Confusing Words Clarified: Group E; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, etc. +(lists of "E" sections that are organized into what for some people are confusing groups of words)All of the main entries in these "Confusing Words" groups are explained, or defined, followed by pronunciations, and sentences which are meant to enhance your understanding of their meanings. The definitions provided are based on dictionary presentations and are meant to help you differentiate between the various meanings of each word group. Many current dictionaries, popular writing books, specialized topical resources, and style guides were consulted for these groups so you can develop better word skills and communication tools.
In your daily writing, be aware of what the "right words are for the correct meanings" so you can improve your writing accuracy in a positive way. A great deal of effort has been devoted to help you grasp the meanings of over 1,700 word groups (or more than 5,100 entry words in the sections) which may be confusing to you so you can utilize them with greater accuracy in your communications. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome by writing to: E-mail Contact (just click it for an e-mail form) or by typing, words@wordinfo.info, as the address in your e-mail heading. If you have any problems understanding the pronunciation symbols, go to this Pronunciation Chart for clarifications.exercise, exorcise
exercise (EK suhr sighz")
1. To use frequently and repeatedly to strengthen: "She attempted to go to the gymnasium daily to exercise so she would be ready to run the marathon."
2. To carry out an official function or duty: "He will exercise his responsibilities as vice president to the best of his ability." exorcise (EK sor sighz" EKS or sighz")
1. To free or to get rid of something that is perceived as evil or difficult: "I joined the freedom march as a way to exorcise myself from feeling guilty about my ancestors."
"The novel was about a priest who tried to exorcise demons from a young man and his sister." exhaustible, exhausting, exhaustive
exhaustible (ig ZOST i buhl)
Possessing characteristics that suggest a depletion or using up of resources: "Timber is an exhaustible resource due to the lack of foresight by the lumber companies."
exhausting (ig ZOST ing)
1. Characterized by using all of one's mental or physical energy: "Running the marathon is an exhausting activity."
2. Completely using up something; such as, supplies or financial resources: "They kept over spending until they finally realized that they were exhausting all of their money." exhaustive (ig ZAW stiv)
A thorough and complete study or consideration of information: "To complete his degree, he undertook an exhaustive study of the use of the printing press over the decades."
exhort, export, extort
exhort (ig ZORT)
To raise interest in something by strong argument or urging: "The student leader attempted to exhort his friends to march to the government buildings."
export (ik SPORT, ik SPOHRT, EK sport", EK spohrt")
When trading, the movement of goods or ideas from one location to another.: "The people were proud to be able to export their grain crops to poor countries."
extort (ik STORT)
To obtain something through intimidation or illegal power: "The courts realized that the gangster had tried to extort money from the business owners."
expand, expend
expand (ik SPAND)
1. To spread out, open out, stretch out: "She stood on the lawn to expand her arms as if to embrace the whole world."
2. To make greater in size: "He used a special tool to expand the width of the pipe." expend (ik SPEND)
1. To spend or to use something: "When running, try not to expend all your energy in the first few minutes."
2. To use time, energy, effort, etc. for a particular purpose or objective: "We must be willing to expend the time and resources required to complete this project." expanse, expense
expanse (ik SPANS)
Descriptive of something spread out, taking up a lot of space: "The wide expanse of the Pacific Ocean is impressive."
expense (ik SPENS)
Cost which may be financial or an effort to achieve a goal or an end: "The expense of the new addition to the hospital was considerable."
expansive, expensive
expansive (ik SPAN siv)
Generosity, high spirited, or an exaggerated sense of self worth: "Her expansive personality was charming and helped her to make many friends."
expensive (ik SPEN siv)
Characterized by high cost or a price typically beyond the means of the person involved in a negotiation: "The bids on the antique at the auction became too expensive for her pocket book."
expedience, expedients
expedience (ik SPEE dee uhns)
Characteristic of using what is opportune to achieve a goal or end often without regard to principles or ethics: "Given the rush to complete the railroad on time, the managers resorted to the expedience of using poor quality materials."
expedients (ik SPEE de uhns)
That which is advantageous or profitable for the moment without due regard for others or for principles of honor: "The criminal resorted to shady expedients in order to rob the banks."
expletive, explicative
expletive (EK spli tiv)
A word used to fill a space in a communication (written or verbal) that does not add meaning to the communication and is often considered crude or obscene: "The editor of the newspaper did not approve of the writers using expletives in their text."
explicative (EK spli kay" tiv, ik SPLIK uh tiv)
Providing a detailed and logical explanation: "The speaker provided an explicative introduction to his topic."
explicit, implicit
explicit (ik SPLIS it)
Clearly stated; plain to see; readily observable: "The directions for making the cake were explicit."
implicit (im PLIS it)
1. Suggested or to be understood though not plainly expressed; implied: "His commitment to his wife was implicit in all that he did."
2. Without reservation or doubt; unquestioning, absolute: "The children responded with implicit cooperation during the fire drill." explosion, implosion
explosion (ik SPLOH zhuhn)
Characterized by a loud and noisy expression of emotion or to burst violently: "There was an explosion of tears and lamentations after the train crash."
"During the construction of the train tunnel, dynamite was used to create an explosion, loosening the rock." implosion (im PLOH zhuhn)
To cause to collapse inwardly due to the change in internal air pressure: "The implosion and collapse of the building was carefully engineered by the specialists."
expose, exposé
expose (ik SPOHZ)
1. To leave something without a covering or protection: "When a strong wind blows the shingles off the roof, it will certainly expose the wood under them."
2. To cause someone to experience something or to be influenced or affected by something: "The teacher wanted to expose his students to the great works of literature." 3. To reveal something that is hidden, dishonest, or criminal: "The reporters were about to expose him as a fraud." exposé (ek" spoh ZAY)
1. A news report or broadcast that reveals something illegal or dishonest to the public: "The newspaper was about to present an exposé of the candidate's financial corruption."
2. A book, newspaper report, magazine article, etc. making sensational disclosures: "The article in the newspaper had an exposé about the senator's illegal bribes." expostulate, postulate
expostulate (ik SPAHS chuh layt")
To reason or to discuss earnestly, typically to point out an inappropriate behavior: "The parents attempted to expostulate with their children about the broken window."
postulate (PAHS chuh layt")
To assume that something is true: "The teacher stated he would postulate that the garden would do well if it rained frequently."
extant, extent
extant (EK stuhnt, ek STANT)
Currently existing: "Very few copies of the Gutenberg Bible are extant."
extent (ik STENT)
A range or distance over which something extends: "To what extent are we the product of our training and environment?"
extemporaneous, impromptu
extemporaneous (ik stem" puh RAY nee uhs)
1. Carried out or performed with little or no preparation: "The politician made an extemporaneous speech at the local college."
2. Prepared in advance but delivered without notes or text: "The newswoman presented an extemporaneous report about her recent experiences in China." impromptu (im PROMP too, im PROMP tyoo)
1. Prompted by the occasion rather than being planned in advance: "When two of her former class mates dropped by unexpectedly, my sister had an impromptu little party."
2. Spoken, performed, done, or composed with little or no chance of preparation: "The teacher made an impromptu lecture about honor and responsibility." extraneous, intrinsic
extraneous (ik STRAY nee uhs)
Not essential or not forming a necessary part of somethiing: "The balcony scene was extraneous to the meaning of the play."
"The reporter was able to speed up the process of completing her report by eliminating much of the extraneous comments made by some of the people." intrinsic (in TRIN zik, in TRIN sik)
Essential to the nature of an object or idea: "The intrinsic nature of their friendship could not be described."
"Someone once said that creativity is intrinsic to human nature."
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