Nuanced Synonyms & Confusables

Damage = physical injury to things; harm = negative effect on people/things (broader):

Famous = widely known (neutral/positive); notorious = widely known for something bad:

Claim = state without proof (may be disputed); assert = state firmly, with confidence:

Prevent = stop something happening (active); avoid = stay away from or not do (passive):

Infer = draw a conclusion from evidence (reader/listener does this); imply = suggest without stating (speaker/writer does this):

The whole comprises the parts; the parts compose the whole:

Continuous = without interruption; continual = repeated regularly but with breaks:

Less = uncountable nouns (amount); fewer = countable nouns (number):

Disinterested = impartial, no personal stake; uninterested = not interested, bored:

Economic = relating to the economy; economical = not wasteful, cost-effective:

Alternate = every other one (adj) or take turns (verb); alternative = another option:

Principal (adj/noun) = main, or head of school; principle (noun) = fundamental rule or belief:

Vaccination disease. He avoided the question entirely.

They work on days. An alternative approach was proposed.

The committee twelve members. Twelve members compose the committee.

The flood the building. Pollution harms public health.

water was used. Fewer students attended.

He he was there, but she asserts that he was not.

The crisis was severe. The solution was economical and efficient.

She he was lying; I inferred she was angry.

The reason is cost. The report’s principles are sound.

noise is exhausting. Continual interruptions are frustrating.

She is for her research. He is notorious for his fraud.

A judge is fair. An uninterested judge is dangerous for different reasons.