Confusing Words | General Aptitude for GATE - Mechanical Engineering PDF Download

What are Confusing Words?

Words that sound alike or nearly alike but have different meanings often cause writers and readers trouble.

The words you use are going to play a big role in the way your future shapes up. This is why you should be particularly careful about the words you use.
 

List of Confusing Words 

1. Expect vs. Except vs. Accept

• Expect: Regard (something) as likely to happen.
  Example: I expect it to rain tomorrow.
• Except: Not including; other than.
  Example: Everyone except John attended the meeting.
• Accept: Consent to receive or undertake; believe or come to recognize as valid or correct.
  Example: She accepted the job offer.

2. Rain vs. Reign

• Rain: Condensed moisture falling from the atmosphere in drops.
  Example: The rain ruined our picnic.
• Reign: The period during which a sovereign rules.
  Example: Queen Elizabeth’s reign lasted for decades.

3. Hair vs. Heir vs. Air

• Hair: Fine thread-like strands growing from the skin of humans and animals.
  Example: She has long, curly hair.
• Heir: A person legally entitled to inherit property or rank.
  Example: The prince is the heir to the throne.
• Air: The invisible gaseous substance surrounding the Earth.
  Example: The fresh air felt refreshing.

4. Auricle vs. Oracle

• Auricle: A structure resembling an ear or earlobe.
  Example: The heart has an auricle that helps pump blood.
• Oracle: A priest or priestess giving prophetic advice.
  Example: The oracle of Delphi was famous for predictions.

5. Ball vs. Bawl

• Ball: A round object used in games.
  Example: They played with a soccer ball.
• Bawl: To shout loudly or cry noisily.
  Example: The baby bawled for hours.

6. Barren vs. Baron

• Barren: Too poor to produce vegetation.
  Example: The land was barren and dry.
• Baron: A member of the lowest order of British nobility.
  Example: The baron owned vast lands.

7. Credible vs. Credulous

• Credible: Believable or trustworthy.
  Example: The news source is credible.
• Credulous: Too ready to believe things, easily fooled.
  Example: The credulous boy believed all the stories he was told.

8. Tortuous vs. Torturous

• Tortuous: Full of twists and turns.
  Example: The mountain road was tortuous.
• Torturous: Causing extreme pain or suffering.
  Example: The long detention felt torturous.

9. Disinterested vs. Uninterested

• Disinterested: Unbiased or impartial.
  Example: A good judge is disinterested.
• Uninterested: Not interested or indifferent.
  Example: He seemed uninterested in the conversation.

10. Appraise vs. Apprise

• Appraise: To assess the value of something.
  Example: The expert appraised the diamond.
• Apprise: To inform someone.
  Example: Please apprise me of any updates.

11. Enervate vs. Energize

• Enervate: To weaken or drain energy.
  Example: The heat enervated the athletes.
• Energize: To give energy or enthusiasm.
  Example: Coffee energizes me in the morning.

12. Fortuitous vs. Fortunate

• Fortunate: Lucky or favorable.
  Example: They were fortunate to find shelter.
• Fortuitous: Happening by chance or accident.
  Example: Meeting an old friend at the airport was fortuitous.

13. Invoke vs. Evoke

• Evoke: To bring forth a memory or feeling.
  Example: The music evoked childhood memories.
• Invoke: To call upon a higher power or authority.
  Example: The president invoked emergency powers.

14. Ambiguous vs. Ambivalent

• Ambiguous: Having multiple meanings; unclear.
  Example: The law was written in an ambiguous way.
• Ambivalent: Having mixed feelings.
  Example: She was ambivalent about the job offer.

15. Abhorrent vs. Aberrant

• Abhorrent: Inspiring disgust or hatred.
  Example: The crime was abhorrent.
• Aberrant: Deviating from the norm.
  Example: His aberrant behavior worried his parents.

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16. Advice vs. Advise

• Advice: A recommendation or guidance.
  Example: I need your advice on my career.
• Advise: To offer suggestions.
  Example: Please advise me on what to do.

17. Amoral vs. Immoral

• Amoral: Lacking a moral sense.
  Example: The criminal was amoral.
• Immoral: Going against moral principles.
  Example: Lying is an immoral act.

18. Assent vs. Ascent

• Assent: Agreement or approval.
  Example: He gave his assent to the plan.
• Ascent: A climb or upward movement.
  Example: The ascent to the mountain peak was difficult.

