GRE Words with Root "sub/sus/sup" (32 words)

About this Root

Core idea: Latin sub- (also sus-, sup- before some letters) means under, below, secretly, or up from below (as in sustain—hold up from underneath).

How it shows up on the GRE

Besides literal “under,” look for “lesser,” “hidden,” or “supporting from below”: subordinate, subterfuge, subtle (finely woven under the surface).

Quick hooks from this list

Subpoena — under penalty (legal order).
Supplant — trip up from below; replace.
Surreptitious — sneaky (seized from under the cloak).

subjective

based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions.

subjugate

to conquer

sublime

exalted

subordinate

of less or secondary importance.

suborn

induce by bribery or something to commit perjury

subpoena

written order requiring a person to appear in a low court

subservient

prepared to obey others unquestioningly.

subside

To sink or fall to the bottom; to settle, as lees.

substantiate

prove; show to be true; give substance to; support; justify; vindicate; corroborate; endorse; give credence to; vouch for, attest to

subsume

include or absorb (something) in something else.

subtle

Hard to grasp; not obvious or easily understood; barely noticeable.

succinct

briefly and clearly expressed

succor

assistance relief in time of distress

succumb

yield, die

sully

to tarnish

sumptuous

magnificent

sundry

various miscellaneous; separate

supercilious

arrogant

superficial

(chiefly in plural) A surface detail.

superfluous

unnecessary, especially through being more than enough.

superimpose

put something on the top

supersede

take the place of (a person or thing previously in authority or use); supplant.

supplant

supersede and replace.

supple

bending and moving easily and gracefully; flexible.

suppliant

asking humbly beseeching

supplicate

ask or beg for something earnestly or humbly.

supposition

assumption

suppress

prevent from being known put an end to

surfeit

satiate feed to fulness or to excess

surmount

To get over; to overcome.

surreptitious

kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.

suspect

A person who is suspected of something, in particular of committing a crime.