CAT/GRE/SAT/IBPS VOCABULARY WITH ROOT WORDS AND MNEMONICS-10

 

1. Apprehensions (fears, anxieties)

• Root: prehend = to grasp → apprehend = mentally grasp (often fearfully)

• Mnemonic: “I apprehend danger” → I fear it

• Picture idea: A student gripping his head, imagining question marks and danger signs before an exam.

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2. Diffused (spread out, scattered)

• Root: fundere (Latin) = to pour

• Mnemonic: Diff-used perfume spreads everywhere

• Picture idea: Perfume mist spreading across a whole room.

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3. Complacency (self-satisfaction, lack of alertness)

• Root: placere = to please

• Mnemonic: “I’m too pleased to improve”

• Picture idea: A guard sleeping while thieves sneak in.

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4. Offset (counterbalance, compensate)

• Root: set = place → offset = set against

• Mnemonic: Loss is offset by profit

• Picture idea: A weighing scale balancing loss on one side and gain on the other.

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5. Slackening (reducing speed or intensity)

• Root: slack = loose

• Mnemonic: Slack rope = slow movement

• Picture idea: A runner slowing down near the finish line.

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6. Alleviate (reduce pain or problem)

• Root: levis (Latin) = light

• Mnemonic: Alleviate makes the burden light

• Picture idea: A doctor lifting a heavy load off a patient’s back.

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7. Expedite (speed up)

• Root: ped = foot

• Mnemonic: Fast feet = expedited work

• Picture idea: Papers flying quickly through an office conveyor belt.

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8. Moratorium (temporary ban or pause)

• Root: morari = to delay

• Mnemonic: More-atorium = more time given

• Picture idea: A big PAUSE button on loan repayments.

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9. Mercurial (unpredictable, changeable)

• Root: Mercury (Roman god & liquid metal)

• Mnemonic: Mood changes like mercury thermometer

• Picture idea: A person changing expressions every second.

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10. Prudent (wise, cautious)

• Root: providere = foresee

• Mnemonic: Prudent people see ahead

• Picture idea: A person checking the road carefully before crossing.

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11. Gibberish (nonsense speech)

• Root: Possibly from jabber

• Mnemonic: “gib-gib-gib” = meaningless sounds

• Picture idea: A speech bubble full of random symbols and letters.

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12. Impeccable (flawless, perfect)

• Root: peccare = to sin

• Mnemonic: Im-peccable = no sin, no mistake

• Picture idea: A spotless white shirt with a shining glow.

CAT/GRE/SAT/IBPS VOCABULARY WITH ROOT WORDS AND MNEMONICS-9

 

1. Blatant – obvious, glaring

Root: Old English blætant = bleating loudly

Mnemonic:
“Blatant = so loud it can’t be ignored.”

Picture idea:
A bright red sign flashing “CHEATING” in public 

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2. Imperative – absolutely necessary; urgent

Root: Latin imperare = command

Mnemonic:
“IMPERATIVE = command you must follow.”

Picture idea:
A strict officer shouting an order with no choice 

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3. Indigenous – native to a place

Root: Latin indigena = born in

Mnemonic:
“IN-DI-GEN = generated inside the land.”

Picture idea:
Tribal people living naturally in forests 

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4. Roster – list or schedule of duties

Root: Old French rostre = register

Mnemonic:
“ROSTER = duty list.”

Picture idea:
A timetable pinned on a notice board 

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5. Exempt – free from obligation

Root: Latin eximere = take out

Mnemonic:
“EX-EMPT = taken out.”

Picture idea:
One student walking out while others write an exam 

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6. Deterrent – something that discourages

Root: Latin deterrere = frighten away

Mnemonic:
“DETER = stop by fear.”

Picture idea:
A warning sign stopping people from entering 

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7. Rearguard – defensive action to delay defeat

Root: rear (back) + guard

Mnemonic:
“GUARDING from the back.”

Picture idea:
Soldiers protecting retreating troops 

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8. Unmitigated – absolute, not reduced

Root: Latin mitigare = soften

Mnemonic:
“UN-mitigated = not softened.”

Picture idea:
A storm with no shelter or relief 

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9. Swathes – large areas or quantities

Root: Old English swæð = track, strip

Mnemonic:
“SWATHES = wide strips.”

Picture idea:
Huge fields of crops stretching endlessly 

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10. Besieged – surrounded and attacked

Root: Old French sege = seat (to sit around)

Mnemonic:
“BESIEGED = trapped on all sides.”

