Paronyms and Homonyms Beginning With Q,R,S,T

Paronyms and Homonyms : - Confusion is often caused in understanding the meanings of certain words because they are either similar in meaning and form or similar in their sound of pronunciation. The words which are different in meaning or use but are similar in form or derivations are called Paronyms. On the other hand Homonyms are similar in their sound or pronunciation but different in meaning. They are also called Homophones (different in spelling and meaning but pronounced alike). In Modern English Paronyms and Homonyms (Homophones) are not much distinguished.

1. Righteous : - (just, truthful) The Principal's anger was righteous for he could not tolerate the indiscipline in the college.

    Rightful : - (having right) He is the rightful owner of the property.

2. Raise : - (increase) The traders have raised the prices of food grains.

    Raze  : - (wipe out) All the huts of the poor were razed to the ground as they needed land to build a five star hotel.

3. Reign : - (rule) The reign of Gupta dynasty, is known as golden period in the history of India.

   Rein : - (brid!e of horse) He reined the horse and escaped a fall.

4. Rite : - (ceremony) The marriage was performed according to Hindu rites.

    Wright : - (give a shape) He is a great playwright.

   Write : - (compose) Please write in the note-book.

5. Rout : - (put to defeat) The enemy was routed by Indian forces.

    Route : - (path) You should not go by long route.

6. Respective : - (belonging to each) After the match we left for our respective homes.

    Respectable : - (enjoying respect) His father is a respectable man of the city.

    Respectful : - (showing respect) You must be respectful to your elders.

7. Rapt : - (fully attentive) They listened to the speech of the Prime Minister with rapt attention. 

    Wrapt : - (lost in, absorbed) She did not notice my arrival as she was wrapt in her thoughts.

8. Recourse : - (means of action) I do not advise you to have recourse to legal action in this matter.

    Resource : - (means, raw material) India is a land teeming with natural resources.

9. Symbol : - (sign, to represent something) Vinoba Bhave was a symbol of simplicity and honesty.

    Cymbal : - (a musical instrument) The melodious sound of the cymbals impressed every body.

10. Stationery : - (writing material) His father deals in office stationery.

     Stationary : - (static, fixed) The Sun is stationary.

11. Soar : - (rise, fly) Birds are soaring in the sky.

     Sore : - (wound, painful) People are sore because the prices are soaring.

     Sour : - (bitter) The grapes are sour.

12. Suspect : - (to think to be true) The whole class suspects Rohan to have stolen Rita's money.

     Doubt : - (to think to be untrue) I doubt if she will get through the examination.

13. Sociable : - (fond of mixing with people) Because of her sociable behaviour she is liked by all the members of her family.

     Social : - (pertaining to society) Man is a social animal.

14. Sensual : - (voluptuous, exciting senses) We should not indulge in sensual pleasures or we will repent later on.

     Sensuous : - (that affects the senses) John Keats' poetry is sensuous.

15.Spacious : - (having large space) My house contains many spacious rooms.

    Specious : - (outwardly attractive) No body was impressed with his specious arguments.

16. Spiritual : - (opposed to material, of spirit) Indians should not give up their spiritual heritage.

     Spirituous : - (containing intoxicating drink) Excessive consumption of spirituous drinks is injurious to health.

17. Stimulant : - (that which stimulates) Tea is a stimulant for a worker after a day's hard work.

     Stimulus : - (incentive) Man hardly acts if there is no stimulus before him.

18. Special : - (specific) He came here on a special mission to bring about reconciliation between the two parties.

     Especial : - (to a great degree) It is especially hot these days.

19. Storey : - (upper part of a building) He lives in the second storey of the house.

     Story : - (tale) It is a very interesting story.

20. Suit : - (a set of clothes, a lawsuit) He presented me with a woollen suit.

     Suite : - (a set of rooms) He has booked a suite in the hotel.

21. Sham : - (pretend to be, pretence) What he says is all sham.

     Shame : - (feeling of humiliation) He felt shame at having told a lie.

22. Severe : - (violent, rigorous) She is suffering from severe headache.

     Sever : - (separate) You can never sever relations with your family.

23. Statue : - (figure of animal/man in stone or wood) The statue of Dr. Ambedkar was unveiled by the President.

     Statute : - (law passed by law making bodies) The statute was passed by the Parliament unanimously.

24. Temperance : - (moderation in habits) We should observe temperance in eating and drinking habits because it leads to healthy way of life.

     Temperament : - (disposition, nature) Always keep from persons of choleric temperament.

25. Tolerable : - (bearable) The food that was served in his daughter's marriage was tolerable.

     Tolerant : - (liberal in ideas) Every religion teaches us to be tolerant of the religious views held by others.

26. Temporal : - (worldly, physical) We should not hanker after temporal glory.

     Temporary : - (lasting for short time) He was given the job on the temporary basis only.

27. Tamper : - (meddle with) Please do not tamper with my papers.

     Temper : - (emotional state of mind, soften) One must not lose one's temper.

28. Teem : - (full of) India is a country teeming with natural resources.

      Team : - (group of players) His name has not been included in the college cricket team.

Illustration : - Choose the correct word from the bracket.

She achieved this distinction by the  _________ force of hard work.  (sheer/shear)

Answer : - sheer

Illustration : - Choose the correct word from the bracket.

I was pitted seeing the  __________  of a labouring lady.   (throw/throe/through)

Answer : - throe