The Misadventures of “Bad Synonym” : Or… Adventures in Wayward Wording!
Picture you are writing a story or preparing for a speech, and it would sound boring if same word is repeated in each sentence. You say, “Ok, let me see if I can pull out another synonym for this word. However, what if your “perfect” synonym fits just about as well as a square peg in a round hole? Hello, this is a post about bad synonyms; words that were just native here. Next, take a look at awkward synonyms with some hilarious examples.
What’s a Synonym, Anyway?
Sure, it is tempting to lash out and blame the incompetence of our English language but before we go attacking innocent synonyms let us take a moment first… A synonym is a word that means almost the same as another word. Synonyms are words that have similar meanings, e.g. “happy” and “joyous”. The sort of best friends that only know when the same party also happens.
The problem is that not every synonym fits. Those are the words that should just… work. This is akin to cutting a steak with a butter knife, both are tools but one was not built the right way.
The Comedy of Errors: The Perils of Synonyms Well Done
“Nice” vs. “Pleasant”
Nice: This four-letter word is a pair of your favorite, well-worn jeans — nothing too fancy, just comforting and you know that they are there for you.
Pleasant: Conversely, “pleasant” seems so…tepid. It sounds nice but misses a tiny bit of the sauce that “nice” carries in daily life. For example, “She had a pleasant haircut” sounds like the haircut was also just ‘meh’ instead of being an absolute celebration.
“Good” vs. “Acceptable”
Good — The most versatile word of them all, you can say this for almost everything but to the extent that it is above average.
OK: This one is a synonym, just think of it as the equivalent of getting an ‘all kids are winners’ ribbon. To put it another way, saying so-so is approximated as “The meal was acceptable,” which fails to capture a whole lot of enthusiasm.
“Smart” vs. “Intelligent”
Smart: This word has a little bit of swagger attached to it (smartphone, smartest kid in school work), like someone who really knows technology and could probably recommend the best restaurant.
The other three are: Intelligent — It kinda fucks the listener up like Oh an intelligent girl?? Calling someone “smart” makes them sound as if they belong in a lab with their Ph. B. than water-cooler chat regarding that most recent sitcom
“Funny” vs. “Amusing”
The life of the party This word is like a prankster or someone who always tell jokes.
“Amusing” is the polite chuckle at a so-so joke. It is a little more muted and unlikely to get you rolling on the floor laughing. Perhaps one of the ways you will explain how your brother asked about someone else is to say that its a presentation his joke was “humorous.
“Angry” vs. “Irritated”
Anger: You are always an active volcano being ready to erupt. It’s intense and fiery.
Irritated, on the other hand is more like: a small but persistent itch It is the annoying, but it not holding all that other “angry” firepower. If they do well, saying “I am so mad” Or the opposite if you fail or get eliminated from a competition is hitting it too hard. Saying “I’m irritated” however much more mild sounds like your mildly annoyed than rather pushing damn fall out of my seat crazy pissed instead of casually hating with I’m um still confused hatred (which heredsup for disguise poking fun at fans that think hate should start off as burning every copy worse movie ever part 7 alfinately).
Why Bad Synonyms Happen
Well, what makes Nonfungible so bad in the first place if it is technically a synonym? Not that the words are wrong, they dissipate just other vibes and feelings. Why a Synonym Might Go Rogue
Different Connotations
Connotationaly, words are waaaaaaay more than their denotations (the dictionary definition of a word). An example of this might be how “chaotic” and “disorganized” are possibly connected, but definitely not synonyms. — ‘Chaotic’ implies a complete and total storm of confusion, whereas ‘disorganised’ merely means no order. Interchange between them can make it sound as if you are talking about two distinct levels of mess.
Context Matters
Yet different synonyms are more useful in some contexts than others. Elegant and classy both mean something like stylish, but elegant is a little more formal and classy has a slightly relaxed meaning. However, if you are tryna be more gangster about it…“The room was classy” is a cool statement compared to “The Room Was Elegant”, which sounds kind of boring or uptight.
Formality Levels
Synonyms have differences in their formality. While both words are pretty much synonymous with “start”, commence sounds like it belongs to any given legal formalities or a grand ceremony. If you say “commence” in everyday conversation, it might sound like your about to crown the queen (or king), not getting ready for breakfast.
Hilarious Examples of When Synonyms Go Horribly Wrong
“Happy” vs. “Ecstatic”
Happy- Just your everyday term for feeling nice (bonus, compliment).
Elated: “elated” is getting a chance to meet your favorite celebrity or winning the lottery. It should not be used to describe something so mundane as drinking a cup of coffee, because that is treating pure happiness like you are merely getting your fix for caffeine.
“Big” vs. “Enormous”
Big:A good all purpose word for very not small.
Gigantic: This involves things that are BIG; could encapsulate a small country. Some people could get confused looks if you mentioned to them that the dog in question was “enormous” (Did I confuse a terrier with Great Dane?).
“Fast” vs. “Speedy”
Quick: The fast technique.
Speedy – This is less formal and more playful. When you say, “he’s a fast runner,” it makes it sound like he can out run his comic book counterparts.
How to Pick the Best Synonym
Know Your Audience
Think about who will read or listen to you. Are they casual or formal? Pick another synonym that makes sense in the sentence. So long as your strategies are the right fit — like a tuxedo versus flip flops in terms of which to don at beach party.
Check the Connotations
Check the synonym and find what other meaning or emotion maybe comes with. If you can use “adorable” instead of “cute,” and have the headier emotional punch, go with it.
Read Your Sentence Aloud
You might sometimes want to say the sentence out loud, just so you can work-out if that synonym actually works. You could replace this sentiment with something more casual: “the movie was cool.
Visit a thesaurus — but with caution
While a thesaurus is an excellent resource, keep in mind not every synonym will be 100%. Its a guide, not the gospel of weight loss. That is like having a map, but you still have to know how to go through the landscape.
In Conclusion
Synonyms are great for a little spice in our language, but they must be used with caution. The next time you begin digging for that synonym, stop and ask yourself if it is truly the word you need to convey your message or just a square peg in round hole.
Thus, while they may not be the best of synonyms — or even on point at all — it is an opportunity for some linguistic mirth and education as well. As a storyteller, speaker and even during casual conversation with friends the right word can matter so forget choosing wrong.
So feel free to mess with words and cringe at your fumbling thesaurus. I mean come on, language is a form of art as much it is science — and give or take some puns never killed anyone.
