another word for a creative writing

Creative writing synonyms

What is another word for creative writing .

• writing language
• written works
• compositions
• composition writing, language
• style language, writing
• instrumentation language, writing
• prose language, writing
• rhetoric writing
• literary texts
• works of fiction
• short stories
• storytelling
• work of imagination
• belles-lettres
• made-up story

Tips to Use Synonyms Effectively for Creative Writing

A synonym is plainly a word that means the same as the given word. It is derived from the Greek “syn” and “onym,” which means “together” and “name,” respectively. When speaking or writing, one of the finest methods to expand your vocabulary and to avoid writing the same words repeatedly is to use a thesaurus to get synonyms (similar meaning words).

A thesaurus is a general phrase that describes a kind of dictionary that gives a list of words that have the same or similar meaning as the word reference. For instance, if you were to look up the word “pretty,” you might get a listing of close to 30 words that have similar meanings. There are several forms of a thesaurus available that may come in handy if you are someone who mainly does creative writing says, Ms Goel.

Ms Sonu Goel Founder and Director of Cafe Converse Delhi’s top institute for learning creative English writing shares tips on using synonyms effectively.

Why is it essential to use synonyms in your speech and writing?

It is essential because synonyms can assist you to enhance the quality of your writing by giving your readers a crisp and unique outlook of your text. Further, it can also enhance both your oral skills and writing skills.

What are some of the benefits of using synonyms in writing?

There are several benefits that are given below:

• It makes text a lot more captivating.
• Assists to avoid dull text.
• Enhances communication between you and others.
• Assist in presenting an image in the mind of the reader.
• Assists to avoid boring and repetitive text.

For instance, instead of using the word “pretty” multiple times in your text, you may use synonyms like “beautiful,” “gorgeous,” or “ravishing” to better present a picture of your description. Using just one word repeatedly will make sure that you will lose the attention of your audience merely out of boredom.

Avoiding plagiarism while using paraphrasing with synonyms

Plagiarism is a serious concern for writers and editors and is regarded as copyright infringement. It is specifically serious for academic researchers, since, plagiarizing someone else’s work in a research document could diminish or even destroy their professional credibility. Any works that you refer to while using in your writings that are not your original concept or ideas must be correctly cited and referenced. You should always use direct quotations? Not mandatorily, but any part of the original text that you mention in your paraphrased text needs to be in quotation marks.

Paraphrasing lets you shorten a very lengthy quotation by using fewer words to convey the same message, and it can assist avoid the temptation to use multiple quotations. This is where synonyms are helpful, but you should be mindful of what words to use.

Ways to paraphrase without plagiarizing

While paraphrasing, be certain of the following points:

• The words you select to replace the original concept are true synonyms. For instance, the original phrase, “It was a dull day,” could mean more than just one thing. It might mean that the day was gloomy or that the person’s mood was depressed or sad.
• Be certain that you grasp the original concept and use words that will convey the exact meaning.

There are several websites that provide thesaurus for synonyms. The more you use them, you will get to know more words. This way you will be able to expand your vocabulary as well.

Ms Sonu Goel is a professionally acclaimed certified ESL trainer from the British Council having 15 years of strong background for teaching the English language in both online and physical classes. She is dedicated to teaching of English in an interactive and practical way, whereby learners feel enriched with knowledge and experience the language hands-on. She uses creative ideas and aids to let the learning happen as organically and efficiently as possible. Ms Goel has travelled to various European countries and experienced an array of cultures and linguistic skills for the English language.

To learn more about Sonu Goel please visit : https://cafeconverse.com/best-english-tutor-coach-teacher-sonu-goel.html

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How to Master Your English Essay Writing?

Ms. Sonu Goel, Founder of Cafe Converse shares certain points that will help you to master English Essay Writing.

8 Keys to Unlocking Your Creative Writing Adventure

Cafe Converse, the top English creative writing institute in Delhi shares 8 keys to unlocking your creative writing adventure

How to Make Your English Writing Flow?

Cafe Converse, Delhi’s top institute for English creative writing shares key strategies to ensure you develop writing flows seamlessly

Related Words and Phrases

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Synonyms of creative

• as in innovative
• as in imaginative
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Thesaurus Definition of creative

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imaginative
• innovational
• originative
• resourceful

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unimaginative
• unproductive
• uninventive
• sophisticated
• adventurous
• intelligent
• groundbreaking
• impractical
• assembly - line
• cookie - cutter

Try This Instead

Articles related to creative.

Can 'Creative' Be a Noun?

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Thesaurus Entries Near creative

creativeness

Cite this Entry

“Creative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creative. Accessed 21 Mar. 2024.

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Creative Adjectives: Describing Words with Examples

Are you tired of using the same old adjectives to describe your creative projects? Well, look no further! In this article, I’ll be sharing a list of adjectives that are perfect for adding a touch of uniqueness and flair to your creative endeavors. From vivid and imaginative to innovative and groundbreaking, these adjectives will help you paint a vivid picture and captivate your audience. So whether you’re a writer, designer, or artist, get ready to take your creativity to the next level with these descriptive words.

Creativity is all about thinking outside the box and pushing boundaries, and what better way to express that than through the power of words? In this comprehensive guide, I’ll not only provide you with a list of adjectives, but I’ll also give you examples of how to use them effectively. Whether you’re describing a painting, a poem, or a marketing campaign, these adjectives will help you convey the essence of your work in a way that is both engaging and memorable. So let’s dive into the world of adjectives for creative and discover the perfect words to make your projects shine.

