CCC Synonyms-2003 Apr-Jun

CLOSE SYNONYMS OF THE WEEK

2003

April-June
(most recent first)

JUNE 30, 2003

CORRECTIVE / CORRECTIONAL

CORRECTIVE (adj/noun)—acting or intended to correct something / something that corrects or is intended to correct something

CORRECTIONAL (adj)—involving correction, particularly in a system of imprisonment, rehabilitation or probation

Note that it is a change in suffix that alters the meaning.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

We need to take corrective measures so that excessive pollutants are no longer allowed to contaminate the environment.

The new rules will be a good corrective to the faulty policies of the past.

There is considerable debate about whether modern correctional facilities function to rehabilitate criminals or merely incarcerate them.

JUNE 23, 2003

FEARSOME / FEARFUL / FEARLESS

This edition focuses on some CLOSE HOMONYMS: words that are the same or similar in sound but not necessarily the same in meaning.

FEARSOME (adj)—causing or inspiring fear
   FEARSOMELY—adv; FEARSOMENESS—noun

FEARFUL (adj)—having fear
   FEARFULLY—adv; FEARFULNESS—noun

FEARLESS (adj)—without fear
   FEARLESSLY—adv; FEARLESSNESS—noun

Note that it is a change in suffix that alters the meaning.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Perpetual war is a fearsome thing.

Critics say the constant media barrage of bad news is contributing to increasing fearfulness in modern society.

It’s a challenge to remain fearless in a world beset by actual and pending calamities on every side.

JUNE 16, 2003

ADVERSARY / OPPONENT / ENEMY

ADVERSARY (noun)—someone who disagrees with or goes against someone else in an argument, competition, debate or conflict
   ADVERSITY—noun; ADVERSARIAL—adj, ADVERSE—adj

OPPONENT (noun)—a person, group or team who challenges or goes against another in a contest, dispute or combat
   OPPOSITION—noun; OPPOSITE—adj; OPPOSE—verb

ENEMY (noun)—a person or group who hates or wishes to trouble, thwart or harm another person or group
   ENMITY—noun

Note: The above synonyms are listed in order of (more or less) increasing potency.

Related synonyms:

FOE (noun)

RIVAL (noun/adj/verb): RIVALRY—noun

ANTAGONIST (noun): ANTAGONISM—noun, ANTAGONISTIC—adj

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

There can be difficulties for large companies when managers promote adversarial relations between departments.

In Asian martial arts, the opponent is not to be treated as an enemy, but used to defeat himself.

There has been enmity between them since childhood, and now they are members of rival factions who are killing each other.

JUNE 9, 2003

COMPOSE / COMPRISE

Prefix: com- is not truly common in this case—meaning the usual ‘with’ in COMPOSE and, more atypically, ‘complete’ in COMPRISE.

COMPOSE (verb)—to combine together to form a whole
[Note: COMPOSE has several additional unrelated meanings.]

COMPRISE (verb)—to contain, incorporate or make up the whole of something
[Note: COMPRISE is somewhat more specific and literary than COMPOSE.]

Note: These synonyms are so close as to often be interchangeable.

Related synonym:

CONSIST (verb)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Water is composed of oxygen and hydrogen.

The course is comprised of several chapters from her recently published book. [Note: Americans will more often use (the passive) “The course is comprised of . . . .” rather than (the active) “The course comprises . . . .” Also used is “The course consists of . . . .” ]

The bulletin indicates the chapters that comprise the course of study for the semester. [Note: In general, COMPOSE is not used in this manner.]

JUNE 2, 2003

FEWER / LESS
NUMBER / AMOUNT
MANY / MUCH

For a bit of a departure from the usual, this edition focuses on ‘synonyms’ designating quantity, whose usage in standard English (though the distinction is on the verge of fading away) is determined by whether or not what they are describing is countable or uncountable.

The first sentence of each of the following pairs illustrates usage where the reference in question is countable; the second sentence illustrates usage where the reference in question is uncountable.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

There are fewer books on this subject than there used to be.
This recipe calls for less milk than the other dish; and less is better.
   [Note: ‘fewer’ is plural; ‘less’ is singular.]

The number of people at the banquet is larger than expected.
The amount of sugar in the bowl was greatly reduced after the dog
   found it.
   [Note: both ‘number’ and ‘amount’ are singular.]

