use synonym in essay

Synonyms of use

• as in to utilize
• as in to treat
• as in to exploit
• as in application
• as in usefulness
• as in liking
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Thesaurus Definition of use

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Synonyms & Similar Words

• make use of
• bring to bear
• cannibalize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• act (toward)
• deal (with)
• respond (to)
• engage (with)
• play (on or upon)
• impose (on or upon)
• capitalize (on)
• cash in (on)
• commercialize
• jerk around

Thesaurus Definition of use  (Entry 2 of 2)

• application
• serviceability
• serviceableness
• applicability
• appropriateness
• uselessness
• worthlessness
• inapplicability
• inappropriateness
• love affair
• inclination
• disinclination
• indifference

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb use contrast with its synonyms?

The words employ and utilize are common synonyms of use . While all three words mean "to put into service especially to attain an end," use implies availing oneself of something as a means or instrument to an end.

Where would employ be a reasonable alternative to use ?

Although the words employ and use have much in common, employ suggests the use of a person or thing that is available but idle, inactive, or disengaged.

When is it sensible to use utilize instead of use ?

While in some cases nearly identical to use , utilize may suggest the discovery of a new, profitable, or practical use for something.

Examples of use in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'use.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Phrases Containing use

Articles related to use.

Is it 'used to' or 'use to'?

You'll get used to it

Is 'utilize' a word worth using?

The Internet hates it, but maybe it has its place

Thesaurus Entries Near use

Cite this entry.

“Use.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/use. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on use

Nglish: Translation of use for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of use for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about use

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noun as in act or instance of employment; utility

Strongest matches

Strong matches

• mobilization

Weak matches

• capitalization
• wear and tear

noun as in function, purpose, benefit

• applicability
• convenience
• helpfulness
• serviceability
• appropriateness

noun as in custom

verb as in utilize; consume

• capitalize on
• avail oneself of
• bring into play
• bring to bear
• make do with
• make the most of
• press into service
• put into action
• put to work
• run through
• turn to account

verb as in manipulate, take advantage of

• take advantage of

Example Sentences

As Ensminger puts it, one of Hallmark’s best attributes is its range, and the company has put that versatility to good use in the face of an overwhelming crisis.

In Virginia, Hanley said a new law banning cellphone use while driving should increase highway safety.

The platforms, which are outdoors, have undergone decades of use and weather-related deterioration.

So far, the EEOC hasn’t even issued clear guidelines concerning hiring algorithms that are already in use.

The first was the use of financial incentives — although they were so tiny, less than a dollar, that you have to wonder how powerful they’d be.

There is no such thing as speech so hateful or offensive it somehow “justifies” or “legitimizes” the use of violence.

In Israel, however, a new law took effect January 1st that banned the use of underweight models.

The use of slurs from both characters makes it clear just how “new” the idea of an openly gay son is even in this time.

In the meantime, Epstein has tried to use his charitable projects to float him back to the top.

And in order for them to realize their vision, they are willing to use any means.

If you use it wisely, it may be Ulysses' hauberk; if you reject it, the shirt of Nessus were a cooler winding-sheet!

The sailors sometimes use it to fry their meat, for want of butter, and find it agreeable enough.

Not much use as the high crests hid the intervening hinterland from view, even from the crow's nests.

For this use of the voice in the special service of will-power, or propelling force, it is necessary first to test its freedom.

Their method of curing the leaves was to air-dry them and then packing them until wanted for use.

Related Words

Words related to use are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word use . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.

verb as in take advantage of

• do an injustice to

verb as in choose or take something as one's own

• appropriate
• go down the line

noun as in use

• appositeness
• germaneness
• utilization

noun as in quality of being good for a person or thing

• wholesomeness

noun as in advantage, profit

• benediction
• egg in one's beer

Viewing 5 / 110 related words

When To Use

What is another way to say use .

The verb use is a general word: to use a telephone; to use a saw and other tools; to use one’s eyes; to use eggs in cooking. As applied to persons, use implies some selfish or sinister purpose: to use another to advance oneself. What is used often has depreciated or been diminished, sometimes completely consumed: a used automobile; All the butter has been used. Utilize implies practical or profitable use: to utilize the means at hand, a modern system of lighting.

