CCC Synonyms-2006 Oct-Dec

CLOSE SYNONYMS OF THE WEEK

2006

October-December
(most recent first)

DECEMBER 25, 2006

HOLY / WHOLLY / HOLISTIC

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

HOLY (adj)—relating to a divine or ineffable force or quality beyond the grasp of human intellect

WHOLLY (adj)—entirely, totally, or solely

HOLISTIC (adj)—including the mutual interaction of all aspects of something: physical, mental, emotional, psychological and social, in regard to living things (Note that, although HOLISTIC apparently refers to the WHOLE of something, it is spelled without the initial ‘W’.)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

The Ganges River in India is considered holy because those who bathe in it experience spiritual revitalization.

This allegedly ‘organic’ food company is actually a wholly-owned subsidiary of a transnational corporation that also markets genetically-modified foods.

Chinese traditional medicine (TCM) is considered a holistic approach to well-being because treatment is based on the understanding that all aspects of the bodymind function interactively.

DECEMBER 18, 2006

VALUE (noun/verb) / VALUES (plural noun)

VALUABLE—adj; VALUATION—noun; EVALUATE—verb; EVALUATION—noun

Though most words in English have only one general meaning, there are many that have distinct and separate applications—including related or extended meanings or entirely unrelated usages. This series highlights a few of the more common and confusing of such words. The following is an example. (See www.m-w.com for audio pronunciation.)

VALUE—the worth of something, in itself or as equivalent to the worth of something else (Note that in this sense VALUE can be pluralized depending on context; though it is best to avoid confusion with the meaning below.)

VALUES—criteria, principles or standards of importance or excellence

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

What’s the value of so much knowledge when he doesn’t apply what he knows to real life?

These days, young people the world over are searching for values to help guide their decisions and actions.

DECEMBER 11, 2006

MIGRANT / ITINERANT / VAGRANT

MIGRANT (noun)—someone who moves from one region or country to another, especially in search of or related to employment (can have a mildly negative connotation, depending on context)

ITINERANT (noun)—someone who frequently moves around from place to place, especially in search of or related to employment (can have a somewhat negative connotation, depending on context)

VAGRANT (noun)—someone who wanders around without a permanent home or means of employment (typically with a strong negative connotation, depending on context)

Note that all three words can also be used as adjectives.

Related synonyms:

VAGABOND
TRAMP
HOBO
DRIFTER
(Note the above are all rather slang expressions, all with negative connotations)

NOMAD (neutral connotation)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Migrant workers are often unwelcome in the communities in which they are employed because the locals feel threatened by people they don’t know.

In the past, itinerant salesmen would go door to door hawking their wares—but as countries modernize, this mode of retail tends to decline.

Vagrants from downtown have been drifting into my neighborhood and I have to admit I don’t like it, as people in such need are often known to cause trouble.

DECEMBER 4, 2006

DAMP / DANK

DAMP (adj)—somewhat wet or moist (Note that DAMP can also function as a noun, and can additionally be a verb [along with DAMPEN] with a variety of meanings.)
DAMPNESS—noun

DANK (adj)—wet and cold (with the connotation of unpleasant)
DANKNESS—noun

Note that these synonyms are close homonyms as well.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

There were water leaks in the basement, and it had become quite damp. After years of disuse, it was so dank we had to completely renovate it.

NOVEMBER 27, 2006

SHORT-SIGHTED / NEARSIGHTED

SHORT-SIGHTED (adj)—concentrated on the present without considering the future

NEARSIGHTED (adj)—unable to clearly see objects far away (able to clearly see near objects only)

Note that the antonym (opposite) of NEARSIGHTED is FARSIGHTED, which (in American usage) encompasses both a vision problem and the ability to take the future into consideration or anticipate it ahead of time.

Note that the terms pertaining to vision problems do not take a hyphen.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

It was short-sighted of her, when she sold her share early on, not to anticipate that the property would appreciate in value.

Some people are evidently able to correct their nearsightedness through the use of eye exercises.

NOVEMBER 20, 2006

ALTHOUGH / ALBEIT

ALTHOUGH (conj)—regardless or in spite of the fact (neutral tone; in this usage, ALTHOUGH is just a longer form of THOUGH)

ALBEIT (conj)—added information implying a contradiction to what is otherwise being stated (typically with a tone of concession; note that ALBEIT is pronounced with three syllables)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Though initially hostile, the black community eventually accepted Eminem as a rapper because of his evident talent.

Some American movies made during WWII, albeit outright propaganda, are actually pretty good.

NOVEMBER 13, 2006

ILLUSION / DELUSION

ILLUSION (noun)—the appearance of something that is not what it seems or doesn’t actually exist; an erroneous idea
ILLUSIONARY—adj; ILLUSIONIST—noun

DELUSION (noun)—a belief held in spite of evidence to the contrary
DELUSIONAL—adj; DELUDE—verb

Note that it is a change in prefix that alters the meaning. Note too the different suffixes of the (most common) adjective forms.

