A synonym is a word that means the same, or almost the same thing, as another word.
-1
votes
2answers
75 views
“Pace” vs. “speed”
Is there a difference between "pace" and "speed"? I have a feeling that with "speed" we usually specify the actual value, while with "pace" we talk more relatively. Am I right?
1
vote
1answer
47 views
Is there a word for “drab” with a positive connotation?
Let's imagine that I want to say the following, replacing the word drab:
This painting is beautifully drab.
I'm particularly thinking of when you describe a piece of art. Usually something ...
-1
votes
0answers
35 views
Another word for “downgrade”? [closed]
I am trying to think of a word (it's on the tip of my tongue), I'll talk around it and maybe someone can give me some brain joggers? Here goes.
I am trying to ask a question on Stack Overflow - I ...
2
votes
1answer
44 views
Underlie, Underlay, Underlying and Underlaying
What is the difference between "underlay", "underlie" and their present continuous forms (and adjectives) "underlying" and "underlaying"?
And what is the right word to say something like:
The ...
0
votes
1answer
46 views
What's the better wording: “Please assign this to the person responsible for the job”
I'm trying to come up with the better wording for this sentence:
"Please assign this to the person responsible for the job"
I want to say "Please assign this to the appropriate person", but that ...
0
votes
4answers
83 views
Synonyms for “doing one's best”
Is there a more formal synonym for "doing one's best"?
For example, as a formal document title: "Is the government [doing its best] to..."
Or is it suitable (i.e., sufficiently formal) as it is?
2
votes
5answers
176 views
One word noun for “rule-follower”
I'm looking for a single word noun that would perfectly summarize the stereotypical nerdy uptight virgin student council president.
Basically, a more proper version of the slang word "square": a ...
-1
votes
2answers
73 views
Is it correct to say: please refer to my resume? [closed]
In my cover letters, I give a summary of my resume. Then, I want to say that if you need more info about my resume, please refer to my resume.
I feel that this is not the correct usage. If that is ...
0
votes
1answer
98 views
Synonyms, Antonyms, and “Neutralnyms”
Two words A and B are synonyms if they mean the same thing, and antonyms if they mean opposite things. But is there a word to describe the relationship where A means "neither B nor its opposite"?
...
0
votes
2answers
60 views
“Realizing” and “building” something [closed]
If I have software SW, and I want to enhance its performance by adding a capability, say X, to it, what do I call this process?
Is it correct to say:
Realizing X in SW?
Or:
Building X in ...
-1
votes
0answers
31 views
'fleeting glimpse' alternate phrases? [closed]
"Fleeting glimpse" is a brilliant phrase, but like all brilliant phrases, it's become clichéd beyond belief. What are your favourite alternatives?
-2
votes
1answer
75 views
“Perhaps” versus “probably” [closed]
Can I say
Perhaps the most natural option is to...
instead of
The most natural option is probably to...
Do these two sentences have the same meaning? Generally speaking, should I prefer ...
3
votes
1answer
123 views
Is there a term for two differently phrased sentences with the same meaning?
Is there a term that describes the relationship between different sentences with the same meaning, in the way "synonym" describes the relationship between different words with the same meaning?
For ...
-3
votes
2answers
65 views
How do you say “the test was redone”?
I'm documenting some test cases and this sentence in particular bothered me:
After the problem was fixed, the test was redone.
The thesaurus wasn't helping much.
Can it be reworded in a ...
-2
votes
2answers
77 views
Is there a better way to say “able to be calculated”? [closed]
I was doing some proofreading and ran across the word "calculate-able." I'm tempted to write this out as the question suggests ("able to be calculated") but was wondering if there was a more terse ...
3
votes
3answers
87 views
Word that can be used instead of frowned upon? [duplicate]
Im writing an english paper about the impact on students who fail standardized tests and I'm trying to say that failing or being labeled as remedial is "frowned upon" in society, but i don't want to ...