Table of Contents

How to Describe creative? – Different Scenarios

As a writer, artist, or marketer, effectively describing creative concepts is crucial for captivating your audience and conveying the essence of your work. In this section, I’ll explore various scenarios and provide examples of how to describe creativity in a vivid and engaging way.

• Describing a Painting: When describing a painting, it’s important to evoke imagery that brings the artwork to life. Use adjectives that capture the colors, textures, and emotions conveyed by the piece. For example:
• “This mesmerizing painting captures the vibrant hues of the sunset, with bold strokes that create a sense of movement.”
• “The artist skillfully blends soft pastel tones, giving the painting an ethereal and dreamlike quality.”
• Describing a Poem: Poetry is all about invoking emotions and painting a profound picture with words. When describing a poem, use adjectives that evoke strong feelings and imagery. Here are a couple of examples:
• “This captivating poem explores the depths of sorrow, unraveling the pain with poignant and evocative language.”
• “The poet’s words dance across the page, weaving a tapestry of joy and wonder, as if each line is a brushstroke in a vibrant masterpiece.”
• Describing a Marketing Campaign: When it comes to marketing campaigns, you want to pique the interest of your target audience. Use adjectives that create excitement and convey the unique selling points of the product or service. Consider these examples:
• “This innovative campaign introduces a revolutionary product that will transform your daily routine, with its sleek design and cutting-edge features.”
• “Our enticing campaign offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience, indulging your senses with luxurious destinations and unparalleled adventures.”

Remember, the key to effective description lies in using descriptive adjectives that paint a vivid picture in the minds of your audience. Whether you’re describing a painting, a poem, or a marketing campaign, step outside the box and push the boundaries of your creativity to craft powerful and memorable descriptions.

Describing Words for creative in English

As a writer and a lover of creative expression, I know the importance of using the right adjectives to describe the world around us. When it comes to capturing the essence of creativity, choosing the right words is key. In this section, I will share with you a variety of describing words that can help you vividly explore and express the concept of creativity in English.

To start, let’s take a look at some general adjectives that can be used to describe creative individuals and their work:

• Innovative: bringing fresh ideas and approaches
• Imaginative: having a creative and vivid imagination
• Expressive: able to effectively communicate emotions and ideas
• Original: one-of-a-kind, not copied or imitated from others
• Artistic: having talent and skill in creating visual or performing arts
• Visionary: having an ability to see beyond the present and envision future possibilities

Let’s dive deeper into specific aspects of creativity and explore adjectives to describe them:

• Visual Creativity
• Writing Creativity
• Design Creativity

Adjectives for creative

Positive adjectives for creative with 12 example sentences.

When it comes to describing creativity, there are numerous positive adjectives that can help capture its essence. Here are 12 examples to illustrate the range of positive qualities associated with creativity:

Negative Adjectives for Creative with 5 Example Sentences

While creativity is often celebrated, there may be times when negative aspects are associated with it. Here are 5 examples of negative adjectives that can be used to describe creativity in certain contexts:

Remember, creativity is a multifaceted concept, and these adjectives only scratch the surface of its various dimensions. Whether positive or negative, adjectives provide valuable insights into the world of creativity. So, embrace the power of words and use adjectives to vividly describe and appreciate the wonders of creativity.

Synonyms and Antonyms with Example Sentences

Synonyms for creative.

When it comes to describing creativity, there are many words that can capture its essence. Here are some synonyms for “creative” along with example sentences to help you understand their usage:

Antonyms for Creative

While creativity is often seen as a positive characteristic, there are also antonyms that can describe the absence of creativity or the opposite traits. Here are some antonyms for “creative” along with example sentences:

Remember, creativity is a multifaceted concept, and these words can help you paint a vivid picture of someone’s creative abilities or the absence of it. Incorporating these adjectives into your vocabulary will allow you to appreciate and describe creativity in a more nuanced way.

By exploring a variety of adjectives that can be used to describe creativity, we have expanded our vocabulary and gained a deeper understanding of this multifaceted concept. Throughout the article, we have discovered synonyms and antonyms for the word “creative” that can help us articulate our thoughts and observations more precisely.

Words like innovative, imaginative, inventive, resourceful, and artistic capture the essence of creativity, highlighting its ability to push boundaries and create something new. On the other hand, words like unimaginative, conventional, unoriginal, stagnant, and bland shed light on the opposite end of the spectrum, reminding us that not all ideas are equally innovative or imaginative.

Incorporating these adjectives into our everyday language allows us to appreciate and describe creativity in a more nuanced way. Whether we are discussing a piece of artwork, a business idea, or a problem-solving approach, having a diverse range of adjectives at our disposal enables us to convey our thoughts with precision and clarity.

So, the next time you encounter a creative endeavor, remember to reach for these descriptive words to express your thoughts and insights. Expand your vocabulary, enhance your communication, and embrace the power of adjectives in capturing the essence of creativity.

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KathySteinemann.com: Free Resources for Writers and Poets

Word lists, cheat sheets, and sometimes irreverent reviews of writing rules. kathy steinemann is the author of the writer's lexicon series..

125 Ways to Say “Look” (See): A Word List for Writers

Is Look the Right Word for Your Narrative?

Before you examine the following list, decide whether look is the word you need. Would something else be more appropriate for the situation? People can scowl, laugh , or hiccup. Even during romantic encounters, perhaps especially during romantic encounters, other body language might be more appropriate.

Could your protagonist point to something rather than look at it? Scowl at a salesman rather than look at him with an angry frown? Slurp steaming coffee and spit it all over herself rather than look at it and comment it’s probably too hot to drink?

