Do you ever get tired of using the same old phrase, “talks about,” over and over again? Trust me, I’ve been there. Whether you’re writing an essay, giving a presentation, or just chatting, repeating the same words can make your message feel dull and boring. It’s like wearing the same outfit every day — it loses its spark!
That’s why I put together this list of 25 fresh and powerful alternatives to “talks about.” These words and phrases will help you sound more confident, clear, and creative in your communication. Whether you want to describe how someone discusses a topic, explains an idea, or shares a story, these alternatives will give your writing and speaking more style and personality.
By using these strong, precise synonyms, your compliments, descriptions, and explanations will stand out and grab attention. Imagine your readers or listeners truly connecting with what you say because you’ve chosen words that paint a vivid picture. That’s the power of great language.
Ready to upgrade your vocabulary? Dive into these 25 alternatives and start transforming your communication today. I promise you’ll find some gems that fit perfectly into your next conversation or writing piece.
Alternatives to “Talks About”
1. Discusses
Discusses means to talk about something in detail, often with an exchange of ideas. It’s perfect when you want to show that someone is actively engaging with a topic, not just mentioning it.
Examples:
- The author discusses the challenges of climate change in her article.
- In the meeting, the manager discusses new strategies for sales growth.
- The documentary discusses various cultures around the world.
- Our teacher discusses the main themes of the novel every week.
- The report discusses the impact of technology on education.
Why It Works:
“Discusses” adds depth and shows an active conversation or detailed explanation, making your writing or speech sound thoughtful and complete.
2. Explains
Explains is great when someone makes something clear or easy to understand. It highlights the effort to teach or clarify a point.
Examples:
- The scientist explains how vaccines work in simple terms.
- She explains the rules before the game starts.
- The manual explains the steps to assemble the furniture.
- The professor explains the concept with practical examples.
- The video explains the benefits of healthy eating.
Why It Works:
Using “explains” emphasizes clarity and understanding, which builds trust and makes your message more accessible.
3. Describes
Describes focuses on giving details about someone or something so the listener can picture it clearly.
Examples:
- The guide describes the beautiful landscape of the national park.
- He describes his experience during the trip in vivid detail.
- The book describes life in the 18th century.
- The witness describes the suspect to the police.
- The author describes the main character’s feelings perfectly.
Why It Works:
“Describes” paints a clear picture and helps the audience visualize the topic, making your message more engaging.
4. Covers
Covers means to include or talk about all parts of a subject.
Examples:
- The course covers all aspects of digital marketing.
- The article covers the history of jazz music.
- The report covers recent changes in legislation.
- The presentation covers the company’s yearly performance.
- The book covers important scientific discoveries.
Why It Works:
“Covers” shows thoroughness and completeness, making your communication feel solid and trustworthy.
5. Addresses
Addresses means to focus on or deal with a specific issue or topic.
Examples:
- The speech addresses the problems of urban pollution.
- The study addresses the effects of social media on teenagers.
- The writer addresses common myths about health.
- The committee addresses concerns raised by the community.
- The article addresses how to improve customer service.
Why It Works:
“Addresses” signals attention to detail and concern, which adds seriousness and relevance to your message.
6. Mentions
Mentions means to briefly speak or write about something without going into deep detail. It’s light, casual, and to the point.
Examples:
- She mentions her trip to Paris during the interview.
- The author mentions climate change but doesn’t explore it fully.
- He mentions your name in the meeting.
- The news article mentions the protest without much context.
- They mention several possible solutions in the report.
Why It Works:
Mentions is quick and clean. It’s perfect when you want to acknowledge a subject without diving in too deep, keeping the flow natural.
7. Highlights
Highlights means to call attention to something important or worth noticing. It adds emphasis and focus.
Examples:
- The teacher highlights the key points before the test.
- The article highlights the dangers of smoking.
- She highlights the achievements of her students.
- The video highlights the best moments of the game.
- The report highlights rising inflation trends.
Why It Works:
Highlights adds energy and emphasis. It draws the reader’s eyes to what matters most, making your writing more persuasive and impactful.
8. Presents
Presents means to introduce or offer information in a formal or structured way.
