Search Results for: synonyms for

Many words exist that refer to an expectation expressed by an authoritative person or entity, and sometimes it’s difficult to distinguish such terms when one tries to convey a reference to a law, an order, or a rule. Here are some synonyms for those words, along with definitions. 1. Behest: an order or prompting 2. … Read more

Look, it’s perfectly acceptable to use the verb look, but don’t hesitate to replace this fairly ordinary-looking word with one of its many more photogenic synonyms. Many of these substitutions come in especially handy when it comes to finding one word to take the place of look-plus-adverb or look-plus-adjective-and-noun, as the definitions demonstrate. 1. Blink: … Read more

There’s no shortage of synonyms for shortage, and though many of the terms are close in meaning, the variety of connotations is sufficient to merit this list. 1. Crunch: a sudden shortage (informal) 2. Dearth: a shortage, especially one with dire and severe effects, such as one of food 3. Deficiency: a shortage, including one … Read more

Humans, being social animals, have many reasons for meeting — and many words to describe doing so in various degrees of formality and format. Here are thirty ways to label a meeting, depending on the particulars. 1. Assembly: a meeting for entertainment, legislation, or worship 2. Caucus: a meeting, often in a political context, to … Read more

The word delete did not loom large in the general vocabulary until the personal-computer revolution exposed us all to the keyboard key labeled with the word based on the Latin term delēre, meaning “to wipe out” or “destroy.” Modern usage is not so vivid; the term is usually neutral in connotation. But many of its … Read more

Which type of word is suitable for referring to a type of person, place, or thing? Type will do, but plenty of alternatives, some with distinct and vivid connotations, are available. Here is a list of synonyms for type with connotations and sample sentences. 1. Bent: From the sense of “inclination,” this word has developed … Read more

When you walk the walk, talk the talk: Replace the flat-footed verb walk with a more sprightly synonym from this list: 1. Amble: walk easily and/or aimlessly 2. Bounce: walk energetically 3. Clump: walk heavily and/or clumsily 4. Falter: walk unsteadily 5. Foot it: depart or set off by walking 6. Footslog: walk through mud … Read more

Going somewhere? Consider being a bit more specific about what type of experience you’re going to experience: 1. Adventure: a trip involving some risk 2. Boat trip: see cruise 3. Business trip: a trip to another location for the purpose of conducting business 4. Campaign: a trip involving stopping at more than one destination to … Read more

Food means “a substance we eat for nutritional and/or gustatory purposes,” but that word is bland. For a tastier experience, use one of its synonyms listed below to convey the connotation you desire your readers to digest: 1. Aliment: food as nourishment 2. Bite: a bite’s worth of food, but also a small amount of … Read more

There are so many ways to help — at least eighty-five, I discovered. Here are that number of synonyms and idiomatic phrases for the verb help: 1. Abet: to actively help with an endeavor 2. Accommodate: to offer something, especially to help meet a need or want 3. Advance: to speed up the development of … Read more

What’s the big idea? Or, more appropriately, what kind of idea is it? Many ways of expressing the idea of an idea await your consideration; here’s an extensive but not necessarily comprehensive list (including other connotations and meanings of the various synonyms): 1. Abstraction: a theoretical idea; also, the process of abstracting, the condition of … Read more