If you’ve considered the alternatives and decided a visual is required, step right up, flex your creative muscles, and proceed to the next paragraph.

You can swap look with many of the words in the list that follows. Others need to be paired with eyes , gaze , or similar words.

For example, to use dig into , you could say “Jeremy’s eyes dug into Jolene, his stare fixing her for so long she felt like a butterfly pinned to a mounting board.” Some editors don’t like eyes that perform independent actions, but this technique can add character to your work if not overdone.

Maintain point of view. You can write “Jeremy admired Jolene” as long as you’re in Jeremy’s head. If your story is from Jolene’s point of view, you might have to convert the verb into an adjective and create a sentence like “Jolene basked in Jeremy’s admiring gaze.”

Look Alternatives

The words in this list are seeds. For those seeds to flourish and become creative masterpieces, you must water with ingenuity and fertilize with imagination.

A to C admire, analyze, appraise, assess, audit, beam, behold, blink, bore, browse, canvass, compare, catch a glimpse of, catch sight of, check out, consider, contemplate, criticize, cross-examine

D to F dig into, eagle-eye, evaluate, examine, explore, eye, eyeball, feast one’s eyes, ferret, fix, flash, flirt with, focus on, follow, frisk over

G gander, gape, gawk, gawp, gaze, get a load of, give the once-over, glance, glare, glimmer, glimpse, gloat, glower, go through, goggle, grade, grill

H to O hunt, inspect, interrogate, investigate, judge, lamp, lay eyes on, leaf through, leer, make eyes, make out, measure, monitor, moon, note, observe, ogle, outstare

P to R pay attention to, peek, peer, peg, penetrate, perceive, peruse, pierce, pin, ponder, pore over, probe, pry, pump, question, quiz, rake, read, reconnoiter, regard, review, riffle, rivet, rubberneck

S and T scan, scope, scout, scrutinize, search, see, sift, sight, size up, skim, spot, spy, squint, stalk, stare, study, surveil, survey, sweep, tackle, take a gander, take in, take notice, take stock of, track

V to Z view, watch, weigh, wink, winnow, witness, zero in

Are You Interested in More Word Lists and Writing Tips?

If you haven’t done so already, please subscribe to my blog . (The link will take you to the subscription widget at the top left of this post.)

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8 thoughts on “ 125 Ways to Say “Look” (See): A Word List for Writers ”

Fun, reading this. Fun and instructive. I so often find He looked around/She looked around a boring trope.

Thanks, Horst. Best wishes for success!

I just have to thank you x1000 for all of this! You’ve helped save my writing! I usually use a thesaurus, but this gives me WAY more than a thesaurus!

Thanks for stopping by, Kayla. I’m glad you found something helpful in the post.

Good luck with your writing, and stay safe!

Hi I’m struggling with how you can convey when two people pass a look between them, when their eyes are saying something. “they exchanged a look.” is saying what I need, however I can’t use it all the time, have you got any suggestions please Kathy heeeeeeeeeelp

Well, Bill, first I’d ask why the people are exchanging a look. Are they both happy? Afraid? Perhaps alternative body language would solve your problem.

Other phrases you could try:

• They shared a furtive/knowing/anxious glance
• Their gazes met, and a glimmer of understanding/agreement/passion/stubbornness passed between them.

For more eye-related words, try these posts:

https://kathysteinemann.com/Musings/wide-eyes/ https://kathysteinemann.com/Musings/roll-the-eyes/ https://kathysteinemann.com/Musings/eyes/

No matter your phrasing, though, readers will remember the visuals you provide. Too many of the same visual, even with different wording, will come across as repetitive.

Thanks! I’ve been introduced to many words I did not know before.

My pleasure! I’m learning as I prepare these lists, and I refer to them frequently as I write.

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The Best Thesaurus for Writers (Best 9 Tested & Solved)

You’re probably looking for the best thesaurus for writers. Maybe you are looking to enhance a sentence, letter, email, blog post, or story.

Whatever the reason, finding that exact right word can sometimes make all the difference between writing that is ho-hum or humdinger .

What is the best thesaurus for writers?

The best thesaurus for writers depends on your purpose. The best thesaurus for writers who want to enhance their writing long-term is the Oxford American Writer’s Thesaurus. The best thesaurus for authors who want a quick fix to a sentence is Thesaurus.com. There are also 7 other good thesauruses .

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the best thesaurus for writers.

Why Is the Oxford American Writer’s Thesaurus the Best Thesaurus for Writers Who Want to Improve Their Writing Long-Term?

Table of Contents

The Oxford American Writer’s Thesaurus is the best thesaurus for writers for the long-term advancement of their craft because it goes far beyond simply providing a list of synonyms (alternative words).

Any old thesaurus can do that.

Rather, it is the most comprehensive, most intuitively categorized, and most conducive to actual language learning. The latter is the key to not only enhanced writing of a singular sentence but enhanced writing on all future sentences.

In a way, it is the writer’s version of the parable about giving a man (or woman) a fish versus teaching him (or her) how to fish.

(According to the parable, if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, but if you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime). If you are looking for a thesaurus that will feed your inner writer for a lifetime, this is absolutely the one for you.

