Confusing Words - 3

Agnostic refers to person who claims that they cannot have true knowledge about the existence of God (but does not deny that God might exist).

Usage Example: Agnostic to begin with, he changed his mind when his daughter was saved miraculously.

Atheist means a person who does not believe in God or gods.

Usage Example: His atheist leanings deterred his political career.

Aid means to provide support for or relief to; help.

Usage Example: Government aid was rushed to the famine-hit areas.

Aide means an assistant or helper, especially a confidential one.

Usage Example: She instructed her aide to deal with the mundane matters himself.

Ail means to cause pain, uneasiness, or trouble to.

Usage Example: The continued silence of her son ailed her.

Ale means a malt beverage, darker, heavier, and bitterer than beer, containing about 6 percent alcohol by volume.

Usage Example: The two friends walked merrily out of the inn after consuming large draughts of ale.

All mighty means very; to a great degree.

Usage Example: The guests were all mightily pleased to see the dance floor.

Almighty means having unlimited power; omnipotent, as God.

Usage Example: By the grace of the almighty the roads were cleared of the boulders.

All ready means completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress.

Usage Example: They were all ready and excited to go to the picnic.

Already means by this or that time; previously; prior to or at some specified or implied time.

Usage Example: They had already decided to immigrate so the change of government did not affect them.

All together means used of a group whose members acted or were acted upon collectively.

Usage Example: The clothes lay all together in a heap on the floor.

Altogether means wholly; entirely; completely; quite.

Usage Example: The premises was altogether destroyed I the fire.

All ways is related to how something is done or how it happens and means every existing possibility, every method.

Usage Example: He was a loser in all ways.

Always means all the time; continuously; uninterruptedly.

Usage Example: He is always posing to be very busy.

Allay means to lessen or relieve; mitigate; alleviate.

Usage Example: He managed to allay the fears of the small child.

Alley means a passage, as through a continuous row of houses, permitting access from the street to backyards, garages, etc.

Usage Example: The alleys were dingy and badly lit.

Ally means to enter into an alliance; join; unite.

Usage Example: The two allies signed the agreement.

Allusion means a passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication.

Usage Example: The author's allusion to Helen meant that the readers would assume she was referring to Helen of Troy.

Delusion means a false belief or opinion.

Usage Example: He has delusions of his own competence of dealing with the matter.

Elusion means the act of avoiding capture (especially by cunning).

Usage Example: He eluded the policeman by posing to be a beggar.

Illusion means the state or condition of being deceived; misapprehension.

Usage Example: The rainbow though an optical illusion is a treat to watch.

Altar means a raised place or structure where sacrifices are offered and religious rites performed.

Usage Example: In Solomon's temple the altar was made of cedar wood and was overlaid with gold.

Alter means to make different in some particular, as size, style, course, or the like; modify.

Usage Example: His alter ego was a force to reckon with.