Picture idea:
A castle surrounded by enemy forces 

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11. Regurgitate – bring back without thinking

Root: Latin gurges = throat, flood

Mnemonic:
“RE-GURGE = bring back up.”

Picture idea:
A student vomiting memorized answers in exam 

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12. Plausible – seems reasonable or believable

Root: Latin plausibilis = worthy of applause

Mnemonic:
“PLAUSIBLE = sounds clappable.”

Picture idea:
People nodding and clapping at an explanation 

CAT/GRE/SAT/IBPS VOCABULARY WITH ROOT WORDS AND MNEMONICS-8

 

1. Contracted – became smaller / reduced

Root: Latin con- (together) + trahere (to pull)

Mnemonic:
“CONTRACT = pull together → shrink.”

Picture idea:
A balloon slowly losing air and shrinking 

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2. Rejigged – rearranged, reorganized

Root: Informal English (jig = move around)

Mnemonic:
“RE-JIG = do it again in a new way.”

Picture idea:
Furniture being rearranged in a room 

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3. Percolate – to spread gradually

Root: Latin percolare = to strain through

Mnemonic:
“Coffee percolates → spreads slowly.”

Picture idea:
Coffee dripping slowly through a filter 

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4. Stubble – short hair after shaving

Root: Old English stub = stump

Mnemonic:
“STUBBLE = short hair stubs.”

Picture idea:
A man with rough beard just after 2–3 days 

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5. Remnants – leftover pieces

Root: Latin remanere = remain

Mnemonic:
“REMAIN = remnants.”

Picture idea:
Leftover food scraps on a plate 

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6. Unambiguous – very clear, no confusion

Root:

• un = not

• ambiguous (Latin ambigere = wander)

Mnemonic:
“NOT confusing = unambiguous.”

Picture idea:
A big green tick  with clear instructions 

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7. Disingenuous – insincere, pretending

Root: Latin dis- (not) + ingenuus (honest)

Mnemonic:
“DIS-GENUINE = not genuine.”

Picture idea:
A person smiling but hiding fingers crossed behind back 

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8. Ascertain – find out for sure

Root: Old French acertainer = make certain

Mnemonic:
“ASCERTAIN = make certain.”

Picture idea:
Detective confirming facts with a checklist 

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9. Modicum – a small amount

Root: Latin modicus = moderate

Mnemonic:
“MODEST amount = modicum.”

Picture idea:
Just a pinch of salt between fingers 

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10. Tacit – understood but not spoken

Root: Latin tacere = silent

Mnemonic:
“TACIT = silent agreement.”

Picture idea:
Two people nodding without speaking 

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11. Forerunner – one that comes before

Root: Old English fore = before + runner

Mnemonic:
“Runs before others.”

Picture idea:
A lead runner ahead of the race 

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12. Eradicate – destroy completely

Root: Latin eradix = root (radix)

Mnemonic:
“ERADICATE = remove from ROOT.”

Picture idea:
Weeds pulled out completely with roots 

CAT/GRE/SAT/IBPS VOCABULARY WITH ROOT WORDS AND MNEMONICS-7

 

1. Toady – a flatterer; someone who sucks up

Root: From “toad-eater” (one who did dirty acts to please others)

Mnemonic:
“TOADY = acts like a toad, crawling to please.”

Picture in your mind:
A person literally crawling and praising a boss exaggeratedly 

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2. Mangle – to damage badly

Root: Latin manus = hand (handled roughly)

Mnemonic:
“MAN-GLE = crush with hands.”

Picture:
Clothes twisted and torn inside a washing machine 

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3. Arduous – very difficult, exhausting

Root: Latin arduus = steep

Mnemonic:
“ARDUOUS = climbing a steep mountain.”

Picture:
A person climbing a steep hill, sweating heavily 

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4. Galvanised – suddenly motivated or shocked into action

Root: Luigi Galvani (electric experiments)

Mnemonic:
“GALVANI → electric shock → sudden action.”

Picture:
A person jolted by electricity and jumping into action 

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5. Machismo – excessive masculine pride

Root: Spanish macho = male

Mnemonic:
“MACHO show-off behaviour.”

Picture:
A man flexing muscles aggressively 

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6. Aspersions – harmful rumours or accusations

Root: Latin aspergere = to sprinkle

Mnemonic:
“Sprinkling dirt on someone’s reputation.”