Special Features for Writers

• Scope of word choice • Comprehensive (writers often find more options with this resource than other options) • Synonyms closer to the meaning of the root word searched • Multiple meanings • Part of speech of main entry word (plus additional parts of speech) • Synonyms for each meaning • Examples for how to use the word in a sentence • Different words with the same spelling • Specialist field (medicine, etc.) • Personal observations from contributing authors (scattered throughout the text)

In the back of the thesaurus, you’ll find a Language Guide with a number of helpful resources, including the following: (examples in parentheses)

• List of capitalization and italicizing rules and guidelines • List of punctuation along with proper usage (examples included) • List of related thematic words by type and subtype (Technology, Music, Psychological Disorders, Computer and Internet Terms, Types of Poems, Fashion, Transportation, Society, etc.) – trust me, this section is crazy comprehensive! • List of archaic words (life, grimalkin, and pismire) • List of Latin phrases with their meanings (amor nummi = love of money) • List of literary words used most often in poetry or other elevated writing (disenthrall, hyperborean, and divers)

Probably one of the most useful features of the thesaurus is how it supports choosing the right word with the right meaning. Word associations, word links, and noted incorrect usage assist you in avoiding embarrassing narrative mistakes.

It is basically a writer’s best friend.

Also, a benefit of owning a physical hardcopy of the thesaurus is that the mere activity of searching for the right word by flipping actual pages will more deeply imprint new vocabulary in your mind than mere “click-and-scroll” online searches (which are easier and more accessible but less mentally and physically engaging).

The title of the introduction to the Oxford American Writer’s Thesaurus, written by Ben Zimmer, says it all: Remodeling the “Warehouse of Roget”: How the Thesaurus is Being Reinvented as a Writer’s Tool.

Why Is thesaurus.com the Best Thesaurus for Writers Who Want a Quick Fix to a Sentence?

The main reason thesaurus.com is the best for quick answers to word problems is that it is online and accessible from any internet-connected device. It is by far the best online thesaurus for writers.

It doesn’t matter if you’re using your phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop (or some other future device), you can access thesaurus.com.

This means you don’t even have to walk across the room to the bookshelf to pull out the book and flip through the pages.

A simple word search will present you with many alternate terms.

A few newer updates to the site make it even more helpful. The site now provides color-coded search results based on relevance to your root search term.

The latest update is to include a typable box we can actually write out your sentence using different words in the search results. That means you can actually see multiple variations of your root word in action and actual sentences.

This takes all the effort out of wondering how different synonyms will sound in your sentence. You can type in any sentence you want and replace the root or keyword with the different words in the search results. I can’t tell you how much I love this feature.

When you want to find the right word fast, there’s simply no better thesaurus for writers online.

How to Use the Best Thesaurus for Writers

What I love most about the Oxford American Writer’s Thesaurus are the structure and organization.

Simple alphabetical indexing allows you to find synonyms easily and quickly.

Then you also get all the added features like multiple meanings, example phrases, and sentences and noted commonly misused words.

Let’s say you’re trying to find another word for assume . You just don’t think your Southern tobacco farmer would use it. No problem. You open the thesaurus, flip to the A’s, and locate the term.

What you notice right away about the entry for assuming is that it is a verb. You read a sample sentence. You see several possible alternatives such as presume, deduce, infer and reckon.

Reckon . The moment you lay eyes on it, you know instinctively that it’s the perfect word choice.

Ok, but gut-check aside, how do you know when you’ve found the right word? The right word…

• Matches the tone of the rest of the sentence
• Matches your voice and style
• Enhances clarity (instead of fogs the point)
• Matches the simplicity of the sentence (and writing piece)

Should Writers Even Use a Thesaurus?

Have you ever questioned the thesaurus? That may sound like a strange question, but the truth is that the thesaurus has a bad name. Many writing teachers (ahem, I’m looking at you Mr. King) warn writers to toss them out with the adverbs.

But what is wrong with using a thesaurus for writing? Do professional writers use them? Do content writers use the thesaurus? And, if so, what do writers use the thesaurus for?

Such is the controversy of the thesaurus. But why?

So many questions. Let’s see if we can get to the crux of the issue. The truth is that there is absolutely nothing wrong with using a thesaurus. Nothing at all.

The reason some writers and teachers loathe thesauruses lies in not the existence of the resource (it’s not that the Thesaurus itself is somehow bad or wrong), but in the misuse of the resource.

You see, many beginner writers stumble over the Thesaurus.

They reach for it when they are better served to get out the first messy draft.

Then thumb through pages when their writing might need that simple, direct term at the top of their mind. This is how the thesaurus became a crutch for lazy thinking.

So, it’s not really about torching your thesaurus in the name of artistic purity. It’s not really about scoffing at a resource for expanding our vocabulary. It comes down to two essential writing skills: timing and judgment.

This, naturally, brings us to when to best use (and when not to use) a thesaurus. The recommendations may surprise you.

When to Use a Thesaurus for Writers

Take the following guidelines into consideration when deciding when to pull out the thesaurus.

The most effective times to use a thesaurus:

• To find the right or better word
• To understand the meaning of a word more deeply
• To rewrite or edit your writing
• To search and replace overused words (most writers tend to repeat the same words and phrases. A thesaurus can help add fresh words by replacing repeated words with different and, hopefully, better words)

In other words, use the thesaurus not as a crutch but as a catapult. Avoid overuse. Don’t rely on a thesaurus as a shortcut to critical thinking.

Constant or even intermittent searches for the right word can interrupt the flow of the creative phase of writing. Save your thesaurus for the editing phase.

When Not to Use a Thesaurus

Just as importantly, there are times not to use a thesaurus. If you overuse a thesaurus, your writing will often come across as distant, cold, pretentious, and try-hard. Nobody wants that.

Here are times not to use the thesaurus…

When You Don’t Understand the Word

Don’t use a word if you don’t 100% understand its meaning. At best, a wrong meaning will cause confusion; at worst, a negative evaluation of writing quality.

