con-

Usage

• convalescent

  A convalescent person spends time resting to regain health and strength after having a medical problem, such as an illness, injury, or operation.

• conflagration

  A conflagration is a fire that burns over a large area and is highly destructive.

• inconspicuous

  Something that is inconspicuous does not attract attention and is not easily seen or noticed because it is small or ordinary.

• consternation

  Consternation is the feeling of anxiety or fear, sometimes paralyzing in its effect, and often caused by something unexpected that has happened.

• misconstrue

  If you misconstrue something that has been said or something that happens, you understand or interpret it incorrectly.

• consummate

  If someone shows consummate skill at doing something, that person's skill is very great or almost perfect in every way.

• connive

  If one person connives with another, they secretly plan to achieve something of mutual benefit, usually a thing that is illegal or immoral.

• contentious

  When someone is contentious, they are argumentative and likely to provoke a fight.

• condign

  A condign reward or punishment is deserved by and appropriate or fitting for the person who receives it.

• convoluted

  Something convoluted, such as a difficult concept or procedure, is complex and takes many twists and turns.

• condescend

  When people condescend, they behave in ways that show that they are supposedly more important or intelligent than other people.

• conscript

  To conscript someone is to force them into military service.

• contrite

  If you are contrite, you are very sorry or ashamed that you have done something bad.

• contagion

  A contagion is a disease—or the transmission of that disease—that is easily spread from one person to another through touch or the air.

• unconscionable

  An action or deed is unconscionable if it is excessively shameful, unfair, or unjust and its effects are more severe than is reasonable or acceptable.

• confound

  If something confounds you, it makes you feel surprised and confused, often because it does not meet your predefined expectations.

• condone

  If you condone someone's behavior, you go along with it and provide silent support for it—despite having doubts about it.

• concede

  When you concede to something, you unwillingly admit it is true or give in to it.

• concise

  A concise statement is short, clear, and gets right to the point.

• condemnation

  A condemnation of someone is strong disapproval for what they have done; it can result in a conviction of wrongdoing in court.

• conducive

  A conducive agent is something that is favorable or helpful in getting something to happen.

• confidant

  A confidant is a close and trusted friend to whom you can tell secret matters of importance and remain assured that those secrets will be kept safe.

• conscientious

  When someone is conscientious in performing a task, they do it in a thorough and careful fashion to make sure that it is completely done.

• consign

  When you consign someone into another's care, you sign them over or entrust them to that person's protection.

• constrain

  When you are constrained, you are forced to do something or are kept from doing it.

• contemplate

  When you contemplate something, you either think about it deeply or gaze at it intently.

• contemptible

  A contemptible act is shameful, disgraceful, and worthy of scorn.

• contrived

  When something is contrived, it is obviously thought about or planned beforehand, although it tries to be passed off as not being so.

• disconsolate

  If you are disconsolate, you are very unhappy or so sad that nothing will make you feel better.

• inconceivable

  Something that is inconceivable cannot be imagined or thought of; that is, it is beyond reason or unbelievable.

• inconclusive

  If the results of something are inconclusive, they are uncertain or provide no final answers.

• inconsequential

  Inconsequential matters are unimportant or are of little to no significance.

• inconsolable

  Someone who is inconsolable has been so devastated by a terrible event that no one can help them feel better about it.

• preconception

  A preconception is a conceived notion that you already have, usually in the form of a bias or prejudice of some kind.

• conversion

  When something undergoes a conversion, it is changed in some way.

• concept

  A concept is an idea or thought.

• conceit

  Someone who possesses conceit has excessive self-pride—and thus thinks too highly of their abilities.

• conceal

  When you conceal something, you hide or cover it up in some way so others cannot see it.

• consolidate

  When two businesses consolidate, they combine to form a stronger, more solid company.

• constant

  Something in constant motion doesn't stop but keeps on going; it occurs over and over again.

• consider

  When you consider something, such as an idea or an action, you think about it carefully.

• concern

  When you show concern for someone, you show them care—often because you are worried about them for some reason.

• confuse

  Something that confuses you is hard to understand; it is so unclear that you cannot figure it out.

• conceive

  When you conceive something, such as an idea or plan, you form, imagine, or create it.

• conclusion

  The conclusion of something, such as a book or thought, is its end, last part, or close.

• convince

  When you convince someone, you make that person see that something is true—or you get them to believe it.

• confident

  If you are confident about something you are doing, you are sure you can do it well; you are not worried or concerned because you believe in yourself.

• conclude

  decide by reasoning