Pleonasms can be expressed in several ways, but the best wording depends on context. These 15 options cover redundant or unnecessarily repetitive wording, so some are close alternatives while others are more specific related terms. Choose the expression that preserves the intended meaning and fits the grammar of the sentence.
Best Options for “Pleonasms” by Context
- Redundant expressions
- Redundant phrasing
- Verbal redundancy
- Semantic redundancy
- Unnecessary repetition
- Needless repetition
- Wordiness
- Verbosity
- Superfluous wording
- Surplus words
- Repetitive wording
- Pleonastic phrasing
- Tautological wording
- Overwording
- Circumlocution
Redundant expressions
“Redundant expressions” fits when the wording emphasizes redundant or unnecessarily repetitive wording; treat it as context-sensitive rather than automatically interchangeable with “Pleonasms.”
Example: When revising wording around “Pleonasms,” the editor chose “Redundant expressions” for greater precision.
Redundant phrasing
Choose “Redundant phrasing” when the sentence specifically concerns redundant or unnecessarily repetitive wording; its connotations can make it more precise than “Pleonasms.”
Example: In a sentence using “Pleonasms,” the revision used “Redundant phrasing” without claiming the two are identical.
Verbal redundancy
“Verbal redundancy” works in contexts centered on redundant or unnecessarily repetitive wording, although it may not substitute naturally for “Pleonasms” in every sentence.
Example: The writer replaced “Pleonasms” with “Verbal redundancy” only after checking that the context supported it.
Semantic redundancy
Use “Semantic redundancy” where the intended emphasis is redundant or unnecessarily repetitive wording; it can be clearer when that narrower shade of meaning matters.
Example: Here, “Semantic redundancy” was clearer than “Pleonasms” for the particular meaning intended.
Unnecessary repetition
“Unnecessary repetition” fits when the wording emphasizes redundant or unnecessarily repetitive wording; treat it as context-sensitive rather than automatically interchangeable with “Pleonasms.”
Example: When revising wording around “Pleonasms,” the editor chose “Unnecessary repetition” for greater precision.
Needless repetition
Choose “Needless repetition” when the sentence specifically concerns redundant or unnecessarily repetitive wording; its connotations can make it more precise than “Pleonasms.”
Example: In a sentence using “Pleonasms,” the revision used “Needless repetition” without claiming the two are identical.
Wordiness
“Wordiness” works in contexts centered on redundant or unnecessarily repetitive wording, although it may not substitute naturally for “Pleonasms” in every sentence.
Example: The writer replaced “Pleonasms” with “Wordiness” only after checking that the context supported it.
Verbosity
Use “Verbosity” where the intended emphasis is redundant or unnecessarily repetitive wording; it can be clearer when that narrower shade of meaning matters.
Example: Here, “Verbosity” was clearer than “Pleonasms” for the particular meaning intended.
Superfluous wording
“Superfluous wording” fits when the wording emphasizes redundant or unnecessarily repetitive wording; treat it as context-sensitive rather than automatically interchangeable with “Pleonasms.”
Example: When revising wording around “Pleonasms,” the editor chose “Superfluous wording” for greater precision.
Surplus words
Choose “Surplus words” when the sentence specifically concerns redundant or unnecessarily repetitive wording; its connotations can make it more precise than “Pleonasms.”
Example: In a sentence using “Pleonasms,” the revision used “Surplus words” without claiming the two are identical.
Repetitive wording
“Repetitive wording” works in contexts centered on redundant or unnecessarily repetitive wording, although it may not substitute naturally for “Pleonasms” in every sentence.
Example: The writer replaced “Pleonasms” with “Repetitive wording” only after checking that the context supported it.
Pleonastic phrasing
Use “Pleonastic phrasing” where the intended emphasis is redundant or unnecessarily repetitive wording; it can be clearer when that narrower shade of meaning matters.
Example: Here, “Pleonastic phrasing” was clearer than “Pleonasms” for the particular meaning intended.
Tautological wording
“Tautological wording” fits when the wording emphasizes redundant or unnecessarily repetitive wording; treat it as context-sensitive rather than automatically interchangeable with “Pleonasms.”
Example: When revising wording around “Pleonasms,” the editor chose “Tautological wording” for greater precision.
Overwording
Choose “Overwording” when the sentence specifically concerns redundant or unnecessarily repetitive wording; its connotations can make it more precise than “Pleonasms.”
Example: In a sentence using “Pleonasms,” the revision used “Overwording” without claiming the two are identical.
Circumlocution
“Circumlocution” works in contexts centered on redundant or unnecessarily repetitive wording, although it may not substitute naturally for “Pleonasms” in every sentence.
Example: The writer replaced “Pleonasms” with “Circumlocution” only after checking that the context supported it.
How to Choose the Right Wording for “Pleonasms”
Before replacing “Pleonasms,” check what the sentence is actually trying to express: redundant or unnecessarily repetitive wording. Then compare register, grammar, and collocation. A related term can improve precision, but forcing a substitution where the meanings only partly overlap can make the sentence less accurate.