You might believe that using flowery, complicated, or pretentious words in writing makes you look smarter.
But in many cases, the reverse is true because they can make your writing seem amateurish.
Readers often notice words that seem forced, unnecessary, or awkwardly placed. It can also slow down your pacing, or even make readers doubt your ability as a writer.
However, this doesn’t mean that you should avoid big or long words. Choosing vocabulary is always about communicating your message clearly and naturally.
How to define pretentious words in writing
Pretentious words are those that appear unnecessarily fancy, complicated, or showy.
Some writers resort to them because they believe it sounds smart, professional, or even literary.
The problem is that many of these words can make sentences awkward to read.
Interestingly, pretentious writing isn’t always about choosing long words. Sometimes a short, simple word can feel forced or overly formal.
Take the word “utilize,” for example. It’s relatively short and easy to understand, but in most contexts it seems stiff or unnatural.
On the other hand, not every long or unusual word is pretentious.
A word like “throughout” is much longer than “all over,” but it reads naturally and doesn’t attract or distract a reader’s attention.
What makes a word awkward is how it disrupts the flow of a sentence or seems to be a mismatch in formality.
When readers notice a word because it feels showy or out of place, it’s a needless distraction. Words like thus and hence can feel stiff or old-fashioned in modern writing.
The key isn’t to avoid long, complex, or intelligent vocabulary entirely. It’s about choosing the right word in the right place to communicate in a clear and natural style.
10 Examples of misplaced showy words
Every word has its place, and that’s the key when deciding on the best vocabulary for a sentence.
It’s not the word itself; it is what’s around it that counts. When a word seems odd in context, that’s usually when it stands out and can be distracting for readers.
Another factor to consider is whether you are writing fiction or nonfiction, because vocabulary use can differ.
While there are thousands of words and combinations that can be problematic, here are ten that are quite common.
1. Utilize → Use
Before: “We need to utilize this strategy to improve our marketing campaign.”
After: “We need to use this strategy to improve our marketing campaign.”
Why it’s misplaced: “Utilize” often feels formal and stiff in everyday informal writing. “Use” is clearer and much more natural in most cases.
Correct use in context: “The scientists utilized advanced equipment to measure the tiny fluctuations.”
2. Commence → Begin / Start
Before: “The meeting will commence at 10 a.m.”
After: “The meeting will begin at 10 a.m.”
Why it’s misplaced: “Commence” can sound a bit pompous. Simple alternatives keep the sentence readable and professional.
Correct use in context: “The graduation ceremony will commence following the address by the governor.”
3. Ascertain → Find out / Determine
Before: “We need to ascertain the cause of the DNS error.”
After: “We need to find out the cause of the DNS error.”
Why it’s misplaced: “Ascertain” is an overly formal word for most contexts and can slow down the reader.
Correct use in context: “The auditor was able to ascertain the financial discrepancies after reviewing the company’s annual accounts.”
4. Ameliorate → Improve / Fix
Before: “This plan will ameliorate the current situation of classroom overcrowding.”
After: “This plan will improve the current situation of classroom overcrowding.”
Why it’s misplaced: “Ameliorate” is rare in modern writing and can feel showy.
Correct use in context: “The new government policies are designed to ameliorate the hardships faced by many retirees.”
5. Henceforth → From now on
Before: “Henceforth, all employees must submit their monthly reports online.”
After: “From now on, all employees must submit their monthly reports online.”
Why it’s misplaced: “Henceforth” is archaic and jarring in modern writing.
Correct use in context: “Henceforth, any citizen found violating this new law will be fined.”
6. Facilitate → Help / Make easier
Before: “This new tool will facilitate the data entry process.”
After: “This new tool will help make data entry easier and faster.”
Why it’s misplaced: “Facilitate” is overused in corporate or academic writing; simpler alternatives always seem friendlier.
Correct use in context: “A newly appointed coordinator will facilitate the discussion between the two countries to ensure improved communication.”
7. Commingle → Mix / Combine
Before: “The two chemicals commingle in an acidic solution.”
After: “The two chemicals mix in an acidic solution.”
Why it’s misplaced: “Commingle” sounds unnecessarily fancy in most contexts, making sentences feel awkward.
Correct use in context: “The wedding reception allowed the two families to commingle and share their family stories.”
8. Procure → Get / Obtain
Before: “We need to procure the building materials before Monday.”
After: “We need to get the building materials before Monday.”
Why it’s misplaced: “Procure” reads like legalese and can distract readers from the main point.
Correct use in context: “The embassy helped the travelers procure the necessary visas within two days.”
9. Expeditious → Quick / Fast
Before: “We need an expeditious response to the client’s complaint.”
After: “We need a quick response to the client’s complaint.”
Why it’s misplaced: “Expeditious” is formal and stiff; simpler synonyms keep the tone natural.
Correct use in context: “The rescue crew took expeditious action to prevent further damage after the storm.”
10. Terminate → End / Stop /Cancel
Before: “We decided to terminate the weekend picnic plans due to the inclement weather.”
After: “We decided to cancel the weekend picnic plans due to the inclement weather.”
Why it’s misplaced: “Terminate” feels harsh and legalistic in most contexts; “end” or “stop” communicate clearly without any distraction.
Correct use in context: “The engineering team decided to terminate the faulty program code to prevent errors from spreading.”
How to spot pretentious words in your writing
One of the easiest ways to catch a showy word is to read your sentences aloud.
If it feels stiff on your tongue or is unlike something you’d naturally say, that’s a clear sign it probably doesn’t belong.
When you’re editing, you can also ask yourself why you chose that word in the first place. If the honest answer is “because it sounds clever,” it’s probably the wrong option.
Also, watch out for sudden changes in tone. If one sentence seems more formal or academic than the rest, there’s usually a single word causing the mismatch.
You can try comparing options. If a simpler word says the same thing without changing your tone or style, go with it.
But most importantly, trust your instincts. If a word draws attention to itself instead of helping your meaning, replace it with a word that keeps your writing natural and easy to read.
Summary
Choosing the best or most appropriate vocabulary is not about never using certain words.
It’s always about knowing when a word fits naturally or when it might stick out.
A word is only pretentious when it interrupts the flow, feels mismatched in tone, or distracts readers from your message or story.
When you focus on clarity as the first priority, your writing will be confident, readable, and authentic.
Use the simpler option when it serves your sentence better and save the more complex word for the moments when it truly deserves its place.
Related Reading: Polite Words That Will Quietly Weaken Your Writing
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