Apparent, illusory, seeming and ostensible all mean not really or actually being what it appears to be.
Category: Synonyms
Apology vs Apologia vs Excuse vs Plea vs Pretext vs Alibi
Apology, apologia, excuse, plea, pretext and alibi denote the reason or reasons offered in explanation or defense of something (as an act, a policy, or a view).
Apex vs Vertex
Apex and vertex are so often used interchangeably with reference to the tip or top point of a cone, a pyramid, or a conic section that a fundamental difference in implications is often ignored.
Aperture vs Interstice vs Orifice
Aperture, Interstice and Orifice denote an opening allowing passage through or in and out.
Antiseptic vs Germicide vs Bactéricide vs Disinfectant
Antiseptic, germicide, bactéricide and disinfectant all denote an agent that interferes with the growth and activity of microorganisms.
Antipathy vs Aversion
Antipathy and aversion are closer synonyms than their corresponding adjectives when they denote the state of mind created by what is antipathetic to one.
Antipathetic vs Unsympathetic vs Averse
Antipathetic, unsympathetic and averse are often used as if they were synonyms. They are, however, not interchangeable if employed in accord with careful usage.
Anthropology vs Ethnology vs Archaeology
Anthropology, ethnology and archaeology are clearly distinguishable sciences, but they are often confused by laymen because the investigations of scholars in these fields are largely concerned with ancient or primitive races.
Anthropoid vs Anthropomorphic vs Anthropomorphous
Anthropoid, anthropomorphic and anthropomorphous all mean resembling man.
Answer vs Respond vs Reply vs Rejoin vs Retort
Answer, respond, reply, rejoin and retort (and their corresponding nouns answer, response, reply, rejoinder, retort) mean to say or write or sometimes to do something (or something that is said, written, or done) in return (as to a question, a call, a request, or a charge).
Anodyne vs Opiate vs Narcotic vs Nepenthe
Anodyne, opiate, narcotic and nepenthe mean something used to dull or deaden one's senses or one's sensibility and are often used adjectivally.
Anodyne vs Analgesic vs Anesthetic
Anodyne, analgesic and anesthetic all denote something used to relieve or prevent pain, all are freely used both substantively and adjectivally, and all have a related noun, anodynia, analgesia, anesthesia, denoting the corresponding state.