50 everyday words and advanced alternatives to make your writing more alive

Learning synonyms is very important for ESL learners. First, synonyms expand vocabulary. English is full of words that have similar meanings, like “happy,” “joyful,” or “cheerful.” Knowing these options helps you express yourself more precisely and avoids repetition, making your speech or writing sound more natural and engaging.

Second, it improves comprehension. When reading or listening, ESL learners often encounter unfamiliar words. If you know synonyms, you can better guess the meaning from context without needing a dictionary every time. For example, if you know “big” and come across “huge,” you’re more likely to understand it.

Third, synonyms allow for nuance. English speakers often choose words based on subtle differences in tone or context—like “slim” versus “skinny.” Learning these distinctions helps you sound more fluent and adapt your language to different situations, such as formal writing or casual conversation.

Finally, it boosts confidence. The more tools you have to express an idea, the less you’ll struggle to find the “right” word. This fluency makes it more comfortable to use English in real-life settings.

Here are fifty everyday words and their alternatives with simple definitions and example sentences. While you want to expand your vocabulary for writing, many of these words would not be used in everyday conversations. Be careful and don’t overuse advanced words. When in doubt, always use plain speech to communicate. The more common words used in speech will be in bold. Remember, English words can often be synonyms but are specifically used in certain instances. These instances can also vary by region.

Everyday Word | Advanced Alternative

1. Big | Enormous, substantial, voluminous, capacious, immense, hefty, huge

• Definition: Something of large size, extent, amount, or importance. Depending on the context, it can refer to physical dimensions, quantity, intensity, or significance.
• Example: The elephant is an enormous animal, towering over most other creatures.

2. Small | Minute (my-NOOT not to be confused with “minute” referring to a time measurement), diminutive, negligible, infinitesimal, paltry

• Definition: Something of little size, extent, amount, or significance. It’s often used to indicate something limited in dimensions, quantity, intensity, or importance, depending on the context.
• Example: He only packed a minute amount of food for the trip.

3. Good | Excellent, superb, commendable, exemplary, proficient

• Definition: Something of high quality, satisfactory, desirable, or morally right. It can refer to excellence, suitability, enjoyment, or virtue, depending on the context.
• Example: This is an excellent book, full of suspense and well-written characters.

4. Bad | Detrimental, adverse, deleterious, pernicious, reprehensible

• Definition: Something of poor quality, unsatisfactory, undesirable, or morally wrong. It can refer to inferiority, unpleasantness, harm, or fault, depending on the context.
• Example: Stealing is a reprehensible choice that can hurt others.

5. Happy | Jubilant, elated, ecstatic, exultant, convivial, delighted, jolly, cheerful

• Definition: A state of feeling pleasure, contentment, joy, or satisfaction. It typically refers to an emotional or mental state of well-being or delight, often caused by positive circumstances or experiences.
• Example: She felt ecstatic when she heard the good news about her promotion.

6. Sad | Melancholy, depressed, sorrowful, heartbroken, despondent, morose, lugubrious, disconsolate

• Definition: A feeling of sorrow, unhappiness, or emotional pain.
• Example: She felt a deep sense of melancholy after hearing the news of her friend’s sudden departure.”

7. Say | Articulate, express, declare, pronounce, enunciate, announce

• Definition: To express something in words, either by speaking, writing, or otherwise communicating.
• Example: He decided to express exactly what was on his mind during the meeting.

8. Look | Observe, scrutinize, examine, peruse, contemplate

• Definition: To direct one’s gaze or attention toward something, typically to observe or examine it visually.
• Example: She turned to observe the vibrant sunset painting the sky with shades of orange and pink.

9. Get | Acquire, obtain, procure, garner, secure

• Definition: A verb with multiple meanings depending on the context, but it most commonly means to obtain, receive, or acquire something.
• Example: He went to the bank to secure a loan for a new car.

