CCC Synonyms-2004 Jan-Mar

CLOSE SYNONYMS OF THE WEEK

2004

January-March
(most recent first)

MARCH 29, 2004

FORCED / FORCIBLY / FORCEFULLY

FORCED (adj)—done involuntarily or under pressure or with effort
   FORCEDLY—adv

FORCIBLY (adv)—imposing one’s will or overcoming resistance on the basis of an official mandate, assumed power or superior strength
   FORCIBLE—adj

FORCEFULLY (adv)—accomplished through the application of energy, compulsion or brute force
   FORCEFUL—adj; FORCEFULNESS—noun

Note that it is a change in suffix that alters the meaning. Note too that the difference between FORCIBLY and FORCEFULLY is subtle and slight, and they are often used interchangeably.

Related forms:

FORCE (verb/noun)
ENFORCE / ENFORCEMENT (verb/noun)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

She’s not comfortable in public, and her presentations always seem a little forced.

People living in the Three Gorges region of China have been forcibly moved from the area by government edict in order to make way for a controversial dam. In cases of resistance, residents have been forcefully removed by the military and police.

My accountant gave me a forceful lecture about not being late, and now that I’ve been procrastinating, I’m forced to do my income taxes at the last minute.

MARCH 22, 2004

REASON / EXCUSE

REASON (noun)—an explanation, motive or justification for a belief, position or action
REASONABLE—adj; REASONABLY—adv; REASONABILITY—noun

EXCUSE (noun)—a reason or explanation that might be valid or, alternately, might be superficial or untrue
EXCUSABLE—adj; EXCUSABLY—adv; EXCUSABLENESS—noun

Note: REASON and EXCUSE are also verbs. Note too that EXCUSE is pronounced with a ‘soft S’ (hissing sound) as a noun, and with a ‘hard S’ (vibrating sound like a ‘Z’) as a verb.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

The reasons he gives for repeatedly being late to the weekly meetings sound more like excuses to me.

I would excuse his being late if he had a good reason.

MARCH 15, 2004

SUCCESSFUL / SUCCESSIVE

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

SUCCESSFUL (adj)—achieving an intended or favorable outcome; becoming wealthy and/or prominent
SUCCESSFULLY—adv; SUCCESS—noun; SUCCEED—verb

SUCCESSIVE (adj)—following directly in a sequence
SUCCESSIVELY—adv; SUCCESSION—noun, SUCCESSOR—noun; SUCCEED—verb

Note that the verb form is SUCCEED for both—meaning ‘make good’ in the former case, and ‘come close after’ in the latter. Note too that it is a change in suffix that alters the meaning.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Once his company became successful, he got even more contracts, and joked that ‘nothing succeeds like success’—a popular saying.

Bush succeeded Clinton as president of the United States. However, though Bush would like to serve successive four-year terms as did his predecessor, he may not succeed due to increasing dissatisfaction with the economy.

MARCH 8, 2004

INTELLECT / INTELLIGENCE

Common etymology: inter- (between) + legere (choose, pick out)

INTELLECT (noun)—the faculty of discerning, understanding or (abstract) reasoning [INTELLECT can be ‘good’ or ‘poor’]
INTELLECTUAL— noun/adj; INTELLECTUALISM—noun; INTELLECTUALLY— adv; INTELLECTUALIZE—verb

INTELLIGENCE (noun)—the capacity to learn and apply information and skills [there are many kinds of intelligence: intellectual, body, emotional, etc.; INTELLIGENCE can be ‘high’ or ‘low,’ while INTELLIGENT always signifies ‘high;’ also used to mean information or news]
INTELLIGENT— adj; INTELLIGENTLY— adv; INTELLIGENTSIA—noun

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

Related synonym:

INTELLIGIBLE (adj)—capable of being understood

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

This journalist is supposed to be a well-regarded intellectual, but he doesn’t even seem intelligent to me—in fact, I find his articles completely unintelligible.

Modern schools train intellectual intelligence, but how does society assist the young in learning to be emotionally, physically and socially intelligent?

