WORDS TO USE INSTEAD OF

Word to use Synonyms

Instead of
1
Beautiful Admirable, Adorable, Alluring, Angelic, Appealing, Beauteous,
Bewitching, Captivating, Charming, Classy, Comely, Cute, Dazzling,
Delicate, Delightful, Divine, Elegant, Enthralling, Enticing, Excellent,
Exquisite, Fair, Fascinating, Fetching, Fine, Foxy, Good-Looking,
Gorgeous, Graceful, Grand, Handsome, Ideal, Inviting, Lovely,
Magnetic, Magnificent, Marvellous, Mesmeric, Nice, Pleasing, Pretty,
Pulchritudinous, Radiant, Ravishing, Refined, Resplendent, Shapely,
Slightly, Splendid Statuesque, Stunning, Sublime, Superb,
Symmetrical, Taking, Tantalizing, Teasing, Tempting, Well-Formed,
2 Winning, Wonderful.
3 Very afraid Terrified
4 Very bad Atrocious
5 Very big Immense
6 Very hard Difficult
7 Very lazy Indolent
8 Very fat Obese
9 Very afraid Terrified
10 Very accurate Exact
11 Very often Frequently
12 Very smelly Pungent
13 Very smooth Sleek
14 Very willing Eager
15 Very long-term Enduring
16 Very nervous Apprehensive
17 Very strong Unyielding
18 Very tasty Delicious
19 Very tired Exhausted
20 Very valuable Precious
21 Very neat Immaculate
22 Very risky Perilous
23 Very afraid Fearful
24 Very creative Innovative
25 Very evil Wicked
26 Very good Excellent
27 Very light Luminous
28 Very nice Kind
29 Very rich Wealthy
30 Very roomy Spacious
31 Very smart Intelligent
32 Very weak Frail
33 Very eager Keen
34 Very detailed Meticulous
35 Very confused Perplexed
36 Very crowded Bustling
37 Very simple Basic
38 Very tall Towering
39 Very different Disparate
40 Very empty Desolate
41 Very scared Petrified
42 Very serious Grave
43 Very well-to-do Wealthy
44 Very poor Destitute
45 Very calm Serene
46 Very loud Deafening
47 Very old Ancient
48 Very slow Sluggish
49 Very angry Furious
50 Very beautiful Exquisite
51 Very fast Quick
52 Very lively Animated
53 Very careful Cautious
54 Very bright Luminous
55 Very boring Dull
56 Very nice Kind
57 Very skinny Skeletal
58 Very necessary Essential
59 Very noisy Deafening
60 Very dry Parched
61 Very cold Freezing
62 Very clever Brillant
63 Very stupid Idiotic
64 Very thin Gaunt
65 Very ugly Hideous
66 Very wicked Villainous
67 Very quiet Silent
68 Very accurate Exact
69 Very clean Spotless
70 Very dear Cherished
71 Very happy Ecstatic
72 Very large Huge
73 Very little Tiny
74 Very powerful Compelling
75 Very risky Perilous
76 Very short Brief
77 Very worried Distressed
78 Very upset Distraught
79 Very glad Overjoyed
80 Very cute Adorable
81 Very colourful Vibrant
82 Very shy Timid
83 Very skinny Skeletal
84 Very dear Cherished
85 Very dull Tedious
86 Very painful Excruciating
87 Very shiny Gleaming
88 Very wise Sage
89 Very rainy Pouring
90 Very competitive Cutthroat
91 Very cheap Stingy
92 Very confused Perplexed
93 Very exciting Exhilarating
94 Very sleepy Lethargic
Adore, Belaud, Deify, Idolize, Worshipacclaim, Applaud,
Commend, Compliment, Hail, Renown, Salutechant, Cheer,
Praise
Eulogize, Rhapsodize
95
 Antonyms

Blame, Censure, Reprehend, Reprobatecriticize,

Reproveadmonish, Chide, Keelhaul, Rebuke, Reprimand,
Reproachcastigate, Lambaste (Or Lambast)

Anger:
Shouted, Bellowed, Yelled, Snapped, Cautioned, Rebuked.

Affection:
Consoled, Comforted, Reassured, Admired, Soothed.

Excitement:
Shouted, Yelled, Babbled, Gushed, Exclaimed.

