rephrase
Put another way
To rephrase is to express the same meaning in different words: Let me rephrase that question.
The term implies restating something for clarity, emphasis, or diplomacy—often when the original wording was unclear, awkward, or poorly received: She rephrased her criticism to sound less harsh.
Change the phrasing
- reformulateExpress again differently
- recastReform or reassign roles
- rewriteRevise text substantially
- rewordingRestating in different terms
restate · render · reframe · remodel · reconstruct · recompose · reversion · reexpression
Make less complex
- clarifyMake something understandable
- explainMake something understood
- demystifyExplain something confusing
- unpackRemove contents from container
break down · make clear · plain language · distill · streamline · elucidate · translate · decode
Smooth by rubbing
- refineRemove impurities from
- reviseAlter to improve
- editModify written material
- fine-tuneAdjust for optimal performance
tighten · sharpen · clean up · improve · rework · touch up · enhance · amend
Make less firm
- tactfulSocially sensitive and careful
- diplomaticTactful and sensitive
- tone downReduce intensity or volume
- moderateLessen intensity or preside
temper · gentle · delicate · careful wording · sensitive · nuanced · measured · circumspect
reword
Change the phrasing
- reformulateExpress again differently
- recastReform or reassign roles
- rewriteRevise text substantially
rewording · restate · render · reframe · remodel · reconstruct · recompose · reversion · reexpression · reinterpret
simplify
Make less complex
- clarifyMake something understandable
- explainMake something understood
- demystifyExplain something confusing
unpack · break down · make clear · plain language · distill · streamline · elucidate · translate · decode · spell out
polish
Smooth by rubbing
fine-tune · tighten · sharpen · clean up · improve · rework · touch up · enhance · amend · adjust
soften
Make less firm
- tactfulSocially sensitive and careful
- diplomaticTactful and sensitive
- tone downReduce intensity or volume
moderate · temper · gentle · delicate · careful wording · sensitive · nuanced · measured · circumspect · hedge
- Paraphrasingrewrite, rewording, restate, reformulate, recast
- communicateexpress, convey, communicate, tell, share
- substitutessubstitute, subs, replacement, substitutes, stand-in
- say again?repeat, pardon, huh, what, sorry
- textual correctionspellcheck, typo fix, autocorrect, proofread, edit