When You Are Trying to Sound Smart

I don’t really think this point needs elaboration. A big word can look out of place if plunked there alone without a context of other big words.

And a grouping of big words is intimidating. Scholarly articles might require so-called “five dollars” words, but most other writing benefits from simplicity and clarity.

The other downside (and its major) is that trying to sound smart instead of smartly choosing the right word distances you from the reader. This snobby type of writing can put off the very readers you want to embrace with open arms.

When a Shorter, Simpler Word Would Do

Einstein said it best: “Things should be as simple as possible, but no simpler.”

The smart word choice is almost always the shorter choice. Clarity trumps captivating every time. How can a reader be mesmerized if they are confused?

List of Other Useful Thesauruses for Writers

As a writer, you have many choices for a thesaurus. Some are more specific and helpful to authors of fiction, while others are useful to all types of writers. Scan the list below, take note of any that stick out to you, and check out those options.

• Emotional thesaurus (Just like it sounds, it’s a list of descriptive emotional words and phrases. Many writers sweat by it)
• Emotional Wound Thesaurus (Emotions leave scars. This tool gives you all the ways to describe those wounds on the page)
• Thesaurus of the senses (Thesaurus that helps you describe using the five senses)
• Positive Trait Thesaurus (Thesaurus of positive character traits for fiction)
• Negative Trait Thesaurus (Thesaurus of negative character traits for fiction)
• The Power Thesaurus (online crowdsourced thesaurus)
• The Well-Spoken Thesaurus: The Most Powerful Ways to Say Everyday Words and Phrases (This may come in handy when writing fiction or nonfiction)
• Misc. Thesaurus Collections (Various categories from the Writer’s Helping Writers website)

Final Thoughts

Here’s a quick summary:

• The best thesaurus for writers (long-term): Oxford American Writer’s Thesaurus
• The best thesaurus for writers for quick fixes: www.thesaurus.com

Related Posts:

• Why Do Writers Hate Adverbs? (The Final Answer)
• How to Write Erotica: The NEW Ultimate Guide
• How to Write an Ode (Step-by-Step with Examples)
• Can You Write a Novel Without a Big Vocabulary? [The Final Answer]

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Say it Better: Using Synonyms as a Writer

Want to making your writing clearer? Using synonyms in your writing is an easy way to connect with your audience and keep your writing fresh.

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Want to making your writing clearer? Using synonyms in your writing is an easy way to connect with your audience and keep your writing fresh. Today we share 10 tips for how to use synonyms and choose the right words everytime you write.

Have you ever caught yourself in the middle of writing and notice you’ve been using the same word or expression over and over? Did you ever feel stuck because you were striving for variety but were having difficulty finding the right words?

Keeping a limited and mind-numbing vocabulary is certainly no one’s idea of fun. Writer or not, it takes a while to expand knowledge on word stock.

Simple rephrasing or rewording sometimes doesn’t work. There’s context and structure to consider. Being able to refer to the same thing in varying ways is what makes writing a formidable skill to master. Consistency in pursuing knowledge and practice is what makes an excellent wordsmith. 

Here are some ways to help you in becoming an expert scribe and finally master the use of synonyms in your writing once and for all.  

1. Observe and Replace

Self-awareness of what words you choose to use is the key to becoming a better writer. Observe the words or key phrases you always use. Research for alternatives.

Once you identify which words need changed, slowly replace the ones you regularly use with their alternatives. If you use them enough, eventually it will stick. You can make it a goal to work on 5 phrases or words at a time. 

2. Gauge Word Fit Based on Context

A thesaurus is a great tool to help broaden word choice, but it’s not always easy enough to just pick any old word from a list. Don’t substitute words without considering context. While it presents you with words that are related to what you have, they may have slightly different definitions.

Consider the yellow bananas above. If you call them mouth-watering, this paints an entirely different meaning than you might if you just called them delicious.

This is why they say in order to improve one’s writing style, the person must also be willing to invest time reading. By reading, you observe what makes sense to use by noticing how words differ in meaning and usage.

There are also some instances, like learning colloquial terms, which can be learned by conversing and interacting with people which brings us to our next point.

3. Maintain a Record of New words You Encounter

One of the things you may want to consider including in your writer’s notebook is maintaining a record of new words you come across.

Take note of their meaning and how they were being used. Cite examples.

Doing so will allow you to easily recall and use them when needed. Try to use them in your day to day conversations to grow accustomed to it.

Keeping track of your favorite synonyms and jotting down different ways to say something can help you with writing dialogue and also improving the revision process of your work.

4. Enhance your writing style with Euphemisms

Euphemisms are the “nice words” we say when other words might be too strong. Unless it was your intention to be blunt or harsh, a good grasp of euphemisms can help improve your communication style and avoid miscommunication.  

5. Use Idioms to Spice It Up

Idiomatic expressions can make a reader pause, think and evaluate a situation.There are instances wherein using idioms can help denote cultural aspects as well.

The trick with using idioms in your writing is to use them sparingly and only when absolutely necessary – you don’t want to risk your work sounding cliché.

Here are some interesting idioms you can use as synonyms while writing:

6. Be Precise

Merely using an adjective is not going to provide a reader with the most vivid picture of what’s going on. Take the time to use the surroundings as means of comparison or contrast. These are some ways you can say it better:

The room is hot. → The room’s temperature is oven-like. John is tall. → John almost reaches the ceiling. He is noticeable. → You will not miss his presence once he enters the room. She is very beautiful. → Her face could stop the traffic whenever she crosses the street. The house is very messy. → The house is akin to a big dumpsite. You would take hours rummaging through the household items to find what you need.