Fear:
Whispered, Stuttered, Stammered, Gasped, Urged, Hissed, Babbled, Blurted.

Determination:
Declared, Insisted, Maintained, Commanded.

Happiness:
Sighed, Murmured, Gushed, Laughed.

Sadness:
Cried, Mumbled, Sobbed, Sighed, Lamented.

Conflict:
Jabbed, Sneered, Rebuked, Hissed, Scolded, Demanded, Threatened, Insinuated, Spat,
Glowered.

Making Up:
Apologised, Relented, Agreed, Reassured, Placated, Assented.

Amusement
Teased, Joked, Laughed, Chuckled, Chortled, Sniggered, Tittered, Guffawed, Giggled, Roared.

Storytelling:
Related, Recounted, Continued, Emphasized, Remembered, Recalled, Resumed, Concluded.

Acceptance
Accepted, acknowledged, admitted, affirmed, agreed, assumed, conferred, confessed, confirmed, justified,
settled, understood, undertook, verified.

Anger
Accused, barked, bellowed, bossed, carped, censured, condemned, criticized, demanded, fumed, gawped,
glowered, growled, grumbled, hissed ordered, raged, remonstrated, reprimanded, retorted, scoffed,
scolded, seethed, snapped, snarled, ticked off, told off, upbraided.

Contemplation
Contemplated, mused, pondered.

Conviction
Addressed, advertised, articulated, bragged, commanded, confided, decided, dictated, ended, exacted,
finished, informed, made known, maintained, necessitated, pointed out, promised, reassured, remarked,
repeated, reported, specified, stated, told.

Desire
Attracted, requested, wanted.

Excitement
Babbled, beamed, blurted, broadcasted, burst, cheered, chortled, chuckled, cried out, crooned, crowed,
declared, emitted, exclaimed, giggled, hollered, howled, interjected, jabbered, laughed, praised, preached,
presented, proclaimed, professed, promulgated, quaked, ranted, rejoiced, roared, screamed, shouted,
shrieked, swore, thundered, trilled, trumpeted, vociferated, wailed, yawped, yelled, yelped, yowled.

Fear
Cautioned, shuddered, trembled, warned.

Generosity
Comforted, consoled, empathized, invited, offered, proffered, released, volunteered.

Persuasion
Advised, alleged, appealed, asserted, assured, avered, avowed, beckoned, begged, beseeched, cajoled,
claimed, conceded, concluded, concurred, contended, defended, disposed, encouraged, entreated, held,
hinted, implied, implored, importuned, inclined, indicated, insisted, pleaded, postulated, premised,
presupposed, protested, stressed, suggested, touted, urged, vouched for, wheedled.

Pride
Chimed in, circulated, disseminated, distributed, expressed, grinned, made public, passed on, publicized,
published, put forth, put out, quipped, quizzed, quoted, reckoned that, required, requisitioned, taunted,
teased.

Provocation
Exposed, imitated, joked, leered, lied, mimicked, mocked, provoked.

Sadness
Agonized, bawled, blubbered, grieved, groaned, lamented, mewled, mourned, puled, sobbed, wept.

Storytelling
Announced, answered, began, called, commented, continued, denoted, disclosed, divulged, explained,
imparted, noted, observed, proposed, rejoined, replied, revealed, shared, solicited, sought, testified,
transferred, transmitted, went on.

Uncertainty
Asked, doubted, faltered, fretted, guessed, hesitated, hypothesized, inquired, lilted, quavered, queried,
questioned, shrugged, speculated, stammered, stuttered, supposed, trailed off, wondered.

Words That Indicate Sound

Breathed, choked, croaked, drawled, echoed, grunted, keened, moaned, mumbled, murmured, panted,
sang, sniffled, sniveled, snorted, spluttered, squeaked, uttered, voiced, whimpered, whined, whispered.

Other Words for "Asked"

When writing an inquisitive character, sometimes the standard "asked" can become a bit stale. Try using
these alternatives when you want to add some variety to your dialogue.

Appealed Begged Beseeched

Contended Entreated Inclined

Insisted Pleaded Probed

Prodded Protested Cajoled

Stressed Doubted Faltered

 Appealed Begged Beseeched

Guessed Hesitated Hypothesized

Inquired Lilted Quavered

Queried Questioned Wondered

Other Words for "Stated"

Instead of repeatedly using stated to express the way in which a character delivers their words, try using
one of these more descriptive alternatives.