Examples:
- He presents his ideas clearly during the pitch.
- The speaker presents new research findings at the conference.
- The project presents different solutions to the problem.
- She presents her argument with confidence.
- The video presents facts about healthy living.
Why It Works:
Presents adds a tone of confidence and order. It makes your message sound well-prepared and professional — ideal for reports, speeches, or formal writing.
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9. Illustrates
Illustrates means to show or explain something with examples, stories, or visuals. It makes ideas clearer.
Examples:
- The book illustrates the power of kindness through real stories.
- He illustrates the process with a step-by-step guide.
- The teacher illustrates the formula with a diagram.
- She illustrates her point using a funny analogy.
- The chart illustrates the growth in user numbers.
Why It Works:
Illustrates turns complex things simple. It makes your ideas vivid and easier to grasp — a perfect choice for teaching or storytelling.
10. Reviews
Reviews means to look back over something and talk about its content, quality, or outcome.
Examples:
- She reviews the book chapter by chapter.
- The video reviews the latest phone features.
- He reviews his notes before the test.
- The blog reviews several budget hotels.
- The article reviews trends from the past decade.
Why It Works:
Reviews adds a sense of thought and reflection. It’s great when you want to show someone is examining or analyzing something in an organized way.
11. Debates
Debates means to argue or discuss both sides of an issue with reasoning and evidence.
Examples:
- The class debates whether homework should be banned.
- The article debates the pros and cons of electric cars.
- He debates his opponent with strong points.
- They debate current political topics in the podcast.
- The book debates traditional and modern parenting styles.
Why It Works:
Debates shows depth, logic, and a dynamic exchange of ideas. It adds intellectual energy to your writing or speaking.
12. Examines
Examines means to look at something closely and carefully, often to understand or explain it better.
Examples:
- The article examines mental health in teens.
- She examines the evidence before making a decision.
- The report examines housing trends in the city.
- He examines the effects of poor nutrition.
- The study examines how screen time affects sleep.
Why It Works:
Examines signals serious thinking and analysis. It gives your content a critical tone that builds authority and trust.
13. Expresses
Expresses means to share thoughts, feelings, or ideas clearly — especially emotions or opinions.
Examples:
- She expresses her gratitude through a thank-you note.
- He expresses his views confidently.
- The poem expresses deep love and sorrow.
- The artist expresses emotions through color.
- The writer expresses concern about the issue.
Why It Works:
Expresses makes your communication emotional and relatable. It’s a powerful way to connect with people.
14. Communicates
Communicates means to share or transfer information, feelings, or thoughts to others.
Examples:
- The leader communicates the plan with clarity.
- She communicates her needs clearly.
- The ad communicates a message of hope.
- The speaker communicates excitement through tone.
- The brand communicates its values through design.
Why It Works:
Communicates is all about connection. It fits perfectly when you want to show effective sharing of ideas or emotions.
15. Relates
Relates means to tell a story or show how something connects to another idea or experience.
Examples:
- She relates her childhood story to the lesson.
- He relates the topic to real-life examples.
- The speaker relates personal struggles with success.
- The book relates ancient myths to modern life.
- The teacher relates algebra to shopping examples.
Why It Works:
Relates build bridges. It makes your writing or speech feel personal and helps your audience connect emotionally.
16. Details
Details means to give full, specific, step-by-step information about something. It breaks things down clearly.
Examples:
- The manual details how to install the software.
- She details the events leading up to the accident.
- The report details budget cuts in each department.
- He details his workout routine on his blog.
- The book details ancient building techniques.
Why It Works:
Details gives your writing a polished, in-depth feel. It’s perfect when you want your audience to fully understand every part of the topic.
17. Narrates
Narrates means to tell a story, usually in a way that’s organized and descriptive.
Examples:
- She narrates her journey through cancer with grace.
- The film narrates a soldier’s life during war.
- He narrates the history of his hometown.
- The speaker narrates a personal story to inspire others.
- The novel narrates the struggles of an immigrant family.
Why It Works:
Narrates brings storytelling into play. It makes your message feel human, emotional, and memorable — ideal for speeches, blogs, or essays.
