Commonly confused words

stationary vs. stationery

stationary  adjective (not moving; static) The escalator was stationary, and we walked up. A van rammed a stationary car. The traffic was stationary for half an hour. The population remained almost stationary for years.   stationery  noun (materials used for writing and for using in an office) My father had …

Read More »

complacent vs. complaisant

  complacent  disapproving (too pleased or satisfied with a situation so that you no longer try to improve) I am not complacent and know that there is always room for improvement. You should not get complacent about your achievements.   complaisant  formal (willing to please others; agreeable) Mike has a pretty and complaisant wife. …

Read More »

grizzly vs. grisly

  grizzly (large brown bear) A grizzly is not a social creature. Grizzly bears live in North America and parts of Russia.   grisly (causing great fear or disgust) It was a grisly story. The police were investigating a grisly murder.   envocabulary.com

Read More »

censure vs. censor

  censure  formal (to criticize strongly and publicly) We cannot censure him until we know all the facts. The manager censured him for not reporting the problem.   censor (to remove parts of a book, movie, etc. that are considered offensive, politically dangerous, or morally harmful) The Ministry of Defense censors the …

Read More »

insidious vs. invidious

  insidious  formal (something dangerous or deadly that seems to be harmless) They are attempting to put insidious ideas in our minds. You don’t recognize this insidious disease until it’s too late.   invidious  formal (unpleasant and likely to offend other people or make them jealous) The director never makes …

Read More »
error: Content is protected !!