107 AI-sounding words to avoid
Good AI content doesn't feel like AI (whether that's good or bad). Avoid these 100+ words.
Whether you’re writing with AI or avoiding it at all costs, there are words and writing styles that you must AVOID if you don’t want to be seen as a bot (or a rookie).
See what I did there?
Yes, writers have been using emdashes forever. Yes, people have been writing sentences similar to this cringe. That’s why AI writes in this way, it was trained on human writing.
This doesn’t change anything.
Good content shouldn’t feel like AI.
Here are 107 AI-sounding words, phrases, styles, and elements, you should avoid:
- Cringe contrast (not X, Y): 👇
- You don’t need X, you need Y
- It’s not about X, it’s about Y
- Stop X, start Y
- Not by X, by Y
- Don’t do X, do Y
- Not A, Not B, Just C
- Not survive but thrive
- A is not just a B - it’s a C
- If you’re X - You’re not alone
- You’re absolutely right (kinda ironic now)
- In today’s X (digital, interconnected, fast-paced, etc) world/market
- data-driven decisions | actionable insights (oh god some SaaS people love that)
- X a significant Y (face a significant challenge, marking a significant step forward)
- signal vs noise and similar overused comparisons
- weird pseudo-optimism and pseudo-motivation
- hashtags on X and LI posts (guys, it’s 2026)
- semicolon (;)
- emdash (—), yeah I don’t care if writers use it, it’s dead
- embark
- elevate
- thrive
- delve
- akin
- stark
- realm
- foster
- utilize
- unveil
- unlock
- advent
- pivotal
- reflects
- nestled
- harness
- imagine
- tapestry
- bustling
- intricate
- intensify
- indelible
- interplay
- galvanize
- dive deep
- moreover
- esteemed
- testament
- disruptive
- shed light
- underpins
- illuminate
- in essence
- repeatedly
- emphasize
- seeking to
- navigating
- seamlessly
- synergistic
- everlasting
- paramount
- exemplifies
- underscore
- intersection
- increasingly
- unwavering
- furthermore
- synthesizing
- convergence
- enlightening
- unparalleled
- multifaceted
- revolutionize
- fluff | no fluff
Do you also think the word “fluff“ is for robots and pseudo-intellectuals? Join the crew!
- ever-evolving
- a new avenue
- then it clicked
- leave a lasting
- game-changer
- a symphony of
- unprecedented
- broader factors
- here is the catch
- groundbreaking
- offering a unique
- a valuable insight
- ready to embrace
- important to note
- beyond the surface
- interconnectedness
- shape X trajectories
- shaping | reshaping
- reimagine | redefine
- it’s worth noting that
- important to consider
- ongoing commitment
- undergone a significant
- pushing the boundaries
- vital/crucial/key moment
- pave the way for the future
- deliver tailored experiences
- played a critical/crucial role
- raise an important question
- a stark reminder | an important reminder
- highlights the importance | highlighting the importance
Now, most of these words obviously have their place in certain natural use cases. Think “tapestry” when you’re buying actual tapestry lol. The problem is putting them everywhere.
I trust you’re smart to see when the word makes sense and where it’s pure slop.
What other words and phrases like these you see online? Share with me here: leon@internetisdead.net