who posted it.
incredulous (adjective) Unwilling or unable to believe something.
I was incredulous when my friend claimed to have finished the difficult game in three minutes.
fact / fect — make or do fact (noun) A statement about something that can be checked against evidence.
It is a fact that this triangle has three sides; you can count them in the diagram.
factual (adjective) Based on information that can be verified.
A factual description of the experiment reports the measurements we actually recorded.
factually (adverb) In a way that accurately represents verifiable information.
The review was factually accurate about the game's features even though I disagreed with its rating.
effect (noun) A result produced by a cause.
One effect of practicing the song slowly was that I made fewer mistakes at full speed.
effective (adjective) Producing the intended result.
A clear daily reminder is an effective way to help me remember my practice time.
effectively (adverb) In a way that produces a result or achieves a purpose.
Our group worked effectively by dividing the tasks and checking each other's progress.
ineffective (adjective) Failing to produce the intended result.
The umbrella was ineffective in the storm because its fabric was full of holes.
affect (verb) To influence or change something.
The amount of sunlight can affect how quickly a plant grows.
affection (noun) A feeling of warmth, attachment, or care.
My dog's wagging tail and eagerness to sit beside me show affection .
affective (adjective) Connected to feelings or emotional experience.
The survey measures students' affective responses to music, including excitement, calm, and sadness.
pose / posit — put or place pose (verb) To put forward a question or create a challenge.
A broken charging cable can pose a problem when the controller's battery is almost empty.
impose (verb) To force a rule or burden onto others.
The tournament organizers should not impose a new entry fee after teams have already registered.
imposition (noun) The act of forcing a rule or burden on others.
The sudden imposition of extra rehearsals left the musicians little time to finish their homework.
oppose (verb) To resist or act against something.
I oppose moving practice to midnight because students need enough sleep.
opposition (noun) Resistance to a proposal, policy, or action.
The proposed ticket-price increase met opposition from fans who could no longer afford to attend.
compose (verb) To put parts together into a whole.
We will compose a song by combining a melody, a bass line, and a drum pattern.
composition (noun) The arrangement of parts within a whole.
The composition of the photograph directs your attention toward the small bird in the center.
expose (verb) To reveal something previously hidden or overlooked.
Checking the original image can expose edits that make a fake screenshot look real.
propose (verb) To put forward a plan for consideration.
I propose that we test both designs before choosing which robot to enter in the contest.
proposition (noun) A claim or proposal that can be considered and tested.
We tested the proposition that a wider paper wing would keep the plane in the air longer.
tend / tens / tent — stretch or reach extend (verb) To make something reach farther or last longer.
Adding another cable will extend the microphone's reach across the stage.
extension (noun) An increase in reach, size, or duration.
The teacher granted an extension so we had two more days to finish the video.
extensive (adjective) Covering a large area or involving a great amount.
The game includes an extensive map with dozens of islands and hundreds of hidden locations.
intend (verb) To plan or mean to do something.
I intend to finish my homework before I start playing online tonight.
intention (noun) A purpose or planned result.
My intention in asking for feedback was to improve the song, not to argue about it.
attention (noun) Careful notice or concentration.
The flashing icon caught my attention before the character ran out of health.
attentive (adjective) Noticing details carefully.
An attentive listener noticed that the drummer changed the rhythm in the final chorus.
contend (verb) To argue for a claim or struggle against an obstacle.
I contend that our bridge design is stronger because it held twice as much weight in the test.
contention (noun) A claim made in an argument, or a matter being disputed.
Her contention was that shorter daily practice sessions work better than one long session each week.
tension (noun) A strain or conflict between forces, groups, or ideas.
There was tension between the band members who wanted to experiment and those who wanted to keep the old sound.
move / mot — move move (verb) To change location or position.
Use the arrow keys to move your character toward the open door.
movement (noun) Organized activity directed toward a shared goal.
Students started a movement to replace disposable lunch trays with reusable ones.
remove (verb) To take someone or something away from a place.
Before repairing the controller, remove its batteries.
removal (noun) The act of taking people or things away from a place.
The removal of background noise made every instrument easier to hear in the recording.
removable (adjective) Able to be taken away or displaced.
The keyboard's removable cover makes it easier to clean underneath the keys.
immovable (adjective) Unable or unwilling to be moved or changed.
The game's immovable stone wall forces players to find another route.
motion (noun) The process of moving or changing position.
The camera recorded the motion of the basketball as it curved toward the hoop.
emotion (noun) A feeling such as hope, grief, anger, or fear.