18. Focuses on
Focuses on means to center attention on one specific part of a larger topic.
Examples:
- The book focuses on female inventors in history.
- The article focuses on the rise in student debt.
- He focuses on the importance of daily habits.
- The podcast focuses on mental health in teens.
- The study focuses on sleep and academic performance.
Why It Works:
Focuses on shows precision and direction. It helps your readers or listeners know exactly what’s being explored — no confusion, just clarity.
19. Comments on
Comments on means to share thoughts, opinions, or reactions about something — often briefly or casually.
Examples:
- She comments on the movie’s strong cast.
- The coach comments on the team’s performance.
- He comments on current events in his blog.
- The artist comments on society through his work.
- The editor comments on grammar and tone.
Why It Works:
Comments on adds voice and personality. It makes your content sound thoughtful and reflective, even in quick remarks.
20. Reports on
Reports on means to give factual updates or summaries about an event, issue, or finding.
Examples:
- The journalist reports on the wildfire damage.
- The news reports on election results.
- The student reports on the science fair project.
- She reports on trends in fashion.
- The website reports on celebrity gossip daily.
Why It Works:
Reports on carries a tone of credibility and structure. It’s a great choice when you want to sound factual, informative, and timely.
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21. Analyzes
Analyzes means to break down something into parts to understand it better or to explain how it works.
Examples:
- The professor analyzes global economic trends.
- She analyzes the novel’s themes in her paper.
- The scientist analyzes the results from the lab.
- He analyzes the risks before investing.
- The article analyzes public reaction to the law.
Why It Works:
Analyzes adds depth and authority. It shows careful thought and understanding, making your message more intellectual and persuasive.
22. Reflects on
Reflects on means to think deeply about something — often in a personal, thoughtful way.
Examples:
- She reflects on her journey through motherhood.
- He reflects on what he learned from failure.
- The article reflects on the meaning of gratitude.
- The author reflects on growing up in poverty.
- The teacher reflects on 20 years of teaching.
Why It Works:
Reflects on brings in emotion, memory, and introspection. It creates a personal connection and adds heart to your message.
23. Touches on
Touches on means to briefly mention or cover a topic without going into much detail.
Examples:
- The speaker touches on mental health but focuses on productivity.
- The article touches on multiple parenting styles.
- She touches on diet tips during the interview.
- He touches on cultural differences in the essay.
- The author touches on technology’s influence in one chapter.
Why It Works:
Touches on keeps things light and surface-level. It’s useful when you want to mention something without diving deep — smooth and subtle.
24. Sheds Light On
Sheds light on means to help others understand something that was confusing, hidden, or unclear.
Examples:
- The documentary sheds light on life inside prisons.
- She sheds light on misunderstood traditions.
- The study sheds light on the link between stress and sleep.
- He sheds light on racism in the fashion world.
- The book sheds light on forgotten heroes.
Why It Works:
Sheds light on sounds revealing, thoughtful, and even a bit noble. It shows your writing is helping uncover truth or offering insight.
25. Recaps
Recaps means to summarize or review the main points of something.
Examples:
- The host recaps last week’s episode.
- She recaps the meeting before it ends.
- He recaps the year’s biggest news stories.
- The article recaps highlights from the event.
- The coach recaps the team’s progress this season.
Why It Works:
Recaps is concise and clear. It’s perfect when you want to restate key ideas quickly and keep your audience up to speed.
Conclusion
Finding fresh and precise ways to say “talks about” can truly transform your writing and conversations. Using the right synonym helps you express ideas more clearly, keeps your audience engaged, and adds personality to your message. Whether you want to discuss, highlight, explain, or reflect on a topic, this list of 25 alternatives gives you the tools to communicate with confidence and style.
Remember, great communication isn’t just about what you say — it’s how you say it. So, mix up your vocabulary, choose words that fit your tone, and watch your writing or speech become more powerful and memorable.
I’m Leo Knox, the wordplay wizard behind WordsTwists.com where I turn everyday meanings into funny, clever, and creative twists. If you’re tired of saying things the boring way, I’ve got a better (and funnier) one for you!
