20 Better Words for "Interesting" in Academic Writing
20 Better Words for "Interesting" in Academic Writing – Vocabulary Upgrade for 2025
“Interesting” is one of the most overused words in essays, emails, and presentations. While it's easy to use, it’s also vague and lacks academic precision.
In this 2025 vocabulary guide, you’ll find 20 sharper, more descriptive alternatives to “interesting,” organized by context and supported with examples to help you sound more sophisticated and specific in your writing.
Why Avoid “Interesting” in Formal Writing?
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It doesn’t explain why something matters
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It sounds subjective and non-academic
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Stronger words help clarify what you really mean: surprising, innovative, thought-provoking, etc.
Instead of saying “interesting,” describe what makes it interesting.
20 Smarter Alternatives to "Interesting" (With Examples)
When describing ideas or arguments:
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Insightful – “Her analysis of the text was insightful.”
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Thought-provoking – “The article poses several thought-provoking questions.”
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Compelling – “The data offers a compelling case for further study.”
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Innovative – “Their approach to problem-solving was innovative.”
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Challenging – “It’s a challenging argument that tests conventional views.”
When referring to books, topics, or content:
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Engaging – “The author presents an engaging account of history.”
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Captivating – “Her storytelling was captivating from start to finish.”
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Enlightening – “The paper provides an enlightening perspective.”
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Stimulating – “The discussion was intellectually stimulating.”
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Informative – “It’s a highly informative lecture on global trade.”
When discussing findings or research:
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Noteworthy – “The study produced several noteworthy results.”
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Revealing – “The data is revealing of underlying biases.”
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Groundbreaking – “The research introduced a groundbreaking concept.”
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Valuable – “This article contributes valuable insights to the field.”
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Unique – “It offers a unique angle on a familiar issue.”
When describing tone or expression:
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Expressive – “Her tone was expressive and full of emotion.”
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Lively – “He gave a lively presentation on science and ethics.”
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Dynamic – “The debate included dynamic exchanges of ideas.”
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Curious – “He posed a curious question about ethics in AI.”
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Engrossing – “The novel is an engrossing read with rich symbolism.”
Rewrite Example:
❌ Weak: “The article was interesting.”
✅ Better: “The article was thought-provoking and revealed new insights on social inequality.”
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Tired of writing “interesting”? Upgrade your vocabulary with 20 better words that are more descriptive, academic, and persuasive in 2025.