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

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Use Synonyms and Other Writing Techniques to Improve Your Writing

Have you ever received feedback on an essay or writing assignment saying that you have repeated words, phrases or ideas too many times? If your writing is repetitive, it can slow down a reader, make your writing sound boring or even indicate that you do not have enough knowledge about a topic. In this post, we will be investigating some writing techniques to help reduce repetition. Repeated words, phrases or ideas can often decrease your chances of scoring well on an essay or other piece of writing, but with the help of synonyms and other writing techniques, you will be able to improve your writing.

1: Use Synonyms (in the Right Context)

2: rephrase an important idea, 3: reorder sentences, 4: use pronouns, more help and techniques to improve your english essay writing.

Watch our video below to see an in-depth explanation of writing techniques you can use to avoid repeated words, phrases and ideas. Then take our interactive synonyms quiz for free here .

When looking for ways to reduce repeated words and ideas in your writing, the first writing technique to start with is to use synonyms. Not only will this help to expand your vocabulary, but it will also allow you to communicate your ideas more effectively and as a result, engage your reader better. 

However, it is not as simple as just using a thesaurus or looking up synonyms for particular words on the internet. When choosing the right synonyms, there are a few factors you should consider:

When considering the purpose of our writing, we must think about what genre we are writing. For example, is it a persuasive text or opinion essay, a blog post, or a letter? Is it formal or informal writing? Considering the genre will help you choose appropriate synonyms and vocabulary. 

This is also closely related to the audience, or your reader. Who is the piece of writing for? Are you trying to impress a high stakes test assessor? Or a university professor or teacher? Perhaps you are writing an email to a peer or an announcement to the general public. Whoever your reader is, you must keep them in mind when it comes to your synonyms and word choice. 

Finally, we should consider the meaning of synonyms in context. Synonyms for a particular word will have slightly different meanings for different situations. If we do not precisely choose the correct synonym, it could make the writing sound less clear and awkward. When selecting a synonym, try the word in the context and ask yourself – does it make sense?

Read this sentence:

Technology is a beneficial tool for staying connected to family and friends who live abroad.

Here is a list of synonyms for the word ‘beneficial’: advantageous, helpful, valuable, favourable, profitable, good, desirable If we use the word ‘profitable’ in the sentence, we can check if it suits the context of what is being said:

Technology is a profitable tool for staying connected to family and friends who live abroad.

This sentence sounds awkward as ‘profitable’ is not a precise or accurate word choice for the context of this sentence. Profitable means to make financial gain which doesn’t make sense for what is being said. 

Instead, let’s consider using the synonym ‘valuable’:

Technology is a valuable tool for staying connected to family and friends who live abroad.

This is a much more appropriate word choice as valuable means something that is special or has a lot of worth, which fits the context of the topic well. It is also a better choice than ‘good’ or ‘helpful’ if we are trying to write a more formal essay for a reader who’s marking our work. 

To work on the writing technique of using the right synonyms in the right context, you can access our Free E2 English Quiz . 

We know that repetition leads to boring writing, which can often result in a low scoring assignment or essay. However, repetition actually has an essential place in our writing. In many essays, we will need to repeat our thesis statement or opinion over and over again, to convince our reader of something or highlight a main idea. Learning how to rephrase an idea that needs to be replicated throughout a text is a highly important writing technique, especially for particular essay types, like opinion essays or persuasive texts. 

If you’re writing a persuasive text or opinion essay or any type of writing where you need to repeat an idea or opinion, you will have some sort of thesis statement or sentence that states the main point in a text. 

Here is an example of a thesis statement:

It is evident that technology is making people less interactive.

This type of statement would need to appear at the beginning of your writing but also again throughout your body paragraphs and then finally, in the conclusion. Students often make the mistake of repeating the entire sentence, word for word, over and over again. 

