Words that sound like AI
AI words to avoid: the words that make writing sound like ChatGPT
A handful of words show up in AI text far more often than in human writing. Here's why they stand out and what to write instead.
Words like “delve”, “tapestry”, “moreover” and “pivotal” appear in AI text much more than in everyday writing. They signal formality and filler. Humanize Like Me lists 32 of them with plainer swaps, and its free tone checker flags them in your draft.
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The list: 32 words and phrases, with swaps
| AI word | Say instead |
|---|---|
| delve | dig into, look at, get into |
| tapestry | mix, blend, patchwork |
| moreover | also, plus, on top of that, (just start the sentence) |
| furthermore | also, and, besides |
| testament | proof, sign, shows |
| pivotal | key, big, turning-point |
| crucial | important, needed, a must |
| realm | area, field, world |
| landscape | scene, market, situation |
| seamless | smooth, easy, without a hitch |
| leverage | use, make use of, build on |
| utilize | use |
| robust | solid, strong, reliable |
| foster | build, grow, encourage |
| navigate | handle, deal with, get through |
| embark | start, begin, set out |
| meticulous | careful, thorough, detailed |
| underscore | show, highlight, make clear |
| showcase | show, display, feature |
| paramount | most important, top priority |
| vibrant | lively, busy, colourful |
| bustling | busy, crowded, packed |
| multifaceted | complex, has many sides |
| intricate | detailed, complicated, fiddly |
| holistic | whole, overall, all-round |
| elevate | improve, lift, make better |
| harness | use, tap, put to work |
| unlock | open up, get, reach |
| in conclusion | so, all in all, (cut it) |
| it is important to note | note, keep in mind, (cut it) |
| game-changer | big shift, huge help, changes things |
| notably | especially, in particular, for one |
Why certain words give AI away
Language models pick likely words. The result is a vocabulary that's a bit more formal and abstract than anyone's spoken English. You'd say “look at” where AI says something grander.
One of these words proves nothing. A text with six of them in two paragraphs, plus a tidy opener and a closing summary, reads as machine-made to most people.
The patterns that matter more than single words
- Stock openers: “In today's…”, “In the ever-evolving world of…”, “It is important to note…”.
- Rule of three: three adjectives, three benefits, three bullet lessons, every time.
- “Not only… but also” and “it's not X, it's Y” framing.
- Em-dash stacks: several dashes in one paragraph.
- Even sentences: every sentence 18–24 words, no short ones.
- No contractions: “it is”, “do not”, “we are” in casual text.
- Closers that summarize: “In conclusion…” after a 200-word piece.
How to swap, not just delete
- Run the draft through the free tone checker to find the words and patterns.
- Replace each word with what you'd say aloud. If you can't, cut the sentence.
- Break one long sentence. Add one specific number or name.
- Add your own words to a “never use” list on your voice card so rewrites avoid them too.
The daily AI word
Each day Humanize Like Me picks one word to stop using and gives you swaps. Come back daily to build a streak, and the habit sticks faster than a one-time list.
A word on detectors
Cutting these words makes writing read better. It isn't a way to beat any detector, and we don't claim it is. See why “undetectable” is a gamble.
Questions people ask
What are the most common ChatGPT words?
Words like delve, tapestry, moreover, furthermore, pivotal, testament, realm, crucial and landscape come up a lot. Our list below has 32, each with plainer alternatives you'd actually use. If it feels stiff aloud, rewrite it.
Is using one of these words a sign my writing is AI?
Not by itself. Plenty of people write crucial or moreover. The signal is a cluster: several of these words, stock openers, even sentence lengths and no contractions in the same piece.
Why does ChatGPT overuse certain words?
Models favor statistically likely, formal-sounding choices, which compress into a recognizable vocabulary. We can only describe what shows up in the text, not how any model was trained. Start with the daily AI word and add more as you go.
How do I stop AI from using these words?
Tell it which words to avoid. Humanize Like Me exports your voice card, including a never-use list, as a plain-English prompt for ChatGPT or Claude. You can also run a rewrite afterward.
Does removing these words make text undetectable?
Tell it which words to avoid. Humanize Like Me exports your voice card, including a never-use list, as a plain-English prompt for ChatGPT or Claude, and you can run a rewrite afterward.
Is the AI words checker free?
No. It makes the text read better to people. Detectors disagree with each other and change, so we make no promise about any of them, and you shouldn't trust anyone who does.
Related
Updated 2026-10-29. We don't promise to beat any AI detector — see our integrity note.