One of the simplest ways to instantly level up your communication is to diversify your vocabulary choices. By swapping in more sophisticated words, you can sharpen your arguments and impress your audience.
Adverbs provide a versatile avenue to sprinkle in new words, as they modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. However, the most commonly used adverbs are “very” and “really,” which is a shame because they don’t add much to the conversation. Another overused adverb is the topic of much debate among word nerds — is it OK to use “literally” in a figurative sense? Many respected dictionaries say yes, but we encourage you to keep it to casual usage, especially if you’re trying to increase the intellectual impact of your speech. Well-deployed adverbs typically answer the key questions of the sentence — how, when, or where. This list of “smart” adverbs can help elevate your tone as you answer those details.
The beauty of these “smart” words lies not in their syllable count but in their precision. They don’t just make you sound smart — they help you express yourself more clearly and elegantly. Songwriter Tom Waits once said, “I like to think that my main instrument is vocabulary.” So whether you’re trying to impress at a dinner party or seeking the best way to convey your message in writing, these words will serve you well.
“I forgot my umbrella, ergo I was soaked.”
“Traffic was terrible, hence the delay.”
“It was rather cold yesterday, despite the sunshine.”
“That was indubitably the best coffee I’ve ever had.”
“I live vicariously through her Instagram posts.”
“The meeting was ostensibly about budget cuts, but really about office politics.”
“We tacitly agreed that no one would mention the incident.”
“I seldom use words I do not understand.”
“He won presumptively, pending the recount.”
“Our opinions on pineapple pizza are diametrically opposed.”
“He willfully ignored my advice about wearing sunscreen and now resembles a lobster.”
“The story about ducklings was entertaining, even if it was just tangentially related to the budget meeting.”
“He invariably arrives 10 minutes late with a latte in his hand.”
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