Better Words for "great"
“Great” works in speech because tone fills in the meaning. On the page, it leaves the reader guessing. Pick a word that names what you mean — quality, scale, or stature.
Quick replacements
excellent, outstanding, remarkable, exceptional, notable, significant, substantial, extensive
Quality
When you mean the quality was high.
excellentoutstandingfirst-rateexceptionalsuperb
Before
It was a great talk.
After
It was an exceptional talk — concise, original, well-illustrated.
Scale
When you mean the size was large.
substantialconsiderableextensivesizablevast
Before
It had a great impact.
After
It had a substantial impact on the team's retention.
Stature
When you mean the person was distinguished.
distinguishedeminentrenownedcelebratedesteemed
Before
She's a great writer.
After
She's one of the most distinguished essayists of her generation.
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Common mistake
“Really great” is twice as vague, not twice as positive. Choose a sharper word.