MARCH 1, 2004

PERSONALITY / CHARACTER

PERSONALITY (noun)—overall composite of a person’s traits, attitudes, behavior, interests, etc. [neutral in connotation: signifying type, e.g., cheerful, generous, etc.; can also be used in reference to an animal or place]
PERSONAL—adj; PERSONALLY—adv; PERSONIFY—verb; PERSON—noun, PERSONA—noun

CHARACTER (noun)—overall set of qualities that distinguishes a person’s moral integrity [technically neutral—however, depending on context, CHARACTER can be understood as inherently positive; can also be used in reference to an animal or place]
CHARACTERISTIC—adj/noun; CHARACTERISTICALLY—adv; CHARACTERIZE—verb; CHARACTERIZATION—noun

Note: CHARACTERISTICS is used in the plural to represent aspects of distinctiveness. Also note that CHARACTER can be used (as a slang term) to mean someone with an eccentric PERSONALITY. Note too that CHARACTER is not to be confused with CARICATURE (no ‘H’), meaning an exaggerated version of someone or something’s CHARACTERISTICS. Both of the synonyms listed above have other, more minor, applications.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Many people feel that a recent scandal-prone American president has a great personality but dubious character.

His sister has a great personality and is always a pleasure to be with; and he himself is a real character, always clowning and playing practical jokes.

I was told he is a man of integrity, but upon meeting him I was keenly disappointed in his obvious lack of character. In fact, he was a caricature of the person I was expecting.

Managers are assumed to have certain characteristics qualifying them to make important decisions.

FEBRUARY 23, 2004

COMPULSORY / COMPULSIVE

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

COMPULSORY (adj)—obligatory, forced, required by law or custom
COMPULSORILY—adv; COMPULSORINESS—noun

COMPULSIVE (adj)—habitually driven by, or exerting, a compelling power
COMPULSIVELY—adv; COMPULSIVENESS—noun

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

Related forms:

COMPULSION (noun)
COMPEL (verb)
COMPELLING (adj)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Many educators, parents and students across the country are increasingly opposed to compulsory examinations.

To lose weight, it is generally considered compulsory to exercise and not to eat compulsively.

No matter the risk, compulsive gamblers can’t stop gambling, just like addicted shoplifters compulsively steal.

FEBRUARY 16, 2004

PLAN / PLOT / SCHEME / CONSPIRE

PLAN (verb/noun)—to work out in advance, to intend; a method or intention [Note that PLAN has additional usages.]
   PLANNER—noun

PLOT (verb/noun)—to make a secret, possibly illicit, plan; a subversive intention [Note that PLOT has additional usages.]
   PLOTTER—noun

SCHEME (verb/noun)—to devise a possibly secret and/or damaging plan; a systematic intention, possibly to harm [Note that SCHEME has additional usages.]
   SCHEMER—noun

CONSPIRE (verb)—to contrive secretly with others to commit an illicit or subversive act; to combine toward a result [neutral or ironic in the latter usage]
   CONSPIRATOR—noun, CONSPIRACY—noun; CONSPIRATORIAL—adj; CONSPIRATORIALLY—adv

Note: These words are listed more or less in order of both intensity and negativity, from neutral to strong.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

We are planning to go to a warm place for our vacation.

Among the staff, those wishing to remove the current manager are plotting to contact the head of the department.

He has been scheming to terminate his sister’s engagement by spreading lies about her boyfriend.

The producers said the news story would refute popular conspiracy theories, but they conveniently ignored data concerning the second bullet.

The fine weather and my friend’s good mood conspired to make me enjoy myself tremendously.

FEBRUARY 9, 2004

OPEN / AJAR

OPEN (adj)—permitting unobstructed passage; not closed or locked [Note that OPEN has many additional usages.]

AJAR (adj)—open a little bit [Note that AJAR pertains only to doors—not cans or boxes or windows (unless the window swings open like a door).]

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

When he grew up in New York City in the 1950s, people not only left the door to their apartment unlocked, in warm weather they left it wide open.

We thought the place was closed, but then noticed the door was ajar.

FEBRUARY 2, 2004

RELATIVE / RELATION / RELATIONS / RELATIONSHIP

RELATIVE (noun/adj)—a family member; having value or meaning in connection to something else, in comparison to [Note that RELATIVE has several additional specialized meanings]
RELATIVELY—adv; RELATIVITY—noun; RELATED—adj; RELATE—verb

RELATION (noun)—a connection between two or more things; someone with whom there is a family relationship [somewhat less intimate than RELATIVE]
RELATIONAL—adj

RELATIONS (noun)—family members; a euphemism for sexual activity; contacts between persons or groups; a short-form for RELATIONSHIPS [in such usages, always plural]

RELATIONSHIP (noun)—a meaningful connection or similarity between things or people [more specific, perhaps more significant, than RELATION; implying emotional or sexual intimacy (depending on context)]

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

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Some schools of philosophy suggest there is no fixed reality, that human perception is inherently relative.