Instead we can use the writing technique of rephrasing to come up with alternative versions of the sentence that still argues the same idea. We can build on the last technique of using synonyms. Rephrasing takes synonyms to the next level where we need to think about a group of words in a different way. One of the writing techniques to do this is to break up the sentence into phrases or groups of words and reword them. Look at the different phrases in the the thesis statement:

‘It is evident that’… ‘technology’… ‘is making people less interactive’.

Here are some alternative phrases for each part of our sentence. See how each phrase can be reimagined:

It is evident that…

• It is obvious that…
• It is clear that…
• It is apparent that… 

…technology…

• IT (information technology)
• technological inventions
• the virtual world

…is making people less interactive

• driving people to be less social
• creating a society that is more socially isolated
• disconnecting us from one another
• affecting authentic human relationships and communication

Now it is possible to have different versions of our original thesis statement that are formed with the alternative phrases we came up with. Here are a few different variations of the thesis statement:

It is obvious that devices are driving people to be less social.  It is clear that IT is affecting authentic human relationships and communication.  It is apparent that technological inventions are creating a society that is more socially isolated. 

Using alternative phrases helps us reduce repetition but can also enrich the description in our writing as well. When we rephrase an important idea, it forces us to be creative and come up with varied ways to communicate an idea. 

Another form of repetition is when writers have a group of sentences that begin in the same way, one after the other. With this type of repetition, they not only use the same sentence structure, but also start their sentence with the exact same words. This is a common thing that teachers see in writing, which can be fixed with reordering and sentence variation, another excellent writing technique to practise. 

Below is an example of a paragraph that does this type of repetition. You can see a few sentences that begin in the same way. 

The overuse of our devices can create a sense of disconnection from the real world. Many people are often glued to their mobile phones while walking down the street or sitting at a cafe, instead of engaging in the physical world around them. Many people are beginning to prioritise their virtual interactions over in-person connections. This is causing our society to become more antisocial. Many individuals are socially isolating themselves by signalling they are not interested in real life conversations.

There are three sentences that start with either ‘Many people are…’ or ‘Many individuals are…’ which can cause the reader to become bored and irritated by the repetition, regardless of how great the ideas are. What writing techniques can we use to change this? 

The first sentence that begins with ‘Many people are’ is a complex sentence because it has a main clause and a subordinate clause. We can swap the order of these clauses around so it reads better:

Now the sentence does not start in the same way and instead begins with a dependent or subordinate clause. 

The next sentence is a simple sentence because it has one main or independent clause. We can insert a subordinate or dependent clause at the beginning, ‘Without realising,’ and change ‘many people’ to the pronoun ‘we’. Of course, we can’t forget to change the ‘their’ to ‘our’ so it makes sense.

Here is the improved version:

It sounds much better! 

The final sentence that repeats is a complex sentence. We can swap the clauses around again to create variation. We can also omit, or take out, the word ‘many’ because it was already used earlier in the paragraph. Here is the reordered version:

Now read the new and improved paragraph aloud so you can hear how it is more interesting and dynamic to read:

The excessive use of our devices can create a sense of disconnection from the real world. Instead of engaging in the physical world around them, many people are often glued to their cellphones while walking down the street or sitting at a cafe. Without realising, we are beginning to prioritise our virtual interactions over in-person connections. This is causing our society to become more antisocial. By signalling they are not interested in real life conversations, individuals are socially isolating themselves.

As you can see, reordering sentences also builds on the writing technique of sentence variation. You need to know how to write simple, compound and complex sentences so that it is easier to swap clauses around or add clauses in, where necessary. By using this skill, not only are you decreasing repetitive sentence starters, but you’re also showcasing your skills in using a variety of grammatical structures. 

This last of the writing techniques is one of the simplest ways to avoid repetition. When we are writing, there will often be repeated words or key nouns that get duplicated throughout the text. The use of pronouns will make the sentences more concise and easier to read. In some high stakes English tests, this skill is also called referencing because you refer back to the idea without repeating the same word.

