Vague Word Matrix
October 06, 2025
Posted by STLCC in Writing Resources
Picking the right words makes your writing sharper and more fun to read. This resource gives you better options for vague words like "very" or "sad." Words are sorted by strength — mild, moderate, and strong — so you can match the weight of the word to the weight of your idea.
Emotion words are also grouped by intensity, such as low, moderate and high. This helps match word choice to the feeling being shared, from simple or soft emotions to stronger, more powerful ones. Using more exact language can help writing feel more focused and easier for readers to understand.
Descriptive Word Matrix
| Word | Mild | Moderate | Bold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very | clearly, decidedly, distinctly, markedly, considerably, notably, largely, recognizably, especially, indubitably | especially, surprisingly, substantially, uncommonly, chiefly, incredibly, obviously, unmistakably, considerably, awfully, wonderfully, particularly, “As _______ as ______” | profusely, unequivocally, strikingly, astonishingly, exceedingly, absolutely, exceptionally, extremely, unquestionably, vastly, astonishingly, incontestably |
| A lot (time) | often, oftentimes, sometimes | frequently, usually, various, generally | regularly, recurrent, persistent |
| A lot (size) | many, much, several | numerous, bountiful, considerable | multitude, profuse, vast |
| Big | sizable, ample, large, considerable, great, above average, important | ponderous, significant, crucial, vast, copious, magnificent, substantial | enormous, immense, colossal, extensive, endless, paramount, boundless, prodigious, imposing, gigantic, voluminous, limitless, essential |
| Small | slight, limited, trivial, minor, light, puny, superficial, undersized, dinky, negligible, faint | scant, petite, inconsiderable, microscopic, dwarf, unsubstantial, minimum, miniature, tiny | insignificant, minute, meager, infinitesimal, ineffectual, undetectable, inconsequential |
| Good | acceptable, favorable, agreeable, pleasing, satisfactory, satisfying, super, able, relevant, accomplished, efficient, reliable, ample, useful, profitable, adequate, adept | great, honorable, admirable, commendable, sound, splendid, superb, valuable, wonderful, worthy, clever, proficient, qualified, apt, skillful, thorough, wholesome | excellent, exceptional, gratifying, marvelous, reputable, stupendous, superior, exemplary, virtuous, expert, solid, advantageous, flawless, extensive, perfect |
| Bad | cheap, dissatisfactory, faculty, off, poor, mean, wrong, unpleasant, unwell, low, grim, sour, regretful | careless, defective, inferior, imperfect, deficient, rough, ill-suited, inadequate, unsatisfactory, delinquent, sinful, unruly, wicked, rancid, grave, harsh, terrible, downcast | awful, unacceptable, corrupt, dreadful, putrid, erroneous, detrimental, ruinous, vile, villainous, diseased, adverse, evil |
“Utter Articulation: Instructional Potential of Word Matrices”
Kris Gottlieb, Cami Whitehead, and David Clarke
Used with permission by the Sam Houston State University Writing Center, 3/2008
Emotional Word Matrix
| Word | Low | Moderate | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confused | misled, undecided, uncertain, lost, dazed, unsure, indecisive | doubtful, puzzled, surprised, perplexed, befuddled, distracted, disorganized | bewildered, baffled, perplexed, disoriented, stunned, amazed, astonished, flabbergasted |
| Scared | startled, surprised, uneasy, edgy, apprehensive, hesitant, uncomfortable | worried, tense, dread, shaken, anxious, afraid, panicky, panicked | terrified, overwhelmed, panicked, petrified, alarmed, fearful |
| Angry | perturbed, hassled, bothered, fuss, fret, displeased, peeved | aggravated, irritated, irked, mad, annoyed, offended, sulky, ticked off, fuming, sullen, provoked | furious, raging, irate, hateful, incensed, hostile, outraged, indignant, exasperated |
| Sad | down, disappointed, blue, discouraged, low, somber, sorry, unhappy | dejected, dismayed, hurt, hurting, disillusioned, downcast, forlorn, glum, cheerless, melancholy | grieved, crushed, gloomy, hopeless, heartbroken, devastated, despairing, distraught, heavyhearted, miserable |
| Weak | unable, tired, weary, limp, soft, feeble, wimpy, ineffective | vulnerable, inept, inadequate, worn out, helpless, spent, run down, sluggish, fragile | ashamed, exhausted, powerless, anemic, decrepit, frail, useless, depleted |
| Happy | merry, light, jolly, up, glad, pleased, blissful, chipper, content, perky, playful | cheerful, upbeat, optimistic, enthusiastic, lively, gleeful, joyful, peppy, delighted, tickled, hopeful | excited, thrilled, ecstatic, elated, intoxicated, captivated, euphoric, joyous, jubilant, overjoyed |
| Strong | powerful, potent, fearless, forceful, mighty, emphatically, active, vigorous, unyielding | confident, tough, robust, brave, sound, daring, hardy, hefty | capable, adequate, firm, assured, steady, stable, solid |
“Utter Articulation: Instructional Potential of Word Matrices”
Kris, Gottlieb, Cami Whitehead, and David Clarke
Used with permission by the Sam Houston State University Writing Center, 3/2008
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