Today we are looking at some advanced vocabulary, specifically some false synonyms. Sometimes they are called pseudo synonyms, which are pairs of words that look like they should be synonyms, but are, in fact, not!
We’ve looked before at the prefixes de- and in- which can sometimes mean not or away from. But here we have a pair of words that have completely different meanings.
Defuse and Infuse
Defuse (verb)– in general conversation we would use defuse to talk about making a tense or dangerous situation, less tense or dangerous. It’s the same word as when we describe a bomb being disarmed. So, it is, figuratively, when a situation is prevented from exploding. Synonyms would be ease, alleviate, lighten.
Examples
The peacekeepers are trained to defuse potentially explosive situations.
Her quiet, calm voice helped to defuse the tension in the room.
Please don’t confuse defuse with diffuse, which means – to spread out – like a gas or a smell. It’s not the same word.
But infuse – does it mean the same thing as defuse? No, because in this case the prefix in- doesn’t mean not or away from, it simply means ‘in’.
Infuse (verb) – to fill something or someone with a particular quality. When we put tea leaves into water, they infuse the waterto make tea. We can be infused with a particular emotion.
Example
The music at the concert infused the crowd with energy and excitement.
Defer and Infer
Another pair of words with the misleading de- and in- prefix is defer and infer.
Defer (verb) – to put something off.
Example
I will defer my judgment until I have all the evidence.
But the phrasal verb – defer to – means: to allow someone else to make a decision because of their position of honour or respect.
Example
On this occasion I will defer to the wisdom of my boss.
But what about infer? Does it mean to put something off? No!
To infer (verb) – to form an opinion or guess that something is true based on the information you have.
Example
We can infer from the expression on your face, that you don’t agree.
Deprecation and Imprecation
With the next pair of words we have another de- prefix but this time it’s an im- prefix that makes these words look like synonyms.
Deprecation (noun) – not approving of something or saying that you do not approve of something.
Example
She rolled her eyes in deprecation of his latest hare-brained idea.
Whereas an Imprecation (noun) is simply an offensive word – swearing!
Example
The elderly lady shuffled down the street muttering imprecations about her neighbours.
Vocation and provocation
With the next pair of words, we have one word without a prefix and another with a pro- prefix.
Vocation (noun) is taken from the Latin vocatio meaning ‘a call or summons’.
In modern English a vocation is a career or occupation that you feel particularly drawn to and dedicated to. It’s more than just a job to you. The word is also used formally to describe a trade or profession.
Example
Valerie considers being a psychologist as more of a vocation than just a job.
What about provocation? Let’s think -‘pro’ and ‘vocation’ – sounds like you’re all in favour of having a fulfilling job! But of course, it’s not!
Provocation is the noun which comes from the verb provoke – to do something to bring out an unfavourable reaction in someone or something. The words do have the same origins, but now have completely different meanings.
Example
He lost his temper due to provocation from an unreasonable customer.
Anaesthetic and Unaesthetic
So now we arrive at our last pair of false synonyms. The spelling difference is very subtle, but the meanings are very different.
You might already be familiar with anaesthetic (noun) – a drug that is used to cause a temporary loss of feeling or awareness, used by medical professionals.
Example
The surgery to remove her gall bladder was performed under general anaesthetic.
But what on earth is unaesthetic? The adjective aestheticmeans – concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty. So, unaesthetic is the opposite – lacking in beauty or taste.
Example
That house on the corner is utterly unaesthetic and makes our neighbourhood look shabby.
I hope you found the video helpful! As always, comments can be left under the video on YouTube.
Until next time!