CCC Synonyms-2004 Oct-Dec

CLOSE SYNONYMS OF THE WEEK

2004

October-December
(most recent first)

DECEMBER 27, 2004

FORTUNATE / LUCKY

FORTUNATE(adj)—enjoying, bringing or resulting in something good (connotation of fate)
FORTUNATELY—adv; FORTUNE—noun (good FORTUNE / ill FORTUNE)

LUCKY(adj)—enjoying, bringing or resulting in something good (connotation of chance)
LUCKILY—adv; LUCK—noun; LUCKLESS—adj

Note that it is a change in connotation (rather than definition) that alters the meaning.

Related (slang) forms:

LUCK INTO (verb)—obtain by chance
LUCK OUT (verb)—obtain by chance

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

She’s had the good fortune to have her hard work recognized and rewarded.

Luckily he was able to make a fortune before the stock unexpectedly fell.

First, we lucked into two good seats at the theater, then we lucked out with a last-minute dinner reservation as well.

DECEMBER 20, 2004

CHRISTMAS / EID / HANUKKAH / KWANZAA

Season’s Greetings!
from Cross-Culture Communications

For a bit of a departure from the usual, in honor of the season, this edition focuses on sharing information about the (cross-cultural) end-of-year holidays generally celebrated in the US.

CHRISTMAS—observedby Christians celebrating the birth, within the then Roman-occupied Jewish homeland, of Jesus Christ as savior of mankind; associated with the story is the homage paid the infant by Three Wise Men from the East bearing gifts (short form: XMAS; a.k.a., NOËL, also YULE/YULETIDE)

EID—(approx. pronunciation: ‘eed’); the holy day of Eid ul-Fitr (one of the two ‘Eid’ festivals in the Islamic year), during which Muslims exchange social visits and participate in community prayers and activities, marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan

HANUKKAH—(‘re-dedication’); rooted in ancient traditions, becoming widely celebrated by Jews a century or so ago, honoring a miracle at the time of the re-dedication of the Temple (after a victorious war for survival) in which lamps, for which there was not enough oil, yet burned for eight nights (alternate spelling: CHANUKAH)

KWANZAA—a 7-day festival established mid-20th century by the African-American community in celebration of seven principles of pan-African community life; the name deriving from the expression ‘Matunda Ya Kwanza’ meaning ‘first fruits’ (alternate spelling: KWANZA)

SOLSTICE—date/time when one of the earth's hemispheres is tilted furthest toward or away from the sun; in winter, causing the shortest day and longest night of the year (the reverse in summer); Winter Solstice (a.k.a., ‘first day of winter’) is considered by pagans in the northern hemisphere to be the precursor of all of the above holidays—a celestial rather than religious or cultural occurrence

Greetings (respectively):

“Merry Christmas” (“Feliz Navidad” in the Hispanic community)

"Eid mubarak" (mubarak: ‘blessed’; no English greeting currently in use)

“Happy Hanukkah”(“Hanukkah Sameah”in Hebrew)

“Habari Gani?”(Swahili: “What’s the news?” Answer: One of the seven principles—one for each day)

PS: SPRING FESTIVAL (a.k.a., ‘Chinese Lunar New Year’) coming soon!

Greeting (in Mandarin):

“Xinnian Kuaile!” (“Happy New Year!”)

DECEMBER 13, 2004

OFFICIAL / OFFICIOUS

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

OFFICIAL(adj/noun)—related to or authorized by an authority; one who holds a position of authority
OFFICIALLY—adv; OFFICIALDOM—noun, OFFICIALESE—noun; OFFICIALIZE—verb, OFFICIATE—verb

OFFICIOUS(adj)—behaving in an unnecessarily helpful manner (can have the connotation of behaving in a manner suggesting authority)
OFFICIOUSLY—adv; OFFICIOUSNESS—noun

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

Related forms:

OFFICE (noun)
OFFICER (noun)
OFFICIARY (noun)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

The decision of the court may be official, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is just.