7. Avoid the use of “very.”

The author of Dead Poets Society, N.H Kleinbaum, pointed out that using “very” to describe something is an act of laziness, to which we absolutely agree! For lack of apt words to describe something, people tend to insert the word “very” to up the degree of the adjective. This can be avoided by introducing new words into your vocabulary to properly portray the intensity you aim for. Case in point:

8. D evelop a love for stories and creative pieces.

Keep a pile of nonfiction novels for a good read. This form of writing exposes you to different approaches to describing a scene or situation. Best selling authors have acquired the skill of using words and phrases to perfectly paint a clear picture or situation. They take you to the plot and let you imagine what happens next as if you were there.

9. Take vocabulary quizzes.

There are quite a lot of vocabulary quizzes you can take online. You can learn something new and have fun at the same time. 

Merriam-Webster for one has become crafty by coming up with an online quiz they call, “How Strong Is Your Vocabulary” which you have to answer in 10 seconds. Enhancing the inner thesaurus in you does not have to be boring. Always challenge yourself. Aim to continuously improve your communication skills.

Learn 18 Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary Skills Here

10. Offer to edit other people’s work

Editing other people’s write-up could make you keen on frequently committed errors in grammar, flow, clarity, etc. It could help you pick up new words, learn alternative ways to say things and acquaint yourself with other styles of writing. You could harvest new learnings from what you are reading and editing. 

There’s nothing you will regret from opting to expand your vocabulary and enhance your communication style. Learning to write using synonyms and say things better will make it easier for you to interact with people better and be clearer with your intentions.

Do you have any tips for writing with synonyms and choosing words for your writing? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below!

Eric Pangburn is a freelance writer who shares his best tips with other writers here at ThinkWritten. When not writing, he enjoys coaching basketball and spending time with his family.

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• Writing Prompts

150+ Story Starters: Creative Sentences To Start A Story

The most important thing about writing is finding a good idea . You have to have a great idea to write a story. You have to be able to see the whole picture before you can start to write it. Sometimes, you might need help with that. Story starters are a great way to get the story rolling. You can use them to kick off a story, start a character in a story or even start a scene in a story.

When you start writing a story, you need to have a hook. A hook can be a character or a plot device. It can also be a setting, something like “A young man came into a bar with a horse.” or a setting like “It was the summer of 1969, and there were no cell phones.” The first sentence of a story is often the hook. It can also be a premise or a situation, such as, “A strange old man in a black cloak was sitting on the train platform.”

Story starters are a way to quickly get the story going. They give the reader a place to start reading your story. Some story starters are obvious, and some are not. The best story starters are the ones that give the reader a glimpse into the story. They can be a part of a story or a part of a scene. They can be a way to show the reader the mood of a story. If you want to start a story, you can use a simple sentence. You can also use a question or an inspirational quote. In this post, we have listed over 150 story starters to get your story started with a bang! A great way to use these story starters is at the start of the Finish The Story game .

If you want more story starters, check out this video on some creative story starter sentences to use in your stories:

150+ Creative Story Starters

Here is a list of good sentences to start a story with:

