PSAT: Commonly Confused Words: List 8

Learn the correct meanings and usages of these commonly confused words you may encounter on the PSAT exam.
12 words 2 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. formidable
    inspiring fear or dread
    Of all the beasts brought from far-off countries to please the crowds with their ferocity, the tiger was one of the most formidable. Tiger, Tiger
    To see more usage examples of "formidable," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "formidable" and "formative," click here.
  2. formative
    capable of molding or fashioning
    She spoke as if she had spent her formative years in some boarding school, walking around with a big-lettered sweater tied around her shoulders. Bodega Dreams
    To see more usage examples of "formative," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "formidable" and "formative," click here.
  3. introvert
    a person who tends to shrink from social contacts
    I am an introvert through and through; I like to spend my free time reading and pursuing solitary hobbies. Washington Post
    To see more usage examples of "introvert," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "introvert" and "extrovert," click here.
  4. extrovert
    a person directed toward others as opposed to the self
    A natural extrovert, he would leave the hotel as soon as we arrived and hit the streets, learning by seeing and talking to people. Long Walk to Freedom
    To see more usage examples of "extrovert," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "introvert" and "extrovert," click here.
  5. objective
    undistorted by emotion or personal bias
    I wanted to keep my feelings out of it, to be objective in my observations. Black Like Me
    To see more usage examples of "objective," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "objective" and "subjective," click here.
  6. subjective
    taking place within the mind and modified by individual bias
    In the Essays Montaigne was making a fundamental claim about our knowledge of the world, that knowledge is always subjective, personal. The Invention of Science
    To see more usage examples of "subjective," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "objective" and "subjective," click here.
  7. premier
    first in rank or degree
    This premier city was the cradle of ancient art and architecture, as well as the site of both the Hanging Gardens and Tower of Babel. The Annotated Mona Lisa
    To see more usage examples of "premier," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "premier" and "premiere," click here.
  8. premiere
    the first public performance of a play or movie
    Arletta Paisley’s summer season premiere was only a few days away, and H & H was showing a heavy rotation of reruns to build excitement about the new show. Hope Springs
    To see more usage examples of "premiere," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "premier" and "premiere," click here.
  9. sac
    a structure resembling a bag in an animal
    Agnew and Hamilton knew from their years practicing military surgery that the human body often encases a bullet in a cyst, or sac, making it harmless. Ambushed!
    To see more usage examples of "sac," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "sac" and "sack," click here.
  10. sack
    a bag made of paper or plastic for holding purchases
    But when Miss Celia told me to take a dozen peaches home I pulled out a sack and plopped twelve right in. The Help
    To see more usage examples of "sack," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "sac" and "sack," click here.
  11. slight
    small in quantity or degree
    I picture Rania’s slight smile, barely visible under her hazmat suit. A Rover's Story
    To see more usage examples of "slight," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "slight" and "sleight," click here.
  12. sleight
    adroitness in using the hands
    Hazel passed a diamond between her fingers in a sleight of hand. The House of Hades
    To see more usage examples of "sleight," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "slight" and "sleight," click here.
Created on Tue Jun 10 12:30:12 EDT 2025 (updated Tue Jun 10 12:30:45 EDT 2025)

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