50 Awesome Alternatives

We’ve mentioned this recently, but it bears repeating. The word “awesome,” awesome as it may be for describing all that is good in the world, is surprisingly lackluster. It’s not that it is terrible or offensive – it’s just that it isn’t precise, and after years and years of overuse, it’s lost its impact significantly. So, to help out our fellow awesome-aholics, here is a list of 50 alternatives to that weak excuse for a word. And no, friends, “epic” is not one of them.

For when words are not enough:

1. An open mouthed stare.
   2. A round of applause.
   3. A high five. People still high-five, right?
   4. An unusually long victory dance.
   5. An edible arrangement.

For sarcastic/apathetic folks:

1. “I am particularly excited right now.” (said while rolling eyes)
   7. “I am only mildly impressed, but I feel compelled to acknowledge this.”
   8. “I have no other words to properly describe this moment.”
   9. “LAME.”
   10. “Of course.”

For general use:

1. “Mind-blowing.”
   12. “Breathtaking.”
   13. A++
   14. “Tubular!” (appropriate for a great 80s reference)
   15. “Incredibly insightful.”
   16. “Wonderful!”
   17. “Fantastic!”
   18. “Awe-inspiring!” (a good option as you transition out of saying “awesome”)
   19. “Captivating!”
   20. “Hilarious!”
   21. “Impresionate!” (to impress people with your foreign language skills)
   22. “Stupefying!”
   23. “Magestic!”

For catchphrase-lovers and pop culture-referencers:

1. “Shut the front door!” (your mom loves this phrase)
   25. “Holy guacamole!” (for the avocado-worshippers)
   26. “Wowsers!” (a la Inspector Gadget, but beware when you’retraveling down under)
   27. “Mind=Blown.” (for the succinct)
   28. “We’re gonna need a bigger vocabulary.”
   29. “Whiz-bang” (you may have heard your grandma say this one)
   30. “Wonderful awful.” (Appropriate for ideas made by one Mr. Grinch. Plus, it sounds like Wonder Falafel, which is probably tasty.)
   31. Wonder Falafel.
   32. “Inconceivable!”
   33. “Like, woah.” (for the old school rappers)
   34. “So Fetch.” Because we’re all mean girls at heart.
   35. “Bom chicka wow wow. “ (you know when to use this one)

To make you sound intelligent (most important category)

1. “Prodigious!” (enormous, spectacular)
   37. “Indomitable!” (unbeatable)
   38. “Virtuosic!” (talented)
   39. “Lissotrichous!” (pretty and blonde)
   40. “Resplendent!” (impressive, attractive)
   41. “Magnanimous!” (generous)
   42. “Sumptuous!” (fancy)
   43. “Callipygian!” (for a nicely shaped buttocks)
   44. “Formidable!” (powerful)
   45. “Ingenious!” (clever)
   46. “Percipient!” (smart)
   47. “Scintillating!” (shiny, funny/clever)
   48. “Grandiloquent!” (extravagant)
   49. “Ebullient!” (cheerful, splendid)
   50. “Sonorous!” (a pleasing sound)

Awesome, right? Pretty “magnanimous” list, right? This is just a jumping off point, so feel free to add to the list and share in the comments. Once you notice how many times you use this pesky little hyperbolic crutch, you’ll cringe every time you say or write it. So take a stab and lose the lingo. This is going to be one “indomitable” experience.