SKIP TO CONTENT

Word Choice And You: Better Words For Your Writing

This list contains words of all sorts, useful in the sense that they can offer sound alternative word choices to complement the usual words used in most everyday writing. These words can better describe something or simply spruce up a text.
50 words 72 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Full list of words from this list:

  1. complacency
    the feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself
  2. trepidation
    a feeling of alarm or dread
  3. superfluous
    more than is needed, desired, or required
  4. tangential
    of superficial relevance if any
  5. obscurity
    the state of being indistinct due to lack of light
  6. dank
    unpleasantly cool and humid
  7. squalor
    sordid dirtiness
  8. destitute
    poor enough to need help from others
  9. staunch
    firm and dependable especially in loyalty
  10. steadfast
    marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
  11. interrogate
    pose a series of questions to
  12. ostracize
    expel from a community or group
  13. blight
    any plant disease resulting in withering without rotting
  14. precarious
    not secure; beset with difficulties
  15. coiffure
    the arrangement of the hair
  16. xenophobia
    a fear of foreigners or strangers
  17. supple
    moving and bending with ease
  18. infallible
    incapable of failure or error
  19. surmount
    get on top of; deal with successfully
  20. disenfranchise
    deprive of voting rights
  21. disinterested
    unaffected by concern for one's own welfare
  22. regardless
    in spite of everything
  23. odious
    extremely repulsive or unpleasant
  24. sanctimonious
    excessively or hypocritically pious
  25. immortality
    the state of eternal life
  26. ignominy
    a state of dishonor
  27. ubiquity
    the state of being everywhere at once
  28. clandestine
    conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
  29. chide
    scold or reprimand severely or angrily
  30. upbraid
    express criticism towards
  31. rebuke
    an act or expression of criticism and censure
  32. writ
    a legal document issued by a court or judicial officer
  33. dissolution
    separation into component parts
  34. august
    profoundly honored
  35. perfunctory
    hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
  36. wan
    pale, as of a person's complexion
  37. magnanimous
    noble and generous in spirit
  38. cumbersome
    difficult to handle or use, especially because of size or weight
  39. ingrate
    a person who shows no thankfulness or appreciation
  40. seethe
    foam as if boiling
  41. malevolent
    wishing or appearing to wish evil to others
  42. demoniac
    someone who acts as if possessed by a demon
  43. insurgent
    in opposition to a civil authority or government
  44. bungle
    make a mess of, destroy, or ruin
  45. entrench
    fix firmly or securely
  46. nondescript
    lacking distinct or individual characteristics
  47. nonplus
    be a mystery or bewildering to
  48. fervent
    characterized by intense emotion
  49. impasse
    a situation in which no progress can be made
  50. nonchalant
    marked by casual unconcern or indifference
Created on Mon Oct 14 13:15:06 EDT 2013 (updated Mon Oct 14 19:30:06 EDT 2013)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.