19. Averse vs. Adverse

• Averse: Having a strong dislike.
  Example: She is averse to spicy food.
• Adverse: Harmful or unfavorable.
  Example: The weather conditions were adverse.

20. Lot vs. Allot

• Lot: A large amount.
  Example: We need a lot of money.
• Allot: To distribute or assign.
  Example: The teacher allotted time for each activity.

21. Allude vs. Elude

• Allude: To hint at something.
  Example: She alluded to her past experiences.
• Elude: To escape or avoid.
  Example: The suspect eluded the police.

22. Alternate vs. Alternative

• Alternate: Every other or taking turns.
  Example: We meet on alternate weekends.
• Alternative: Another option or choice.
  Example: He proposed an alternative solution.

23. Amiable vs. Amicable

• Amiable: Friendly and pleasant.
  Example: She is an amiable person.
• Amicable: Characterized by friendliness in a relationship.
  Example: Their divorce was amicable.

24. Amount vs. Number

• Amount: Used for uncountable nouns.
  Example: The amount of water in the glass.
• Number: Used for countable nouns.
  Example: The number of students in the class.

25. Lawyer vs. Attorney

• Lawyer: A person who practices law.
  Example: She consulted a lawyer for legal advice.
• Attorney: A lawyer appointed to act on behalf of another.
  Example: My attorney handled the case well.

26. Canvas vs. Canvass

• Canvas: A strong, coarse fabric made from hemp, flax, or similar yarn, used for sails, tents, and painting surfaces.
  Example: The artist painted on a large canvas.
• Canvass: To solicit votes, opinions, or orders.
  Example: The volunteers canvassed the neighborhood before the election.

27. Capitol vs. Capital

• Capitol: A building housing a government’s legislative branch.
  Example: The U.S. Capitol is in Washington, D.C.
• Capital: The primary city of a state or country; also refers to financial assets.
  Example: The capital of India is New Delhi. The company needs more capital to expand.

28. Carat vs. Carrot

• Carat: A unit of weight for precious stones and pearls (200 milligrams).
  Example: She bought a one-carat diamond ring.
• Carrot: A tapering orange-colored root vegetable.
  Example: He added chopped carrot to the salad.

29. Censured vs. Censor

• Censured: Expressing severe disapproval, especially in a formal statement.
  Example: The official was censured for misconduct.
• Censor: To examine and remove offensive or sensitive content.
  Example: The film was censored before release.

30. Certitude vs. Certainty

• Certitude: Absolute conviction or assurance.
  Example: She spoke with certitude about her beliefs.
• Certainty: A firm conviction that something is true.
  Example: The certainty of the event happening is still unknown.

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31. Childlike vs. Childish

• Childlike: Having positive qualities associated with a child, such as innocence or honesty.
  Example: Her childlike curiosity made learning fun.
• Childish: Immature or silly behavior.
  Example: His childish tantrum annoyed everyone.

32. Choose vs. Chose

• Choose: To select from multiple options (present tense).
  Example: Choose a book to read.
• Chose: The past tense of "choose."
  Example: She chose the blue dress for the party.

33. Climactic vs. Climatic

• Climactic: Referring to the climax of an event.
  Example: The climactic battle in the movie was thrilling.
• Climatic: Related to climate or weather conditions.
  Example: The climatic conditions in the desert are harsh.

34. Clothes vs. Cloths

• Clothes: Garments worn to cover the body.
  Example: She packed her clothes for the trip.
• Cloths: Pieces of fabric or material.
  Example: The table was covered with clean cloths.

35. Coarse vs. Course

• Coarse: Rough in texture or lacking refinement.
  Example: The towel felt coarse against the skin.
• Course: A route, direction, or series of lessons.
  Example: He took a science course in college.

36. Complimented vs. Complemented

• Complimented: To praise or give a polite expression of admiration.
  Example: He complimented her on her dress.
• Complemented: To complete or enhance something.
  Example: The red scarf complemented her outfit perfectly.

37. Comprises vs. Constituted

• Comprises: To consist of or include.
  Example: The book comprises ten chapters.
• Constituted: To make up or form part of a whole.
  Example: Women constituted 40% of the workforce.

