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3.16 Words ending in ise and ize

The following are the only common words ending in ise:

  • advertise
  • advise
  • apprise
  • arise
  • chastise
  • circumcise
  • comprise
  • compromise
  • demise
  • despise
  • devise
  • disguise
  • enterprise
  • excise
  • exercise
  • franchise
  • guise
  • improvise
  • incise
  • merchandise
  • mortise
  • premise
  • reprise
  • revise
  • supervise
  • surmise
  • surprise
  • televise

To this list should be added all words with wise as a suffix.

Note that the suffix ise cannot be replaced with ize in this group.

Use the suffix ize for most other words, including civilize, criticize, italicize, itemize, memorize and organize.