CCC Synonyms-2006 Jan-Mar

CLOSE SYNONYMS OF THE WEEK

2006

January-March
(most recent first)

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MARCH 27, 2006

EQUATE / EQUALIZE

EQUATE (verb)—to consider that persons or things are equivalent in nature or value

EQUALIZE (verb)—to make equal

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

You cannot equate his success with hers—due to their family backgrounds, he had many advantages, while she faced many obstacles.

To equalize the competition, all athletes in the same category are required to pass qualifying trials.

MARCH 20, 2006

EQUINOX

For a bit of a departure from the usual, in honor of the seasonal holiday, Spring Equinox, this edition focuses on various forms of the word ‘EQUAL.’

EQUAL (adj—noun/verb)—identical, same, balanced
(someone or something having these qualities / to have or bring about these qualities)

EQUALITY (noun)

EQUALLY (adv)

EQUALIZE (verb)

EQUALIZER (noun)

EQUATE (verb)

EQUATION (noun)

EQUIVALENT (noun, adj)

EQUIVALENCE (noun)

EQUIVALENCY (noun)

EQUITY (noun)

EQUITABLE (adj)

EQUITABLY (adv)

EQUILIBRIUM (noun)

EQUANIMITY (noun)

EQUIPOISE (noun)

EQUATOR (noun)

EQUATORIAL (adj)

EGALITARIAN (EQUALITARIAN) (adj/noun)

EQUINOX (noun)—the event occurring twice a year when the sun crosses the celestial equator, at which time every spot on the planet experiences day and night of equal length. In the Northern Hemisphere, Autumn (or Autumnal) Equinox occurs around September 23, and Spring (or Vernal) Equinox occurs around March 21—marking the beginning of autumn (also known as ‘fall’) and the beginning of spring, respectively. (See www.answers.com/equinox&r=67 for a more precise explanation.)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

The United States Constitution guarantees equal justice for all. (adj)

Some say, that in the sport of big-wave surfing, Laird Hamilton has no equal. (noun)

I would have to have two day-jobs to equal the pay I get here working nights. (verb)

MARCH 13, 2006

INCREDIBLE / INCREDULOUS

INCREDIBLE (adj)—so unusual as to be beyond belief
INCREDIBLY—adv; INCREDIBILITY—noun

INCREDULOUS (adj)—unable to believe something
INCREDULOUSLY—adv; INCREDULITY—noun

Note that it is a change in suffix that alters the meaning. Note too that, in general, things, actions or persons can be INCREDIBLE, while only persons can be INCREDULOUS.

Related words:

CREDIBLE / CREDIBLY / CREDIBILITY (adj/adv/noun)
CREDULOUS / CREDULOUSLY / CREDULITY (adj/adv/noun)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Her gymnastic ability is truly incredible—hard to believe anyone can be that flexible.

Their statements were incredibly dishonest, and everyone was incredulous hearing them deny what was plain to see.

MARCH 6, 2006

CEASE / SEIZE

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

CEASE (verb)—to stop, to come to an end (can also, though rarely, be used as a noun)
CESSATION—noun

SEIZE (verb)—to take, or take hold of, or take advantage of something
SEIZURE—noun

Note that the pronunciation of CEASE ends with a soft ‘S’ sound, while that of SEIZE ends in a vibrating ‘Z’ sound. Also note that SEIZE has many usages in addition to the above, some of them unhelpfully similar to CEASE (see third sentence below).

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

The two sides agreed to a cease-fire, but it’s not expected to last—no-one knows when hostilities will cease.

My friend has a small rock on her desk engraved with the Latin saying: CARPE DIEM, meaning ‘Seize the Day.’

The engine worked well for a long time, then suddenly seized up again.

FEBRUARY 27, 2006

ACADEMIC (adj)

ACADEMIC 1—pertaining to education (more specifically to academia—the college and university environment)

ACADEMIC 2—of no practical relevance

Note that ACADEMIC, in the first of the above meanings, can also be used as a noun. Note too that ACADEMIC can also mean idealized or formal, as in a style of painting.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

1. He is one of the foremost academics in the country, but his early academic career was made difficult by racism in academia at that time.

2. What they’ve been saying on the subject is totally academic, irrelevant to achieving any real solution.

FEBRUARY 20, 2006

TIRING / TIRESOME

TIRING (adj)—causing fatigue or exhaustion

TIRESOME (adj)—causing tedium, boredom or annoyance

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

Related forms:

TIRE (verb)
UNTIRINGLY (adv)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

The job was very tiring—we had to load and unload the equipment several times.

He repeated the same irrelevant points over and over, and I found the whole argument extremely tiresome.

FEBRUARY 13, 2006

MORAL / MORALE / MORES

MORAL (adj/noun)—relating to the principle of right and wrong, good and bad (especially concerning personal or social behavior); a principle (often in plural form) or lesson concerning right and wrong, good and bad (emphasis on first syllable)
MORALS (pl. noun); MORALITY—noun, MORALIST—noun, MORALISM—noun, MORALIZING—noun; MORALIZE—verb

MORALE (noun)—level of enthusiasm, optimism or confidence (high or low) (emphasis on second syllable)

MORES (pl. noun)—characteristic customs and practices of a social group, especially in regard to morals (Note that MORES, customarily used in the plural, is pronounced with two syllables: emphasis on first syllable, second syllable as a ‘long A.’)