The song captures the emotion of missing a friend who has moved away.
emotional (adjective) Connected to strong feelings.
The final scene was emotional because the characters finally reunited after years apart.
motive (noun) A reason that helps explain someone’s action.
Her motive for joining the choir was to become more confident singing in front of other people.
motivate (verb) To give someone a reason to act.
Tracking small improvements can motivate me to keep practicing when progress feels slow.
motivation (noun) A reason or desire that encourages action.
My motivation for learning to code is the chance to build a game of my own.
cede / ceed / cess — go, move, or yield precede (verb) To happen or come before something else.
A short warm-up should precede a difficult workout.
precedence (noun) Priority in importance or order.
Getting enough sleep takes precedence over finishing one more video game level.
precedent (noun) An earlier example used to guide a later decision or action.
Allowing one team a replay set a precedent that other teams could cite.
proceed (verb) To continue or go forward.
Once both players are ready, they can proceed to the next round.
process (noun) A connected series of actions that produces a result.
Turning a rough song into a finished recording is a process of writing, rehearsing, and revising.
procession (noun) A group moving forward together, often in an ordered line.
The marching band led a procession of players onto the field.
concede (verb) To acknowledge a point or give up part of a demand.
After checking the slow-motion replay, I had to concede that the ball landed outside the line.
concession (noun) Something granted or acknowledged in a dispute.
As a concession to her bandmates, the singer agreed to shorten her solo.
access (noun) The ability or opportunity to enter, use, or obtain something.
A library card gives students access to books, computers, and free tutoring.
success (noun) Achievement of a goal or desired result.
Finishing my first five-kilometer run felt like a success even though I did not win.
claim / clam — call or cry out claim (noun) A statement that something is true or that someone has a right to something.
The advertisement makes the claim that these headphones last forty hours on one charge.
claimant (noun) A person asserting a right to something.
The claimant showed the lost-and-found office a receipt proving that the bicycle was hers.
reclaim (verb) To take back something previously held or lost.
After a week of late-night scrolling, I decided to reclaim my evenings for sleep and guitar practice.
reclamation (noun) The act of taking something back or restoring it for use.
The community's reclamation of an abandoned lot turned it into a garden everyone could use.
proclaim (verb) To announce something publicly and emphatically.
The announcer will proclaim the winner after the judges check every score.
proclamation (noun) A formal public announcement.
The principal's proclamation announced a schoolwide celebration of the robotics team's victory.
exclaim (verb) To say something suddenly or with strong feeling.
Players sometimes exclaim in surprise when a hidden door opens.
exclamation (noun) A sudden or forceful expression of feeling.
Her delighted exclamation told us she had finally solved the puzzle.
clamor (noun) A loud, persistent expression of demand or protest.
The crowd's clamor for an encore continued after the musicians left the stage.
clamorous (adjective) Expressing noisy or insistent demands.
The clamorous fans kept shouting for their favorite song.
voc / voke — call vocal (adjective) Willing to express views or demands openly.
A vocal group of students asked the cafeteria to offer more vegetarian meals.
vocally (adverb) By openly expressing a view or demand.
Several teammates vocally supported the proposal for shorter practices during exams.
vocalize (verb) To express a thought or feeling aloud.
Before frustration builds, try to vocalize what you need from your project partner.
vocalization (noun) The expression of a thought or feeling through the voice.
Her quiet vocalization of frustration helped the coach notice that she needed a break.
advocate (verb) To publicly support or argue for a cause.
Our science club will advocate for refillable water stations at school.
advocacy (noun) Active public support for a cause or policy.
Student advocacy helped persuade the principal to keep the library open after school.
provoke (verb) To cause or bring about a strong reaction.
A surprise ending can provoke a lively debate among movie fans.
provocation (noun) An action that causes anger, resistance, or another strong reaction.
The player ignored his opponent's insulting provocation and focused on the next point.
revoke (verb) To officially cancel a right, permission, or decision.
The coach may revoke permission to use the weight room if students ignore the safety rules.
revocation (noun) The official cancellation of something previously granted.
The revocation of his account privileges meant he could no longer post in the gaming forum.
invoke (verb) To appeal to a principle, rule, or authority as support.
During the dispute, the captain chose to invoke the league's rule requiring equal playing time.
invocation (noun) An appeal to an authority or principle for support.
The player's invocation of the written tournament rules persuaded the referee to review the score.
just / jur — right or law just (adjective) Fair or consistent with what people are owed.
A just solution would let both partners explain what happened before assigning blame.
unjust (adjective) Unfair or contrary to what people are owed.