• I’ve read about a million stories about princesses but never thought I could ever be one.
• There was once a man who was very old, but he was wise. He lived for a very long time, and he was very happy.
• What is the difference between a man and a cat? A cat has nine lives.
• In the middle of the night, a boy is running through the woods.
• It is the end of the world.
• He knew he was not allowed to look into the eyes of the princess, but he couldn’t help himself.
• The year is 1893. A young boy was running away from home.
• What if the Forest was actually a magical portal to another dimension, the Forest was a portal to the Otherworld?
• In the Forest, you will find a vast number of magical beings of all sorts. 
• It was the middle of the night, and the forest was quiet. No bugs or animals disturbed the silence. There were no birds, no chirping. 
• If you wish to stay in the Forest, you will need to follow these rules: No one shall leave the Forest. No one shall enter. No one shall take anything from the Forest.
• “It was a terrible day,” said the old man in a raspy voice.
• A cat is flying through the air, higher and higher, when it happens, and the cat doesn’t know how it got there, how it got to be in the sky.
• I was lying in the woods, and I was daydreaming.
• The Earth is a world of wonders. 
• The fairy is the most amazing creature I have ever met.
• A young girl was sitting on a tree stump at the edge of a river when she noticed a magical tree growing in the water.
• My dancing rat is dressed in a jacket, a tie and glasses, which make him look like a person. 
• In the darkness of the night, I am alone, but I know that I am not. 
• Owls are the oldest, and most intelligent, of all birds.
• My name is Reyna, and I am a fox. 
• The woman was drowning.
• One day, he was walking in the forest.
• It was a dark and stormy night…
• There was a young girl who could not sleep…
• A boy in a black cape rode on a white horse…
• A crazy old man in a black cloak was sitting in the middle of the street…
• The sun was setting on a beautiful summer day…
• The dog was restless…”
• There was a young boy in a brown coat…
• I met a young man in the woods…
• In the middle of a dark forest…
• The young girl was at home with her family…
• There was a young man who was sitting on a …
• A young man came into a bar with a horse…
• I have had a lot of bad dreams…
• He was a man who wanted to be king…
• It was the summer of 1969, and there were no cell phones.
• I know what you’re thinking. But no, I don’t want to be a vegetarian. The worst part is I don’t like the taste.
• She looked at the boy and decided to ask him why he wasn’t eating. She didn’t want to look mean, but she was going to ask him anyway.
• The song played on the radio, as Samual wiped away his tears.
• This was the part when everything was about to go downhill. But it didn’t…
• “Why make life harder for yourself?” asked Claire, as she bit into her apple.
• She made a promise to herself that she would never do it.
• I was able to escape.
• I was reading a book when the accident happened.
• “I can’t stand up for people who lie and cheat.” I cried.
• You look at me and I feel beautiful.
• I know what I want to be when I grow up.
• We didn’t have much money. But we knew how to throw a good party.
• The wind blew on the silent streets of London.
• What do you get when you cross an angry bee and my sister?
• The flight was slow and bumpy. I was half asleep when the captain announced we were going down.
• At the far end of the city was a river that was overgrown with weeds. 
• It was a quiet night in the middle of a busy week.
• One afternoon, I was eating a sandwich in the park when I spotted a stranger.
• In the late afternoon, a few students sat on the lawn reading.
• The fireflies were dancing in the twilight as the sunset.
• In the early evening, the children played in the park.
• The sun was setting and the moon was rising.
• A crowd gathered in the square as the band played.
• The top of the water tower shone in the moonlight.
• The light in the living room was on, but the light in the kitchen was off.
•  When I was a little boy, I used to make up stories about the adventures of these amazing animals, creatures, and so on. 
• All of the sudden, I realized I was standing in the middle of an open field surrounded by nothing but wildflowers, and the only thing I remembered about it was that I’d never seen a tree before.
• It’s the kind of thing that’s only happened to me once before in my life, but it’s so cool to see it.
• They gave him a little wave as they drove away.
• The car had left the parking lot, and a few hours later we arrived home.
• They were going to play a game of bingo.
• He’d made up his mind to do it. He’d have to tell her soon, though. He was waiting for a moment when they were alone and he could say it without feeling like an idiot. But when that moment came, he couldn’t think of anything to say.
• Jamie always wanted to own a plane, but his parents were a little tight on the budget. So he’d been saving up to buy one of his own. 
• The night was getting colder, and the wind was blowing in from the west.
• The doctor stared down at the small, withered corpse.
• She’d never been in the woods before, but she wasn’t afraid.
• The kids were having a great time in the playground.
• The police caught the thieves red-handed.
• The world needs a hero more than ever.
• Mother always said, “Be good and nice things will happen…”
• There is a difference between what you see and what you think you see.
• The sun was low in the sky and the air was warm.
• “It’s time to go home,” she said, “I’m getting a headache.”
• It was a cold winter’s day, and the snow had come early.
• I found a wounded bird in my garden.
• “You should have seen the look on my face.”
• He opened the door and stepped back.
• My father used to say, “All good things come to an end.”
• The problem with fast cars is that they break so easily.
• “What do you think of this one?” asked Mindy.
• “If I asked you to do something, would you do it?” asked Jacob.
• I was surprised to see her on the bus.
• I was never the most popular one in my class.
• We had a bad fight that day.
• The coffee machine had stopped working, so I went to the kitchen to make myself a cup of tea.
• It was a muggy night, and the air-conditioning unit was so loud it hurt my ears.
• I had a sleepless night because I couldn’t get my head to turn off.
• I woke up at dawn and heard a horrible noise.
• I was so tired I didn’t know if I’d be able to sleep that night.
• I put on the light and looked at myself in the mirror.
• I decided to go in, but the door was locked.
• A man in a red sweater stood staring at a little kitten as if it was on fire.
• “It’s so beautiful,” he said, “I’m going to take a picture.”
• “I think we’re lost,” he said, “It’s all your fault.”
• It’s hard to imagine what a better life might be like
• He was a tall, lanky man, with a long face, a nose like a pin, and a thin, sandy moustache.
• He had a face like a lion’s and an eye like a hawk’s.
• The man was so broad and strong that it was as if a mountain had been folded up and carried in his belly.
• I opened the door. I didn’t see her, but I knew she was there.
• I walked down the street. I couldn’t help feeling a little guilty.
• I arrived at my parents’ home at 8:00 AM.
• The nurse had been very helpful.
• On the table was an array of desserts.
• I had just finished putting the last of my books in the trunk.
• A car horn honked, startling me.
• The kitchen was full of pots and pans.
• There are too many things to remember.
• The world was my oyster. I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth.
•  “My grandfather was a World War II veteran. He was a decorated hero who’d earned himself a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart.
• Beneath the menacing, skeletal shadow of the mountain, a hermit sat on his ledge. His gnarled hands folded on his gnarled knees. His eyes stared blankly into the fog. 
• I heard a story about a dragon, who was said to be the size of a house, that lived on the top of the tallest mountain in the world.
•  I was told a story about a man who found a golden treasure, which was buried in this very park.
• He stood alone in the middle of a dark and silent room, his head cocked to one side, the brown locks of his hair, which were parted in the middle, falling down over his eyes.
•  Growing up, I was the black sheep of the family. I had my father’s eyes, but my mother’s smile.
• Once upon a time, there was a woman named Miss Muffett, and she lived in a big house with many rooms.
• When I was a child, my mother told me that the water looked so bright because the sun was shining on it. I did not understand what she meant at the time.    
•  The man in the boat took the water bottle and drank from it as he paddled away.
• The man looked at the child with a mixture of pity and contempt.
• An old man and his grandson sat in their garden. The old man told his grandson to dig a hole. 
• An old woman was taking a walk on the beach. The tide was high and she had to wade through the water to get to the other side.
• She looked up at the clock and saw that it was five minutes past seven.
• The man looked up from the map he was studying. “How’s it going, mate?”
• I was in my room on the third floor, staring out of the window.
• A dark silhouette of a woman stood in the doorway.
• The church bells began to ring.
• The moon rose above the horizon.
• A bright light shone over the road.
• The night sky began to glow.
• I could hear my mother cooking in the kitchen.
• The fog began to roll in.
• He came in late to the class and sat at the back.
• A young boy picked up a penny and put it in his pocket.
• He went to the bathroom and looked at his face in the mirror.
• It was the age of wisdom and the age of foolishness. We once had everything and now we have nothing.
• A young man died yesterday, and no one knows why.
• The boy was a little boy. He was not yet a man. He lived in a house in a big city.
• They had just returned from the theatre when the phone rang.
• I walked up to the front of the store and noticed the neon sign was out.
• I always wondered what happened to Mary.
• I stopped to say hello and then walked on.
• The boy’s mother didn’t want him to play outside…
• The lights suddenly went out…
• After 10 years in prison, he was finally out.
• The raindrops pelted the window, which was set high up on the wall, and I could see it was a clear day outside.
• My friend and I had just finished a large pizza, and we were about to open our second.
• I love the smell of the ocean, but it never smells as good as it does when the waves are crashing.
• They just stood there, staring at each other.
• A party was in full swing until the music stopped.

