GRE Confusing Words Practice
obnoxious / ɑbˈnɑkʃəs /noxious / ˈnɑkʃəs /
1
Workers wore respirators to protect their lungs from the ____ fumes released by the chemicals.
2
The ____ guest kept interrupting everyone and insulting the host until he was asked to leave.
Note
Both words can mean offensive or unpleasant, but obnoxious is more common and idiomatic for annoying behavior. Use noxious for something harmful or poisonous—for example, an obnoxious guest but noxious fumes.