Asserted Concluded Explained Noted

Remarked Reported Specified Told

Adverbs and Phrases to Explain How Something Was Said

Okay, so despite the warning, you’ve decided you really need to use one of the words above for "said." In
order to make your writing absolutely zing, you might want to go whole hog and add an adverb or a
phrase to convey or emphasize exactly how the line of dialogue was said.

An adverb is a word ending in -ly and modifies a verb.

The way it works is you choose whichever word for "said" you fancy from the list above, then add a
adverb or phrase after it from the list below. For example, "She promised, with a controlled smile," or "He
remarked, with a gloomy sigh." But do not overdo it. Be very careful not to end up sounding amateurish.

List of Adverbs for Dialogue

• Abruptly, Absently, Acidly, Angrily, Apologetically, Approvingly, Artfully

• Bemusedly

• Calmly, Caustically, Cheerfully, Complacently, Crossly

• Depressingly, Dryly

• Earnestly, Enthusiastically

• Gently, Gruffly

• Happily, Hotly

• Impatiently, Indulgently, Informed sassily, Innocently, Inquired doubtfully, Irritably

• Loftily, Loudly
 • Mentally shrugged

• Naturally, Nodded agreeably, Not wanting to sound pushy, Noncommittally

• Offhandedly, Optimistically

• Pleasantly, Politely, Politely smooth, Promised in a motherly/fatherly way, Prompted gently

Promptly,

• Quietly

• Reflectively, Roughly

• Sadly, Sympathetically, Sarcastically, Sincerely, Smiled faintly, Smugly, Soberly, Softly, Sparingly,
Sternly,

• Tartly, Tautly, Teased softly, Tightly, Truthfully, Thoughtfully,

• Uncertainly, Unexpectedly, Urgently

• Vaguely

• Went on loyally, Wilfully misunderstood, Without sounding unduly curious, Wryly

• Xenophobically

• Yearningly

• Zealously

List of Phrases for Dialogue

"She said in a..."
Casual tone, chiding tone, courteous manner, curious tone, dry tone, flirtatious way, level tone, level way,
perpetually tired voice, rasping tone, small panicky voice, soothing tone, voice soft with affection.

"She said with a..."

Controlled smile, fond look, gloomy sigh, note of relief, sad grimace, sad smile, sense of guilt, sigh of
irritation, burgeoning excitement.

"She said with..."

Conviction, determination, fire, firm persistence, gentle remonstrance, graceful simplicity, mock
astonishment, pleasure, quiet empathy, simple directness.

Other Phrases to Modify "Said"