Picture:
Someone throwing mud at another person’s image 

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7. Eroded – gradually worn away

Root: Latin erodere = to gnaw away

Mnemonic:
“ERODE = eaten away slowly.”

Picture:
River slowly eating away riverbanks 

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8. Tampering – interfering dishonestly

Root: Old French tempérer = to mix improperly

Mnemonic:
“TAMPER = touch secretly.”

Picture:
Someone secretly opening a sealed box

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9. Resolute – firm, determined

Root: Latin resolutus = loosened → decided firmly

Mnemonic:
“Resolution = strong decision.”

Picture:
A person standing firmly despite strong winds 

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10. Skewed – twisted, biased

Root: Old French eschiver = to slant

Mnemonic:
“SKEW = slanted view.”

Picture:
A tilted graph showing bias 

11. Wane – to decrease gradually

Root: Old English wanian = diminish

Mnemonic:
“WANING moon = shrinking.”

Picture:
Moon slowly getting smaller 

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12. Inordinately – excessively, unusually

Root: Latin in- (not) + ordo (order)

Mnemonic:
“Out of order = too much.”

Picture:
A person eating an absurdly large portion of food 

CAT/GRE/SAT/IBPS VOCABULARY WITH ROOT WORDS AND MNEMONICS-6

1. Indolent – lazy, avoiding work

Root word: Latin in- = not + dolere = to feel pain

Mnemonic:
“IN-DOLENT = not feeling pain → avoids effort → lazy.”

Picture idea:
A person sleeping while work piles up.

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2. Reverence – deep respect

Root word: Latin revereri = to stand in awe

Mnemonic:
“REVERENCE = respect with fear + admiration.”

Picture idea:
People bowing before a respected leader or deity.

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3. Sprightly – lively, energetic

Root word: Old English spright = spirit

Mnemonic:
“SPRITE-like = full of spirit and energy.”

Picture idea:
An energetic child jumping happily.

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4. Prowess – great skill or ability

Root word: Old French proece = valour, bravery

Mnemonic:
“PRO = professional level skill.”

Picture idea:
An athlete winning a competition.

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5. Impunity – freedom from punishment

Root word: Latin in- = not + punire = punish

Mnemonic:
“IN-PUNISH = no punishment.”

Picture idea:
A criminal walking free.

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6. Imminent – about to happen very soon

Root word: Latin imminere = to overhang

Mnemonic:
“IMMINENT = hanging over your head.”

Picture idea:
Dark storm clouds about to rain.

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7. Purveyors – suppliers of goods or services

Root word: Old French pourveoir = to provide

Mnemonic:
“PURVEY = provide.”

Picture idea:
A vendor supplying goods to customers.

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8. Prejudice – pre-judgment without facts

Root word: Latin prae = before + judicium = judgment

Mnemonic:
“PRE-JUDGE = PREJUDICE.”

Picture idea:
A person judging someone by appearance.

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9. Billow – to swell or surge outward

Root word: Old Norse bylgja = wave

Mnemonic:
“BILLOW = big wave or swelling smoke.”

Picture idea:
Smoke billowing from a chimney.

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10. Jejune – immature, dull, simplistic

Root word: Latin jejunus = empty, barren

Mnemonic:
“JEJUNE = empty ideas.”

Picture idea:
A bored student staring at a blank page.

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11. Edacious – excessively greedy, voracious

Root word: Latin edax = gluttonous

Mnemonic:
“EDA-CIOUS = eats everything.”

Picture idea:
A person eating excessively.

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12. Chagrin – distress or embarrassment

Root word: French chagrin = sorrow

Mnemonic:
“CHA-GRIN = forced sad grin.”

Picture idea:
A person embarrassed after a mistake.

CAT/GRE/SAT/IBPS VOCABULARY WITH ROOT WORDS AND MNEMONICS-5

 

1. Inadequacy – lack of ability or sufficiency

Root word: Latin in- = not + aequus = equal

Mnemonic:
“IN-ADEQUATE = not equal to the task.”

Picture idea:
A small person struggling to lift a heavy weight.

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2. Proliferation – rapid increase or spread

Root word: Latin proles = offspring + ferre = to carry

Mnemonic:
“PROLIFERATE = multiply like cells.”

Picture idea:
Cells dividing rapidly.

