In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word which is most similar in meaning to the given word: Fossilize.

Introduction / Context:
This synonym question tests your understanding of the word fossilize, which has both a literal and a figurative meaning in English. Literally, it refers to turning organic material into stone or a fossil. Figuratively, it can mean becoming fixed, rigid or outdated. The correct option must match this core idea of becoming stone like, hardened or unchanging.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Target word: Fossilize.
• Options: Petrify, Liquefy, Dissolve, Soften.
• Literal context: in geology, bones or plants can fossilize over millions of years.
• Figurative context: attitudes and institutions can fossilize and resist change.
• We must find a word that reflects the idea of turning into stone or becoming rigid.

Concept / Approach:
Petrify means to turn into stone or to make something stone like, and also to make someone so frightened that they cannot move. In the context of fossilize, the stone related meaning is important: both fossilize and petrify describe processes in which organic or living material becomes rock hard and preserved. The other options—liquefy, dissolve and soften—describe the opposite process of becoming more fluid or less solid, which is contrary to fossilization.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Recall the literal meaning of fossilize: to turn into a fossil, usually rock-like remains preserved in the earth.Recognise that this involves a hardening or stonelike transformation, not melting or softening.Check Petrify: one meaning is to turn organic material into stone or a similarly hard substance over time.Check Liquefy: means to become liquid or to cause something to melt into a liquid.Check Dissolve and Soften: both suggest losing solid structure, which is opposite of becoming fossilized.Therefore, Petrify is the closest synonym for Fossilize.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider example sentences: “Over millions of years, the dinosaur bones fossilized in the rock” can be paraphrased as “Over millions of years, the dinosaur bones petrified in the rock.” The meaning remains essentially unchanged. However, if we substitute liquefy, dissolve or soften, the sentence becomes scientifically incorrect because bones do not typically become liquid or soft in the fossilization process; they become stone like and preserved.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Liquefy refers to changing from solid to liquid, such as ice liquefying into water. Dissolve is used when a solid breaks up into very small particles inside a liquid, like sugar dissolving in tea. Soften means to become less hard or more flexible. All three describe processes that reduce hardness or solidity, whereas fossilize and petrify describe an increase in hardness and preservation. They are effectively antonyms, not synonyms, of fossilize in this context.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates confuse fossilize with any type of change in state and may wrongly pick liquefy or dissolve because they are common science words. It is important to associate fossilize with fossils and stone. Likewise, petrify is often learned in the sense of extreme fear, but you should remember its original meaning of turning into stone. Keeping both meanings in mind helps you correctly identify Petrify as the best synonym here.

Final Answer:
The word similar in meaning to “Fossilize” is Petrify.