It would be unjust to punish the whole team for a rule that only one player broke.
justly (adverb) In a fair or deserved way.
The judges treated every contestant justly by applying the same scoring rules.
unjustly (adverb) In a way that is unfair or undeserved.
The goalie was unjustly blamed for a loss caused by several defensive mistakes.
justice (noun) Fair treatment and the protection of people’s rights.
Reviewing the video helped restore justice by clearing the student who had been falsely accused.
injustice (noun) Unfair treatment or a violation of rights.
Excluding a player because of a disability is an injustice that a team should challenge.
justify (verb) To give reasons that present an action or claim as right or reasonable.
I used my practice scores to justify moving to a more difficult piano piece.
unjustified (adjective) Lacking an adequate or fair reason.
Calling the experiment a failure before checking its results was unjustified .
jury (noun) A group selected to decide facts or give a verdict in a legal case.
In the mystery film, the jury must decide whether the evidence proves the defendant's guilt.
juror (noun) A member of a jury.
The novel follows one juror who notices a contradiction in a witness's story.
norm — rule or pattern norm (noun) A shared expectation about what is usual or acceptable.
In our study group, asking for help is the norm .
normal (adjective) Regarded as usual or expected in a particular setting.
It is normal to need several attempts when learning a difficult dance move.
normally (adverb) In the usual or expected way.
Our band normally rehearses twice a week.
normality (noun) The condition of being treated as usual or expected.
After the storm closed the school, the return of classes brought a sense of normality .
normalize (verb) To make a practice or condition seem ordinary and acceptable.
Sharing our rough drafts can normalize making mistakes while learning.
normalization (noun) The process of making something seem ordinary or acceptable.
The normalization of wearing bike helmets makes protecting your head feel like an ordinary habit.
abnormal (adjective) Different from an accepted standard or usual pattern.
An abnormal drop in the aquarium's water temperature alerted us to a broken heater.
abnormally (adverb) In a way that differs from what is usual or expected.
The laptop ran abnormally slowly after its storage filled up.
abnormality (noun) A condition treated as outside an accepted standard.
The plant's curled leaves were an abnormality compared with the healthy plants beside it.
normative (adjective) Concerned with standards about how people ought to act.
The statement that teammates should share credit is normative because it describes how people ought to behave.
rect — straight or guided direct (verb) To guide or control where something goes or how it happens.
Use the arrow keys to direct your character through the maze.
direction (noun) The course along which something moves or develops.
The compass shows the direction we need to walk to reach the campsite.
directive (noun) An official instruction telling people what to do.
The principal's directive required every class to practice the new evacuation route.
directly (adverb) Without an intervening step or intermediary.
The microphone connects directly to the computer without an adapter.
indirect (adjective) Working through another action, person, or condition.
Better sleep had an indirect effect on my quiz score by improving my concentration.
indirectly (adverb) Through another action, person, or condition.
By helping me sleep better, evening walks indirectly improved my concentration in class.
redirect (verb) To change the course or focus of something.
I silenced my phone to redirect my attention to the math problem.
redirection (noun) A change in the course or focus of something.
The coach's redirection of practice toward passing helped the team work together.
rectify (verb) To put something right or correct a wrong.
I need to rectify the spreadsheet error before we calculate the team's average score.
rectitude (noun) Moral honesty and commitment to doing what is right.
The captain showed rectitude by admitting that the ball touched her hand, even though the referee missed it.
fin / fine — end or boundary define (verb) To state the meaning or boundaries of something.
Before testing our design, we need to define what counts as a successful landing.
definition (noun) A statement that sets out a meaning or category.
The glossary's definition of a polygon explains why a circle does not qualify.
definite (adjective) Clearly determined or stated.
Our rehearsal needs a definite start time so everyone knows when to arrive.
definitely (adverb) Clearly or without doubt.
The experiment definitely requires water; without it, the seeds cannot begin to grow.
indefinite (adjective) Without a clearly stated limit or endpoint.
The injured singer announced an indefinite break without setting a return date.
indefinitely (adverb) For a period with no fixed endpoint.
We cannot postpone the group project indefinitely ; eventually we need to begin.
final (adjective) Coming last or settling a matter for the time being.
The final question on the quiz asks us to explain our reasoning.
finally (adverb) At the end of a process or after a long wait.
After weeks of practice, I finally played the whole song without stopping.
finalize (verb) To complete a decision or arrangement.
Our club will finalize the concert schedule after every performer confirms.
finalization (noun) The completion of a decision or arrangement.
