Words that look or sound alike but mean very different things — a classic GRE trap for non-native speakers
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30 confusable sets · 62 words total
ingenu-OUS → genuine & Open (naïve honesty); ingeni-OUS → genius & Inventive (clever creativity)
con-TRITE → TRITE apology, worn down by guilt (remorseful); con-TRIVE → STRIVE to create or scheme (devise)
co-ERCE → FORCE someone (compel); co-ALESCE → ALL come together (merge/unite)
intransi-GENT → stubborn GENT who won't budge (uncompromising); intransi-ENT → not transient, won't pass through (permanent)
TENU-ity → THIN/weak/flimsy (from 'tenuis' = thin); TENAC-ity → TENACIOUS grip, holding tight (persistence)
VER-acious → VERIFY truth (truthful); VOR-acious → deVOUR greedily (insatiable hunger)
AB-jure → ABandon or renounce (give up); AD-jure → ADvise or urge strongly (appeal earnestly)
cen-SURE → express SURE disapproval (criticize formally); cen-SOR → SORE topic, cut it out (suppress content)
PRO-scribe → PROHIBIT/forbid (ban); PRE-scribe → PRE-plan a remedy/order (recommend)
precipit-ATE → to hasten rashly (verb: cause to happen suddenly); precipit-OUS → dangerously steep (adjective: a precipitous cliff)
credul-OUS → gullible persON who believes too easily; cred-IBLE → belIevaBLE thing/claim (worthy of belief)
tortu-OUS → twisty rOUte (winding/complex path); tortur-OUS → painful like tORTURe (agonizing)
ap-PRAISE → PRAISE/evaluate the value of something; ap-PRISE → surPRISE someone with information (inform)
FLAUNT → show off proudly (display ostentatiously); FLOUT → shOUT at rules (openly disregard)
REST-ive → restLESS, NOT restful! (fidgety/uneasy — a classic GRE trap); rest-FUL → peaceful/calm
laud-ABLE → ABLE to be praised (praiseworthy thing); laud-ATORY → the act of giving praise (full of praise)
DIFFI-dent → DIFFIcult to speak up (shy/lacking confidence); DISSI-dent → DISSent-er (political rebel)
ambigu-OUS → unclear MEANING of words/situations; ambival-ENT → conflicted FEELINGS of a person (torn between two emotions)
E-migrate → EXIT a country (leave); I-migrate → come INTO a country (arrive)
GAIN-say → say AGAINST (contradict/deny); NAY-say → say NO (reject/be negative about)
im-PERVIOUS → canʼt PERVADE through (unaffected/immune); im-PERIOUS → like an EMPEROR (domineering/arrogant)
depre-CATE → express CATEgorical disapproval (criticize); depre-CIATE → decrease in PRICE/value (lose worth)
complI-ment → 'I' give praise (flattery); complE-ment → complEte the whole (make up a matching pair)
E-licit → Extract/Evoke a response (draw out); I-llicit → ILLegal activity (unlawful/forbidden)
EN-demic → IN a specific place (native/local); EPI-demic → upon (EPI) everyone (widespread outbreak)
IMMI-nent → coming any MINUTE (about to happen); EMI-nent → stands out EMINENTLY (famous/distinguished); IMMA-nent → IMMA stay inside (inherent/dwelling within)
discr-ETE → the E's are separaTE (distinct/individual); discr-EET → the E's mEEt (careful/tactful in keeping secrets)
AD-verse → ADded difficulty (harmful/unfavorable conditions); A-verse → Against/Away from (having personal reluctance)
A-llusion → hinting At something (indirect reference); I-llusion → trIck of the eyes (false perception); E-lusion → Escaping/Evading (slipping away)
PERSE-cute → relentlessly harass/opPRESS (cruelty); PROSE-cute → bring to court with PROof (legal action)