Desperate means nearly hopeless or undertaken as a last resort. We are taking desperate measures to avoid another strike. Disparate means completely distinct or different. The candidates’ ideas reflect disparate visions of government’s role.
Category: Confusing Words
Difference between Despatch and Dispatch
Dispatch is preferred in American usage.
Desolate vs Dissolute
Desolate means uninhabited or miserable. Chris and Bill decided to retire in a desolate part of Maine. The children are desolate over the loss of their dog last year. Dissolute means lacking in moral standards. I regret having lived a dissolute lifestyle in my younger years.
Desert vs Dessert
Desert, as a noun, is an arid place with little vegetation or something deserved or merited, especially a punishment.
Difference between Descension and Dissension
Descension means to descend, fall, or sink. The team’s sudden descension in the rankings surprised many. Dissension means disagreement or a difference of opinion. Dissension exists over where the new town hall should be built.
Difference between Deprecate and Depreciate
Deprecate means to disapprove of or belittle something. Tom deprecated his contributions to the company’s success. Depreciate means to lower the value or worth of something. Years of city driving drastically depreciated my car’s value.
Difference between Depraved and Deprived
Depraved means morally bad or corrupt. A depraved person can have a bad influence on other people. Deprived means lacking economic or social necessities. We distributed the food baskets to deprived neighborhoods.
Difference between Depose and Dispose
Depose means to remove someone from a position (or power) or to take one’s testimony. Employees want to depose him from his high company position. Investigators will depose the witness behind close doors. Dispose means to settle affairs or be inclined to do something. The lawyer appointed Celeste to dispose our mother’s estate. Please dispose […]
Difference between Dependant and Dependent
In American English, dependent is used as both a noun and an adjective. British English has a distinction between the words.
Difference between Denounce and Renounce
Denounce means to criticize or condemn something openly. The new drug was denounced as ineffective and harmful. Renounce means to give up claim to something. The engineer willingly renounced all ownership to the software.
Difference between Demur and Demure
Demur means to voice opposition, objection, or delay. Jim may demur at the suggestion that we start the meeting now. Demure means modest, reserved, or shy. Peter appears demure despite all of his accomplishments.
Difference between Deluge and Flood
A deluge is a large, heavy downpour of water that typically does not leave damage. A flood is overflowing water that covers land. It typically leaves damage.