Many of her friends are planning to visit this summer.
Much of what he said is useful.
   [Note: ‘many’ is plural; ‘much’ is singular.]

Note: As is often the case with English, there are exceptions to the above, such as: “Less than three years ago . . . .”

MAY 26, 2003

INEFFECTIVE / INEFFECTUAL

Common root: efficere (Latin—work out [ex ‘out’ + facere ‘to do’])
Common prefix: in- (not)

INEFFECTIVE (adj)—not having the desired effect
INEFFECTIVELY—adv; INEFFECTIVENESS—noun

INEFFECTUAL (adj)—not capable of having an effect
INEFFECTUALLY—adv; INEFFECTUALNESS—noun

Note: While INEFFECTIVE can be used in the positive (‘effective’), INEFFECTUAL is generally used only in the negative. Also note that it is a change in suffix that alters the meaning.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

The new policies have been ineffective and conditions are unchanged.

As a leader, he is widely regarded as incompetent and ineffectual.

MAY 19, 2003

PUZZLED / BAFFLED / PERPLEXED / BEWILDERED / MYSTIFIED

PUZZLED (adj)—confused and having difficulty in understanding or solving something
   PUZZLING—adj; PUZZLINGLY—adv; PUZZLEMENT—noun, PUZZLE—noun/verb

BAFFLED (adj)—helplessly unable to understand or solve something
   BAFFLING—adj; BAFFLINGLY—adv; BAFFLEMENT—noun; BAFFLE—verb

PERPLEXED (adj)—confused to the point of mental blankness or self-doubt
   PERPLEXING—adj; PERPLEXINGLY—adv; PERPLEXITY—noun;
   PERPLEX—verb

BEWILDERED (adj)—disoriented and unable to understand or deal with something [suggesting wonderment]
   BEWILDERING—adj; BEWILDERINGLY—adv; BEWILDERMENT—noun;
   BEWILDER—verb

MYSTIFIED (adj)—completely without a clue, in the dark [suggesting mysteriousness]
   MYSTIFYING—adj; MYSTIFYINGLY—adv; MYSTIFICATION—noun;
   MYSTIFY—verb

Note: The above synonyms are listed in order of (more or less) increasing potency.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

I was puzzled about what he said, as it contradicted what I was told by his wife.

It is baffling how reporters think they can get away with plagiarism in a society in which information is so accessible.

She’s been laid off again and is now totally perplexed about whether or not to continue in the field, or return to school for re-training.

This regime has a track record of mystifying the population with a bewildering array of unsupported accusations concerning alleged enemies.

MAY 12, 2003

SURPRISING / STARTLING / UNEXPECTED

SURPRISING (adj)—causing a sense of wonderment; not what was believed to be so [can also suggest a range of synonyms along the lines of astonishing (amazing but not particularly unanticipated)]
   SURPRISED—adj; SURPRISINGLY—adv; SURPRISE—noun/verb

STARTLING (adj)—causing alarm or fright in a person or animal so that they move involuntarily [used literally and figuratively; suggesting suddenness, shock and/or fear]
   STARTLED—adj; STARTLINGLY—adv; STARTLE—verb

UNEXPECTED (adj)—happening without prior knowledge or arrangement [least dramatic—though it can, it doesn’t necessarily include such connotations as suddenness, shock and/or fear]
   UNEXPECTEDLY—adv; UNEXPECTEDNESS—noun

Related synonyms:

UNANTICIPATED (adj)

UNFORESEEN (adj)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

The turn of events was surprising, and no-one was more surprised than he was.

I was startled to discover a huge spider clinging to a rock just next to my hand—it was a startling sight!

Our neighbors showed up unexpectedly and we were glad we had extra food.

MAY 5, 2003

PERSPECTIVE / PROSPECTIVE / RESPECTIVE

This edition focuses on some CLOSE HOMONYMS: words that are the same or similar in sound but not necessarily the same in meaning.

Common root: specere (Latin—look at)

PERSPECTIVE (noun)—description or assessment from a particular point of view; the appearance of objects at a distance receding from the viewer; vista

PROSPECTIVE (adj)—something expected, likely to be or become
   PROSPECTIVELY—adv

RESPECTIVE (adj)—particular, in accordance with stated particulars [an efficient means of linking corresponding items—see sentences below]
   RESPECTIVELY—adv

Note that it is a change in prefix that alters the meaning.