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3. Patronage – support or sponsorship

Root word: Latin pater = father

Mnemonic:
“PATRON = protector or supporter.”

Picture idea:
A wealthy sponsor supporting an artist.

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4. Fissure – a long narrow crack

Root word: Latin findere = to split

Mnemonic:
“FISSURE = split surface.”

Picture idea:
Cracked earth or a deep crack in the ground.

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5. Diatribe – a bitter, angry speech

Root word: Greek diatribein = to wear away (by talk)

Mnemonic:
“DIA-TRIBE = verbal attack.”

Picture idea:
Someone shouting angrily at a crowd.

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6. Commemorate – to remember and honour

Root word: Latin commemorare = to remind

Mnemonic:
“MEMORY + honour = COMMEMORATE.”

Picture idea:
A memorial ceremony with candles.

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7. Contrition – deep remorse or guilt

Root word: Latin conterere = to crush

Mnemonic:
“CONTRITE heart = crushed with guilt.”

Picture idea:
A person apologizing with folded hands.

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8. Mulct – to fine or punish financially

Root word: Latin mulcta = fine, penalty

Mnemonic:
“MULCT = money cut as punishment.”

Picture idea:
A judge imposing a fine.

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9. Sojourn – temporary stay

Root word: Old French sojorner = to stay

Mnemonic:
“SOJOURN = short stay.”

Picture idea:
A traveler staying briefly in a hotel.

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10. Sobriquet – nickname

Root word: French soubriquet = nickname

Mnemonic:
“SOBRIQUET = special name.”

Picture idea:
A name tag with a nickname written.

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11. Unravelling – coming apart, becoming clear

Root word: Old English ravelen = to tangle

Mnemonic:
“UNRAVEL = knots opening.”

Picture idea:
A ball of yarn coming apart.

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12. Accrued – accumulated over time

Root word: Latin accruere = to grow

Mnemonic:
“ACCRUE = add up slowly.”

Picture idea:
Money increasing in a savings account.

CAT/GRE/SAT/IBPS VOCABULARY WITH ROOT WORDS AND MNEMONICS-4

 

1. Punitive – relating to punishment

Root word: Latin punire = to punish

Mnemonic:
“PUNitive = PUNish.”

Picture idea:
Prison bars closing.

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2. Austerity – strict, harsh, simple living

Root word: Greek austēros = harsh, severe

Mnemonic:
“AUSTERITY = no luxury, only basics.”

Picture idea:
An empty simple room.

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3. Carceral – relating to prison

Root word: Latin carcer = prison

Mnemonic:
“CARCER → CARCERAL = jail system.”

Picture idea:
A prison corridor.

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4. Plummeting – falling very fast

Root word: Latin plumbum = lead (heavy metal that sinks fast)

Mnemonic:
“PLUMMET = drop like lead.”

Picture idea:
A falling arrow graph.

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5. Benign – kind, harmless

Root word: Latin benignus = kind

Mnemonic:
“BE + NICE = BENIGN.”

Picture idea:
A smiling kind doctor.

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6. Pedantic – overly concerned with minor details

Root word: Greek paidagōgos = teacher of children

Mnemonic:
“PEDANT = person who overcorrects.”

Picture idea:
A teacher correcting tiny mistakes with red pen.

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7. Rambunctious – noisy, wild, uncontrollable

Root word: From ramble + boisterous

Mnemonic:
“RAM = wild energy.”

Picture idea:
Hyperactive children running around.

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8. Lambaste – to criticize or beat severely

Root word: Old Norse lemja = to beat

Mnemonic:
“LAMBaste = LASH hard with words.”

Picture idea:
A newspaper headline criticizing someone.

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9. Bereft – deprived of, left without

Root word: Old English bereafian = to take away

Mnemonic:
“BEREFT = empty hands.”

Picture idea:
A lonely person sitting alone.

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10. Bracing – refreshing, strengthening, shocking

Root word:
Old French brace = to tighten

Mnemonic:
“BRACE yourself = prepare.”

Picture idea:
A person standing in cold wind by the sea.

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11. Sagging – drooping, sinking down

Root word: Old English sag = to sink slowly

Mnemonic:
“SAG = sink and droop.”

Picture idea:
A hammock hanging low.

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12. Furore – outburst of public anger/excitement

Root word: Latin furor = rage, madness

Mnemonic:
“FURY → FURORE.”

Picture idea:
A protesting crowd shouting.