1
vote
2answers
88 views
Synonym for “without signature”
I am looking for a one word synonym for the notion "Without signature" for the domain of computer science, where "unsigned" usually means "a numerical data type which proscribes negative values", so I ...
1
vote
6answers
200 views
Polite/professional alternative to 'It turns out'
I have been tasked with coming up with a nicer phrase to use than 'It turns out'. It is to be used in situations like the below:
'It turns out' that we cannot...
'It turns out' that we ...
0
votes
0answers
42 views
Using “on” instead of “about” [duplicate]
Sometimes people use "on" in sense of "about". And I would like to specify when it is appropriate.
A couple examples:
I will look for information on this software.
What is your opinion on that car?
...
1
vote
1answer
67 views
thirsty to quench = hungry to? [duplicate]
What would be an appropriate word to be used to define the feeling of having great food when you were really hungry?
or in other words
what will be the appropriate word for hungry if need to be used ...
-2
votes
1answer
71 views
Actual word for “Broadity”? [closed]
I'm looking for a single word that explains how broad or widespread something can be. Since "broadity" or "widespreadity" aren't real words, are there any viable alternatives?
0
votes
1answer
74 views
Synonyms for the phrase “stop at nothing”
I am writing a report about someone and would like to convey the sense that he was desperate for success and overly ambitious. I've used phrases like "stop at nothing" to capture the ambition and the ...
0
votes
1answer
101 views
Alternative for “full-fledged”
I am looking for an alternative for "full-fledged".
Mister X systematised its use and meaning, and developed the notion
into a full-fledged concept of ...
The context is academic, but not ...
1
vote
4answers
508 views
What is a synonym for “jack of all trades, master of none”?
What is a synonym of jack of all trades, master of none?
I want to differentiate it from a generalist (might have deep knowledge about everything)?
On the same note, is there a better way to say ...
3
votes
1answer
207 views
“via” vs. “through”
Could you please explain what the difference in usage is between through and via, which sounds like a Latinism?
Are they completely interchangeable?
2
votes
6answers
125 views
What is an elegant way to refer to a figure displaying an algorithm?
I'm currently writing my PhD thesis in computer science and often need to refer to algorithms, which are depicted in figures as shown below.
So far, I used phrases such as Algorithm X shows / ...
1
vote
0answers
63 views
False spellings as brands [closed]
When companies create a brand name, they often use a misspelled word or faux word. The classic example is swapping a 'K' in for a hard 'C', like in 'Konqueror', the browser.
Another example would ...
0
votes
1answer
94 views
Is there a difference between “opt” and “choose”?
Could you give examples where one is better suited than the other one? Or are they completely synonymous?
(I'm not a native speaker.)
Update: I'm writing a piece software documentation and I wonder ...
3
votes
2answers
125 views
Are there any idiomatic expressions similar to “dig one's way”? [closed]
Please look at the usage in the following context:
He has spent his life as a treasure hunter, a real-life Indiana Jones who has bought, sold, traded, and dug his way to a peerless collection of ...
2
votes
1answer
150 views
Is “pal” too informal when the other person is much older than me? [closed]
I have an online friend (here on StackExchange) and I happen to know that he is significantly "more experienced", he's a professor while I'm a student, and his contribution here is larger than mine. ...
2
votes
3answers
374 views
Homeland vs Motherland vs Fatherland
What is the distinction between homeland, motherland and fatherland?
Is there any difference in meaning of such terms?
When it comes to connotations are there any differences, except for the ...
5
votes
3answers
160 views
Phrase synonymous to “a general understanding”?
I am writing a goal where I would like to replace the phrase "a general understanding" with something synonymous.
The whole line reads:
Writes clean and concise code that reflects a general ...
5
votes
4answers
150 views
Term for “Free to play” Videogame that Isn't Free
What is a term for a videogame that, while labeled "Free to Play", is impossible (or extremely slow/tedious) to progress in without spending money on in-game content?
Edit: Freemium is a decent ...
3
votes
2answers
106 views
Is there a term for “distinguishing between different concepts through the use of different, though synonymous, words”?
