Tolerate/prohibit

Tolerate/prohibit
RD.COM

Tolerate, to fail to prevent an action or behaviour from neglect or indifference, is passive, while to prohibit – to forbid by authority – necessitates action. Example: The boss tolerated Ed’s lecherous antics because he was too busy with the expansion to notice. The new work policy prohibits inter-office dating and sexual harassment.

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Evasive/articulate

Evasive/articulate
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To articulate is the ability to speak with clarity, but evasive implies something untoward or dishonest, not merely unclear. Example: Once the background check was complete, we understood why Jane was so evasive about her work history. Dennis was the best person to articulate our position because he was well-versed in the details.

Luxury/cheap

Luxury/cheap
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A luxury is something expensive or desirable but not essential whereas cheap simply means low-price or of poor quality. The opposite of luxury is a necessity; expensive is the opposite of cheap. Example: The going-out-of-business sale priced the dresses so cheap, I bought three, which made them a luxury purchase.

Think this pair is confusing? Some words are their own opposites!

Sympathy/retribution

Sympathy/retribution
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Sympathy is a feeling of pity or sorrow for another, similar to compassion. Retribution, on the other hand, is an act of punishment. Example: The juror expressed sympathy about the defendant’s traumatic childhood but felt the retribution he received for his crime was just.

Watch out for these redundant phrases you’re probably using all the time. 

Potent/mild

Potent/mild
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Potency is a measure of impact or effect whereas mildness is a measure of strength. It is possible to be strong and ineffectual and mild and powerful. Example: Her reputation for vengefulness was so potent that even her mild reproach left her employees with a feeling of dread.

Accept/dissent

Accept/dissent
RD.COM

Accept, meaning to receive with favour, and dissent, to disagree or withhold assent, are not mutually exclusive and, therefore, not opposites. Example: Although George gladly accepted the appointment, he took great pains to voice his dissent about the chair’s proposed plans.

Eccentric/sane

Eccentric/sane
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While an eccentric may deviate from conventional or accepted conduct, this quirkiness doesn’t indicate an unhealthy or irrational mind; a person can be both sane and eccentric. Example: Many people described Steve Jobs as eccentric but his sanity was never in question.

Learn which real words were invented by accident. 

Lament/enjoy

Lament/enjoy
RD.COM

Lament means mourning aloud or wailing whereas enjoyment – to take pleasure or satisfaction in – need not be. Example: Joy’s roommate seemed to enjoy her never-ending lament of her break-up with Frank.

Boost your word wisdom even more with these synonyms that will make you a better writer. 

Ascend/fall

Ascend/fall
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Ascend is a deliberate, upward movement using one’s own power; a fall is a precipitous descent caused by gravity. Example: The hiker’s careful ascent up the mountain almost ended in a bad fall when the rock gave way.

Partisan/independent

Partisan/independent
RD.COM

While independents may not be officially affiliated with any political party, they are often very partisan. In this case, nonpartisan is the best antonym. Example: While roughly 40 percent of Americans identify as independents, the vast majority have a consistent partisan lean.

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