Confusing Words Clarified: Group I; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, etc. +(lists of "I" sections that are organized into what for some people are confusing groups of words)
If you have any problems understanding the pronunciation symbols, go to this Pronunciation Chart for clarifications.intension, intention
intension (in TEN shuhn)
Rarely used, meaning determination, strong use of the mind: "Her intension to complete the examination despite feeling ill was admirable."
intention (in TEN shuhn)
1. A resolution to act in a specific manner: "It is our intention to cross the desert at night to avoid the intense heat."
2. Something that a person plans to do or to achieve: "She seemed to think that her brother was trying to cause problems, but that was never his intention." intercession, intersession
intercession (in" tuhr SESH uhn)
A request or prayer directed on behalf of another person: "The religious leader lead a prayer of intercession for the health and safety of the family."
intersession (IN tuhr sesh" uhn)
The time period between two sessions of academic instruction: "She used the intersession at school to find a job."
inter; intern, inturn
inter (in TUR)
1. To bury a dead person: "The arrangements to inter my uncle were made by his children."
2. As a prefix, happening or occurring between something or things: "The interface of printed pages and the colored illustrations made the book very interesting." intern (IN turn")
1. A student of graduate academic standing completing professional training under the supervision of a qualified instructor: "She was an intern at the hospital, completing her training as a paediatrician."
2. To place in confinement or a restricted environment for political reasons: "Many governments choose to intern their citizens in response to certain governmental fears." inturn (IN turn")
An inward turn or curve around an axis or fixed point: "He wore special shoes to correct the in-turn of his toes."
interment, internment
interment (in TUR muhnt)
The ceremony of burial: "The interment of my uncle was accompanied by special prayers and beautiful music."
internment (in TURN muhnt)
The state or condition of being imprisoned or confined: "The internment of certain members of the community caused a great deal of outrage."
inter-mural, intermural; intramural
intermural (in tuhr MYOOR uhl)
Involving participants between two or more educational institutions, athletic clubs, or other groups: "There were friendly inter-mural debates scheduled among the rival schools."
intramural (in truh MYOOR uhl)
Existing or carried on within the bounds of an institution; especially, a school, athletic club, or a group: "I signed up to play intramural soccer at our school."
international, intranational
international (in" tuhr NASH uh nuhl, in" tuhr NASH nuhl)
Relating to or consisting of two or more nations: "She went to school to study international commerce."
intranational (in" truh NASH uh nuhl; in" truh NASH nuhl)
Existing or occurring within the boundaries of a single nation, rather than involving different nations: "Voting for the President of the United States is an intranational event and international participation is not permitted."
interpellate, interpolate
interpellate (in TUR pel" ayt, in tuhr" puh LAYT)
To question formally: "It became necessary to interpellate the mayor regarding the charges of corruption."
interpolate (in TUR puh layt")
To insert: "Many editors erred by interpolating their lines into the plays of Shakespeare."
interstate, intestate, intrastate
interstate (IN tuhr stayt")
Between states: "The federal government is authorized by the Constitution to regulate interstate commerce."
intestate (in TES tayt", in TES tit)
Not having a valid will: "When he died, his property was intestate because he did not think to write his will."
intrastate (in" truh STAYT)
Within the state: "Intrastate commerce is regulated by each state."
invade, inveighed
invade (in VAYD)
1. To enter a territory for the purpose of conquest: "The ships sought to invade the country by sailing up the river."
2. Progressively injurious: "Without treatment, the doctors were afraid that gangrene would invade the wound." inveighed (in VAYD)
To complain or protest strongly and bitterly: "The populace inveighed against the building of the highway so close to the village."
invalid, invalid
invalid (IN vuh lid)
Information lacking in truth or logical foundation: "Her findings were invalid due to an error in calculation."
invalid (in VAL id)
Someone who is ill and unable to perform typical responsibilities: "His father was an invalid for many years and confined to a wheelchair."
The health insurance was invalid for the poor invalid. invocation, benediction
invocation (in" vuh KAY shuhn)
1. A formula or recitation for conjuring or creating something: "The children pretended to be wizards and recited an invocation, hoping to make their milk into ice cream."
2. A process for asking for support, help, or intercession: "The invocation at the beginning of the church service set the tone for the minister’s sermon." benediction (ben" i DIK shuhn)
An utterance of good wishes, often at the end of a religious service: "The minister gave his benediction to the congregation at the end of the service."
Generally, an invocation comes at the beginning and a benediction comes at the end of a ceremony or religious service, etc. The word invocation has Latin ancestors in invocare, meaning "to invoke"; for example, to call on (a higher power) for assistance, support, or inspiration". A benediction expresses "good wishes" or "a blessing". It has ancestors in the Latin phrase bene dicere, meaning "to speak well" or "to praise". It is often associated with prayer, but not necessarily. invoke, revoke
invoke (in VOHK)
To appeal for or to make an earnest request: "He sought to invoke the help of his friends when he was building a new barn."
revoke (ri VOHK)
To take or to call back, to annul: "Because of his bad driving record, the police decided to revoke his driving license."
iron, ironic
iron (IGH uhrn)
1. A metallic element (Fe) occurring in meteorites and igneous rock: "The explorers were looking for iron ore in order to create a new mining industry in the region."
2. Robust, healthy, strong: "His iron will was legendary among the tycoons of industry. 3. An instrument or tool used for removing the creases and wrinkles in cloth: "In pioneer homes, the iron for pressing clothing was heavy and difficult to use." 4. To remove wrinkles by pressing with a heated instrument: "Would you like me to iron your shirt?" ironic (igh RAHN ik)
1. A difference or inconsistency between reality and expectations: "It is ironic that the shoes of the cobbler's children often had holes in them."
2. A mocking or oblique comment: "His ironic sense of humor often conveyed the truth about what he was thinking." irrational, unreasonable (synonymous terms)
irrational (i RASH uh nuhl)
1. Incapable of logical thought, unthinking, unreasoning: "Animals and fish are considered to be irrational creatures."
2. Affected by loss of usual or normal mental clarity; incoherent, as from a shock: "Both your fears and your behavior are irrational." 3. Unsound, illogical, unreasonable, not based on reality, nonsensical, foolish: "She tends to be more irrational every day in her demented condition." unreasonable (un REE zuh nuh buhl)
1. Not governed by reason; a less than reasonable attitude; contrary to reason: "It's unreasonable for you to expect the weather to be so cool in the summer."
2. Exceeding reasonable limits; obstinate, headstrong, stubborn, inflexible, obdurate, prejudiced: "He's a spoiled, unreasonable person." 3. Excessive, too great, exorbitant, extravagant, immoderate, unjustifiable: "The company management considers the union's demands unreasonable." irrelevant, irreverent
irrelevant (i REL uh vuhnt)
Unrelated to, not applicable to the matter at hand: "In an effort to sound important, the speaker included many irrelevant comments."
irreverent (i REV uhr uhnt)
Lacking in respect or seriousness: "His irreverent sense of humor amused his classmates at school."
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