Here is a list of pronouns that can be used instead of nouns or the names of people or things. This list does not include all pronouns, it just showcases a few common ones: he, she, it, them, they, we, him, her, this, that, these, those…

When substituting pronouns for nouns, it is important to choose the right pronoun because an unclear pronoun will make your writing confusing. Have a look at the example below:

People should consider how much people use technology.

If we replaced the second ‘people’ in the sentence with the pronoun ‘we’, it would sound awkward:

People should consider how much we use technology.

The correct pronoun to use here is ‘they’.

People should consider how much they use technology.

Here is another example of repeated nouns:

Technology has both positive and negative consequences because technology can connect us to people far away while also distracting us from real life. To tackle the technology problem, we should consider having a limit on our screen time.

In the first sentence, the key noun ‘technology’ has been repeated twice. We can replace the second ‘technology’ with the pronoun ‘it’. The word ‘technology’ is used again in the beginning of the second sentence. We can change ‘the technology problem’ by using a pronoun so it instead reads as ‘this problem’. Here is the improved version:

Technology has both positive and negative consequences because it can connect us to people far away while also distracting us from real life. To tackle this problem, we should consider having a limit on our screen time.

It flows well now, doesn’t it?

Using pronouns is a simple and effective way to reduce unnecessary repetition in writing. However, you must remember to always double check that the pronouns agree with the original noun. You can do this by reading your writing aloud to make sure that it flows well. 

The more you regularly work on your writing, the more these writing techniques will become a part of your practice. A great place to start is our Free E2 English Quiz , which can help you to understand how to use synonyms in the right context.

As always, if you are looking for expert feedback, especially for a high stakes English exam, be sure to sign up to E2testprep.com , where our experienced teachers and ex-examiners can help you to improve your writing! 

Need more help and techniques to improve your English essay writing? We have you covered! For help with general English essay writing, head to E2testprep.com and sign up for FREE to access method lessons, practice items, live classes with expert teachers and more. In the Shop you will also find E2English, which is our full range of General English courses for whatever level you need. We have everything you need to help you quickly improve your language level and achieve success on your next high stakes essay or writing assignment.

You can also check out our Top Ten English Essay Writing Tips here to help you quickly improve your writing skills.

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E2 is the world’s leading test preparation provider and General English course provider. Our expert teachers are fully accredited English teachers, with TESOL, British Council or other relevant certification, and years of English teaching experience. 

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What are Synonyms and How Do You Use Synonyms in Academic Writing 

Learning how to use synonyms in academic writing can aid in structuring your text and ensuring that it doesn’t sound monotonous. Here’s a guide telling you all about synonyms in detail.  

What are synonyms and why are synonyms important?

A synonym is one of two or more words of the same language that have the same or nearly the same meaning in some or all senses. 1

In other words, synonyms in academic writing are words that have a similar meaning, for example, small–little, big–huge, beautiful–pretty, alter–change, difficult–challenging, etc. 

If you ask what are synonyms meant to do, synonyms are essential for making our writing interesting and engaging, which are both important for effective communication and connecting with the audience. Learning how to use synonyms in writing ensures that text doesn’t become repetitive, which can improve overall flow and keep readers hooked. 

Although synonyms have similar meanings, the words we choose to include should be appropriate to the context and the tone of the document. In academic writing, the overall tone is formal, so formal alternatives should be used . 

Consider the following example: The researchers conducted big research vs The researchers conducted important research. Here, big and important are synonyms; however, their meanings aren’t the same, so they cannot be used interchangeably in all contexts.Therefore, when using synonyms in writing , we must choose the best alternative from among the available options. This is especially important because an incorrect word may alter the meaning or tone of the sentence, leading to ambiguity. 

How can synonyms in writing improve your research? 2

Using synonyms in writing has several benefits. Once you learn how to use synonyms, it can help structure your text and ensure that it doesn’t sound monotonous. While writing, you may want to quote information from other sources. In such cases, it is not advisable to use the exact words as in the source because that would amount to plagiarism. To avoid this problem, the sentence to be quoted could be paraphrased using appropriate synonyms. This can help make the sentence your own, thus avoiding the plagiarism issue. The use of correct synonyms can also help polish your writing and make it an engaging read. 