• After a moment's reflection

• False cheerfulness

• Friendly fashion
 • In quiet amazement

• Made the effort to sound reassuring

• Meaning the words more seriously than they sounded

• Sounded slightly brittle

Vocabulary Limbo-‫دیقاخہن‬ Malnutrition-‫ذغاتیئیکمکہ‬

Itinerary-‫رفساکوصنمبہ‬ Lineage-‫رجشہبسن‬ Manifold-‫رطحرطحیکہ‬

Jaunt-‫ریسرکنہ‬ Literacy-‫ڑپےنھےنھکلےکاقبہ‬ Mannerism-‫ےباقدعگہ‬

Jovial-‫سنہکمہ‬ Literal-‫وغلیہ‬ Marginal-‫احہیشےکاورپاھکلوھاہ‬

Junta-‫ایسیسوٹلہ‬ Literally-‫رحفبرحفہ‬ Maritime-‫درایئہ‬

Jurisdiction-‫اایتخرہ‬ Locus-‫گجہ‬ Maternal-‫امدریہ‬

Justify-‫حیصاثتبرکنہ‬ Loggia-‫الغمرگدشہ‬ Maturation-‫من‬

‫لمکموشنو ہ‬

Juxtapose-‫رباربرباربرانھک‬ Lucrative-‫یفمہ‬ Mayhem-‫دبمظنہ‬

Kaleidoscope-‫ااکشلیبہ‬ Lunar-‫اچدنیکامدنن‬ Maze-‫ااھجلوھاہ‬

Languid-‫اکھتوھاہ‬ Mafia-‫ہیفخیظنتہ‬ Mediate-‫درایمین‬

Lassitude-‫ےبیفیک‬ Magnanimity-‫رفاخدلہ‬ Memoir-‫آبتیبہ‬

Lateral-‫کیرطفہ‬ Magnanimous-‫رشفیافنلہ‬ Menagerie-‫ڑچایھگہ‬

Lavish-‫وضفلرخچہ‬ Magnitude-‫دقمارہ‬ Menial-‫یقحہ‬

Libertine-‫ایعشہ‬ Malicious-‫احسہ‬
were in charge of a project or initiative from start to finish, skip “led” and instead try:

1. Chaired 7. Orchestrated
2. Controlled 8. Organized
3. Coordinated 9. Oversaw
4. Executed 10. Planned
5. Headed 11. Produced
6. Operated 12. Programmed

And if you actually developed, created, or introduced that project into your company? Try:

13. Administered 24. Formed

14. Built 25. Formulated
15. Charted 26. Implemented
16. Created 27. Incorporated
17. Designed 28. Initiated
18. Developed 29. Instituted
19. Devised 30. Introduced
20. Founded 31. Launched
21. Engineered 32. Pioneered
22. Established 33. Spearheaded
23. Formalized
Hiring managers love candidates who’ve helped a team operate more efficiently or cost-
effectively. To show just how much you saved, try:

34. Conserved 39. Lessened

35. Consolidated 40. Reconciled
36. Decreased 41. Reduced
37. Deducted 42. Yielded
38. Diagnosed

Along similar lines, if you can show that your work boosted the company’s numbers in
some way, you’re bound to impress. In these cases, consider:

43. Accelerated 53. Furthered

44. Achieved 54. Gained
45. Advanced 55. Generated
46. Amplified 56. Improved
47. Boosted 57. Lifted
48. Capitalized 58. Maximized
49. Delivered 59. Outpaced
50. Enhanced 60. Stimulated
51. Expanded 61. Sustained
52. Expedited
So, you brought your department’s invoicing system out of the Stone Age and onto the
interwebs? Talk about the amazing changes you made at your office with these words:

62. Centralized 72. Refined 82. Standardized

63. Clarified 73. Refocused 83. Streamlined
64. Converted 74. Rehabilitated 84. Strengthened
65. Customized 75. Remodeled 85. Updated
66. Influenced 76. Reorganized 86. Upgraded
67. Integrated 77. Replaced 87. Transformed
68. Merged 78. Restructured
69. Modified 79. Revamped
70. Overhauled 80. Revitalized
71. Redesigned 81. Simplified

Instead of reciting your management duties, like “Led a team…” or “Managed employees…”
show what an inspirational leader you were, with terms like:

88. Aligned 95. Hired 102. Shaped

89. Cultivated 96. Inspired 103. Supervised
90. Directed 97. Mentored 104. Taught
91. Enabled 98. Mobilized 105. Trained
92. Facilitated 99. Motivated 106. Unified
93. Fostered 100. Recruited 107. United
94. Guided 101. Regulated

Were you “responsible for” a great new partner, sponsor, or source of funding? Try:
 108. Acquired
109. Forged
110. Navigated
111. Negotiated
112. Partnered
113. Secured

Because manning the phones or answering questions really means you’re advising
customers and meeting their needs, use:

114. Advised
115. Advocated
116. Arbitrated
117. Coached
118. Consulted
119. Educated
120. Fielded
121. Informed
122. Resolved

Did your job include research, analysis, or fact-finding? Mix up your verbiage with these
words:

123. Analyzed 125. Assessed 127. Calculated

124. Assembled 126. Audited 128. Discovered
 129. Evaluated 134. Interprete 138. Qualified
130. Examined d 139. Quantified
131. Explored 135. Investigate 140. Surveyed
132. Forecasted d 141. Tested
133. Identified 136. Mapped 142. Tracked
137. Measured

Was writing, speaking, lobbying, or otherwise communicating part of your gig? You can
explain just how compelling you were with words like:

143. Authored 153. Defined

144. Briefed 154. Documented
145. Campaigned 155. Edited
146. Co-authored 156. Illustrated
147. Composed 157. Lobbied
148. Conveyed 158. Persuaded
149. Convinced 159. Promoted
150. Corresponded 160. Publicized
151. Counseled 161. Reviewed
152. Critiqued