The new VP seems very down-to-earth and regular, not like her officious predecessor constantly imposing superfluous rules and requirements.

DECEMBER 6, 2004

FREQUENT

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

FREQUENT (adj)—happening often or regularly within a short time
FREQUENTLY—adv; FREQUENCY—noun

FREQUENT (verb)—to often or habitually go to or visit a place

Note that syllable stress (on the first syllable when used as an adjective) can shift somewhat or entirely to the second syllable when used as a verb.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Misjudging the costs of war is a frequent occurrence. (adj)

She likes to frequent the coffee-houses near the campus. (verb)

NOVEMBER 29, 2004

DISPENSE / DISPENSE WITH

For a bit of a departure from the usual, this edition focuses on words that change meaning when combined with a certain preposition as a phrasal verb.

DISPENSE(verb)—to distribute or hand out, to parcel or portion out
DISPENSATION—noun, DISPENSER—noun, DISPENSARY—noun; DISPENSABLE—adj

DISPENSE WITH(verb + preposition)—to get rid of or do away with, to forgo or do without

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

The pharmacy dispensed the proper dosages and the medications were then dispensed among the patients.

We dispensed with the formalities and got immediately down to the business at hand.

NOVEMBER 22, 2004

THANKS

There are many permutations of the expression thanks in English.

THANK(verb)

THANKS(noun)

Thank you

Thank you so much

Thank you very much

Much thanks (casual)

Thanks much (casual)

Many thanks (cannot say ‘Thanks many’)

Thanks a lot (casual)

Thanks a million (casual)

Thanks again

Thank goodness (somewhat emotional)

Thank heaven(s) (somewhat emotional)

Thanks from the bottom of my heart (quite emotional)

Thank God (Not necessarily a religious expression, depending on the speaker. Also, not, as many international speakers of English tend to say, ‘Thanks God’; compare ‘Thanks to God’—see below.)

Related forms:

THANKFUL (adj)
THANKFULLY (adv)
THANKLESS (adj)
THANKLESSLY (adv)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

I want to thank you for your suggestion—thank God you mentioned it in time.

He said it was thanks to God that he didn’t need surgery, and thanks to his parents that he was able to pay the acupuncturist.

It was a thankless task and it was good of her to do it. So I offered my personal thanks, and later sent her a gift.

NOVEMBER 15, 2004

EXTENT / EXTANT

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

EXTENT(noun)—a range or degree
EXTEND—verb; EXTENSION—noun; EXTENSIVE—adj

EXTANT(adj)—currently in existence

Note that the sound of these words is very close. However, there are differences. In EXTENT, emphasis is on the second syllable. EXTANT has two acceptable pronunciations: one with emphasis on the first syllable and another with emphasis on the second syllable (in which case the vowel sound changes, distinguishing it from EXTENT).

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

He learned that trusting others depends on the extent to which he trusts himself.

This old text is mentioned by scholars of that time, but no copy of it is extant.

NOVEMBER 8, 2004

DISCRIMINATE (verb)

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

DISCRIMINATE1—to finely and subtly assess or judge (neutral—or even positive—connotation)

DISCRIMINATE2—to assess or judge unfairly negatively, and unjustifiably treat with negative partiality (extremely negative connotation)

Note that to discriminate against something or someone is the active form, while to be discriminated against by something or someone is the passive form.

Related forms:

DISCRIMINATION (noun)

DISCRIMINATORY (adj)

INDISCRIMINATE (adj)—Note that INDISCRIMINATE (meaning lacking discrimination) is typically used only as an adjective or adverb (INDISCRIMINATELY).

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

1. He found that in choosing friends and associates, it’s better to be discriminating and save trouble later on.

2. The speaker maintained that it is unarguablethat modern life is based on discriminatory practices against women, working people, people of color or minority ethnicity, and youth.

