Deference means courteous regard or respect. The young reporter showed deference to the famous anchor. Difference means a distinguishing characteristic or disparity. The difference is in how they present themselves to the public. Diffidence means reserved, shy, or lacking self confidence. Overcoming their diffidence may lead to better opportunities.
Category: Confusing Words
Difference between Defective and Deficient
Defective means faulty. The scanner’s defective circuit board can easily be replaced. Deficient means lacking completeness or a key ingredient. Tests proved her diet was deficient in calcium and magnesium.
Difference between De facto and De jure
De facto means actual. The de facto speed limit on a busy afternoon is only 50 m.p.h. De jure means as a matter of law or right. The maximum speed limit, de jure, is 65 m.p.h.
Difference between Deductive and Inductive
Concerning types of reasoning: Deductive means to reason from the general to the specific (top-down approach). All people need water to survive; Bob is a person; Bob needs water to survive. Inductive means to reason from the specific to the general (bottom-up approach). Bob needs water to survive; Bob is a person; all people need water […]
Difference between Decry and Descry
Decry means to openly condemn or ridicule something. The faculty has a right to decry the cuts in the budget. Descry means to see or catch sight of, often from a distance. Some nights you can actually descry the blue whales out at sea.
Difference between Decided, Decisive and Incisive
Decided means clear-cut, unmistakable, or without doubt. This company has a decided advantage over its competitors. Decisive means conclusive. The committee’s decisive action gave our firm an advantage. Incisive means acute, cutting, or sharp. The company lost an incisive mind and an outstanding engineer.
Difference between Decent, Descent and Dissent
Decent means proper or honest. The play’s interpretation was done in a decent manner. Many people consider Rick a thoughtful and decent individual. Descent means a downward slope or family origin. The airplane’s sudden descent alarmed many passengers. When one mentions the descent of man, we think of Darwin. Dissent means disagreement. If the cause […]
Difference between Decadence and Decadents
Decadence means showing low morals and a love for world pleasures. It can also mean being artificial or lacking in quality. The acceptable level of moral decadence has plunged recently. Unfortunately, he exhibited decadence in his dress and manner. Decadents are spoiled people with low morals and a love for worldly pleasures. Some of their […]
Difference between Debark and Disembark
Both words mean to go ashore or to unload something. Either is acceptable.
Difference between Debar and Disbar
Debar means to bar from a place or to prevent from exercising a right. Many states debar people under 21 from alcohol and tobacco. Disbar means to expel from the bar or the legal profession. He avoided prosecution, but they may still disbar him.
Difference between Dearth and Plethora
Dearth refers to a great shortage or scarcity of something. We have a dearth of competent workers to handle the project. Plethora refers to an abundance or excess of something. The holiday season brings a plethora of “Greatest Hits” CDs.
Difference between Deadly and Deathly
Deadly means likely to cause death. Research shows aspirin can reduce the risk of deadly infections. Deathly means like or in the manner of death. After the loss, a deathly silence fell across the stadium.