Week 6 Synonym Study - Ray T's Interactive Class Hub

📚 How to Use This Page

Each vocabulary word is compared with its synonyms using quadrant charts. Click on the charts to see detailed explanations and example sentences. The charts show how each word differs in formality and context.

oblige

(verb)

require, compel, force, impel

Formal/Legal

Informal/Personal

Gentle

Forceful

require

Necessary by rule
Official necessity

compel

Strong pressure
Irresistible force

oblige

Do a favor
Helpful duty

force

Physical coercion
No choice given

Usage Examples:

Oblige - To do a favor or fulfill a duty:

"I'm happy to oblige your request for help."

Require - To need or demand by rule:

"The law requires all drivers to have insurance."

Compel - To force strongly:

"The evidence compelled the jury to convict."

Force - To make someone do against their will:

"They forced him to sign the document."

observe

(verb)

watch, perceive, notice, follow

Deliberate/Active

Passive/Incidental

Physical

Mental/Rule

watch

Look attentively
Monitor closely

Comply with rules
Adhere to customs

notice

Become aware
Spot something

perceive

Understand meaning
Mental awareness

Usage Examples:

Observe - Watch carefully or follow rules:

"Scientists observe the experiment carefully."

Watch - Look at attentively:

"Watch the road while driving."

Perceive - Become aware through senses or mind:

"I perceived a change in her attitude."

Notice - Become aware of:

"Did you notice the new painting?"

outstrip

(verb)

surpass, transcend, exceed, excel

Competition

Standards

Quantity

Quality

outstrip

Leave behind
Move faster than

excel

Outstanding skill
Superior performance

exceed

Go beyond limit
More than expected

transcend

Rise above
Go beyond ordinary

Usage Examples:

Outstrip - To go faster or do better than:

"Demand for tickets outstripped supply."

Surpass - To go beyond in amount or quality:

"She surpassed all expectations."

Exceed - To go beyond a limit:

"Don't exceed the speed limit."

Transcend - To rise above or go beyond:

"Great art transcends cultural boundaries."

phenomenal

(adjective)

extraordinary, exceptional, remarkable

Impressive Scale

Notable Quality

Objective

Subjective

extraordinary

Beyond ordinary
Very unusual

phenomenal

Amazing impact
Incredible effect

exceptional

Above average
Outstanding quality

remarkable

Worth noting
Draws attention

Usage Examples:

Phenomenal - Extraordinarily impressive:

"The team showed phenomenal growth this year."

Extraordinary - Very unusual or remarkable:

"She has extraordinary talent in music."

Exceptional - Unusually good:

"This is an exceptional piece of work."

Remarkable - Worth attention or notice:

"He made remarkable progress in just one month."

perpetual

(adjective)

constant, ceaseless, enduring

Never Ending

Long Lasting

Unchanging

Continuous

perpetual

Forever ongoing
Never ceasing

ceaseless

Without pause
Non-stop action

constant

Steady state
Unchanging level

enduring

Lasting long
Standing test of time

Usage Examples:

Perpetual - Never ending or changing:

"The machine requires perpetual maintenance."

Constant - Unchanging over time:

"The room temperature remains constant."

Ceaseless - Without stopping:

"The ceaseless rain flooded the streets."

Enduring - Lasting for a long time:

"Their enduring friendship lasted decades."