You’re staring at the screen. The cursor is blinking. You’ve already used the word "example" three times in the last two paragraphs, and now it feels like your writing has the personality of a damp paper towel. We've all been there. Whether you’re grinding through a white paper for work or just trying to explain a concept in a blog post, hitting that repetitive wall is frustrating. Honestly, the English language is massive, yet we often default to the same five or six "safe" words.
Finding another way to say example isn't just about avoiding repetition. It’s about nuance. It’s about making sure your reader doesn't check out because your prose sounds like a generated template. If you use "for instance" every single time, you aren't being diverse; you're just swapping one crutch for another.
Why Your Choice of Synonyms Actually Matters
Language has texture. When you choose a specific alternative, you change the weight of the sentence. Think about the word "exemplification." It sounds heavy. It sounds academic. Now think about "case in point." That feels sharp, like a lawyer closing a deal.
Most people think a synonym is just a direct trade, like swapping a nickel for five pennies. It's not. In professional writing, the wrong synonym can actually confuse the reader or make you sound like you’re trying too hard to be smart. You’ve seen those LinkedIn posts where someone uses "paradigm" every third sentence? Yeah. Don't be that person.
👉 See also: Tel Aviv Israel Time Now: What Most People Get Wrong
The search for another way to say example usually stems from a desire for clarity. If you’re writing a technical manual, you need different words than if you’re writing a heartfelt personal essay. Precision is everything.
The Casual Alternatives You’ll Actually Use
Let's get real. Most of the time, you just need a word that fits a normal conversation. You aren't writing a dissertation; you're just explaining something.
"Take [X], for instance." This is the bread and butter of conversational English. It’s relaxed. It invites the reader to look at something specific without making a big deal out of it. It’s also incredibly flexible. You can put it at the start of a sentence or tuck it into the end.
Sometimes, you want to be even more informal. You might say, "Like when..." This works wonders in storytelling. It’s relatable. It grounds the abstract in something the reader has likely experienced. If you're explaining a complex tech glitch, saying "It’s like when your phone freezes right as you’re about to take a photo" is far more effective than saying "An example of this latency is..."
"To give you an idea." This phrase is a bridge. It tells the reader that what follows isn't a perfect, 1-to-1 scientific match, but a helpful illustration to get the point across. It lowers the stakes.
When Things Get Formal: Professional Substitutes
In a business environment, you can't always say "it's like when." You need a bit more gravity. But even then, you don't have to be boring.
Case in Point
This is the heavy hitter. It suggests that the example you are about to provide is the definitive proof of your argument. It’s strong. Use it when you’re 100% sure the evidence supports your claim.
Illustration
This one is underrated. When you use "illustration," you’re telling the reader you’re about to paint a picture. It works exceptionally well in design, marketing, or any field where visual thinking is involved. "As an illustration of this brand's growth..." sounds much more professional than "As an example of this brand's growth..."
Such as vs. Including
These are the workhorses. Use "such as" when you’re listing a few things among many. Use "including" when the items you’re mentioning are part of a specific group. It's a small distinction, but it makes you look like a pro.
✨ Don't miss: How to Actually Make Sex Positions in Shower Work Without Slipping
The Pitfalls of Using "Exempli Gratia" (e.g.)
We see "e.g." everywhere. It stands for the Latin exempli gratia. Most people use it correctly, but it’s often a lazy way out. If you’re writing for a digital audience, some people still confuse "e.g." with "i.e." (which means id est, or "that is").
If you want to be crystal clear, just use English. Seriously. "For example" is fine, but if you've used it too much, try "among others." > "We offer several services, among others, SEO auditing and content strategy."
It flows better. It feels less like a list and more like a sentence.
Specificity is Your Secret Weapon
Sometimes, the best another way to say example isn't a synonym at all. It's just a better sentence structure. Instead of saying "Here is an example of a bad habit," try:
✨ Don't miss: Getting the El Gauchito 1 Menu Right: What to Order Before You Sit Down
- "Consider the person who hits snooze five times every morning."
- "Imagine a world where nobody uses seatbelts."
- "Think about the last time you forgot your password."
By using verbs like consider, imagine, or think about, you're engaging the reader’s brain. You aren't just giving them information; you're giving them a task. This is the secret sauce of high-performing content. It creates an active reading experience rather than a passive one.
The "Representative Sample" Approach
In scientific or data-heavy writing, "example" can feel a bit flimsy. If you’re talking about a data set, you might want to use "representative sample" or "case study." A case study is more than just an example; it's a deep dive. It implies research, history, and results. If you’re trying to sell a service, you don't give "examples of success." You provide "case studies of client growth." The difference in perceived value is massive.
Variations You’ve Probably Overlooked
- "To name a few" – Perfect for the end of a list when you want to show you have plenty more evidence in your back pocket.
- "By way of" – A bit old-fashioned, but it works in legal or very formal contexts. "By way of illustration..."
- "As evidenced by" – Great for academic or persuasive writing where you need to link a claim directly to its proof.
- "In particular" – Use this when you want to zoom in on one specific instance that is more important than the others.
Mastering the Flow
If you’re worried about SEO, don't just sprinkle these words in like salt. Google’s algorithms in 2026 are way past keyword stuffing. They look for "latent semantic indexing"—basically, they want to see that you’re using language the way a real human expert would. A real expert doesn't say "another way to say example" ten times. A real expert uses a variety of terms because they understand the subtle differences between them.
If you’re writing a 2,000-word guide, you’ll naturally use "for example" a few times. That’s okay! The goal isn't to banish the word. The goal is to ensure it doesn't become a distraction.
Practical Steps for Better Writing
- Read your work aloud. This is the fastest way to catch repetitive language. If you find yourself tripping over the same transition words, you know it's time to swap them out.
- Audit your transitions. Look at the start of every paragraph. If three out of five paragraphs start with "For example," you have a problem. Try starting one with "Consider," one with "A notable instance is," and one with a direct question.
- Match the tone to the audience. Don't use "exemplification" in a blog post about dog training. Don't use "like when" in a legal brief.
- Use "As an analogy." Sometimes what you’re providing isn't a direct example but a comparison. Recognizing the difference can sharpen your writing significantly.
- Simplify. If a sentence is getting too long because you’re trying to fit in a complex phrase for "example," just break it into two sentences. Short sentences are punchy. They command attention.
By varying your language, you keep the reader's "internal narrator" from getting bored. Writing is rhythm. If every beat is the same, the reader falls asleep. If you change the tempo by using different ways to introduce your points, you keep them engaged until the very last word.
Stop overthinking it. Pick the word that feels most natural for the point you're trying to make. If it feels clunky, it probably is. Delete it and try again. The best writing often feels like a conversation between two people who actually enjoy talking to each other. Keep it human. Keep it varied. Keep it clear.