Background: A friend mentioned that he wanted to organise a board gaming tournament with 21 players. He opined that there ought to be a way to schedule seven 3-player games so that each player plays ...
-1
votes
3answers
77 views
Alternative to “take X into account” [closed]
The approaches take runtime information and the structure of program into account, therefore it generates a more effective plan with higher chance succeed.
Is there a way to restructure it to:
...
2
votes
1answer
115 views
What does “hoodwinked” mean in this context?
The former headmistress of the school said she had been "hoodwinked"
by Savile, but described some of those who had brought the
allegations as "delinquents".
Source: Wikipedia article ...
1
vote
3answers
124 views
Word expression to say “Stopped smoking” or “got rid of some unhealthy habit”
I'm looking for words ( or word groups) that can be used to say "I stopped smoking", or "I stopped taking drugs" or, in other words, "I got rid of some bad and unhealthy habit".
I have found ...
1
vote
2answers
81 views
A better way of articulating 'ataractically candid'
I'm trying to convey the sense of a rare moment of tranquility in the mind of a confused, flawed and tormented character.
This is the most ataractically candid thing I've ever written.
This ...
0
votes
1answer
65 views
“Illusion” and “delusion” [closed]
My French-English dictionary translates delusion with the French word illusion.
Could anyone tell me when to use either?
-1
votes
3answers
65 views
Is a certification “gotten”, “earned”, or “obtained”? [closed]
When you pass the exam for certification in ABC, which if any of these work, and which if any do not work?
You get a certification in ABC.
You earn a certification in ABC.
You obtain a certification ...
2
votes
5answers
129 views
How can you distinguish between different meanings of the verb “to know” in English?
I work in an industrial setting. Today I had a conversation with my coworkers in which we discussed that another group knew that our group has requirements that they were not going to meet based on ...
4
votes
1answer
238 views
Are there by chance any synonyms for “synonym”?
I was discussing with some friends about synonyms when we found, that ironically nobody of us knew any synonyms to the word "synonym" itself. Are there any?
0
votes
3answers
171 views
What's a more sophisticated word for “gadget”? [closed]
I'm looking for a word that isn't tacky like gadget, but that describes interesting and novel technological items.
-2
votes
2answers
97 views
Has “Kinki” become less common than “Kansai” because of the word “kinky”? [closed]
According to Google NGram, "Kinki" and "Kansai" (which are pretty synonymous) used to be roughly equally common, but Kansai is now more common.
Is this difference statistically different? And if so, ...
1
vote
7answers
199 views
What's the shortest word that can stand for “to leave a legacy”?
The idea is to represent the concept that while an individual's life is finite and accumulated knowledge or wisdom will disappear after death, the result of one's actions can make a difference for ...
0
votes
1answer
71 views
Sending to a specific person in address [closed]
How do I specify on an address that it should be forwarded to some person?
Sometimes I need to send mail to a company where it should be addressed to a specific person, but it's not the 'address ...
1
vote
6answers
142 views
Synonyms for “extra-”
I'm looking for prefixes similar to extra- in the sense of 'outside of'. I'm attaching it to "mathematical" and in its context "extra-mathematical" or "extramathematical" can be misread as "very ...
0
votes
5answers
96 views
Concise phrase for “former employees' tasks” [closed]
I'm looking for a short, snappy alternative word/phrase meaning "person who has left the company".
I have very limited space available (20 characters) for a label that conveys (in prose):
List ...
-1
votes
2answers
95 views
What is the closest synonym to 'overpopulation'?
I've been looking for a word which is very close semantically to 'overpopulation'. Popular Internet dictionaries show words like 'overcrowding' or 'congestion', which are too general for me. I know ...
-6
votes
4answers
552 views
Instead of saying “thing(s)” or “something”, what other word can I use? [closed]
I am skilled at a few things. (What would be a good word to replace things with?)
The more time a person invests into something, the better that something turns out. (what's a better way of ...