Relative to the other VP, he is easy to get along with.

He is related to me, a relative of mine. She is also a relation. All my relations are coming this weekend.

China and India have been working on improving relations.

It often happens that if you’re in a relationship, you wish you were free; but if you’re free, you wish you had someone to relate to.

JANUARY 26, 2004

COMPROMISE

The following is an example of a single word having more than one distinct usage, such as to constitute multiple meanings within itself.

COMPROMISE (verb/noun: positive connotation)—to accept less than what one wants, mutually concede; something intermediate or hybrid

COMPROMISE (verb/noun: negative connotation)—to make an unfortunate concession, surrender (one’s) integrity, cause the impairment of someone/something, expose someone/something to suspicion or danger

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

When different parties have equally valid but opposing interests, most people agree the best way to resolve the matter is for both sides to compromise. Reaching a compromise is generally considered the most effective way of resolving disputed issues. [positive connotation]

When doing any form of physical training, it’s important that developing one area of the body is not accomplished by compromising the integrity of another—if another area is compromised, you may improve one thing but worsen something else. [negative connotation]

JANUARY 19, 2004

WISH / HOPE

WISH (verb/noun)—(to have) a strong desire for something or for something to be true or happen [frequently used in the plural; the object of WISH can often be unrealistic or unlikely]
WISHFUL—adj; WISHFULLY—adv

HOPE (verb/noun)—(to have) a desire for something based on an expectation that it will come to pass [frequently used in the plural; considered a strong word in spiritual contexts, yet considered weak in business usage; the object of HOPE is typically possible or probable]
HOPEFUL—adj; HOPELESS—adj; HOPEFULLY—adv; HOPELESSLY—adv

Note: WISH and HOPE are often, but not always, interchangeable. See the sentences below for some of the differences.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

I wish I had known him earlier in my life. [Note: cannot use ‘hope.’]

I hope you had a good vacation. [Note: cannot use ‘wish.’]

I hope I have not offended her. [Note: verb structure does not allow ‘wish’—since it conveys the possibility that she was not offended.]

I wish I had not offended her. [Note: verb structure does not allow ‘hope’—since it conveys the certainty that she was offended.]

Instead of something like: “I hope to hear from you.”, it is more effective in business correspondence to say something like: “I look forward to hearing from you.”

“Best wishes” is a typical sign-off in English language correspondence—always in the plural.

“High hopes” is another English expression—also plural—as in: He has high hopes for the team’s success.

JANUARY 12, 2004

SENTIMENT / FEELING

SENTIMENT (noun)—a feeling, attitude or emotion [often used in the plural; risky connotation due to the association with highly emotional SENTIMENTAL; SENTIMENT (unlike FEELING) is available in many different parts of speech]
SENTIMENTAL—adj; SENTIMENTALLY—adv; SENTIMENTALITY—noun, SENTIMENTALISM—noun; SENTIMENTALIZE—verb

FEELING (noun)—awareness or experience of a physical, mental or emotional sensation [often used in the plural; FEELING has a much wider range of meanings and applications than SENTIMENT; occasionally used as an adj; generally neutral connotation unless modified]
FEELINGLY—adv; FEEL—verb/noun

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Young people often seem to lack the kind of sentiment expected by the older generation.

“My sentiments exactly” is a set expression in English meaning that one feels the same way.

The feeling among the engineers is that the new product isn’t ready to be released—I also have a bad feeling about it.

His feelings were hurt when she didn’t call as promised.

JANUARY 5, 2004

FORTUNATE / FORTUITOUS

FORTUNATE (adj)—coming by favorable chance
FORTUNATELY—adv; FORTUNE—noun

FORTUITOUS (adj)—promoting good fortune, accidentally lucky [thing or event, not person]
FORTUITOUSLY—adv; FORTUITY—noun

Note that it is a change in suffix that alters the meaning. Note also that these words are both positive, while FORTUNE itself is neutral—capable of being good or ill.

Related synonyms:

LUCKY (adj): LUCKILY—adv; LUCK—noun

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

After living in an underdeveloped country some years ago, they feel all the more fortunate to enjoy the benefits of an advanced economy.

Fortuitous circumstances allowed him to get a good education and escape an otherwise difficult childhood.

Prominent people often admit that there’s been an element of luck involved in their success.