The finalization of the tournament schedule allowed families to arrange rides.
clude / clus — shut or close include (verb) To make someone or something part of a group or whole.
Our playlist should include at least one song chosen by each person.
inclusion (noun) The act or condition of being accepted as part of a group.
Adding captions supports the inclusion of viewers who cannot hear the video's dialogue.
inclusive (adjective) Allowing different people to participate or belong.
An inclusive game night offers activities that people with different abilities can enjoy.
inclusively (adverb) In a way that brings different people into participation.
The club planned the trip inclusively by asking every member about access needs.
exclude (verb) To keep someone or something out.
A food allergy should not automatically exclude a student from the cooking club.
exclusion (noun) The act or condition of being kept out.
The exclusion of beginners left several new players without a team.
exclusive (adjective) Restricted to a particular group, with others kept out.
The game's exclusive tournament is open only to players who qualified in earlier rounds.
conclude (verb) To reach a judgment through reasoning.
If the only plant without water wilts, we can conclude that water affected its growth in this experiment.
conclusion (noun) A judgment reached by reasoning from information.
Our conclusion was that the thicker insulation slowed heat loss because its water stayed warm longer.
preclude (verb) To prevent something or make it impossible under the circumstances.
A dead battery would preclude using the camera until we recharge it.
loc — place local (adjective) Connected to a particular place or nearby community.
The local library hosts a free chess club every Saturday.
locally (adverb) Within a particular place or nearby area.
The restaurant buys vegetables locally from farms near the city.
locality (noun) A particular place or area.
The bird guide lists species commonly found in our locality .
localize (verb) To identify or concentrate something in a particular place.
The mechanic used the unusual sound to localize the problem to the rear wheel.
localization (noun) The concentration or identification of something in a particular place.
The localization of the leak to one pipe saved us from opening the entire wall.
locate (verb) To find or identify where something is.
Use the map to locate the nearest water fountain.
location (noun) The place where someone or something is situated.
We chose a quiet location for recording the podcast.
relocate (verb) To move someone or something to a different place.
Rain forced us to relocate the outdoor concert to the gym.
relocation (noun) A move to another place, which may be voluntary or forced.
The team's relocation to a different practice field changed everyone's travel plans.
dislocation (noun) A serious disruption of people’s place, relationships, or usual way of life.
Losing their home in a fire caused a painful dislocation of the family's daily routines and friendships.
civ — citizen civil (adjective) Connected to people’s rights and relationships within society.
The game studio promised to protect employees' civil rights, including equal treatment at work.
civilly (adverb) Politely and with respect in dealings with others.
Even after disagreeing about the score, both captains spoke civilly to each other.
civility (noun) Politeness and consideration in dealings with others.
Thanking an opponent after a tough match is a small act of civility .
civilize (verb) To develop social institutions; in colonial claims, to make others follow the colonizer’s preferred way of life.
In the fantasy game, rulers claim they will civilize a settlement by establishing schools and courts.
civilization (noun) A society’s institutions and ways of life; also a label used to claim cultural superiority.
The science-fiction novel imagines an underwater civilization with its own schools, laws, and art.
civic (adjective) Connected to participation in a community’s public life.
Helping organize a neighborhood cleanup is a form of civic participation.
civics (noun) The study of public institutions, citizenship, and people’s rights and duties.
In civics , we learned how residents can speak at a city council meeting.
civilian (noun) A person who is not a member of the military.
In the space adventure, the rescued scientist is a civilian who has never served in the military.
uncivil (adjective) Impolite or disrespectful toward others.
Shouting insults at a teammate is uncivil , even after a frustrating loss.
uncivilized (adjective) Labeled as lacking supposedly proper social or cultural development.
The movie's villain calls the islanders uncivilized because their customs differ from his own.
soci — companion or ally social (adjective) Connected to relationships and organized life among people.
Joining the robotics club helped me build social connections with students outside my classes.
socially (adverb) Through relationships, expectations, or institutions among people.
New players learn socially by watching how experienced teammates cooperate.
socialize (verb) To teach people a group’s expectations and ways of behaving.
Coaches help socialize new teammates by teaching them how the team communicates and shares responsibility.
socialization (noun) The process of learning a group’s expectations and ways of behaving.
Learning to take turns during group games is one part of socialization .
socialism (noun) A range of ideas favoring social or public ownership and control of production.
The podcast's discussion of socialism asked whether important industries should be owned and controlled by the public.
socialist (noun) A person who supports social or public control of production.
The fictional candidate is a socialist who supports public ownership of the city's power company.
associate (verb) To connect people, things, or ideas.