Related form:

DISILLUSION (verb)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

He’s good at creating the illusion that he’s working when he’s actually just surfing the Internet.

He’s suffering from the delusion that he’s going to be promoted.

NOVEMBER 6, 2006

EXPENSIVE / COSTLY / PRICEY

Note that all these words are adjectives meaning the same thing: requiring relatively high payment in order to acquire.

EXPENSIVE—(Though generally neutral in connotation, EXPENSIVE can have a negative judgmental quality depending on context. Note too that EXPENSIVE can relate to things other than goods, in which case it suggests disadvantage or loss—see sentence below.)

COSTLY—(Generally neutral in connotation, and more or less the same as EXPENSIVE; though, depending on context, can suggest perhaps a bit less cost.)

PRICEY—(A somewhat slang expression, similar to EXPENSIVE or COSTLY, though not always interchangeable with them.)

Related synonyms:

DEAR (somewhat euphemistic [that is, a nicer or more subtle way of putting it])
NOT CHEAP (somewhat euphemistic or sardonic)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro was a thrilling experience. But it was expensive/costly in more ways than just money, when he afterward required a long period of recuperation from altitude sickness.

OCTOBER 30, 2006

WITCH

For a bit of a departure from the usual, in honor of Halloween, this edition focuses on different forms of the word WITCH.

WITCH (noun)—someone (typically female) possessing occult or magical powers (Typically—in patriarchal, rationalist cultures—negative in connotation. However, see The Wizard of Oz, in which there is a good witch as well as a bad.)

WITCHCRAFT (noun)—the practice or effects of sorcery or magical arts

WITCHERY (noun)—the practice or effects of magical arts (literary usage)

WITCH DOCTOR (noun)—someone (typically in tribal societies) possessing magical, curative or divining powers

WITCH-HUNT (noun)—the search and/or persecution of those suspected of practicing magical arts

WITCHING HOUR (noun)—midnight, considered an especially propitious time for practicing magical arts

WATER-WITCHING (gerund/noun)—supernatural means of locating ground-water (a.k.a., dowsing)

Related forms:

BEWITCH (verb)

Related synonyms:

WARLOCK (noun)—a male witch
WIZARD (noun)—a witch (typically male)
SORCERER (noun)—a witch (male)

Note that the above terms, since they are associated with male practitioners, have (in patriarchal societies such as at present) less negative connotations than WITCH, which is associated with female practitioners. (WIZARD actually having a rather positive connotation.)

SORCERESS (noun)—a witch (female)

OCTOBER 23, 2006

TRUSTWORTHY / TRUSTING / TRUSTED

TRUSTWORTHY (adj)—worthy of trust

TRUSTING (adj)—having trust

TRUSTED (adj)—proven able to be trusted

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

Related forms:

TRUST (noun/verb)
TRUSTINGLY (adv)
TRUSTWORTHINESS (noun)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Children, in their helplessness, are very trusting. They trust adults because they believe adults are trustworthy, that adults can be relied upon to help them.

She is my trusted friend—I know I can always count on her.

OCTOBER 16, 2006

SUBSEQUENT / CONSEQUENT

SUBSEQUENT (adj)—coming after (no connection other than in chronology)
SUBSEQUENTLY—adv; SUBSEQUENCE—noun

CONSEQUENT (adj)—coming after as an effect or result or logical progression
CONSEQUENTLY—adv; CONSEQUENCE—noun; CONSEQUENTIAL—adj

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

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

He was vice president of the company for five years, subsequently becoming president last month.

His performance on the job has been exemplary—consequently, he’s been promoted.

OCTOBER 9, 2006

RESPECT / RESPECT FOR

International speakers of English are often confused by ‘phrasal verbs’ (verbs + prepositions that add to or alter the meaning of the verb), and for good reason—phrasal verbs can often be confusing. They can change depending on the structure of the sentence.

RESPECT (verb)—to esteem or admire someone or something (Note that RESPECT has other meanings and applications.)

RESPECT FOR (phrasal verb)—having esteem or admiration for someone or something

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

I can respect his right to express his political opinions, without necessarily having respect for those opinions.

OCTOBER 2, 2006

POOR / POVERTY-STRICKEN / IMPOVERISHED / DESTITUTE

POOR (adj)—lacking adequate economic resources (Note that POOR has additional meanings and applications.)

POVERTY-STRICKEN (adj)—extremely poor (Similar in intensity to IMPOVERISHED.)

IMPOVERISHED (adj)—made poor (Similar in intensity to POVERTY-STRICKEN.)

DESTITUTE (adj)—virtually without economic resources of any kind

Note that these adjectives are listed in order of increasing intensity. Note too that they can also be used as plural nouns.

Related synonyms:

INDIGENT (adj)
PENNILESS (adj)
IMPECUNIOUS (adj)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

He came from poor circumstances, living in a generally poverty-stricken area of the country. The family became further impoverished due to the war and, at war’s end, they were utterly destitute. At that time, there was no assistance from the government and the poor had to fend for themselves.