38. Confident vs. Confidant

• Confident: Feeling or showing confidence in oneself or one's abilities.
  Example: She was confident in her decision.
• Confidant: A person with whom one shares a secret or private matter, trusting them not to reveal it.
  Example: She was confident that her confidant had given her good advice.

39. Confounded vs. Compounded

• Confounded: Used for emphasis, especially to express anger or annoyance.
  Example: He was confounded by the puzzle's complexity.
• Compounded: Made up of multiple elements; increased or worsened.
  Example: Their problems were compounded by the unexpected expenses.

40. Denotes vs. Connotes

• Denotes: To be a sign of; indicate.
  Example: A red light denotes danger.
• Connotes: To imply or suggest an idea or feeling beyond the literal meaning.
  Example: The word "home" connotes warmth and comfort.

41. Dinning vs. Dining

• Dinning: A loud, persistent noise.
  Example: The constant dinning of the construction work was unbearable.
• Dining: The act of eating a meal.
  Example: They were dining at an Italian restaurant.

42. Dissent vs. Decent vs. Descent

• Dissent: Holding or expressing an opposing opinion.
  Example: There was dissent among the team members about the new policy.
• Decent: Conforming to generally accepted standards of behavior or quality.
  Example: He is a decent man who treats others with respect.
• Descent: The act of moving downwards; ancestry.
  Example: The airplane began its descent.

43. Conscious vs. Conscience

• Conscious: Aware of and responding to one’s surroundings.
  Example: She was conscious of his presence in the room.
• Conscience: A person's moral sense of right and wrong.
  Example: His conscience wouldn’t allow him to lie.

44. Contemptuous vs. Contemptible

• Contemptuous: Showing disdain or scorn.
  Example: He gave a contemptuous glance at the poorly written essay.
• Contemptible: Deserving of contempt or scorn.
  Example: His contemptible actions made him unpopular.

45. Continual vs. Continuous

• Continual: Repeated frequently but with interruptions.
  Example: The continual rain showers disrupted the event.
• Continuous: Uninterrupted and ongoing.
  Example: The machine runs in a continuous cycle.

46. Convince vs. Persuade

• Convince: To cause someone to believe something is true.
  Example: She convinced him that she was right.
• Persuade: To induce someone to take action or adopt a belief.
  Example: He persuaded his friend to join the debate club.

47. Counsel vs. Council

• Counsel: Advice, especially given formally.
  Example: She sought legal counsel.
• Council: An assembly or advisory group.
  Example: The city council meets every Monday.

48. Credible vs. Creditable

• Credible: Believable or trustworthy.
  Example: The witness gave a credible account of the incident.
• Creditable: Deserving praise but not necessarily outstanding.
  Example: His efforts were creditable, though not remarkable.

49. Criterion vs. Criteria

• Criterion: A singular principle or standard for judgment.
  Example: The main criterion for selection was experience.
• Criteria: The plural form of criterion.
  Example: Several criteria were used to assess the candidates.

50. Paramount vs. Tantamount

• Paramount: Of chief concern or supreme importance.
  Example: The safety of passengers is of paramount importance.
• Tantamount: Equivalent in effect or value.
  Example: His refusal to apologize was tantamount to an admission of guilt.

51. Critic vs. Critique

• Critic: A person who judges or evaluates the quality of something.
  Example: The food critic wrote a review on the new restaurant.
• Critique: A detailed analysis or assessment of something.
  Example: The professor gave a critique of the student’s essay.

52. Adverse vs. Averse

• Adverse: Preventing success or development; harmful or unfavorable.
  Example: The adverse weather conditions delayed the flight.
• Averse: Having a strong dislike or opposition to something.
  Example: I am averse to traveling in such adverse weather conditions.

53. Lot vs. Allot

• Lot: A large number or amount.
  Example: We need a lot of money to fund this project.
• Allot: To give or distribute something.
  Example: She will allot funds according to need.

54. All Ready vs. Already

• All Ready: Completely prepared.
  Example: As soon as I put my coat on, I'll be all ready.
• Already: Something that happened before a certain time.
  Example: What do you mean you'd rather stay home? I've already got my coat on.

55. Allude vs. Elude

• Allude: To suggest or hint at something indirectly.
  Example: She would often allude to her childhood in her stories.
• Elude: To escape from or avoid something skillfully.
  Example: She managed to elude her brothers in a game of hide-and-seek.