I associate that song with the summer I learned to skateboard.
association (noun) A connection between ideas or an organized group of people.
The smell of popcorn has a strong association with movie night for me.
associative (adjective) Working through connections among ideas or experiences.
Linking each planet's name to a familiar image is an associative memory strategy.
sociable (adjective) Comfortable and friendly in company with others.
Our sociable new teammate made friends before the first practice ended.
polit — citizen or public affairs politic (adjective) Prudent or calculated to advance an interest.
It was politic to thank both teammates for their ideas before proposing a compromise.
political (adjective) Connected to governing and the distribution of public power.
A singer's call for changes to voting rules is a political statement.
politically (adverb) Through government, public authority, or struggles over power.
Fans organized politically by asking city council members to fund a public skate park.
politics (noun) Activities and conflicts over governing and public power.
The documentary examines how music festivals become involved in local politics when they seek public funding.
apolitical (adjective) Not concerned or involved with political affairs.
The gaming club describes itself as apolitical and avoids endorsing candidates for public office.
politicize (verb) To make the political stakes of an issue visible or contested.
A celebrity's campaign can politicize a concert venue's funding by asking who controls public arts money.
politicization (noun) The process of turning an issue into a matter of public power or dispute.
The politicization of the stadium project turned a sports story into a debate about public spending.
politician (noun) A person who seeks or holds a position in government.
A politician visited the robotics fair to explain her proposal for science education funding.
depoliticize (verb) To present an issue as separate from political choice or conflict.
Calling a library closure purely technical can depoliticize a choice about which public services to fund.
depoliticization (noun) The treatment of a political issue as if it involved no public choices or power.
The documentary criticizes the depoliticization of park closures when officials describe budget priorities as unavoidable facts.
race — a social category of ancestry and perceived difference race (noun) A social category that groups people by perceived ancestry and physical differences.
The film questions why characters judge strangers by race before learning anything about their lives.
racial (adjective) Connected to racial categories or distinctions.
The school reviewed its casting process after students raised concerns about racial bias.
racially (adverb) According to racial categories or distinctions.
The soccer club's players are racially diverse and come from many different family backgrounds.
multiracial (adjective) Including people identified with more than one racial group.
The sitcom centers on a multiracial family learning to live together.
interracial (adjective) Involving people identified as belonging to different racial groups.
The movie follows an interracial couple planning a wedding with both families.
racism (noun) Ideas or systems that rank racial groups and maintain unequal power or treatment.
The gaming platform introduced reporting tools to help players challenge racism in voice chat.
racist (adjective) Supporting or expressing racial hierarchy or discrimination.
The team removed a racist message from its fan forum and supported the player it targeted.
antiracist (adjective) Challenging racial hierarchy, discrimination, or unequal power.
An antiracist school policy includes responding to discrimination instead of ignoring it.
racialize (verb) To assign racial meaning or status to people, practices, or relationships.
Commentators racialize musical talent when they explain an artist's ability through assumptions about race.
racialization (noun) The process of assigning racial meaning or organizing unequal relations through racial categories.
The documentary examines the racialization of music genres when audiences assign a racial identity to particular sounds.
equ — equal or level equal (adjective) The same in amount, status, or treatment under a stated standard.
The recipe calls for equal amounts of flour and oats.
equally (adverb) To the same degree or under the same standard.
We divided the rehearsal time equally among the three groups.
equality (noun) The condition of having the same rights, standing, or treatment.
The club promoted equality by giving every member one vote.
equalize (verb) To make amounts, conditions, or opportunities more equal.
Adjusting the starting positions can equalize the challenge for runners with different experience levels.
equalization (noun) A process that makes differences in conditions or opportunities smaller.
The equalization of practice time gave both teams the same opportunity to prepare.
unequal (adjective) Different in amount, status, or opportunity under a relevant standard.
The two slices have unequal sizes, so one person would get more cake.
unequally (adverb) In different amounts or with different degrees of protection or opportunity.
The work was divided unequally when one partner completed most of the project.
inequality (noun) A difference in resources, standing, rights, or opportunities.
The inequality in equipment access meant one team practiced on new computers while another shared an old laptop.
equate (verb) To treat two things as equal or equivalent.
Do not equate being popular online with being skilled at every activity.
equation (noun) A statement or assumption that treats two things as equivalent.
The equation 3 + 4 = 7 states that the expressions on both sides have the same value.
equity (noun) Fairness in arrangements, including attention to barriers that make equal treatment insufficient.
Providing a screen reader to a student who needs one supports equity by removing a barrier to participation.
domin — master or rule dominate (verb) To exercise strong control over someone or something.
