1. Incursion vs Invasion
• An incursion is an invasion as well as an attack. Incursion can also be used to describe other things that rush in like an army such as an invasive species into a new region or floodwaters entering your home.
Usage: Lawmakers voted in October on a bipartisan bill to sanction Turkey and condemn its incursion into Syria.
2. Wind down
• Of a person relax after stress or excitement.
Usage: I sank into a hot bath in order to wind down.
• Draw or bring gradually to a close.
Usage: Business began to wind down as people awaited the new regime.
3. Caliphate
• A caliphate is an Islamic state under the leadership of an Islamic steward with the title of caliph, a person considered a political-religious successor to the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
Usage: The ox is a symbol of the Saracens, who subdued Palestine, and brought it under the caliphate.
4. Musing
• A period of reflection or thought.
Usage: His musings were interrupted by the sound of the telephone.
5. Evasive
• Tending to avoid commitment or self-revelation, especially by responding only indirectly.
Usage: She was evasive about her phone number.
• Directed towards avoidance or escape.
Usage: They decided to take evasive action.
6. Exult
• Feel or show triumphant elation or jubilation.
Usage: Exulting in her escape, Lisa closed the door behind her.
7. Hapless
• Especially of a person unfortunate.
Usage: The hapless victims of the disaster.
8. Obfuscation
• The action of making something obscure, unclear, or unintelligible.
Usage: When confronted with sharp questions they resort to obfuscation.
9. Quarantine
• [Noun] A quarantine is a restriction on the movement of people and goods, with an intention to prevent the spread of disease or pests. It is often used in connection to disease and illness, preventing the movement of those who may have been exposed to a communicable disease, but do not have a confirmed medical diagnosis.
Usage: The department says Thursday 390 inmates at Men’s Central Jail are under quarantine and being monitored by medical personnel.
• [Verb] Put a person or animal in quarantine.
Usage: I quarantine all new fish for one month.
10. Tiptoe
• Carefully avoid discussing or dealing with a difficult or sensitive subject.
Usage: He admits he has never been one to tiptoe around controversial issues.
• Walk on one’s toes
Usage: They tiptoed in and sat down very quietly, so they wouldn’t disturb anyone.
