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

To come to a conclusion based on facts or observations: "We could infer there was a forest fire because we saw the smoke on the horizon."

To suggest a consequence rather than to make a clear statement: "He seemed to imply that the meeting was over without actually stating so."

1. To insert something into a context with an indirect suggestion: "He appeared to insinuate that the man was dishonest by questioning his integrity."
2. To gradually make oneself a part of a group, a person's life, etc.; often by behaving in a dishonest way: "She stood next to the speaker hoping to insinuate herself into the conversation."

"He has managed to insinuate himself into the city's highest social circles."

1. A person who does not believe in a religion which another person regards as the true religion: "Even in modern times, we hear about someone who condemns another person of being an infidel."
2. An individual who does not profess a religious belief: "As a free thinker, he thought of himself as an infidel with no religious affiliation."

The act or fact of having a romantic or sexual relationship with someone other than one's husband, wife, or partner: "She filed for divorce on the basis of her husband’s infidelity with his fellow worker."

An individual who discloses information often in response to interrogation: "Because he had been an informant to the police, the man was shunned by his neighbors."

An individual who discloses knowledge or information, often about another individual, and who is typically paid for such information: "The police informer was paid a large sum for the information leading to the arrest of the gang members."

Characterized by an aptitude for invention, resourcefulness, and cleverness: "She was ingenious in her ability to modify recipes."

Characterized by a childlike candor, without subtlety: "She brought an ingenuous perspective to the problem at hand."

1. Unsophisticated, lacking in worldly awareness: "Our visiting cousin from abroad demonstrated a delightful innocence when we showed her the highlights of the city."
2. Not guilty of a crime or offence: "The judge determined the innocence of the man on trial and released him."

1. Individuals who are not guilty of an offense or crime: "The three men who had been charged were in fact wrongly accused innocents."
2. Lacking in the knowledge of evil: "Children are often described as innocents."

1. The gradual onslaught of an illness or disease in such a manner that it is entrenched before being discovered: "The insidious nature of his illness distressed both the patient and the doctor."

"Most people with this insidious disease have no idea that they are infected."

2. Harmful but seen as something which is desirable: "The insidious nature of drug addiction often confuses people."

That which may cause discontent, envy, jealousy, or resentment: "The invidious nature of the newspaper article created a sense of anger among the home owners."

To expose to sunlight: "We are going to the beach to insolate ourselves and get a suntan."

1. To cause to be in a detached position: "Being a scientific theorist tended to insulate the man from his surroundings."
2. To prevent the passage of heat, electricity, or sound into or out of, especially by surrounding with a nonconducting material: "The electrician used a special tape to insulate the electrical cords."

1. To set apart or cut off from others: "To prevent cheating on the examinations, the professor chose to isolate the students who were using their laptop computers."
2. To place in quarantine: "The doctors decided to isolate the children with measles so other children would not become ill."
3. To render free of external influence: "Living in the remote mountains tended to isolate the residents from modern civilization."

The act, or an instance of, exposing to sunlight; including, therapeutic exposure to sunlight: "People are cautioned against too much insolation which could result in sunstroke or heat stroke; which is characterized by convulsions, coma, and excessive body heat."

A material or substance that is used to stop heat, electricity, or sound from going into or out of something: "They used fiberglass insulation in the house."

A person, thing, or group that has been separated, as by geographic, ecologic, or social barriers: "The isolation of the mountain community has existed for many decades."

1. Characterized by having no explanation or solution: "The mathematics problem appeared to the students to be insoluble."
2. Impossible, or practically impossible, to dissolve in a liquid: "The mixture appeared to be insoluble under those test tube conditions."

Having no solution or answer: "She reached an insolvable stalemate while playing her computer Solitaire game."

Not having sufficient funds to pay debts as they come due: "The man was humiliated to admit to being insolvent when speaking with his creditors."

"His company became insolvent last week."

1. The inhalation, or breathing in, of air: "The doctor measured her rate of inspiration because she had been ill with a lung infection."
2. To have the action or power to influence emotions or intellect: "Her work was an inspiration to others to volunteer to work in the remote village."

1. To exhale or to breathe out: "When I fell, the expiration of my breath was sudden and I gasped for air."
2. The end or termination of something: "The expiration date on the contract will be approaching soon."

An example to illustrate a situation or to make a point: "Her falling on the stairs was one more instance of the need for safety rails."

1. Characterized as happening immediately: "The chef required but an instant’s notice to prepare a fine meal."
2. An infinitely short space of time: "For a couple of instants, I forgot where I was."

To urge, encourage, or to provoke: "The angry boy on the playground tried to instigate a fight with the others."

1. An organization to promote education and learning: "We attended the institute in the city to learn new teaching skills."
2. To establish or to organize something: "The teachers sought to institute a reading clinic for students in the community."

The incorporation of individuals as equals into the mainstream of a social organization: "The new law will ensure the integration of all students who attend school."

1. The practice or policy of keeping people of different races, religions, genders, etc., separate from each other: "They fought to end the segregation of public schools."
2. The enforced separation of groups in a manner that is discriminatory: "The laws governing school segregation have been declared illegal."

Possessing and using good judgment, problem solving, and advanced thinking: "She appeared to be intelligent as reflected in her positive choices and decisions."

That which is able to be understood or comprehended: "In her speech, she made many relevant and intelligible comments on the topic of water conservation."

1. Inclined towards or interested in things that require the use of thought and reflection: "He always liked intellectual pursuits; such as, studying poetry and the classics."
2. Possessing or suggesting the possession of a high level of critical thinking: "She had a fine intellectual face that matched her wits and conversational skills."

1. Deep feelings: "She felt an intense loyalty to her old school friends."
2. Characteristic of extremes: "The intense heat was almost unbearable

1. For practical purposes or reasons: "For all intents and purposes, the decision to fly to the west coast was a good one."
2. A planned or purposeful action: "His criminal intents were well known to the courts."