10. Think | Contemplate, deliberate, ruminate, speculate, ponder

• Definition: To use one’s mind to consider, imagine, or process ideas, opinions, or information.
• Example: She paused to contemplate carefully before answering the difficult question.

11. Make | Fabricate, generate, construct, synthesize, formulate

• Definition: To create, construct, or produce something, either physically or abstractly.
• Example: He decided to construct a wooden shelf for his collection of books.

12. Help | Facilitate, assist, aid, bolster, succor

• Definition: To assist, support, or provide aid to someone in completing a task, solving a problem, or improving a situation.
• Example: She offered to assist the stranded motorist.

13. Show | Demonstrate, exhibit, illustrate, delineate, manifest

• Definition: To display, present, or reveal something to others, often so it can be seen, understood, or appreciated.
• Example: He wanted to exhibit his artwork to the class.

14. Use | Utilize, employ, exercise, implement, wield

• Definition: To employ or apply something for a purpose, function, or task.
• Example: She decided to utilize her extra space to make a coffee bar.

15. Start | Commence, initiate, inaugurate, instigate, embark, kickoff

• Definition: To begin something, such as an activity, process, or event.
• Example: He pressed the button to initiate the countdown sequence.

16. Stop | Cease, terminate, conclude, relinquish, desist

• Definition: To cease or bring something to an end, such as an action, movement, or process.
• Example: They were told to cease from calling her immediately.

17. Change | Modify, alter, transform, mutate, amend

• Definition: To alter, modify, or transform something, making it different from its previous state.
• Example: We might need to alter our plans because of the storm.

18. Know | Comprehend, discern, recognize, apprehend, perceive

• Definition: To have information, understanding, or awareness about something or someone, often gained through experience, learning, or familiarity.
• Example: I don’t recognize her.

19. Need | Require, necessitate, demand, mandate, stipulate

• Definition: To require something because it is essential, necessary, or desired for a specific purpose or situation.
• Example: We demand the city fix the roads.

20. Important | Significant, crucial, pivotal, paramount, consequential

• Definition: Something of great significance, value, or necessity.
• Example: The election has significant consequences.

21. Funny | Hilarious, comical, droll, facetious, whimsical

• Definition: Something causing amusement, laughter, or a sense of humor.
• Example: That joke was hilarious.

22. True | Verifiable, accurate, authentic, valid, incontrovertible

• Definition: In accordance with fact, reality, or correctness.
• Example: That is a very accurate statement.

23. False | Erroneous, fallacious, inaccurate, spurious, apocryphal

• Definition: Not in accordance with truth, fact, or reality—essentially, something that’s incorrect, deceptive, or made-up.
• Example: That was an erroneous statement.

24. Angry | Incensed, irate, indignant, exasperated, acrimonious, annoyed, enraged

• Definition: A strong emotion of displeasure, frustration, or hostility, often triggered by perceived injustice, annoyance, or hurt.
• Example: Suzie became irate when they broke her car window.

25. Enough | Sufficient, adequate, ample, copious, commensurate

• Definition: A sufficient amount, degree, or extent—basically, the point where no more is needed.
• Example: I believe that two days is an adequate amount of time to finish the project.

26. Go | Proceed, depart, traverse, migrate, drive

• Definition: To move, proceed, or travel from one place or state to another.
• Example: We will depart for the airport at 12.

27. Come | Arrive, convene, materialize, ensue, appear

• Definition: To move or travel toward the speaker or a specified place—basically the opposite of “go”
• Example: Do you think it will come true? / Do you think it will materialize?

28. Keep | Retain, preserve, maintain, conserve, uphold

• Definition: Holding onto or maintaining something.
• Example: We retain the right to sue in court.

29. Let | Permit, authorize, sanction, concede, tolerate

• Definition: To allow, permit, or give permission for something to happen.
• Example: I will permit you to retake the test.

30. Put | Position, deposit, install, allocate, assign, place, set

• Definition: To place, set, or move something into a specific position or state.
• Example: Would you position the nameplates in alphabetical order?

