Confusing Words Flashcards
Commiserate
1. Part of Speech and Meaning:
- Verb: To commiserate means to express sympathy or pity for someone’s suffering or misfortune.
2. Example Sentence:
- After failing the exam, John’s friends commiserated with him, assuring him that he would do better next time.
3. Mnemonic to Learn Meaning:
- Think of “commiserate” as “co-misery.” When you commiserate, you share the misery or misfortune with someone, showing sympathy.
Obfuscation
1. Part of Speech and Meaning:
- Noun: Obfuscation refers to the act of making something unclear or difficult to understand, often deliberately.
2. Example Sentence:
- The politician’s use of complex jargon and technical terms was seen as an obfuscation to avoid addressing the real issues.
3. Mnemonic to Learn Meaning:
- Think of “obfuscation” as “obstacle to clarification.” It’s like putting obstacles in the way of making something clear.
Obviate
1. Part of Speech and Meaning:
- Verb: To obviate means to remove or eliminate the need for something, often by making it unnecessary or irrelevant.
2. Example Sentence:
- The new waterproof coating obviates the need for an umbrella during light rain.
3. Mnemonic to Learn Meaning:
- You can remember “obviate” by thinking of it as “obviously alleviate.” It’s like obviously removing or alleviating a problem or need.
Obscure
1. Part of Speech and Meaning:
- Adjective: When something is obscure, it is not clear or hard to understand.
- Verb: To obscure means to make something less visible or unclear.
2. Example Sentence:
- Adjective: The instructions were obscure and confusing, leading to misunderstandings.
- Verb: The fog began to obscure our view of the road ahead.
3. Mnemonic to Learn Meaning:
- Think of “obscure” as “obstructed secure”. If something is secure but obstructed from view or understanding, it is obscure.
Obtrusive
1. Part of Speech and Meaning:
- Adjective: Describing something as obtrusive means it is noticeable in an unwelcome or intrusive way.
2. Example Sentence:
- The large, obtrusive billboard disrupted the scenic view of the countryside.
3. Mnemonic to Learn Meaning:
- Think of “obtrusive” as “obviously intrusive”. If something is obviously intruding or sticking out in an unwelcome way, it’s obtrusive.
Obduracy
1. Part of Speech and Meaning:
- Noun: Obduracy refers to the quality of being stubborn, unyielding, or resistant to persuasion.
2. Example Sentence:
- Despite numerous attempts to reach a compromise, his obduracy prevented any resolution from being achieved.
3. Mnemonic to Learn Meaning:
- You can remember “obduracy” by thinking of it as “obviously durable”. If someone’s opinion or stance is like something durable and unyielding, they are demonstrating obduracy.
Pellucid
1. Part of Speech and Meaning:
- Adjective: Pellucid means clear, transparent, or easy to understand.
2. Example Sentence:
- The professor’s pellucid explanation made the complex topic easy for everyone to grasp.
3. Mnemonic to Learn Meaning:
- Think of “pellucid” as “pell us lucid”. If something ‘tells us’ (pell us) in a clear or ‘lucid’ manner, it is pellucid.
Pristine
1. Part of Speech and Meaning:
- Adjective: Pristine means in its original condition; unspoiled, clean, or pure.
2. Example Sentence:
- The explorers discovered a pristine, untouched island, with crystal-clear waters and immaculate beaches.
3. Mnemonic to Learn Meaning:
- Think of “pristine” as “pre-stain”. If something is in a condition before (pre) any stains or damage, it is pristine.
Pecuniary
1. Part of Speech and Meaning:
- Adjective: Pecuniary refers to matters related to money or financial affairs.
2. Example Sentence:
- The artist was more interested in the creative process than in any pecuniary gain from selling her work.
3. Mnemonic to Learn Meaning:
- You can remember “pecuniary” by associating it with “penny”, as both words relate to money.
Demur
1. Part of Speech and Meaning:
- Verb: To demur means to express reluctance or to raise objections.
2. Example Sentence:
- When asked to work over the weekend, Jane didn’t refuse outright but did demur, highlighting her prior commitments.
3. Mnemonic to Learn Meaning:
- Think of “demur” as “de-murmur”. When you demur, you sort of ‘murmur’ your objections or hesitations instead of outright refusing.
Demure
1. Part of Speech and Meaning:
- Adjective: Demure describes someone who is reserved, modest, or shy.
2. Example Sentence:
- She gave a demure smile as she quietly accepted the compliment.
3. Mnemonic to Learn Meaning:
- Think of “demure” as “de-pure”. Someone demure may appear pure and modest in their demeanor.
Foreground
1. Part of Speech and Meaning:
- Noun: The foreground is the part of a view, scene, or field of vision that is nearest to the observer.
- Verb: To foreground something means to bring it to the most prominent or important position.
2. Example Sentence:
- Noun: In the painting, a vibrant flower garden was in the foreground, while a serene lake was depicted in the background.
- Verb: The documentary aims to foreground the issues faced by marginalized communities.
3. Mnemonic to Learn Meaning:
- Think of “foreground” as “front ground”. It is the ground or focus that is at the front or most visible to the observer.
Exigent
1. Part of Speech and Meaning:
- Adjective: Exigent describes something that is urgent, pressing, or demanding immediate attention or action.
2. Example Sentence:
- The exigent circumstances required swift and decisive action to ensure everyone’s safety.
3. Mnemonic to Learn Meaning:
- You can remember “exigent” by associating it with “exit urgently”. If there is an exigent situation, it’s like you need to exit urgently because it’s pressing and demands immediate attention.
Exiguous
1. Part of Speech and Meaning:
- Adjective: Exiguous means very small in size or amount; scanty or meager.
2. Example Sentence:
- The artist managed to create an impressive sculpture using only an exiguous amount of clay.
3. Mnemonic to Learn Meaning:
- Think of “exiguous” as “exit + us”, as if something is trying to exit because there’s so little of it. This can help you remember that exiguous refers to something being very small or scanty.
Transgress
1. Part of Speech and Meaning:
- Verb: To transgress means to go beyond the limits of what is morally, socially, or legally acceptable.
2. Example Sentence:
- The journalist was determined to expose public figures who transgress ethical boundaries.
3. Mnemonic to Learn Meaning:
- Think of “transgress” as “transfer + aggress”. When someone transgresses, they aggressively transfer or cross beyond acceptable limits or boundaries.
