108 pairs of words that look or sound alike but mean different things. Each pair shows the meaning, synonyms and an example sentence for both words. These pairs are favourites in "spot the error" and "fill in the blank" questions.
Accede vs Exceed — Agree to a demand, request, or treaty.… / Be greater in number or size than (a quantity, number, or ot…
Affect vs Effect — Ad (to) + fect (do). When something affects you, it does som… / Ex (out) + fect (do). An effect is the outcome when somethin…
Affection vs Affectation — A gentle feeling of fondness, liking or love.… / Behavior, speech, or writing that is pretentious and designe…
Ail vs Ale — trouble or afflict (someone) in mind or body.… / An intoxicating drink.…
Allusion vs Illusion — A statement that refers to something indirectly; an indirect… / An instance of a wrong or misinterpreted perception of a sen…
Aspersion vs Aspiration — An attack on the reputation or integrity of someone or somet… / A hope or ambition of achieving something.…
Bail vs Bale — The temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial… / A large wrapped or bound bundle of paper, hay, or cotton…
Bear vs Bare — To move while holding up and supporting/ to be equipped or f… / (of a person or part of the body) not clothed or covered/ wi…
Beside vs Besides — At the side of; next to.… / In addition to; apart from.…
Birth vs Berth — The emergence of a baby or other young from the body of its … / The place where a ship moors / a fixed sleeping place aboard…
Cannon vs Canon — A large, heavy piece of artillery, typically mounted on whee… / A general law, rule, principle, or criterion by which someth…
Canvass vs Canvas — Solicit votes from (electors or members)/ propose (an idea o… / A type of hard, rough cloth used for making sails, tents, an…
Career vs Carrier — An occupation undertaken for a significant period of a perso… / A person or thing that carries, holds, or conveys something.…
Cast vs Caste — Throw (something) in a specified direction/ cause (light or … / Each of the hereditary classes of Hindu society, distinguish…
Cemetery vs Symmetry — � A large burial ground, especially one not in a churchyard.… / � The quality of being made up of exactly similar parts faci…
Censure vs Censor — Express severe disapproval of (someone or something), especi… / An official who examines books, films, news, etc. that are a…
Cession vs Session — The formal giving up of rights, property, or territory by a … / A period devoted to a particular activity…
Coarse vs Course — Rough or harsh in texture.… / The route or direction followed by a ship, aircraft, road, o…
Collision vs Collusion — An instance of one moving object or person striking violentl… / Secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy in order to dece…
Coma vs Comma — A prolonged state of deep unconsciousness, caused especially… / A punctuation mark (,) indicating a pause between parts of a…
Complaisant vs Complacent — Willing to please others or to accept what they do or say wi… / Showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one'…
Compliment vs Complement — A polite expression of praise or admiration.… / A thing that contributes extra features to something else in…
Confident vs Confidant — Feeling or showing confidence(assuredness) in oneself or one… / A person with whom one shares a secret or private matter, tr…
Confirm vs Conform — establish the truth or correctness of (something previously … / comply with rules, standards, or laws/ behave according to s…
Conscious vs Conscience — Aware of and responding to one's surroundings.… / A person's moral sense of right and wrong, viewed as acting …
Contagious vs Contiguous — Spread from one person or organism to another, typically by … / Sharing a common border; touching/ next or together in seque…
Corpse vs Corps — A dead body, especially of a human being rather than an anim… / A main subdivision of an army in the field, consisting of tw…
Dam vs Damn — A barrier constructed to hold back water and raise its level… / Criticize strongly. · Adjective: Used for emphasis, Especial…
Decent vs Descent — Conforming with generally accepted standards of respectable … / An act of moving downwards, dropping, or falling/ the origin…
Decry vs Descry — To depreciate (as a coin) officially or publicly/ to express… / Catch sight of/ to make known/ discovery or view from afar. …
Defer vs Differ — Put off (an action or event) to a later time; postpone/ post… / Be unlike or dissimilar.…
Deference vs Difference — Polite submission and respect.… / A point or way in which people or things are dissimilar/ a d…
Defy vs Deify — Openly resist or refuse to obey/ appear to be challenging (s… / Worship or regard as a god.…
Desert vs Dessert — A waterless, desolate area of land with little or no vegetat… / The sweet course eaten at the end of a meal. · Synonym: Pudd…
Disease vs Decease — A disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or p… / A person's death/ no longer alive. · Verb – Die. · Synonym: …
Dose vs Doze — A quantity of a medicine or drug taken or recommended to be … / A short, light sleep. · Verb: Sleep Lightly. · Synonym: Catn…
Draught vs Drought — A current of cool air in a room or other confined space./ a … / A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a …
Duel vs Dual — A prearranged contest with deadly weapons between two people… / Consisting of two parts, elements, or aspects.…
Eligible vs Illegible — Having the right to do or obtain something; satisfying the a… / Not clear enough to be read. · Synonym: Unreadable, Indeciph…
Elude vs Allude — Escape from or avoid (a danger, enemy, or pursuer), typicall… / Suggest or call attention to indirectly; hint at. · Synonym:…
Emerge vs Immerse — Move out of or away from something and become visible/ becom… / Dip or submerge in a liquid/ involve oneself deeply in a par…
Eminent vs Imminent — (of a person) famous and respected within a particular spher… / About to happen/ likely to occur at any moment. · Synonym: I…
Envelop vs Envelope — Wrap up, cover, or surround completely. · Synonym: Cover, En… / A flat paper container with a sealable flap, used to enclose…
Estate vs State — All the money and property owned by a particular person… / A nation or territory considered as an organized political c…
Facility vs Felicity — A place, amenity, or piece of equipment provided for a parti… / Intense happiness/ the ability to find appropriate expressio…
Fair vs Fare — Treating people equally without favoritism or discrimination… / The money paid for a journey on public transport. · Verb - P…
Faze vs Phase — Disturb or Disconnect… / A distinct period or stage in a process of change or forming…
Feign vs Fain — Pretend to be affected by (a feeling, state, or injury)/ mak… / pleased or willing under the circumstances/ pleased or incli…
Feted vs Fetid — Honour or entertain someone lavishly… / Smelling extremely unpleasant.…
Forgo vs Forego — Go without (something desirable)/ refrain from.… / To go before.…
Gait vs Gate — A person's manner of walking.… / A hinged barrier used to close an opening in a wall, fence, …
Gamble vs Gambol — Play games of chance for money; bet. · Noun - A risky action… / Run or jump about playfully. · Noun - An act of running or j…
Gentle vs Genteel — Having or showing a mild, kind, or tender temperament or cha… / Characterized by exaggerated or affected politeness, refinem…
Hail vs Hale — Pellets of frozen rain which fall in showers from cumulonimb… / Strong and Healthy…
Hoard vs Horde — A stock of objects or valued objects… / A large group of people…
Human vs Humane — Relating to or characteristic of humankind/ a human being.… / Having or showing compassion or benevolence.…
Incite vs Insight — Encourage or stir up (violent or unlawful behaviour) / urge … / The capacity to gain an accurate and deep understanding of s…
Ingenious vs Ingenuous — (of a person) clever, original, and inventive.… / (of a person or action) innocent and unsuspecting.…
