DailyWritingTips

45 Synonyms for “Road”

This post lists synonyms for road and specific terms for various types of roads. It excludes words primarily of use in British English or in other languages, as well as other senses of the terms. 1. alley: a narrow street, especially one providing access to the rear of buildings or lots between blocks 2. alleyway: … Read more

50 Synonyms for “Song”

Numerous words that describe various types of musical composition are listed and defined below. (Note that in the definitions below, popular denotes not a musical form that is widely enjoyed, but a song of a type traditionally derived from common people and folk traditions rather than from professional composers. Forms of the word accompany refer … Read more

Synonyms for “Works”

Several words available to writers seeking to succinctly refer to the entirety of a person’s artistic or literary works are listed and described in this post. Canon, often confused with cannon, is from the Greek noun kanon, “meaning rule,” and has multiple meanings. In this context, it refers to a body of works generally accepted … Read more

Synonyms for “Think”

The bland verb think (from the Old English word thencan, and cognate with thank) is easily supplanted by any one of an impressive assortment of synonyms, each of which has a precise connotation think cannot match. Here are some to think about. To cogitate is to think deeply and intently; the root of the word, … Read more

The Connotations of 30 Synonyms for “Cheat” and “Fool”

Numerous terms, many of them derived from colorful underworld slang, exist to refer to the action of cheating or fooling someone. This post describes the connotation inherent in some of these words and phrases. 1–2. The implication of the nonsense words bamboozle and hornswoggle is that the perpetrator sets out to confuse the mark, or … Read more

Synonyms for “Clothes”

Words that refer collectively to one’s clothes have an origin in the sense of equipment or preparation; here are a dozen words available as alternatives to clothes. Apparel, ultimately derived from the Latin verb apparare, meaning “prepare,” started out in English as a verb but then came to be associated with clothing (as well as … Read more

A Short List of Synonyms for “Shorten”

Shorten is a serviceable word for describing how to reduce the extent or length of something, but some synonyms are available to use in its place. Abbreviate stems ultimately from the Latin verb abbreviare, the root of which is from brevis, meaning “short”—the same word from which brevity (“briefness”) and brief are derived. Abridge, which … Read more

Synonyms for “Sofa”

The item of furniture that is usually the centerpiece of a living room or family room or a lobby or waiting room goes by any one of many names, but they have useful distinctions in meaning. Here’s a rundown of sofa and its associated terms. Sofa, ultimately from Arabic, originally denoted a raised carpeted floor, … Read more

20 Synonyms for “Excuse”

The sentiment behind the verb excuse can be expressed in many ways, whether the sense is of “remove blame from” or “stop blaming” (or even, in many cases, “deflect attention from blame”). Here are twenty words and phrases that will serve, along with their pertinent meanings. 1. absolve: free from guilt or responsibility 2. acquit: … Read more

Synonyms for “Answer”

Answer is a word of noble pedigree—it dates back nearly a thousand years in its original sense of “swear against” (from Old English andswaru). However, it’s bland and neutral, and a variety of synonyms with more precise connotations exist. Reply often has a sense of a thorough reaction to a communication, though it can simply … Read more

35 Synonyms for Rain and Snow

A rich variety of words and phrases are available to describe an array of wet weather conditions. Here are nearly three dozen terms for rain and snow events and their definitions (some accompanied by other meanings). 1. blizzard: a long, severe snowstorm (also, a sudden burst of something that comes in a large amount) 2. … Read more