All Questions
25
questions
3
votes
2
answers
260
views
A less derogatory alternative for "epithet"
An epithet is a nickname or descriptive term that’s added to someone’s
name that becomes part of common usage. For example, in the name
Alexander the Great, “the Great” is an epithet. The definition ...
- 193
2
votes
3
answers
537
views
Is there a synonym of "transcend" that has negative connotations
I want to say something like, "The argumentative scene in politics has transcended the once epistemological purpose of rhetoric and debate, in favor of treating rhetoric as a tool, debate as a ...
- 2,147
1
vote
3
answers
625
views
Is there a synonym for 'intefere' that has a positive connotation?
Interfere is defined by the Cambridge Online Dictionary as:
to involve yourself in a situation when your involvement is not wanted or is not helpful
I am looking for a word that has essentially ...
- 1,033
2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Insubordinate in a good way!
I feel like there is a word for someone who is defiant of the rules, who has no regard for authority, but in a way that makes this seem like a good trait, not a bad one.
For example: when somebody ...
3
votes
3
answers
256
views
A word with the same connotation as "bureaucratic"?
I have contacted the math department head at my school to ask about some course offerings, and he answered my question. However, he is a busy professor and researcher, so I feel questions about course ...
- 295
1
vote
4
answers
1k
views
Word similar to "excuse" but without negative connotation
I was looking up absentee voting laws in different states after hearing something on the news and saw this: https://ballotpedia.org/Absentee_voting
It divides the US states into three groups based on ...
- 141
2
votes
5
answers
880
views
How can I more aptly describe acceptable laziness?
A lot of words for laziness (thesaurus: apathy, lethargy, negligence, indolence, sloth) carry some serious negative connotations. However, some forms of laziness are not necessarily that bad: for ...
- 457
1
vote
4
answers
955
views
What's a word that means arbitrary, but doesn't carry a negative connotation? [closed]
I'm looking for a word that describes a choice made without reason, but that has a neutral-to-positive connotation. I had always thought that "arbitrary" is inherently neutral, but in practice I've ...
- 21
4
votes
4
answers
34k
views
What's a similar word to 'precocious' with a positive connotation?
Precocious, per its definition, describes a child in a positive light. But in practice, many tend to use it in a negative way, and I feel the negative connotation outweighs the positive. So even when ...
- 277
2
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Positive term for "curious"
I'm looking for a synonym for "curious" that is undoubtedly positive. "Curious" itself is fairly neutral--it could be interpreted as a good thing, but it's sometimes seen as a bad thing (i.e., "...
- 11.9k
3
votes
4
answers
3k
views
What is a synonym for "controversial" with a more neutral connotation?
When things are described as "controversial," it's usually done with a negative connotation, as in "a controversial new law that many feel restricts their freedom." It seems people tend to describe ...
- 11.9k
5
votes
6
answers
4k
views
Is there a positive synonym for "indecisive"?
Is there a word that describes a person who tries to get as much information as possible when making a decision for fear of committing a mistake that might affect both him and others in a negative ...
- 51
4
votes
9
answers
16k
views
Is there an adjective for someone who can withstand ridicule?
I've been searching both my mind and several thesauruses attempting to find the adjective that best describes this type of person.
The term "thick-skinned" is the closest to what I am trying to ...
- 143
7
votes
6
answers
16k
views
A positive word for 'opportunist'
The word opportunist seems to be used negatively for a person.
Is there a word with the same but positive meaning?
- 73
7
votes
12
answers
10k
views
Is there a non-derogatory synonym for “propaganda”?
Is there a non-derogatory synonym for propaganda?
Specifically, I’m talking about a word to describe the sum of all messages a particular political member has broadcast (through various media), but ...
- 376