Confusing Words Clarified: Group I; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, etc. +

The scope or extent of influence of something: "The incidence of measles in the village was high."

1. Behaviors likely to lead to serious consequences: "There were several incidents of the mayor undermining the union during the strike that made the union members very angry."
2. Several happenings or events: "We remembered the happy incidents of our childhood when we went to the beaches and got sunburned."

Beginning to exist or to appear: "It seems as if there is an incipient personnel problem."

"The project is still in its incipient stages."

A lack of wisdom; foolishness: "His insipient decisions were absolutely unacceptable."

"Another insipient politician was more than the voters could accept."

To stir up, spur on: "It is easier to incite a mob than to disperse it."

The ability to understand people and situations in a very clear way: "Penetrating insight is given to a few who must lead the others."

"We need to gain insight into the economic situation that is going on in the world."

Lacking orderly cohesion or relevance: "She was so upset by the accident that her speech was incoherent."

Initial rudimentary formulation of something; such as, an idea: "His inchoate formulation of the new theory intrigued his students."

Characterized by being inadequate or unsuitable for effective action: "Her glaring incompetence caused a significant delay in completing the project."

Individuals who are unsuitable for a specific task: "He was disturbed by the incompetents that the employment agency sent to him."

Impossible to understand: "It was inconceivable that the professor wrote such an unsubstantiated article about the president of the university."

1. Impossible to be understood by the mind or contrary to reasonable expectations: "It was unthinkable that the children should be expected to walk so far."
2. Inconceivable to imagine or to believe: "It was unthinkable that the teacher was leaving the school before the end of the semester."

Unbelievable: "The modern world is accepting many incredible happenings as reality."

Unbelieving: "Some men have been deceived so often that they have become incredulous of even ordinary events."

Not able to be settled or decided in a definite manner: "The date for completing the project is indeterminable at this time."

Inconclusive, unable to determine a specific answer: "The outcome of the chemistry experiment was indeterminate and puzzling."

To make formal charges of crime in due form of the law: "It is much easier to indict than to convict."

To write; especially, formally: "Few people now indite an epistle; instead, they scribble a note."

Native to a place: "Tobacco was indigenous to the New World or the Western Hemisphere."

Poor, needy, lacking money: "Every society must make some provisions for the indigent."

"The clinic provides free medical care for indigent patients."

1. Filled with anger caused by something unworthy or mean: "She was indignant when she read the mean spirited article in the newspaper."
2. Feeling or showing anger because of something that is unfair or wrong: "She was very indignant about the excessive charges made by the taxi driver."

1. A behavior which offends, humiliates, or insults: "The comments in the newspaper suggested a great indignity had been given to the visiting scholar."
2. An act or occurrence which hurts someone's dignity or pride: "So many elderly people seem to find it necessary to endure one indignity after another as a result of growing old."

Lacking discretion (without good judgment and sensitivity needed to avoid embarrassing or upsetting others); injudicious: "He was making so many indiscreet remarks that the audience started to walk out because they were unable to tolerate such indiscretions."

Not divided or divisible into separate parts: "There were layers of pages that were fused into an indiscrete bulky mass."

Injustice, unfair treatment: "The inequity of punishing an innocent man shocked the whole city."

Wickedness, being unfair or evil: "The consistent iniquity of so many discourages any hope of a Utopia."

"Too many people in the world are plagued by corruption and iniquity."

1. Very slow, sluggish, lacking the ability to move: "I was so tired after the marathon, I felt inert."
2. Not having the anticipated reaction either chemically or biologically: "The chemistry formula proved to be inert and not dangerous."

1. To put or to incorporate anything into the body of something else: "While editing the manuscript, the professor suggested a new paragraph to insert into the text."
2. That which is included within the body of something else: "The newspaper had a special insert about the car race."

A small representation or part which is incorporated into the larger body of an item: "There was an inset on the map showing the larger cities."

Capable of spreading or communicating: "Her enthusiasm for her work was infectious."

"The disease is infectious and requires medical attention."

1. Disease or infection that is spread by contact: "Her cough was highly contagious and she wore a mask to be sure others did not become ill, too."
2. An influence or mood that spreads rapidly: "The long sunny days created a contagious sense of well being."