CCC Synonyms-2003 Oct-Dec

CLOSE SYNONYMS OF THE WEEK

2003

October-December
(most recent first)

DECEMBER 29, 2003

YEAR / EAR

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

YEAR (noun)—365 days (366 in a ‘leap’ year) from January 1 to December 31, according to the Gregorian calendar

EAR (noun)—organ of hearing and balance, the external part of which is visible at the sides of the head [see dictionary for other usages of EAR]

International speakers of English often confuse the pronunciation of these words, which differ at the beginning. The pronunciation of the ‘Y’ in YEAR involves a movement of the jaw; whereas the pronunciation of EAR originates in a constriction in the throat. (See www.m-w.com for audio pronunciation.)

SAMPLE SENTENCE:

An English-speaking bird whispered in my ear: Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!

DECEMBER 22, 2003

HOLIDAY

For a bit of a departure from the usual, in celebration of the holiday season, this edition focuses on a brief etymology (origin and evolution) of the word HOLIDAY.

HOLIDAY (noun)—religious festival, time of relaxation and recreation

From: holy (Old English—halig), probably “kept whole and inviolate;” apparently linked to (Germanic) kailo—with associated meanings of well-being, happiness, good fortune [from which are also derived modern English words like whole, wholesome, hallowed, holistic, hale, heal, health, healthy]

SAMPLE SENTENCE:

Cross-Culture Communications sends holiday greetings—wishing all clients, subscribers and website visitors, near and far, the very best for the coming year!

DECEMBER 15, 2003

TOLERANT / TOLERABLE

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

TOLERANT (adj)—accepting of the views and actions of those with different beliefs and behaviors; able to put up with adverse situations or treatment [persons are TOLERANT or INTOLERANT]

TOLERABLE (adj)—able to be put up with; fairly good [conditions, circumstances, actions, etc. are TOLERABLE or INTOLERABLE; be careful when using these words in regard to persons]

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

Related forms:

TOLERANTLY / TOLERABLY (adv)
INTOLERANTLY / INTOLERABLY (adv)
TOLERANCE / TOLERABILITY / TOLERATION (noun)
INTOLERANCE / INTOLERABILITY / INTOLERATION (noun)
TOLERATE (verb)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

To keep their jobs, teachers are often obliged to be tolerant of disrespectful students, even when the students’ behavior is truly intolerable.

He is an intolerable companion—I prefer to go with his sister.

The film is tolerable, but the history it depicts is grossly inaccurate.

DECEMBER 8, 2003

DUSK / SUNDOWN / SUNSET

All commonly interchangeable nouns, these three synonyms nevertheless have distinct usages—DUSK the least specific, SUNSET the most:

DUSK (poetic)—light increasingly fading and darkening

SUNDOWN—sun disappears below horizon, often with display of color

SUNSET—astronomical designation: the moment the upper limb of the sun’s disk disappears below the horizon

Related synonym:

TWILIGHT (noun): like DUSK, also poetic

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Dusk is referred to as ‘magic hour’ in the film industry because of the mysterious quality of the light.

In some traditional cultures, everyone stops what they’re doing and gathers together at sundown to observe the departure of daylight.

According to online weather data, sunset tomorrow is at 4:50 p.m.

DECEMBER 1, 2003

DAWN / SUNUP / SUNRISE

All commonly interchangeable nouns, these three synonyms nevertheless have distinct usages, increasingly more specific:

DAWN (poetic)—light and colors first become visible in eastern sky

SUNUP—sun first appears above horizon

SUNRISE—astronomical designation: the moment the upper limb of the sun’s disk appears above the horizon

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

“It’s always darkest before the dawn” is a well-known saying.

We’ll leave for our hike at sunup.

According to online weather data, sunrise tomorrow is at 7:07 a.m.

NOVEMBER 24, 2003

ADVERSE / AVERSE

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: vertere (Latin—to turn)

ADVERSE (adj)—characterized by opposition, difficulty, unfavorableness
ADVERSITY—noun; ADVERSELY—adv

AVERSE (adj)—disinclined toward or opposed to something or someone
AVERSION—noun; AVERSELY—adv

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

Related close homonym:

AVERT (verb): to turn one’s eyes away, or to prevent something (typically undesirable) from happening

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

He had an adverse reaction to the new medicine.

He is averse to drugs in general.

NOVEMBER 17, 2003

DISGUISED AS / IN THE GUISE OF

DISGUISED AS (set expression)—deliberate imitation of someone or something else in order to prevent recognition or be taken as that person or thing

IN THE GUISE OF (set expression)—presenting a false or deceptive appearance so as to be taken for someone or something other than is actually the case

Note: These two expressions are related in meaning; however, in addition to their different applications, they also use different grammatical formulations.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

One of his soldiers was disguised as Napoleon in order to serve as a decoy.

In the guise of a liberator, Napoleon set out to bring all of Europe under his autocratic rule.

