The words versed, verst sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Why do versed, verst sound the same even though they are completely different words?
The answer is simple: versed, verst are homophones of the English language.
Acquainted through study or experience; knowledgeable or skilled: She is well versed in classical languages.
A Russian measure of linear distance equivalent to about two thirds of a mile.
Definitions from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition and Wordnik.
Homophones (literally "same sound") are usually defined as words that share the same pronunciation, regardless of how they are spelled.
If they are spelled the same then they are also homographs (and homonyms); if they are spelled differently then they are also heterographs (literally "different writing").