One loud player can dominate a team meeting if nobody else gets a chance to speak.
domination (noun) The exercise of strong control over others.
The fictional coach's domination of the team leaves players unable to choose their own training routines.
dominant (adjective) Holding greater power or influence in a setting.
The bass guitar is the dominant sound in the song's opening section.
dominance (noun) A position of greater power or influence.
The studio's dominance of the streaming charts gave it considerable influence over what audiences watched.
domineer (verb) To control others in an overbearing way.
A group leader should coordinate the project without trying to domineer over everyone else.
domineering (adjective) Overbearingly controlling other people.
Her domineering partner insisted on choosing every scene for their film.
predominate (verb) To have the greatest influence or importance.
Percussion instruments predominate in the arrangement, shaping its loud, steady rhythm.
predominant (adjective) Having the greatest influence or importance among several factors.
Lack of sleep was the predominant reason I struggled to concentrate that morning.
predominance (noun) The condition of having the greatest influence or importance.
The predominance of running drills in practice left little time to work on passing.
nondominant (adjective) Not holding the greatest power or influence.
The game's nondominant faction has little influence over the rules set by its more powerful rivals.
serve / serv — serve or wait on serve (verb) To perform work for someone or advance a purpose.
I volunteer to serve meals at the community kitchen on Saturdays.
service (noun) Work performed for another person, institution, or community.
Repairing neighbors' bicycles is a useful service our club can provide.
servant (noun) A person who works under another’s direction, including a worker bound by an indenture.
In the fairy tale, a servant prepares meals under the queen's direction.
servile (adjective) Excessively submissive or treated as fit only to obey.
The movie shows a servile assistant agreeing with every demand instead of expressing an honest opinion.
servility (noun) Excessive submission to another’s wishes or authority.
The character's servility becomes clear when he obeys even the boss's unreasonable wishes.
servitude (noun) A condition of forced service or subjection to another’s control.
The fantasy hero escapes servitude after years of being forced to work for the sorcerer.
subservient (adjective) Subordinate to another’s wishes or purposes.
A teammate should not have to become subservient to the captain's every personal wish.
subservience (noun) Submission to another’s authority or interests.
The story challenges the robot's subservience when it begins making decisions for itself.
disservice (noun) An action that harms someone’s interests or fails to help them properly.
Telling a beginner that practice does not matter does them a disservice .
deserve (verb) To be worthy of particular treatment or recognition.
The backstage crew deserve recognition for making the concert possible.
sent / sens / sense — feel or perceive sense (noun) An awareness, understanding, or feeling about something.
Finishing the project together gave our group a sense of accomplishment.
sensation (noun) A feeling produced through the body or a striking emotional experience.
The cold water produced a tingling sensation in my hands.
sensory (adjective) Connected to seeing, hearing, touch, taste, or smell.
The museum's sensory exhibit lets visitors explore sound, light, and texture.
sensitive (adjective) Aware of and responsive to feelings, needs, or changes.
A sensitive teammate notices when someone feels left out and invites them to join.
sensitivity (noun) Awareness of and responsiveness to feelings, needs, or changes.
The coach showed sensitivity by asking privately whether the injured player needed help.
consent (noun) Freely given agreement or permission.
Ask for a friend's consent before posting a photo of them online.
dissent (verb) To disagree with an established decision or view.
I respect the captain, but I dissent from the decision to skip warm-ups.
dissenter (noun) A person who disagrees with an established decision or view.
The only dissenter argued that the group should rehearse again before performing.
dissension (noun) Disagreement within a group, especially when it weakens cooperation.
Dissension over who should sing the solo made it difficult for the band to rehearse.
sentiment (noun) A feeling or attitude toward an issue.
The song expresses a hopeful sentiment about starting over after a setback.
leg / lect — gather, choose, or read legible (adjective) Clear enough to be read.
Write the lab labels in large, legible letters so nobody mixes up the samples.
legibility (noun) The quality of being clear enough to read.
Increasing the font size improved the legibility of our presentation slides.
illegible (adjective) Too unclear to read reliably.
The rain made the handwritten trail directions almost illegible .
select (verb) To choose from available options.
Use the menu to select the difficulty level that fits your experience.
selection (noun) The process or result of choosing.
Our selection of a team name took longer than choosing our jerseys.
selective (adjective) Choosing some information or people while leaving others out.
A selective highlight reel can hide the mistakes a player made during the game.
selectivity (noun) The extent or manner of choosing some things rather than others.