Here are a few aspects to consider when figuring out how to use synonyms correctly: 3

• Connotation: Refers to the intended meaning of the text—positive, negative, or neutral?
• Writing/language style: US/UK? Academic or nonacademic? Formal/informal?
• Audience: Researchers/business professionals/students?
• Purpose: Education/advertising/research information?

Problems with the incorrect use of synonyms in writing 4

The incorrect use of synonyms or the use of contextually incorrect synonyms in writing can be misleading and may make the entire effort counterproductive. Listed below are some common issues one faces while using synonyms in writing.

• Overuse: Excessive use of the same word or many synonyms within a paragraph may make the text repetitive or difficult to read. Sometimes, using simple language is the best solution.
• Incorrect meanings: Picking the wrong synonym can alter the meaning of the sentence or make for a clumsy read.
• Technical or coined terms shouldn’t be replaced with synonyms. In academic writing, technical terms may need to be repeated at regular intervals. This is fine because such words cannot be replaced with synonyms.

Online sources to search for synonyms

Listed below are few online sources you could consult for good, context-appropriate synonyms:

• Merriam-Webster Thesaurus : A thesaurus differs from a dictionary in that in addition to the meaning of a word, it also provides several synonyms that could be used in diverse contexts.

In this screenshot from Merriam-Webster’s thesaurus search for the word “group,” in addition to one meaning, several synonyms have also been listed. Each listed synonym cannot be used to replace any other word. For instance, to change the following sentence, “ The students were divided into two groups, ” one option would be to replace “groups” with “batches” (from the listed words). However, in this sentence, replacing “groups” with “band” or “array” or “assemblage” is completely incorrect contextually. Thus, you would need to use your discretion to select the most appropriate synonym from among the choices given.

• Collins Dictionary

This dictionary also provides the meaning of the word and lists the synonyms. A helpful feature of the synonyms list is that the language style (US or UK English) and formal/informal tone is also given.

• Thesaurus.com

This handy website lists several synonyms that are color-coded in terms of relevance, with the darkest shade being the most relevant.

• The Free Dictionary Thesaurus

This website creates a diagram for the searched word and indicates synonyms by green circles and antonyms by red squares.

•   Synonyms.com

This online resource offers different forms of the word “group,” which are presented along with their synonyms.

6.  Visual Thesaurus

This website also creates a word map for the referenced word and has color-coded to indicate the different word forms.

To conclude, while writing, look out for repetitive common words that can be replaced with one or more synonyms to create reader-friendly text. If you’re using a synonym in writing and want to check context appropriateness, consult one of the sources mentioned in this article above.

• Merriam-Webster. Accessed September 5, 2022. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synonym
• Pubrica Academy. Use synonyms in scientific manuscripts to improve quality. Accessed September 4, 2022. https://academy.pubrica.com/presenting-research/language-grammar/use-synonyms-in-scientific-manuscripts-to-improve-quality/
• Literary Terms website. When and how to use synonyms. Accessed September 6, 2022. https://literaryterms.net/when-and-how-to-use-synonyms/
• Tan E. The power of synonyms: the good, the bad, and the in-between. Writing and Communication Centre. University of Waterloo website. Accessed September 5, 2022. https://uwaterloo.ca/writing-and-communication-centre/blog/power-synonyms-good-bad-and-between

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• 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays

To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.

Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.

It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.

If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.

General explaining

Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.

1. In order to

Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument. Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”

2. In other words

Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”

3. To put it another way

Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance. Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”

4. That is to say

Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”

5. To that end

Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”. Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”

Adding additional information to support a point

Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument. Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.

6. Moreover

Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making. Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”

7. Furthermore

Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”

8. What’s more

Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”. Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”

9. Likewise

Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned. Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”

10. Similarly

Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”. Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”

11. Another key thing to remember

Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”. Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”

12. As well as

Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”

13. Not only… but also

Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information. Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”

14. Coupled with

Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”

15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other. Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.