NOVEMBER 1, 2004

OPTIMAL / OPTIMUM

For a bit of a departure from the usual, this edition focuses on a word in its different parts of speech—as a reminder that it is often necessary to pay close attention to subtle differences.

OPTIMAL(adj)—most favorable or desirable

OPTIMUM(noun/adj)—(that which is) most favorable or desirable

Note that it is a change in suffix that alters the part of speech. Also note that, confusing the issue, OPTIMUM can also used as an adjective—in which case it has exactly the same meaning as OPTIMAL. As such, it can be difficult to choose—though, as your hearing of English improves, you’ll notice that one tends to ‘sound better’ than the other in particular usages.

Related forms:

OPTIMALLY (adv)

OPTIMIZE (verb)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Doing a modest amount of exercise daily may be optimal, but exercising a few times a week is better than not exercising at all.

Employees at this company receive the optimum in benefits, while their rate of pay is somewhat below industry standards—most have families and prefer optimum benefits over competitive salary.

OCTOBER 25, 2004

INSURGENT / REBEL / TERRORIST

INSURGENT(noun)—member of a group seeking the overthrow of a government or regime
INSURGENCY—noun, INSURRECTION—noun

REBEL(noun/verb)—(someone who is interested in) resisting, opposing, defying and/or overthrowing an authority considered to be unjust or oppressive (Note that syllable stress changes: first syllable emphasized in the noun, second syllable in the verb.)
REBELLIOUS—adj; REBELLIOUSLY—adv; REBELLION—noun

TERRORIST(noun)—someone who advances his political agenda through acts of intimidation and violence against civilians
TERROR—noun, TERRORISM—noun; TERRORIZE—verb

Note: The connotation of these close synonyms increases in intensity of dissent and anticipated violence—TERRORIST being the strongest.

Related synonyms:

REVOLUTIONARY (noun/adj)
RADICAL (noun/adj)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

The insurgents, challenging what they claim to be an illegitimate and abusive authority, have wide support among the local population.

Thomas Jefferson and other founders of the United States believed that citizens have the right and duty to rebel against any form of tyranny perpetrated by their leaders.

What to one constituency is a ‘terrorist’ is to another constituency a ‘freedom fighter’—unfortunately, victims on both sides suffer regardless of terminology.

OCTOBER 18, 2004

PRIMAL / PRIMITIVE

Common root: primus (Latin—first)

PRIMAL(adj)—from the origin, first, basic

PRIMITIVE(adj/noun)—(that which is) at an early stage of development (Note that PRIMITIVE is neutral in itself, but can have a pejorative connotation in certain contexts.)
PRIMITIVELY—adv; PRIMITIVENESS—noun, PRIMITIVISM—noun

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

Related forms (among many):

PRIME (adj/noun)

PRIMARY (adj/noun)

PRIMACY (noun)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Some people regard fear and joy as primal human emotions, while others believe such emotions are learned.

Anthropological evidence indicates that many so-called primitive societies are actually quite sophisticated in regard to spiritual understanding and artistic expression.

OCTOBER 11, 2004

RACIAL / RACIST

RACIST(noun/adj)—(one who is) discriminating against and/or acting to the detriment of persons of a different race (extremely negative connotation)
RACE—noun, RACISM—noun

RACIAL(adj)—pertaining to race (neutral connotation)
RACIALLY—adv

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

Related forms:

RACIALISM (noun)—Note that RACISM includes the negative connotation of discrimination, while RACIALISM (unfortunately sometimes used as a synonym for RACISM) is better used in its neutral sense: focusing on matters of race.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

They know first-hand that he is a racist and everything he writes is racist propaganda.

Neighborhood people attending these events have been primarily interested in racial matters.

OCTOBER 4, 2004

QUALIFY (verb)

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

QUALIFY1—to fulfill a criterion or pass a test

QUALIFY2—to modify or hedge

Related forms:

QUALIFICATION (noun)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

1. I very much hope to qualify for the team.

2. The CEO qualified her praise for the project, as it remains to be seen if the deadline will be met.