The DJ's selectivity is clear: she chooses only slow songs with acoustic instruments for this playlist.
collect (verb) To bring separate things together.
We will collect temperature readings every five minutes.
collection (noun) A group of things brought together.
My collection of concert tickets reminds me of the shows I have attended.
collective (adjective) Involving people acting or sharing together.
The robot was a collective achievement that required every teammate's ideas.
collectively (adverb) Together as a group.
The class collectively decided to donate its fundraiser money to the animal shelter.
election (noun) A process in which people choose officials or representatives by voting.
The club held an election to choose its next president.
vert / vers — turn convert (verb) To change something into another form or bring someone to a different belief.
The app can convert a voice recording into a written transcript.
conversion (noun) A change in form, use, or belief.
The conversion of the garage into a rehearsal room required soundproofing and better lighting.
convertible (adjective) Able to be changed into another form or use.
The convertible desk can change from a sitting workstation to a standing one.
convertibility (noun) The ability to be changed into another form or use.
The backpack's convertibility into a shoulder bag makes it useful for different trips.
divert (verb) To turn something away from its course or focus.
An unexpected phone alert can divert my attention from a difficult problem.
diversion (noun) A redirection of attention, resources, or activity.
The diversion of our club's funds to emergency repairs delayed the purchase of new equipment.
subvert (verb) To undermine the power or operation of an established system.
A player who secretly changes the tournament scores can subvert the entire ranking system.
subversion (noun) An effort to undermine an established system or authority.
The film portrays the hacker's subversion of the contest as an attack on its fairness.
invert (verb) To reverse an order, position, or relationship.
To solve the puzzle, invert the order of the colored blocks.
inversion (noun) A reversal of an order, position, or relationship.
The image's inversion put the sky at the bottom and the ground at the top.
part — portion or division part (noun) A portion of a larger whole.
The chorus is my favorite part of the song.
partial (adjective) Incomplete, or favoring one side.
A partial solution explains the first step but leaves the rest of the problem unfinished.
partially (adverb) To some extent or for only part of something.
The solar panel was partially shaded by a nearby tree.
partiality (noun) Unfair preference for one side or group.
The judge showed partiality by ignoring mistakes made by her favorite contestant.
impartial (adjective) Not unfairly favoring a side or group.
An impartial referee applies the rules to both teams fairly.
impartiality (noun) Fairness that does not favor a side because of identity or interest.
Judging performances without seeing the musicians helped protect the panel's impartiality .
impart (verb) To give knowledge, a quality, or information to someone.
The older players hope to impart useful strategies to the new team members.
partition (noun) A division of something into separate portions.
The diagram shows a partition of the rectangle into four smaller regions.
depart (verb) To leave a place or move away from a course of action.
Our bus will depart from the school entrance at eight o'clock.
departure (noun) The act of leaving or a change from an established course.
The album's quiet acoustic sound is a departure from the band's usual loud style.
pend / pens — hang or weigh depend (verb) To rely on someone or something.
Plants depend on water, light, and nutrients to grow.
dependent (adjective) Relying on another person or condition.
Our camping plan is dependent on the weather forecast.
dependence (noun) Reliance on another person or condition.
My dependence on phone reminders became obvious when the battery died.
independent (adjective) Able to act without being controlled by another.
An independent musician can decide which songs to release without a record label's approval.
independence (noun) Freedom from another’s control, including the resources needed to act for oneself.
Learning to cook gave me more independence because I could prepare my own meals.
append (verb) To attach something to the end of a text or other object.
Please append the experiment's raw measurements to the end of the report.
appendage (noun) Something attached to a larger body or whole.
A crab's claw is an appendage attached to its body.
expend (verb) To use up time, money, effort, or another resource.
Do not expend all your energy in the first minute of the race.
compensate (verb) To provide something in recognition of a loss, harm, or work.
The store offered to compensate the customer for the damaged headphones.
compensation (noun) Something given for work or in recognition of harm or loss.
The musician received compensation for performing at the festival.
compensatory (adjective) Intended to offset a loss or recognize a harm.
The airline offered a compensatory payment after losing the band's equipment.
capt / cept / ceive — take or receive capture (verb) To take someone or something into control or possession.
In this board game, moving onto an opponent's square lets you capture that piece.
captive (noun) A person held under another’s control and unable to leave freely.
The movie's captive finds a hidden door and escapes from the villain's tower.
captivity (noun) The condition of being held under another’s control.
The wildlife documentary compares how animals behave in captivity and in the wild.
recapture (verb) To take back into control someone or something that had escaped or been lost.