31. Take | Extract, remove, seize, acquire, appropriate

• Definition: To grasp, seize, or carry something from one place or state to another.
• Example: We need to seize the next opportunity before it is gone.

32. Do | Execute, perform, conduct, accomplish, discharge

• Definition: Performing, executing, or completing something.
• Example: We need to conduct a new search for the president.

33. Have | Possess, retain, encompass, comprise, wield, acquire, bear, gain

• Definition: To possess, experience, or obligate.
• Example: We possess the keys to the house.

34. Give | Bestow, confer, impart, allocate, render

• Definition: To transfer something to someone else, often freely or willingly.
• Example: The university will confer your degree.

35. Find | Discover, locate, ascertain, detect, unearth

• Definition: To discover or come upon something or to obtain or achieve something.
• Example: Scientists discovered a new species.

36. Feel | Perceive, sense, experience, discern, apprehend

• Definition: To perceive or experience something through the sense of touch, sensation, or emotion.
• Example: The dog could sense there was someone inside the house.

37. Leave | Vacate, abandon, relinquish, depart, forsake

• Definition: To go away from or to abandon.
• Example: We abandoned the building after the fire alarm sounded.

38. Call | Summon, convene, invoke, designate, proclaim

• Definition: To speak loudly or summon.
• Example: They summoned a new attorney.

39. Want | Desire, aspire, covet, yearn, crave

• Definition: To wish for; to have a desire to do or possess something
• Example: I am really craving some ice cream.

40. Work | Operate, function, labor, exert, endeavor

• Definition: An activity that involves either physical or mental effort to achieve a goal
• Examples: I operate a forklift at my job. / It does not function properly.

41. Walk | Amble, stroll, traverse, step, stretch

• Definition: To move at a regular pace on foot.
• Example: We took a stroll through the park.

42. Run | Sprint, dash, hasten, accelerate, scamper, race, rush

• Definition: To move faster than walking
• Example: Mark dashed to the store before it closed.

43. Eat | Consume, devour, ingest, partake, assimilate

• Definition: To put food into one’s mouth and check it.
• Example: He devoured the whole pie by himself.

44. Sleep | Repose, slumber, hibernate, doze, stagnate

• Definition: A state where the body is not active while the mind is in an unconscious state.
• Example: I could doze off right now.

45. Book | reserve, schedule, register, enlist, arrange

• Definition: To reserve a room, seat, speaker, performer, etc.
• Example: We need to reserve our next hotel stay.

46. Buy | purchase, acquire, obtain, procure, secure

• Definition: To purchase something with money.
• Example: I purchased a new TV for the bedroom.

47. Answer | respond, reply, retort, acknowledge, reciprocate

• Definition: Our response or reaction toward a question, e-mail, letter, call, etc.
• Example: I responded to the clients’ email.

48. Ask | inquire, query, solicit, interrogate, postulate

• Definition: To question someone.
• Example: Should I inquire about the hotel’s facilities?

49. Fight | contend, combat, dispute, grapple, oppose

• Definition: using physical or verbal force to defeat another person, group of people, or thing.
• Example: My brothers had a dispute over their toys.

50. Plan | devise, formulate, strategize, organize, contrive

• Definition: To make a decision(s) about something happening in the future
• Example: We need to strategize our next move, or our competitors will put us out of business.

Conclusion

In conclusion, learning synonyms is a game-changer for ESL learners, opening doors to richer expression, better understanding, and more confident communication. By expanding your vocabulary with alternatives to common words, you can adapt to various contexts, avoid repetition, and grasp the nuances that make English so dynamic. The fifty words and their synonyms provided here are a starting point—use them wisely, favoring plain speech in conversation while exploring advanced options in writing. With practice, you’ll find yourself not just speaking English, but truly mastering it. For further growth, dive into the recommended resources and keep building your linguistic toolkit!

For more vocabulary, see these articles.