16. Not to mention/to say nothing of

Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis. Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”

Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast

When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.

17. However

Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said. Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”

18. On the other hand

Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion. Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”

19. Having said that

Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”. Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”

20. By contrast/in comparison

Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence. Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”

21. Then again

Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion. Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”

22. That said

Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”. Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”

Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea. Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”

Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations

Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.

24. Despite this

Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence. Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”

25. With this in mind

Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else. Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”

26. Provided that

Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing. Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”

27. In view of/in light of

Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else. Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”

28. Nonetheless

Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”

29. Nevertheless

Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”

30. Notwithstanding

Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”. Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”

Giving examples

Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.

31. For instance

Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”

32. To give an illustration

Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”

Signifying importance

When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.

33. Significantly

Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent. Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”

34. Notably

Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it). Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”

35. Importantly

Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”. Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”

Summarising

You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.

36. In conclusion

Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview. Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”

37. Above all

Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay. Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”

38. Persuasive

Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing. Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”

39. Compelling

Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”

40. All things considered

Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”

How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.

At Oxford Royale Academy, we offer a number of  summer school courses for young people who are keen to improve their essay writing skills. Click here to apply for one of our courses today, including law , business , medicine  and engineering .

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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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How to Use Synonyms Effectively in a Sentence? — A way to avoid plagiarism!

Do you remember those school days when memorizing synonyms and antonyms played a major role in acing our language exams? Who knew it would keep you from committing the malpractice of plagiarism as a researcher today? As a child, it was easier to build a vocabulary and learn new words, be they synonyms or antonyms. But adults have neither the time nor the reason to learn new words and synonyms.

Therefore, students, researchers, and academic staff often face challenges in using synonyms effectively in a sentence.  But as an adult, there is no time or reason to learn new words, let alone understand how to use synonyms correctly in a sentence. Therefore, most frequently, students, researchers, and academic staff are not able to use words effectively in a sentence.

Table of Contents

What Is a Synonym?

A synonym is simply a word that means the same as the other word in question. These words may not always mean the same as the original word, but they can be closely related to it. It comes from the Greek words “syn” and “onym,” which mean “together” and “name,” respectively. While speaking or writing, avoid using the same words; it will improve your vocabulary. Further, you could use a thesaurus to find synonyms. When speaking or writing, one of the best ways to expand your vocabulary and avoid using the same words repeatedly is to use a thesaurus to find synonyms (words with similar meanings).

A thesaurus is a general phrase that describes a type of dictionary. It provides a list of words having the same or similar meaning as the referenced word. For example, if you were to look up the word “beautiful,” you might get a listing of more than thirty words that have a similar meaning, such as attractive, pretty, lovely, charming, etc. There are many forms of a thesaurus, from Roget’s Thesaurus , authored by Peter Mark Roget and published in 1852, to online materials available from companies that specialize in educational resources.

Why Is Using Synonyms Important?

It is important to use synonyms because they help to enhance the writing quality and provide readers with a crisp and unique outlook of the text. Furthermore, it can also improve both oral and writing skills, as explained ahead. However, using complex synonyms does not directly enhance the text. In the end, it is about how the context does not change and is easily comprehended by the reader.

Benefits of Using Synonyms in Writing

Synonyms and related words are used to make your text easier to read. Some of the benefits of using synonyms are as follows:

• Makes text more captivating
• Helps avoid monotone in speaking and writing
• Improves communication between you and others
• Helps readers in visualizing better

Related: Having difficulty with language and grammar in your thesis? Check out these helpful resources now!

For example, instead of using the word “beautiful” several times in your text, you could search for its synonyms and use “gorgeous,” “stunning,” or “ravishing” to enhance your language. Using a word repeatedly may lose the attention of your audience simply out of boredom!

In an effort to increase your vocabulary , it is helpful to keep a journal or list of new words to refer to. It is easy to use synonyms by building your collection of words. The recommended tools in this article will help you create a bank of words with their correct meanings. It is also beneficial to use new synonyms often while speaking or writing to keep them in your memory.