Whether you enforced protocol or managed your department’s requests, describe what you
really did, better, with these words:

162. Authorized 164. Delegated

163. Blocked 165. Dispatched
 166. Enforced 170. Monitored
167. Ensured 171. Screened
168. Inspected 172. Scrutinized
169. Itemized 173. Verified

Synonyms for excitement

noun enthusiasm; incitement
• adventure • rage • disturban • intoxicati
• buzz • thrill ce on
• commotio • trepidatio • dither • kicks
n n • excitation • melodra
• confusion • tumult • ferment ma
• drama • turmoil • fever • motive
• elation • warmth • flurry • movemen
• emotion • action • heat t
• feeling • activity • hubbub • perturbati
• frenzy • ado • hullabalo on
• furor • agitation o • provocati
• fuss • animatio • hurry on
• hysteria n • impulse • stimulatio
• motivatio • bother • instigatio n
n • discompo n • stimulus
• passion sure • stir

The Five Categories of Personality Traits

The field of psychology has given us the Five Factor Model (a.k.a. The Big Five). It breaks
down personality traits into the following categories:

• Openness
• Conscientiousness
• Extroversion
• Agreeableness
• Neuroticism
This model has developed data-driven categories that explain the most basic personality
traits. You’ll notice it’s rather broad and no one is enough of a cookie-cutter to merely exist
within one category. Several subgroups do exist, but we’ll focus on The Big Five here.

Openness

People who display the openness trait are adventurous, imaginative, curious, open to new
ideas, and perceptive. This category separates people who are imaginative from those who
are more practical.

Open people tend to be appreciative of art and filled with wonder over the natural beauty
that surrounds them. They’re often travelers seeking new cultures and ideas to add to their
own experiences. Scoring high on the openness scale indicates people who are more
creative and able to express their emotions.

Scoring low on the scale generally indicates people who are more straightforward or
traditional. People with low scores are generally uninterested in the arts and prefer simple
solutions over more complex or inventive ones.

Other words to describe openness:

• Accepting
• Broad-minded
• Daring
• Insightful
• Receptive
• Tolerant

Conscientiousness

People who score high on the conscientiousness scale show great self-discipline and
awareness of their responsibilities. They often have a very high regard for achievement and
will use that as a means to measure themselves against others.

This leads conscientious people to be very organized, academically prepared, and

successful. In fact, after intelligence was factored, conscientiousness was found to be the
most useful predictor of performance in the workplace out of any of the Big Five.
Low scores on the conscientiousness scale indicate people who are unorganized and
seemingly unable to accomplish tasks. Low scores are also strongly connected with
procrastination.

Other words to describe conscientious:

• Dutiful
• Exact
• Faithful
• Mindful
• Steadfast
• Truthful

Extroversion

People who display extroversion traits tend to experience enthusiasm, self-confidence, and
stimulation from other people’s company. They’re often full of energy and actively seek
attention from others. Extroverts tend to be competitive and very involved in social circles.

People low in extroversion are more likely to be introspective, reserved, and thoughtful.

Other words to describe extroversion:

• Affable
• Companionable
• Convivial
• Gregarious
• Outgoing
• Sociable

Agreeableness

People who exhibit agreeableness show great compassion, cooperativeness, and empathy for
others. They value being congenial and will go to great lengths to maintain their
relationships.

Agreeable people have an optimistic view on human nature and believe people are
generally honest and cooperative. This altruistic view on life can help them remain involved
in various social causes.

People on the low end of the agreeableness spectrum tend to be blunt and rude.
Other words to describe agreeableness:

• Congenial
• Friendly
• Good-natured
• Gracious
• Pleasant
• Trusting

Neuroticism

People who score high on the neuroticism scale are prone to being anxious, depressed, or
angry. They’re often easily disturbed or stressed by common situations that lead them to
express a negative emotion.

This can lead people in this category to perceive normal interactions as threatening, and
trivial problems as impossible.

People who score

on the low end of
neuroticism are
more likely to be
confident, brave,
and adventurous.

Other words to
describe
neuroticism:

• Agitated
• Impatient
• Jittery
• Sensitive
• Tense
• Uneasy