Synonyms for That: Meaning, Examples, and Better Word Choices For 2026

The best synonyms for that are this, those, which, who, and the aforementioned. Since “that” changes function depending on the sentence, the right choice depends on whether you need a pointing word, a connecting word, or a formal reference term.

“That” is one of the most common words in English, but it rarely gets a clear explanation. People searching for synonyms for that usually want one of two things: a word to point at something specific, or a smoother way to connect two parts of a sentence. The right substitute depends entirely on which job “that” is doing, along with the tone and formality of your writing.

What Does That Mean?

At its core, “that” is a small word with a big job. It can point to something (“that book”), introduce extra information (“the report that I sent”), or simply link ideas together (“I think that you’re right”).

Grammatically, it functions as a demonstrative pronoun, a relative pronoun, a conjunction, and sometimes an adverb. Because it shifts roles so easily, most native speakers barely notice how often they use it.

Two simple examples show its range:

• “That car belongs to my neighbor.” (pointing to something specific)
• “She mentioned that the meeting was postponed.” (connecting a statement to a reported idea)

Core Meaning of That

Underneath all its grammatical roles, “that” carries one consistent idea: reference. It refers back to something already known, mentioned, or understood, whether that’s a physical object, a previous sentence, or an idea the listener can infer from context.

This is different from a word like “this,” which usually points to something closer in space, time, or conversation. “That” tends to signal distance   something further away, already discussed, or slightly removed from the present moment.

Grammar and Usage Notes

“That” shows up in a few distinct grammatical patterns, and knowing which one you’re using helps you pick a better substitute.

Common sentence patterns:

• As a demonstrative pronoun: “That is surprising.”
• As a demonstrative determiner: “That idea sounds risky.”
• As a relative pronoun: “The house that we visited was beautiful.”
• As a conjunction: “I know that you tried.”

Common collocations: “now that,” “so that,” “given that,” “such that,” “that being said.”

“That” sounds natural almost everywhere, which is exactly why it gets overused. A synonym works better when you want to add precision, formality, or variety, especially in writing where “that” appears multiple times in the same paragraph.

Best Synonyms for That

Common Synonyms for That

These are the everyday alternatives people reach for in normal conversation and writing.

This   Refers to something close by or just introduced. Best used when the item or idea is present or recent. “This report needs another look.”

Those   The plural version, used for multiple specific things. “Those shoes are exactly my size.”

The one   A casual way to single something out. Works well in spoken English. “Can you hand me the one near the window?”

Formal Synonyms for That

These alternatives suit reports, essays, legal writing, and professional communication where precision matters.

Which works well in formal writing when adding extra detail without disrupting the main sentence. “The policy, which was updated last year, still applies.”

The aforementioned fits legal, academic, or highly formal documents where you’re referring back to something already named in detail. “The aforementioned terms apply to all parties.”

Said appears mostly in legal contracts and formal record-keeping. “Said property was transferred on the listed date.” It sounds stiff in normal writing, so save it for formal documents only.

Such adds a formal, slightly academic tone when referring to something of a particular type. “No such evidence was presented in court.”

Informal Synonyms for That

Casual writing and conversation call for simpler, more natural substitutes.

This doubles as both a formal and informal option, since it works in nearly any casual sentence. “This is exactly what I meant.”

The one feels conversational and specific, especially when pointing something out in speech. “Grab the one on the counter.”

Whichever works casually when the exact item doesn’t matter much. “Whichever version you send is fine.”

Strong Synonyms for That

Few words carry more intensity than “that,” since it’s a neutral function word by nature. However, certain formal alternatives can sound more emphatic or precise depending on context.

The very one adds emphasis when identifying something with certainty. “That’s the very one I was looking for.” Use it when you want to stress accuracy or recognition, but avoid it in plain factual writing, where it can sound overly dramatic.

Precisely that intensifies the reference slightly, useful in persuasive or emotional writing. “Precisely that outcome is what we hoped to avoid.”

Mild Synonyms for That

Softer alternatives work well when you want a gentler, less pointed tone.

Something like that softens a direct reference into a general one. “We’re looking for something like that, but smaller.”

Roughly that or around that reduces precision on purpose, useful when exactness isn’t necessary. “The cost was roughly that, give or take a little.”

Synonyms for That by Context

Everyday Conversation

“This,” “those,” and “the one” feel natural in daily speech. They’re short, familiar, and don’t call attention to themselves.

Professional Writing

“Which” and “such” add clarity and precision without sounding overly casual. They’re common in reports, emails, and business documents.

Academic Writing

“The aforementioned” and “such” suit formal papers, especially when referring back to a source, study, or concept already introduced.