Note that it is a change in word-ending that alters the meaning.

SAMPLE SENTENCE:

The moral of the story is that people who have no morals, or no concept of moral behavior or social mores in general, often wind up having low morale.

FEBRUARY 6, 2006

ASSIST / AID / HELP

ASSIST (verb/noun)—to help make something easier or more likely (Neutral connotation)
ASSISTANCE—noun, ASSISTANT—noun

AID (verb/noun)—to provide (typically critical) assistance (Somewhat emotional connotation)
AIDE—noun (note added ‘E’)

HELP (verb/noun)—to aid in the support, improvement or accomplishment of something (Significantly emotional connotation)
HELPFUL—adj, HELPLESS—adj, HELPING—adj; HELPFULLY—adv, HELPLESSLY—adv; HELPER—noun, HELPMATE—noun

Note that while these words have virtually the same meaning (hence used to define one another), they differ in connotation and are not always interchangeable. Therefore, you’ll want to assess the situation to determine which is most suitable. For example, ASSIST might be a better choice than HELP in a professional context; likewise, AID may not be the best choice to describe the ASSISTANCE of a shop clerk or the HELP of a close friend.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

They said they would provide assistance that will enable us to meet the deadline.

They said they would provide aid that will enable workers to get medicines to the earthquake site.

They said they would provide help that will enable the children to recover from the trauma of the fire.

JANUARY 30 , 2006

CLIMATIC / CLIMACTIC

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

CLIMATIC (adj)—relating to climate

CLIMACTIC (adj)—relating or coming to a climax; decisive or thrilling

Note that it is the addition of one letter in spelling that alters the meaning.

Related forms:

CLIMATE (noun)
CLIMAX (noun/verb)
CLIMACTERIC (noun)
ANTICLIMAX (noun)
ANTICLIMACTIC (adj)
ANTICLIMACTICALLY (adv)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

He is studying the impact of global warming on various climatic zones.

The climactic moment of the film was so suspenseful, the audience was riveted to the screen.

JANUARY 23 , 2006

WEATHER / CLIMATE

WEATHER (noun)—the state of Earth’s atmosphere at a given moment at a given place [Note: WEATHER is also a verb.]

CLIMATE (noun)—the combination of overall factors contributing to the general nature, variety and changeability of WEATHER of the planet or a given place on it

Related forms:

WEATHERED (adj)
CLIMATIC (adj)
CLIMATOLOGY (noun)

SAMPLE SENTENCE:

The Mediterranean climate is known for its good weather.

JANUARY 16 , 2006

RECEPTION / RECEPTIVITY

RECEPTION (noun)—how something is received or the receiving of it; a formal event (usually a celebration) at which guests are welcomed (received)

RECEPTIVITY (noun)—the state of being, or ability to be, sensitive (receptive) to external information or impressions
RECEPTIVENESS (alt. noun form)

Note that it is a change in suffix that alters the meaning. Note too that RECEPTION has many specific applications, such as in radio/TV signals or football passes.

Related forms:

RECEIVE (verb)
RECEIPT (noun)
RECEIVER (noun)
RECEIVERSHIP (noun)
RECEPTIONIST (noun)
RECEPTIVE (adj)
RECEIVED (adj)
RECEIVABLE/S (adj/noun)
RECEPTIVELY (adv)
RECIPROCITY (noun)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

After the argument, whenever they visited, they got a chilly reception.

Young children learn quickly because of their receptivity to new information.

JANUARY 9 , 2006

DISCREET / DISCRETE

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

DISCREET (adj)—careful or circumspect in regard to personal behavior or information; modest, unobtrusive
DISCREETLY—adv; DISCRETION—noun

DISCRETE (adj)—individually separate, unconnected

Note the slight alteration in spelling.

Related word:

DISCRETIONARY (adj)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

I have learned that it is best to be discreet about private matters, especially those involving other people.

Because he pronounces each syllable as a discrete unit, his speech lacks the characteristic rhythm of English.

JANUARY 2 , 2006

RESOLUTION (noun)

Though most words in English have only one general meaning, there are many that have distinct and separate applications. This series highlights a few of the more common and confusing of such words. The following is an example—a single word having more than one discrete usage, such as to constitute multiple meanings within itself.

RESOLUTION 1—the solving of a problem, conflict or dispute; a formal consensus (usually the result of a vote)

RESOLUTION 2—a firm decision to do or not do something

Note that RESOLUTION has several other meanings unrelated to the above.

Related forms:

RESOLVE (noun/verb)
RESOLUTE (adj)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

1. Resolution of the quarrel was finally achieved when both parties agreed to compromise.

2. She makes the same New Year’s resolution every year: to lose the weight she gained celebrating the holidays.