Use of Synonyms Helps Avoid Plagiarism

Writers and editors deal with the serious issue of plagiarism, which is also considered copyright infringement. Moreover, dealing with plagiarism is essential for academic researchers because plagiarizing someone else’s work in a research document can even destroy one’s professional credibility.

The borrowed thoughts or ideas that you refer to in your work should be correctly cited and referenced. Must you always use direct quotations? Not necessarily, but any part of the original text that you include in your paraphrased text should be in quotation marks.

Paraphrasing allows us to reduce a lengthy quotation by using fewer words to convey the same message. Furthermore, it can help to avoid the temptation of using too many quotations. This is where you could search for synonyms, but you must be mindful of what words to use.

How to Paraphrase Without Plagiarizing?

When you paraphrase the content —

• Choose to replace the original idea with true synonyms. For example, the original phrase, “It was a dark day,” could mean more than one thing. It could mean that the weather was gloomy or that the person’s mood was somber and depressed.
• Be sure that you grasp the original idea and use words that convey the same meaning.

Recommended Tools/Websites for Finding Synonyms

Several books and websites can help you build your pool of synonyms. One of the most commonly used publications is Roget’s Thesaurus , available in both print and digital versions. Here are some of the recommended tools/websites for finding appropriate synonyms:

1. The Visual Thesaurus®

It is an interactive dictionary that allows you to type in a word for which you want a synonym and then creates “word maps” of related words. It also provides definitions.

2. Thesaurus.com

It is another interactive reference tool that not only provides synonyms and other related words, but also categorizes them based on complexity and length, and whether the word is used formally or informally. The site also features a “word of the day” as an aid for building your vocabulary.

3. Synonyms.net

It provides synonyms, antonyms, definitions, and even translations of the word in several other languages.

4. Reverso Dictionary

It provides synonyms and translations of a word in other languages.

Learning to use synonyms effectively can help you better communicate your ideas. Also, using clear and concise text with a variety of synonyms can provide your audience with an interesting reading experience that will hold their attention. After all, the ultimate goal in academic writing is to present new topics in research with more clarity and lucid language for everyone’s easy comprehension.

Do you struggle to find the right word to avoid the overuse of another word? What do you do then? A tool or website that you can swear by? Let all our fellow academics know about it too.

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Greeting from Enago Academy! Thank you for your positive comment. We are glad to know that you found our resources useful. Your feedback is very valuable to us. Happy reading!

itis helpful, I just have difficulty understanding synonymous and now I understand the meaning of synonymous

Why is it that i can’t use “found death”, “found passed away”, “found dies” and “found died” when I can use found dead or found deceased? at least all of them mean the same.

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Writing Tips: Synonyms and Antonyms

4-minute read

• 22nd September 2021

If you find yourself using the same words repeatedly in your writing , or struggling to find the right words to explain contrasting ideas, you may need to use more synonyms and antonyms. But what are these exactly? And how can you use them effectively? Check out our guide below to learn more.

What are Synonyms?

Synonyms are words or phrases with the exact same or similar meaning to one another. For example, “fun,” “entertaining,” and “enjoyable” are all words we can use to describe a thing or activity that brings light-hearted pleasure. This means they are synonyms and we can use them interchangeably in certain situations:

The party last night was really fun !

The party last night was really entertaining !

The party last night was really enjoyable !

Using synonyms is a great way to avoid repeating words too often in your writing (although it’s fine to repeat common terms like “is,” “I,” “it,” and similar). If you need a synonym for a word, you can usually find one by checking a thesaurus .

What are Antonyms?

Antonyms are words or phrases that are opposite in meaning. For example:

She drives a really slow car.

She drives a reall y fast car.

In most cases, like with the words “slow” and “fast” above, switching a word for an antonym can completely change the meaning of a sentence.

Most thesauruses include antonyms for words as well as synonyms. This can be useful if you can’t think of a word to express the opposite of something. For example, if you want to say you are “not tired” without using “not,” you could look up “tired” in a thesaurus and find a list of words like “energized” and “lively.”

Sometimes, you can also form an antonym by adding a negative prefix to a root word (e.g., happy and un happy , like and dis like , or polite and im polite ).