NOVEMBER 10, 2003

LEERY / WARY / CAUTIOUS / SUSPICIOUS

LEERY (adj)—regarding something or someone with doubt or suspicion

WARY (adj)—being careful, hesitant or watchful
   WARILY—adv; WARINESS—noun; BEWARE—verb

CAUTIOUS (adj)—attentive and unhurried, especially in regard to trouble or danger
   CAUTIOUSLY—adv; CAUTION—noun/verb

SUSPICIOUS (adj)—tending to believe that something is questionable, untrue or wrong, distrustful
   SUSPICIOUSLY—adv; SUSPICION—noun; SUSPECT—verb/noun

Note: These words are listed more or less in order of potency, from mild to strong.

Related synonym:

HESITANT (adj)—holding back from action [neutral in connotation]
HESITANTLY—adv; HESITATE—verb; HESITATION—noun

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

I’m leery of his proposal because I don’t think he’s authorized to make it.

She’s wary of men who try to become familiar too shortly after first meeting.

Politicians are learning to be extremely cautious about what they say to the media.

The public has been cautioned about the impending storm.

His behavior has been quite suspicious, and his neighbors are beginning to suspect trouble.

NOVEMBER 3, 2003

DUPLICITY / DUPLICATE

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: duplicare (Latin—to double)

DUPLICITY (noun)—falsification of the truth through deceptive words or actions [implying being ‘double’ in one’s conduct]
DUPLICITOUS—adj; DUPLICITOUSLY—adv

DUPLICATE (adj/noun/verb)—(to make) an exact copy; to double; to do something again, possibly unnecessarily [Note that the verb is pronounced with a ‘long A,’ adj/noun with a ‘short A’]

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

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

He is the most duplicitous student ever admitted to this school.

This is a duplicate report, the manager has the original in her files.

It’s a duplicate of last week’s report.

Her assistant duplicated it at my request.

OCTOBER 27, 2003

PRIDE / ARROGANCE / HUBRIS

PRIDE (noun/verb)—a personal sense of having exceptional qualities, accomplishments or possessions, often undeserved or to the point of self-perceived superiority; to indulge in such a sense [neutral connotation depending on context]
PROUD—adj; PROUDLY—adv; PRIDEFUL—adj; PRIDEFULLY—adv; PRIDEFULNESS—noun [PRIDEFUL and its variations are more literary usages]

ARROGANCE (noun)—an expression of self-importance displayed by treating others with presumption, disregard or contempt [negative connotation]
ARROGANT—adj; ARROGANTLY—adv

HUBRIS (noun)—excessive pride, arrogance and/or ambition [strong negative connotation; from the Greek hybris, originally ‘presumption toward the gods,’ though it has now lost this implication]

Note: Listed more or less in order of potency.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

They take great pride in their children.

He prides himself on the extent and quality of his collections.

The members of the board were too arrogant to mingle with the employees.

Many people around the world are critical of the United States for its hubris in intervening in the affairs of other countries.

OCTOBER 20, 2003

COME / GO

COME (verb)—to approach or arrive at something or some place

GO (verb)—to move in a particular direction or between unspecified points; [also, to leave a place]

Note: This set of words is an example (5 of 5) of close synonyms with virtually the same meaning that have specialized usages and/or particular grammatical patterns. The point of this contrast is to demonstrate that the location of the speaker determines which verb is used—see sentences below.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

[Speaker is in Mexico] My cousin came to live in Mexico when he was nine years old.

[Speaker is not in Mexico] My cousin went to live in Mexico when he was nine years old.

[Speaker is in Canada] My cousins are coming to the party [in Canada] next month.

[Speaker is not in Canada] My cousins are going to the party [in Canada] next month.

OCTOBER 13, 2003

SAY / TELL

SAY (verb)—to utter or express words or sounds [typically does not take an object, but does take a preposition—see sentences below]

TELL (verb)—to give an account, information or instruction; to issue an imperative command or order [typically takes an object, but not a preposition—see sentences below; also, care must be taken with the imperative sense which, if misused, can seem rude]

Related synonyms:

SPEAK (verb): to utter sounds or words with the voice, to give a speech

TALK (verb): to express something in speech, have a conversation, give a speech

Note: This set of words is an example (4 of 5 to come) of close synonyms with virtually the same meaning that have specialized usages and/or particular grammatical patterns. Also note that these words have additional meanings and applications.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

They said they will arrive at 3 o’clock.

They told me they will arrive at 3 o’clock—they told it to me personally.

I said to him, “You did a great job.”

I told him, “You did a great job.”

He told her to be on time since the meeting will begin promptly.

She was told to bring the most recent data. [Note: in this case, ‘to’ is part of the verb ‘bring’, not a preposition.]

OCTOBER 6, 2003

LISTEN / HEAR

LISTEN (verb)—to focus on hearing something; with the extended meaning of ‘pay attention’ or even ‘obey’ [active; typically takes the preposition ‘to’]

HEAR (verb)—to perceive sound; to find out or be told about something; with the extended meaning of ‘understand’ [passive; typically takes no preposition]

Note: This set of words is an example (3 of 5 to come) of close synonyms with virtually the same meaning that have specialized usages and/or particular grammatical patterns. Also note that these words have additional meanings and applications.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

I have always enjoyed listening to music.

The traffic was so loud he couldn’t hear what she was saying.

Teachers want children to listen to their instructions, but kids are often too distracted to hear them.

They’ve heard that the CEO won’t be attending the meeting after all.