56. Alternate vs. Alternative

• Alternate: Every other; occurring in turns.
  Example: In mock debates, we used alternate sides.
• Alternative: Another possibility or choice.
  Example: We considered an alternative solution to the problem.

57. Alleviate vs. Ameliorate

• Alleviate: To make suffering or a problem less severe.
  Example: The medicine helped alleviate the pain.
• Ameliorate: To make something bad or unsatisfactory better.
  Example: The new policy was introduced to ameliorate the economic crisis.

58. Amiable vs. Amicable

• Amiable: Having a friendly and pleasant manner.
  Example: She has an amiable personality.
• Amicable: Characterized by friendliness in a situation.
  Example: They reached an amicable settlement after the dispute.

59. Amount vs. Number

• Amount: Used for uncountable nouns.
  Example: The amount of water needed varies.
• Number: Used for countable nouns.
  Example: The number of people attending the event is increasing.

60. Annoyed vs. Aggravated

• Annoyed: Slightly angry or irritated.
  Example: I was annoyed by the constant noise.
• Aggravated: Made worse or more serious.
  Example: His injury was aggravated by playing too soon.

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61. Anticipate vs. Expect

• Anticipate: To predict or prepare for something.
  Example: We anticipate heavy traffic during rush hour.
• Expect: To regard something as likely to happen.
  Example: I expect it to rain tomorrow.

62. Lawyer vs. Attorney

• Lawyer: A person who practices law.
  Example: She consulted a lawyer about the contract.
• Attorney: A lawyer appointed to act on behalf of another in legal matters.
  Example: My attorney handled all my legal affairs.

63. While vs. Awhile

• While: A period of time.
  Example: I'll be back in a while.
• Awhile: For a short time (adverb).
  Example: Can you wait awhile?

64. Anecdote vs. Antidote

• Anecdote: A short, amusing, or interesting story.
  Example: He shared a funny anecdote from his childhood.
• Antidote: A remedy to counteract poison or an unpleasant feeling.
  Example: The doctor administered an antidote for the snakebite.

65. Eager vs. Anxious

• Eager: Strongly wanting to do something.
  Example: The eager students waited for the class to start.
• Anxious: Feeling worried or uneasy.
  Example: The anxious candidate waited for the interview results.

66. Bad vs. Badly

• Bad: Of poor quality or a low standard (adjective).
  Example: The food tasted bad.
• Badly: In an unsatisfactory way (adverb).
  Example: He behaved badly at the event.

67. Bizarre vs. Bazaar

• Bizarre: Very strange or unusual.
  Example: His bizarre behavior surprised everyone.
• Bazaar: A market, especially in a Middle Eastern country.
  Example: She bought souvenirs at the bazaar.

68. Besides vs. Beside

• Besides: In addition to; apart from.
  Example: Besides English, she speaks Spanish.
• Beside: Next to; at the side of.
  Example: He stood beside me at the event.

69. Between vs. Among

• Between: Used for two objects or people.
  Example: The money was divided between John and Sarah.
• Among: Used for more than two objects or people.
  Example: The money was distributed among the five siblings.

70. Backwards vs. Backward

• Backwards: Moving in the direction of one’s back.
  Example: He took a step backwards.
• Backward: Directed behind or to the rear; slow to progress.
  Example: The backward economy hindered development.

71. Brought vs. Bought

• Brought: The past tense of bring; to take or carry something.
  Example: She brought all the gifts with her.
• Bought: The past tense of buy; to purchase something.
  Example: He bought a new phone yesterday.

72. Break vs. Brake

• Break: To separate or cause something to separate into pieces.
  Example: Be careful, or you will break the glass.
• Brake: A device used to stop or slow a moving vehicle.
  Example: He pressed the brake to stop the car.

73. Breech vs. Breach

• Breech: The part of a gun behind the bore.
  Example: The rifle’s breech was jammed.
• Breach: An act of breaking or failing to observe a law or agreement.
  Example: The company was sued for breach of contract.

74. Breath vs. Breathe

• Breath: The air taken in and expelled from the lungs.
  Example: He took a deep breath before speaking.
• Breathe: To inhale and exhale air.
  Example: She had difficulty breathing at high altitudes.

75. Bridal vs. Bridle

• Bridal: Related to a bride or wedding.
  Example: She wore a beautiful bridal gown.
• Bridle: The headgear used to control a horse.
  Example: The rider adjusted the horse’s bridle.