Related homonyms:

INTROSPECTIVE (adj): INTROSPECTIVELY—adv; INTROSPECTION—noun

RETROSPECTIVE (adj): RETROSPECTIVELY—adv;
   RETROSPECTION—noun
   [Note the commonly used expression: in retrospect (looking back)]

PROSPECTUS (noun)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

He is exceptionally knowledgeable about the region and his perspective on the issue is unique.

In some cultures, it is considered bad luck for the prospective groom to see the bride in her gown before the ceremony.

The directors of the marketing and sales departments attended with their respective teams.

The first, second and third chapters will be reviewed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

APRIL 28, 2003

INTERJECT / INTERRUPT / INTERVENE / INTERFERE

Common prefix: inter- (between)

INTERJECT (verb)—to insert something into a discussion
   INTERJECTION—noun

INTERRUPT (verb)—to break in and halt or disturb someone who is speaking or doing something; to temporarily discontinue something
   INTERRUPTION—noun

INTERVENE (verb)—to get involved in something that is happening, especially to delay, prevent or change the course of it; to occur between points of time or events
   INTERVENTION—noun

INTERFERE (verb)—to delay, hinder, prevent or change the course of something; to get involved in the affairs of others in an unwanted, undesirable or unhelpful manner
   INTERFERENCE—noun

Note: The synonyms above are listed in order of degree of imposition. In regard to usage, you can INTERRUPT a process, INTERVENE in it or INTERFERE with it, but you cannot INTERJECT it. Note also that INTERJECT and INTERVENE cannot be used in the passive mode.

Related synonym:

INTERPOSE (verb)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

He interjected his opinion, though he’s not very well informed about the subject.

We didn’t invite him to join us because he always interrupts the conversation.

He said he’ll have to interrupt the shipments if the parts don’t arrive soon.

The last time he intervened in the arrangements it only made things worse.

He was going to do it last week, but the holiday intervened.

We told him there was no way he’d be allowed to interfere with the plan.

APRIL 21, 2003

CURABLE / CURATIVE

This edition focuses on some CLOSE HOMONYMS: words that are the same or similar in sound but not necessarily the same in meaning.

CURABLE (adj)—able to be cured [passively capable of being healed]

CURATIVE (adj)—able to bring about a cure [actively capable of healing]

Note that it is a change in suffix that alters the meaning.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

This disease is not yet curable.

Vacations are often known to be curative.

APRIL 14, 2003

DELAY / POSTPONE / PROCRASTINATE

DELAY (verb/noun)—to wait until a later time to do something; to make something or someone late / something not starting at the expected time or put off until a later time, the extent of the lateness [can have a negative connotation, depending on context]

POSTPONE (verb)—to put off doing something to a later time or date [suggesting a longer period than a DELAY; neutral connotation]
POSTPONEMENT—noun

PROCRASTINATE (verb)—to repeatedly delay or postpone doing something that should be done presently [always has a negative connotation, further suggesting that whatever is being delayed or postponed may never get done]
PROCRASTINATION—noun, PROCRASTINATOR—noun

Note: The words ‘delay,’ ‘postpone’ and ‘procrastinate’ generally indicate a progression of increasing time, complication (and fault).

Related synonym:

PUT OFF (verb)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Due to the late arrival of the performers, the concert was delayed.

There’s been a delay in shipping the supplies because the strike is not yet resolved—a delay of three weeks.

The unfortunate state of the weather required the postponement of the conference to next month.

Often, the more a person procrastinates, the bigger the task comes to seem.

APRIL 7, 2003

QUESTIONABLE / DOUBTFUL / DUBIOUS

QUESTIONABLE (adj)—open to inquiry; subject to doubt; debatable; unlikely; unreliable [possible connotation of problematic]
   QUESTIONABLY—adv; QUESTIONABILITY—noun

DOUBTFUL (adj)—possibly not true; uncertain [literally, in doubt]
   DOUBTFULLY—adv; DOUBTFULNESS—noun

DUBIOUS (adj)—open to doubt; untrustworthy; of unsure outcome [negative connotation suggesting skepticism, suspicion or disbelief]
   DUBIOUSLY—adv; DUBIOUSNESS—noun

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

The plan is definitely questionable, but we’ve gone ahead with it anyway.

It’s doubtful whether or not they’ll be able to attend on Monday.

The statements he’s making to justify their actions are highly dubious in my opinion.

She has the dubious honor of representing a man for whom she has no respect.