Legal Writing

“Said” and “the aforementioned” dominate legal documents, where precise, unambiguous reference matters more than natural flow.

Creative Writing

Writers often use “this” or contextual rephrasing instead of “that” to avoid repetitive sentence structure and keep prose flowing smoothly.

Another Word for That in a Sentence

1. This is the address I mentioned earlier.
2. Those documents still need your signature.
3. The report, which took three weeks to finish, impressed the board.
4. The engineer who designed the bridge retired last spring.
5. The aforementioned policy applies to all new employees.
6. Said contract expires at the end of the year.
7. I’ll take the one closest to the door.
8. No such request was ever submitted.
9. Whichever option you choose works fine with me.
10. Something like that would solve the problem quickly.
11. The cost came out to roughly that amount.
12. Precisely that result convinced the investors to move forward.
13. This is not what we agreed on last week.
14. Those numbers don’t match the earlier report.
15. The proposal, which included a full budget, was rejected.

That Synonyms Compared

The biggest difference between these words isn’t meaning   it’s formality and grammatical role. Swapping “that” for “which” changes sentence structure slightly, while swapping it for “said” changes the entire register of the writing.

Words Similar to That

This is closely related but points to something nearer in time, space, or conversation, rather than something more distant or already mentioned.

Who relates to “that” only when referring to people in relative clauses, and using “that” for people (“the man that called”) is common but considered less precise than “who” in formal writing.

Whom connects to formal relative clauses involving people as objects, though it’s increasingly rare in everyday speech. It only works as a substitute in specific grammatical positions, not as a general replacement.

Antonyms of That

Since “that” is a function word rather than a descriptive one, its antonyms relate mostly to distance and proximity rather than opposite meaning.

How to Choose the Right Synonym for That

• Identify whether “that” is pointing, connecting, or referring back to something.
• Match the formality of your document   legal writing calls for different words than a text message.
• Check whether you’re referring to a person, object, or idea, since that changes the correct substitute.
• Avoid forcing a formal word like “the aforementioned” into casual writing, where it sounds stiff.
• Read the sentence aloud to confirm it still sounds natural after the swap.
• Keep clarity as the priority; a fancier word isn’t better if it confuses the reader.

Common Mistakes When Using Synonyms for That

• Using “which” when “that” is grammatically required for essential clauses (no comma needed).
• Overusing formal terms like “said” or “the aforementioned” in casual writing.
• Replacing “that” with “who” for objects, or “that” with “which” for people.
• Adding unnecessary commas after swapping “that” for “which” without checking the sentence structure.
• Assuming every use of “that” needs replacing   sometimes it’s simply the clearest choice.
• Treating “this” and “that” as fully interchangeable when distance or timing actually matters.

Quick Synonym List for That

Common synonyms: this, those, the one, whichever

Formal synonyms: which, such, the aforementioned, said

Informal synonyms: this, the one, whichever

Strong synonyms: the very one, precisely that

Mild synonyms: something like that, roughly that, around that

Related words: this, who, whom

FAQs

What is the best synonym for that?

The best overall synonym depends on context, but “this,” “which,” and “those” cover most everyday situations. Each one replaces a different function of “that,” so the right pick depends on whether you’re pointing, connecting, or referring to multiple items.

What is another word for that?

“This” is the most common alternative, especially when referring to something nearby or just mentioned. In formal writing, “which” or “the aforementioned” often work better.

What is a formal synonym for that?

“The aforementioned” and “said” are the most formal options, commonly used in legal and academic documents. They refer back to something already named with precision and authority.

What is an informal synonym for that?

“The one” and “this” both work well in casual conversation and everyday writing. They sound natural without adding unnecessary formality.

What is a stronger word for that?

“Precisely that” or “the very one” add emphasis when you want to stress exactness or certainty. These work best in persuasive or emotionally charged writing.

What is a milder word for that?

“Something like that” or “roughly that” soften the reference, useful when exact precision isn’t necessary or when you want a more relaxed tone.

What words are similar to that?

“This,” “who,” and “whom” all relate closely to “that” but serve slightly different grammatical roles, mainly around distance, timing, or whether you’re referring to a person versus an object.

What is the opposite of that?

Since “that” is a function word tied to distance, its closest opposites are “this” and “here,” both of which point to something near instead of far.

Conclusion

“That” earns its place as one of the most flexible words in English, but flexibility isn’t the same as being the only option. Whether you need something more formal, more casual, or simply more precise, the right synonym for that comes down to matching meaning, tone, context, and intensity to the sentence in front of you. Once you recognize which job “that” is doing, choosing a better word becomes second nature.

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