All Questions
Tagged with single-word-requests synonyms
1,065
questions
56
votes
18
answers
11k
views
What is less harsh than "brainwashing"?
The word brainwashing, which has existed in English since circa 1950, may have had its origins in the Chinese Communist Revolution of 1948. It involved the use of extreme methods, the process known as ...
- 64.8k
38
votes
14
answers
8k
views
What can be used as formal euphemism of "hack"?
I'm writing a technical document, and I need to convey the fact that we had to find a non-optimal, non-orthodox solution that was adopted as the best available alternative (a hack) to solve an ...
- 847
36
votes
12
answers
6k
views
Secular alternative to "doubting Thomas"
When looking at this question, the phrase "doubting Thomas" popped into my head as a potential answer. That in turn led me to question the origin of the phrase, which I discovered comes from the ...
- 3,492
35
votes
14
answers
15k
views
Appropriate word for internet name of a person
What is the appropriate word or phrase which means the internet name of a person. I mean the nickname that a person uses in almost all places on the internet like blog, IRC, forums, mailing lists etc.
- 711
34
votes
9
answers
10k
views
Word for metallic “dust”?
What’s the English word for the metallic “dust”, or more precisely the tiny remains (waste) of drilling, welding, cutting through metal, and similar metal processing?
- 497
29
votes
14
answers
8k
views
Is there a non-combative term for the word "enemy"?
I am a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. When talking about the people opposing us, I have always referred to them as the "enemy." Now, as I get a little older, and a little more ...
- 1,126
28
votes
18
answers
27k
views
Noun for "person with intermediate skill"
I'm looking for the noun form of "person with intermediate skill". For example, in the context of a particular activity, "person with no skill" might be designated a novice, and "person with much ...
- 850
26
votes
18
answers
19k
views
A synonym for "picky" with a positive connotation (food)?
We're very picky about the ingredients we use.
In that context, what's a synonym for "picky" with a positive connotation, that denotes that we care very much about the quality of the ingredients?
...
- 361
26
votes
10
answers
20k
views
What do you call something that is not first in a sequence?
Is there a word to describe something that is not the first element in a sequence, but can be in any other position? A synonym of "not first", in fact.
This element is __ in this sequence.
- 395
26
votes
5
answers
5k
views
Is there a name for synonyms that appear to have opposite meanings?
The words flammable and inflammable mean the same thing, but (to someone unfamiliar with their meaning) appear to be opposites (because of the "in" prefix). Is there a name for such word ...
- 8,769
25
votes
1
answer
7k
views
Word for "lose something temporarily"
Is there any verb which means that I lost something but actually you're sure that it isn't lost forever? So I don't know where is it now but if I was looking for it, I would find it. Or, I put it ...
- 361
25
votes
9
answers
7k
views
Is there a specific name for that singular exhalation laugh that happens when you read something only slightly funny?
I'm betting that most people know exactly what I am talking about. It happens when you're scrolling through some social media and you see something that is only a little funny. It may catch you by ...
- 1,126
24
votes
9
answers
11k
views
Is there a single word meaning "the thing that attracts me"?
Is there a single word meaning "the thing that attracts me"?
The terms attractor or drawer don't feel right:
The attractor for me at this restaurant is their sumptuous ravioli.
- 425
24
votes
21
answers
55k
views
What is a less offensive synonym for "retarded"?
I occasionally use "retarded" when chastising myself or other friends. I know it's not Politically Correct, but am I only allowed to say stupid? How long before we can't say that anymore?
Other ...
- 1,165
24
votes
17
answers
6k
views
Alternative to "daydream" without the pleasant connotation
I am looking for a word that means something like "daydream" or "fantasy", but without the connotation that I actually want this "imagining" to come true.
For example, something that would fit the ...
- 341