For more ideas on how to start your story, check out these first-line writing prompts . Did you find this list of creative story starters useful? Let us know in the comments below!

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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Overused Words And Alternatives To Use Instead

Being a creative writer can be a lot of fun. Whether you’re writing novels, short stories, fan fiction, or even poetry, you can create worlds. Unfortunately, being a creative writer can also be really challenging. It’s not just difficult to imagine new things all the time—coming up with new and interesting ways to say things is also part of the challenge.

There are some words in creative writing that are terribly overused and common. Luckily, a good dictionary and thesaurus can work wonders on strengthening your writing.

So, we’ve rounded up some of the words writers most often use over and over. We’re not saying you should never use these words, but there are more interesting alternatives you might want to consider next time you sit down to write.

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Writing strong dialogue can be difficult. Not only is it hard to write as people talk, it’s hard to incorporate dialogue naturally into a narrative.

Writers typically default to the straightforward verb said to indicate dialogue. This is not always a problem; readers tend to skim over the word without noticing its overuse. However, said isn’t always the only (or best) word you can use. For example:

He said, “She is really smart.”

She said, “No, she is not.”

He said, “Yes, she is.”

Zzzz … snoozefest.

There are lots of good alternatives for said to make dialogue a lot more dynamic and engaging. For example, you could substitute said with a verb like:

• articulated

Check out that same dialogue (from above) with our new words:

He asserted, “She is really smart.”

She retorted, “No, she is not.”

He concluded, “Yes, she is.”

OK, still not the most exciting dialogue ever, but you get the point.

Another verb that can be quickly overused in creative writing is moved .

It’s the most bread-and-butter word to express that a character is doing some kind of action. But, like said , it can get really boring. Not only that, it’s not as descriptive as some alternative verbs, such as:

The word moved can serve an important purpose, but if you find yourself using it too many times, try one of these instead.

Amazing is an amazing word. And it’s  so amazing how many amazing uses it has.

Is your head spinning yet? Do you really understand what we’re trying to say?

Amazing has the distinction of being not only an overused word in creative writing, but also in daily life.

While amazing initially referred to something that causes astonishment or wonderment, now it is used to refer to anything a notch up from “just OK.”

If you find yourself reaching for this adjective, try to drill down and really think about what you’re trying to express. Some alternatives are:

• unbelievable

Very is a modifier that we use all the time in daily life, no problem-o. On the page, though, very is kind of flat. It’s an adverb that’s used for emphasis, but if it’s overused it loses some of its punch.

Instead of using very a hundred million times in your creative writing (and definitely don’t use it more than once in a row, like “this is very, very, very boring”), there are tons of other alternatives you can use for emphasis. Some of our favorites adverbs are:

That said, sometimes it’s enough to let the narrative speak for itself. If you’re tempted to use a modifier for emphasis, go back over the sentence and ask yourself if it’s truly necessary. Sometimes a light touch, like  very , can actually be best.

Love is a wonderful thing. We love love. Who doesn’t?

But love is a word whose meaning is notoriously hard to pin down. When you’re writing about feelings of great affection, romantic or otherwise, love might seem like an obvious word to use. But we recommend using the word love sparingly, like nutmeg. Or salt. Love can be either a noun or a verb. If you’re using love as a noun, such as “I felt a strong feeling of love,” consider some of the following alternatives:

• infatuation
• appreciation

If you’re using love as a verb, as in “I love you,” we recommend some of these alternatives:

• be attached to

There’s nothing wrong with the classic love , but consider some of these options next time you put pen to paper.

Look is another basic verb that is often overused, similar to said and moved . In boring writing, characters are always just looking, whether at objects or each other.

But there are so many more exciting ways to describe someone experiencing something via sight.

For example, there are verbs like:

fAh, thing. We’ve saved the worst for last. No offense to The Thing , thing is like a lead balloon in the middle of a story.

We have an entire thesaurus (and dictionary of course) full of thousands of vibrant, specific, interesting words to replace the imprecise, overworked noun thing .

Next time you find yourself describing something as a thing , take another pass at it. Dig in deep and use a word that really conveys what you’re talking about. Consider if the thing you’re referring to is an emotion, a particular object, or an idea and, then, name it.

The thesaurus is your friend. Don’t hesitate to pull it up and take a look around to find the bon mot , the just-right word or expression, to take the place of thing .

Ways To Say

Synonym of the day