Commonly confused words

decry vs. descry decry (strongly criticize) They decry the campaign as a waste of money. She decried the lack of support for the project.   descry (to see, discover) I descried a large ship far away on the horizon. We can descry a way to overcome this problem.     …

decent vs. descent   decent (polite or respectable) Everyone says that he is a decent sort of person. It was decent of you to have come.   descent  (a downward movement) You must fasten your seatbelts prior to descent. The land slopes to the sea in a gradual descent.   …

dairy vs. diary dairy (milk and foods made from milk) The doctor told me to cut down on red meat and dairy. On this farm, we have both beef and dairy cattle.   diary (journal) Daniel used to keep a diary when he was 10. Before you forget, write it in your …

dab vs. dub dab (touch something lightly several times, usually with a cloth) She dabbed her eye with tissue. Dab the coffee off with a cloth.   dub (change the original language) They want to dub the movie into French. I would rather watch a movie with subtitles than a dubbed …

bruit vs. brute bruit (spread news or rumor) It’s been bruited that the president is going to resign. Please don’t bruit rumors about the office.   brute (a cruel or violent mad or animal) He was an ill-mannered brute. The dog is a great brute.   bruit vs. brute – …