WORDS TO USE INSTEAD OF: LAUGH / LAUGHED / LAUGHING

WORDS TO USE INSTEAD OF: LAUGH / LAUGHED / LAUGHING

Do you ever find yourself over-using the verb “laugh” (or “laughed” or “laughing”) in your writing? Try using these words instead:

giggle / giggled / giggling

chuckle / chuckled / chuckling

snicker / snickered / snickering

cackle / cackled / cackling

guffaw / guffawed / guffawing

grin / grinned / grinning

titter / tittered / tittering

snort / snorted / snorting

chortle / chortled / chortling

howl / howled / howling

roar / roared / roaring

cachinnate / cachinnated / cachinnating

snigger / sniggered / sniggering

mock / mocked / mocking

crack up / cracked up / cracking up

bust a gut / busted a gut / busting a gut

in stitches / in stitches / in stitches

burst into laughter / burst into laughter / bursting into laughter

die of laughter / died of laughter / dying of laughter

split one’s sides / split one’s sides / splitting one’s sides

(NOTE: Keep in mind that all of these words have slightly different meanings and are associated with different emotions/scenarios.)

A list of useful synonyms

Argument: altercation, squabble

Chaos: disorder, confusion, pandemonium

Collect: assemble, cumulate, stock

Difficult: arduous, strenuous

Easy: effortless, painless

Effort: elbow grease, expenditure, labor

Happiness: contentement, cheerfulness, joy

Help: assist, aid, succor

Love: fondness, tenderness, adoration

Money: capital, finances, currency

Pain: affliction, agony, suffering

Power: ability, potential

Pleasure: delight, satisfaction, fulfilment

Prejudice: preconception

Pride: self-esteem, dignity, honour

Purpose: motive, cause, impetus

Reason: aim, objective, incentive

Rich: affluent, moneyed, wealthy

Strong: powerful, brawny, strapping

Useful: handy, nifty, convenient

Understand: comprehend, perceive

show, don't tell:

anticipation - bouncing legs - darting eyes - breathing deeply - useless / mindless tasks - eyes on the clock - checking and re-checking

frustration - grumbling - heavy footsteps - hot flush - narrowed eyes - pointing fingers - pacing / stomping

sadness - eyes filling up with tears - blinking quickly - hiccuped breaths - face turned away - red / burning cheeks - short sentences with gulps

happiness - smiling / cheeks hurting - animated - chest hurts from laughing - rapid movements - eye contact - quick speaking

boredom - complaining - sighing - grumbling - pacing - leg bouncing - picking at nails

fear - quick heartbeat - shaking / clammy hands - pinching self - tuck away - closing eyes - clenched hands

disappointment - no eye contact - hard swallow - clenched hands - tears, occasionally - mhm-hmm

tiredness - spacing out - eyes closing - nodding head absently - long sighs - no eye contact - grim smile

confidence - prolonged eye contact - appreciates instead of apologizing - active listening - shoulders back - micro reactions

ꜱʜᴏᴡ, ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴛᴇʟʟ (ɪɪ)

fear - open mouth - backing away - fake smiles - hugging themselves - long / dragged breaths - rocking

jealousy - snide remarks - darting looks - self-deprication - visible judging - folded arms - arguing a fair point

hurt - steadying breaths - overly bobbing head - teary - anger - trembling - pressed lips - insisting everything is 'fine'

lying (ticks) - picking at nails - touching hair - licking lips - laughing too loud - avoids subjects - won't meet eyes

worry - reaching out physically - pursing lips - looking to others - reassuring smiles - looking you up and down - tilted head - sympathetic nod

shame - will not meet eyes - feet turned away - teary - desperate - fidgeting - begging

humiliation - lashes back - cheeks flush - palms turn sweaty - face frowns -> brows scrunch, lips pull back - teary

love - looks for approval - blushing / turning red - clammy palms - nervous around certain people - laughs hard - turning clumsy - slip of thought

The Language Of Flowers

Acacia: Hidden love, beauty in withdrawal

Amaryllis: Pride, a hard won success

Anemone: Vanishing hopes

Bells of Ireland: Wish for good luck

Carnation: Fascination, love and distinction

Daffodil (Narcissus): Honesty and truth

Dahlia flower: Warnings and change

Daisy: Innocence, loyal love and purity

Delphinium: Open heart, ardent attachement

Gardenia: Symbol of secret love

Gladiolus: Remembrance, faithfulness and sincerity

Hyacinth: I'm sorry, please forgive me.

Iris: Eloquence

Lily (general) : Purity of the heart and refined beauty

Lily of the valley: Return of happiness

Marigold: Passion and creativity

Orchid: Beauty, refinement and love

Peony: Happy marriage

Lavender: Love at first sight

Red rose: Love, respect, courage and passion

White rose: Purity, secrecy, silence, innocence and charm

Sunflower: Good luck and ambition

Tulip: Irresistible love

Violet: Faithfulness, modesty and delicate love

Zinnia: Lasting affection, daily remembrance and good memories

WORDS TO USE INSTEAD OF: RUN / RAN

Do you ever find yourself over-using the word “run” (or “ran”) in your writing? Try using these words instead:

sprint / sprinted

dash / dashed

dart / darted

bolt / bolted

race / raced

speed / sped

hurry / hurried

jog / jogged

bound / bounded

hustle / hustled

scurry / scurried

tear / tore

rush / rushed

charge / charged

barrel / barreled

zoom / zoomed

scuttle / scuttled

scamper / scampered

book it / booked it

leg it / legged it