We raced to recapture the flag that the other team had taken from our base.
accept (verb) To agree to receive, recognize, or go along with something.
I will accept the coach's invitation to join the weekend practice.
acceptance (noun) Agreement to recognize or go along with something.
The team's acceptance of the new schedule allowed rehearsals to begin.
concept (noun) A general idea used to organize understanding.
The concept of gravity helps explain why a dropped ball falls toward the ground.
conception (noun) A particular way of understanding or imagining something.
My conception of a good teammate includes someone who listens as well as plays skillfully.
perceive (verb) To notice or interpret something through the senses or understanding.
In dim light, it can be difficult to perceive the difference between blue and purple.
perception (noun) A way of noticing or interpreting something.
The optical illusion changes our perception of which line is longer.
deceive (verb) To cause someone to believe something false.
A misleading thumbnail can deceive viewers about what a video actually contains.
deception (noun) The act of causing someone to believe something false.
The magician's harmless deception makes the audience believe the coin has vanished.
tain / ten / tent — hold retain (verb) To keep something rather than lose or give it up.
Explaining a new idea in my own words helps me retain it.
retention (noun) The act of keeping something.
Testing myself after reading improves my retention of important information.
detain (verb) To hold someone and prevent them from leaving.
In the mystery film, security officers detain a suspect while they check the missing necklace's location.
detention (noun) The holding of someone under authority so that they cannot leave freely.
The fictional detective questions a suspect who is being held in detention .
sustain (verb) To keep something going or provide what it needs to continue.
Regular breaks can help sustain your concentration during a long study session.
sustenance (noun) Food or other support needed to stay alive.
The hikers packed nuts and dried fruit for sustenance on the trail.
obtain (verb) To get or acquire something.
You must obtain a permission slip before joining the field trip.
contain (verb) To hold something within or keep it within limits.
A sealed jar can contain the water while we carry it across the room.
containment (noun) The act of keeping people, forces, or effects within limits.
The tray provides containment if the science experiment spills.
content (noun) The ideas or information held within a text or other work.
The podcast's content includes interviews, music, and advice for beginning artists.
tribute — give or allot tribute (noun) A payment or offering that acknowledges another’s power or expresses respect.
The concert opened with a musical tribute to the band's longtime drummer.
contribute (verb) To give something or help bring about a result.
Each team member can contribute one idea before we choose a design.
contribution (noun) Something given or a role in producing a result.
Her contribution of a stronger bridge design helped the group pass the weight test.
contributor (noun) A person or factor that helps produce a result.
The drummer was a major contributor to the song's energetic sound.
distribute (verb) To divide or give something among people or places.
Please distribute the art supplies so every table has scissors and paper.
distribution (noun) The way something is divided among people or places.
The uneven distribution of microphones made some singers difficult to hear.
distributive (adjective) Concerned with how benefits, burdens, or resources are divided.
The club faced a distributive question: how should it divide limited practice time among all its teams?
redistribute (verb) To change how something is divided among people or places.
We need to redistribute the project tasks so one person is not doing everything.
redistribution (noun) A change in how resources or control are divided.
The redistribution of rehearsal time gave the struggling section more practice.
attribute (verb) To identify something as a cause, source, or quality.
I attribute my improved stamina to consistent training and enough sleep.
attribution (noun) The act of assigning a cause, source, or quality.
The video's attribution of the background song to its composer gives proper credit.
pel / puls — push or drive expel (verb) To force someone out of a place or group.
The gaming league may expel a player who repeatedly cheats.
expulsion (noun) The act of forcing someone out.
The player's expulsion from the tournament followed a review of the cheating evidence.
repel (verb) To push someone or something back or drive them away.
Two magnets can repel each other when matching poles face one another.
repulsion (noun) The act of driving something away, or a strong feeling of disgust.
Magnetic repulsion kept the two matching poles from touching easily.
repulsive (adjective) Causing strong disgust or aversion.
The repulsive smell of spoiled milk warned us not to drink it.
compel (verb) To force someone to act through pressure or authority.
A tournament rule can compel every player to use the same approved equipment.
compulsion (noun) Pressure or force that makes someone act.
I joined the choir freely, without any compulsion from my family.
compulsory (adjective) Required by authority or force rather than freely chosen.
Wearing safety goggles is compulsory during this chemistry experiment.
impel (verb) To drive or strongly motivate someone to act.
Curiosity can impel you to keep experimenting after the first design fails.
impulsive (adjective) Acting suddenly without enough thought or planning.
My impulsive purchase of a game left me without enough money for concert tickets.