Consider Using Power Words Instead

Knowledge
Written By Samantha Bamaca

The words you choose invariably make an impact. Using more powerful words allows you to conjure up emotion in your reader. Strong phrases also set your content apart and convey your brand voice. Finally, the English language is fraught with words that have multiple meanings. So, careful consideration of your word choice may allow you to communicate more specifically.

I’ve poured over tons and tons of lists of words online, thumbed through the thesaurus, and devoured (too) many novels. As a result, I’ve created what we like to call a “swipe file” of words with impact.

Disclaimer: Brand voice should be considered before opting to use any of the words below. Additionally, you must consider where the words will appear and who will read them. It makes no sense to use the word “inimitable” if your audience won’t pick up what you’re putting down there.

So, without further adieu, here is a list of power words for your perusal. There are literally millions of words and phrases, so I just tried to identify some more commonly used words and provide you with alternatives.

Instead of Awesome/Great

  • Remarkable

  • Jaw-dropping

  • Magnificent

  • Impressive

  • Majestic

  • Stunning

  • Exceptional

  • Special

  • Phenomenal

  • Brilliant

  • Incredible

Instead of Best

  • Authoritative

  • Comprehensive

  • Conclusive

  • Guaranteed

  • Proven

  • Superior

  • Leading

  • Preeminent

  • Unparalleled

  • Unrivaled

  • Unsurpassed

  • Unmatched

  • Incomparable

  • Unequaled

  • Definitive

  • Inimitable

Instead of Created

  • Constructed

  • Forged

  • Produced

  • Fashioned

  • Synthesized

  • Developed

  • Cultivated

  • Established

  • Founded

  • Engineered

  • Launched

  • Initiated

  • Instigated

  • Fostered

Instead of New

  • Novel

  • Ingenious

  • Innovative

  • Visionary

  • Inspired

  • Inventive

  • Unprecedented

  • Curious

  • Unconventional

  • Extraordinary

  • Radical

  • Avant-garde

  • Progressive

  • Developing

  • Emerging

  • Emergent

  • Embryonic

  • Pioneering

Instead of Important

  • Essential

  • Pivotal

  • Crucial

  • Critical

  • Imperative

  • Significant

  • Focal

  • Noteworthy

  • Consequential

  • Pressing

  • Marked

  • Prominent

  • Authoritative

  • Integral

  • Enduring

Instead of Very

  • Exceptionally

  • Decidedly

  • Particularly

  • Exceedingly

  • Considerably

  • Tremendously

  • Immensely

  • Terribly

  • Supremely

  • Staggeringly

  • Mightily

  • Absolutely

Instead of Said

  • Voiced

  • Uttered

  • Mentioned

  • Alleged

  • Articulated

  • Verbalized

  • Declared

  • Pronounced

  • Stated

  • Vocalized

  • Whispered

  • Put forth

  • Murmured

  • Acknowledged

  • Communicated

  • Confessed

  • Asserted

Now, another quick aside: Once you’ve got your words down, go back through and put any unnecessary verbiage on the chopping block. Be ruthless about cutting out anything that’s not necessary in communicating your message. It may be tough to let go of some of your favorite phrases, but it’s 100% worth it.

If choosing the right words and placing them in the right order isn’t your thing, don’t sweat it. Drop me a line.

Samantha Bamaca
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