Y09W09VC Word Roots — epi- (on/above)

The point on the Earth's surface directly above the origin of an earthquake; more broadly, the central point of any major event or crisis.

Word Breakdown: epi- (prefix meaning 'upon' or 'above') + -centre (the central or focal point)

Example: The city became the epicentre of the debate about housing affordability, attracting national media attention.

Synonyms: centre, focal point, hub

Collocations: epicentre of the crisis, epicentre of debate, at the epicentre

A widespread outbreak of a disease or other harmful phenomenon that affects a large number of people across a region.

Word Breakdown: epi- (prefix meaning 'upon' or 'among') + -demic (from Greek demos, meaning 'people')

Example: Researchers described the rise in youth anxiety as an epidemic that required urgent investment in mental health services.

Synonyms: outbreak, surge, crisis

Collocations: mental health epidemic, epidemic proportions, contain an epidemic

A section at the end of a book, play or text that concludes the story or adds a final reflection; a concluding event or statement.

Word Breakdown: epi- (prefix meaning 'after' or 'upon') + -logue (from Greek logos, meaning 'word' or 'speech')

Example: The novel's epilogue revealed the fates of the main characters ten years after the central conflict had resolved.

Synonyms: conclusion, afterword, postscript

Collocations: write an epilogue, the epilogue reveals, serve as an epilogue

Widely occurring, existing or accepted across a particular group, place or period of time.

Word family: prevalence (n.), prevalently (adv.)

Example: Misinformation about health issues has become increasingly prevalent on social media platforms.

Synonyms: widespread, common, pervasive

Collocations: prevalent in, highly prevalent, prevalent attitude

Continuing firmly or obstinately despite difficulties or opposition; lasting over a long period.

Word Breakdown: per- (prefix meaning 'through' or 'thoroughly')

Word family: persistence (n.), persist (v.)

Example: Despite decades of policy reform, persistent inequality in educational outcomes continues to disadvantage rural communities.

Synonyms: ongoing, continuous, enduring

Collocations: persistent problem, persistent inequality, persistent pattern

Spreading through or present in every part of something; having a widespread influence or effect.

Word family: pervasively (adv.), pervasiveness (n.)

Example: The influence of social media has become so pervasive that it now shapes expectations in nearly every area of daily life.

Synonyms: widespread, all-encompassing, ubiquitous

Collocations: pervasive influence, pervasive culture, pervasive attitude

So deeply established that it is very difficult to change or remove; firmly fixed in place.

Word family: entrench (v.), entrenchment (n.)

Example: Entrenched poverty in certain communities reflects systemic failures that have accumulated over generations.

Synonyms: deep-rooted, embedded, ingrained

Collocations: entrenched attitudes, entrenched inequality, become entrenched

Relating to or deeply embedded within an entire system, organisation or society, rather than affecting only individual parts.

Word family: system (n.), systematic (adj.)

Example: Addressing systemic racism requires reform at institutional, legal and cultural levels simultaneously.

Synonyms: structural, institutional, deep-rooted

Collocations: systemic issue, systemic racism, systemic change

Used to introduce a comparison that highlights the differences between two things or ideas.

Example: Northern regions experienced record rainfall; in contrast, the southern states recorded their driest year on record.

Synonyms: on the other hand, by comparison, conversely

Collocations: in contrast to, in stark contrast, in contrast, however