Master confusing words with ease
Decry vs. Descry
Decry
/dɪˈkraɪ/Examples:
The critics decried the movie's lack of originality.Activists decried the new policy as harmful to the environment.Historians decried the lack of primary source material.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Descry
/dɪˈskrʌɪ/Examples:
She could barely descry the distant lighthouse through the fog.After climbing the hill, we could descry the village nestled below.From the tower, he managed to descry the approaching ships on the horizon.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Decry has the letters cry in it, which might help you recall that it involves cries of criticism or disapproval.
- Think of descry with an s for see, as it relates to spotting or seeing something in the distance.
- Decry deals with expressing strong disapproval, whereas descry is about discovering or observing.
- Both words have similar spelling, but the meanings are very different, one is linked to criticism and the other to discovery.
- Focus on the action associated with each: decry involves verbal action (speaking out), whereas descry involves visual action (seeing).
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