In the context of the dynamic development of modern economic terminology, marked by the active incorporation of foreign loanwords, there is an increasing need for an in-depth and comprehensive investigation of linguistic phenomena capable of destabilising professional communication. One such linguistic phenomenon is paronymy, which can lead to the use of imprecise and ambiguous terminology in the field of economics. This article aimed to identify, systematise, and analyse paronyms that are most frequently used in contemporary Ukrainian economic terminology. The research involved an analysis of current resources, including electronic databases of Ukrainian legislation and lexicographic sources – both general explanatory dictionaries and specialised economic dictionaries and reference materials. Based on the linguistic analysis conducted, the most common paronymic pairs used in modern Ukrainian economic discourse have been identified and systematised. Particular attention was devoted to the analysis of the semantic nuances and functional characteristics of the identified paronyms, which may contribute to a destabilised understanding of a text’s content. The article outlined in detail the significant differences in their lexical meanings, areas of usage, and the specificities of their application in specialised texts. In addition, it explored the various factors that trigger the increased use of paronymic forms in the professional language of economists, thereby contributing to the destabilisation of the terminological system. The results of the study may be effectively applied in the compilation and refinement of various lexicographic works in the field of economics, in the development of modern educational and methodological materials for students of economics, and in targeted efforts to enhance the linguistic competence of professionals in the economic sphere. This, in turn, would support the stabilisation and increased effectiveness of their professional communication
communicative competence; language culture; similar-sounding words; phonetic similarity; semantics; terminological system; functioning
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