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Common Synonym Errors

Be careful when using synonyms! Some have subtle differences that can change the meaning of a sentence. Take “quietly” and “inaudibly,” for example:

She played her music quietly so that it wouldn’t upset her neighbors.

She played her music inaudibly so that it wouldn’t upset her neighbors.

Although “quietly” and “inaudibly” can both imply a low volume, “inaudibly” suggests that the volume was so low, it was impossible to hear the music. Thus, while these words are synonyms, they aren’t interchangeable in every situation.

Similarly, some words have more than one meaning. “Save,” for example, can mean “rescue” (e.g., “She saved the dog from the river”) or “store” (e.g., “I am saving my money”). And if you use the wrong synonym, your sentence won’t make sense:

She saved the dog from the river. ✔

She rescued the dog from the river. ✔

She stored the dog from the river. ✘

When looking up synonyms, then, you should always check the meaning of unfamiliar words or phrases before using them in your writing.

Summary: Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms and antonyms are both useful when writing. Remember:

• A synonym is a word that has the same or a similar meaning to another word (e.g., synonyms for “hot” include “scorching,” “boiling,” “warm,” and “sultry”).
• An antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning to another word (e.g., antonyms for “hot” include “cold,” “freezing,” “cool,” and “frigid”).

Using synonyms and antonyms can thus help you write more expressively. But, as you can see, it is important to use the right words so that your writing remains easy to understand. Luckily, our team of expert editors can help! Give our proofreading service a try by uploading a trial document for free today.

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• Literary Terms

When and How to Use Synonyms

• Definition & Examples
• When & How to Use Synonyms

How to use Synonyms

To choose synonyms , you should consider several key things besides a word’s definition:

• Connotation—do you want your meaning to be positive, negative, or neutral?
• Type of Writing—is your work informative, persuasive, creative?
• Audience—who has to understand the words: children, teenagers, adults?
• Purpose—are you choosing words for descriptions like characterization, setting, etc?

While this may seem like a lot to think about, in reality, using synonyms comes naturally in our everyday speech. We take in our surroundings all the time—audience, setting, situation—and speak accordingly, sometimes even subconsciously. So, you choose synonyms to use in your writing just like you do when speaking.

When to use Synonyms

Synonyms are (and should be) used all the time! It’s important to know which synonyms to use when writing in different styles , genres , and forms of writing—creative, formal, informal, fiction, nonfiction and so on. For instance, read the two sentences below:

• Informative: Beavers are mammals. They are skilled swimmers, and make their habitats in rivers, called dams.
• Creative: Beavers are furry animals that spend their lives swimming and collecting. They find twigs and branches from forest around them to create amazing homes on the river, called dams.

  What’s more, proper word choice is important when writing for readers of all ages—for instance, the synonyms you choose for children’s literature should be simpler than those you used when writing young adult literature:

• Children’s: The fuzzy yellow duckies went splish splash splish splash in the morning rain.
• Young Adult: The ducklings, still with soft yellow feathers, waddled back and forth in the puddles after the dawn showers.

Furthermore, synonyms can also be used when you make a thought more or less simple or complete, or more or less detailed or descriptive. For example:

Going up the tall mountain was difficult.

Ascending the towering, elevated mountain was easier said than done.

The first sentence gets the point across to the audience. But, the second one uses synonyms to give a better idea of the situation and the author’s view. So, based on what you want to tell your audience, you can decide when to use which synonyms.

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
• Anachronism
• Anthropomorphism
• Antonomasia
• APA Citation
• Aposiopesis
• Autobiography
• Bildungsroman
• Characterization
• Circumlocution
• Cliffhanger
• Comic Relief
• Connotation
• Deus ex machina
• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Dramatic irony
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Figures of Speech
• Flash-forward
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• Juxtaposition
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Point of View
• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Rhetorical Device
• Rhetorical Question
• Science Fiction
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Synesthesia
• Turning Point
• Understatement
• Urban Legend
• Verisimilitude
• Essay Guide
• Cite This Website