Week 7 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.

prove

(verb)

verify, substantiate, confirm

Formal/Scientific

Everyday/General

Initial Check

Final Evidence

verify

Check accuracy
Test validity

substantiate

Provide evidence
Support with facts

confirm

Make certain
Double-check

prove

Demonstrate truth
Show conclusively

Usage Examples:

Prove - Demonstrate conclusively:

"The experiment proved the hypothesis was correct."

Verify - Check for accuracy:

"Please verify your email address."

Substantiate - Support with evidence:

"Can you substantiate your claims with data?"

Confirm - Make certain:

"I called to confirm our appointment."

provoke

(verb)

incite, irritate, vex, enrage

Extreme Reaction

Mild Reaction

Intentional

Result

incite

Stir to action
Urge strongly

enrage

Make furious
Extreme anger

provoke

Stimulate response
Trigger reaction

irritate

Annoy mildly
Cause displeasure

Usage Examples:

Provoke - Stimulate a reaction:

"His comments provoked a heated debate."

Incite - Stir to action:

"The speech incited the crowd to protest."

Irritate - Annoy or bother:

"The constant noise irritated the neighbors."

Enrage - Make extremely angry:

"The unfair decision enraged the team."

refine

(verb)

upgrade, enhance, purify, polish

Technical Process

General Improvement

Physical

Abstract

purify

Remove impurities
Make pure

refine

Perfect details
Make precise

upgrade

Improve version
Better quality

enhance

Add value
Intensify qualities

Usage Examples:

Refine - Improve by making small changes:

"We need to refine our presentation before the meeting."

Upgrade - Replace with better version:

"It's time to upgrade your computer."

Enhance - Increase quality or value:

"The new features enhance user experience."

Purify - Remove contaminants:

"The filter purifies the water."

restrict

(verb)

limit, confine, restrain

Complete Control

Partial Control

Physical

Abstract/Rules

confine

Keep within bounds
Enclose physically

restrict

Set rules/limits
Control access

restrain

Hold back
Prevent action

limit

Set boundaries
Define maximum

Usage Examples:

Restrict - Put limits or controls on:

"The school restricts phone use during class."

Limit - Set a boundary or maximum:

"Please limit your presentation to 10 minutes."

Confine - Keep within certain bounds:

"The animals are confined to their enclosures."

Restrain - Hold back or control:

"He had to restrain his anger."

resemble

(verb)

be similar to, be like, take after

Strong Similarity

Weak Similarity

Physical

Character/Traits

look like

Physical appearance
Visual similarity

take after

Inherit traits
Family resemblance

resemble

Have similarity
Share features

be similar to

Share qualities
Have in common

Usage Examples:

Resemble - Be similar in appearance or qualities:

"The twins closely resemble each other."

Be similar to - Have common features:

"This problem is similar to the one we solved yesterday."

Be like - Have the same characteristics:

"She is like her mother in many ways."

Take after - Resemble a parent or ancestor:

"He takes after his grandfather in his love of music."