overwriting
Saving over existing
Overwriting has two distinct meanings.
In computing, to overwrite is to replace existing data by writing new data in the same location: The update overwrote my saved files.
In writing, overwriting means using excessive or overly elaborate prose—too many adjectives, too much description, purple passages that call attention to themselves rather than serving the story.
Removal of content
- effacementAct of erasing completely
- expungingRemoving completely from existence
- obliterationTotal destruction or erasure
- wipingRubbing to clean
eradication · removal · purging · erasing · blanking · clearing · voiding · nullification
Put something else there
- substituteReplacement for another
- supersedeReplace something outdated
- supplantReplace by force
- overrideCancel by authority
update · newer · version · swap · exchange · displace · succeed · upgrade
Original text before publication
- parchmentTreated hide for manuscripts
- codexAncient bound manuscript
- scrollWound document of parchment
- scribalOf professional copyists
transcription · layering · pentimento · superscription · redaction · interpolation · annotation · gloss
Modify written material
rectify · adjust · proofread · redraft · emendation · typo · spelling · grammar
Dominating by comparison
- eclipsingObscuring by surpassing
- overpoweringToo intense to withstand
- drowningDeath by water inhalation
- suppressingForcibly restraining or inhibiting
smothering · subordinating · marginalizing · silencing · muting · displacing · usurping · monopolizing
deletion
Removal of content
- effacementAct of erasing completely
- expungingRemoving completely from existence
- obliterationTotal destruction or erasure
wiping · eradication · removal · purging · erasing · blanking · clearing · voiding · nullification · cancellation
replace
Put something else there
- substituteReplacement for another
- supersedeReplace something outdated
- supplantReplace by force
override · update · newer · version · swap · exchange · displace · succeed · upgrade · patch
manuscript
Original text before publication
scribal · transcription · layering · pentimento · superscription · redaction · interpolation · annotation · gloss · vellum
edit
Modify written material
modify · rectify · adjust · proofread · redraft · emendation · typo · spelling · grammar · accuracy
overshadowing
Dominating by comparison
- eclipsingObscuring by surpassing
- overpoweringToo intense to withstand
- drowningDeath by water inhalation
suppressing · smothering · subordinating · marginalizing · silencing · muting · displacing · usurping · monopolizing · crowding
- data destructionshredding, shredder, incineration, degaussing, wiping
- writing challengesprocrastination, plot holes, weak dialogue, character development, deadline pressure
- writing flawstypos, spelling errors, plot hole, plot holes, cliche
- forensic documentsdocument fraud, handwriting analysis, signature verification, exemplars, forged documents
- scribal errorsmetathesis, interpolation, lacuna, omission, transposition
- editingediting, cut, copy, paste, delete
overwritingappending
Adding to the end
concatenating · inserting · extending · supplementing · augmenting
overwritingunderwriting
Risk evaluation and acceptance
minimalism · brevity · conciseness · terseness · Hemingwayesque
overwritingpreserving
Protecting from deterioration
protecting · backing up · archiving · safeguarding · retaining
write, writer, writing, written, rewrite, unwritten, overwrite, rewriter, overwritten