Found 14 stronger alternatives to upgrade your writing.
Clear situation showing something
Nuance: Specific situation
Use for a specific situation that shows something.
Boring
Her apology was a clear example of taking responsibility, and it changed the mood in the room.
Better
Her apology was a clear case of taking responsibility, and it changed the mood in the room.
Example that makes an idea clearer
Nuance: Clarifies
Use when the example is meant to clarify.
Boring
To explain fractions, the teacher used a quick example with a pizza and shaded slices on the board.
Better
To explain fractions, the teacher used a quick illustration with a pizza and shaded slices on the board.
One specific occurrence
Nuance: Specific case
Use for one specific occurrence.
Boring
This example from the book shows how the main character lies when she's scared.
Better
This instance from the book shows how the main character lies when she's scared.
Example meant to copy
Nuance: To copy
Use when the example is a pattern to follow.
Boring
The teacher posted an example paragraph so we could match the structure in our own essays.
Better
The teacher posted a model paragraph so we could match the structure in our own essays.
Small piece taken to represent a whole
Nuance: Representative
Use for a small piece taken from a larger group.
Boring
The lab tested one example from the river to see whether it was safe to drink.
Better
The lab tested a water sample from the river to see whether it was safe to drink.
Detailed real-world example
Nuance: Detailed/real
Use for a detailed, real situation used for learning.
Boring
We read an example about a town that reduced pollution, then discussed what policies actually worked.
Better
We read a case study about a town that reduced pollution, then discussed what policies actually worked.
Showing how something works
Nuance: Shows how
Use when someone shows the steps.
Boring
Before the lab, the teacher gave a short example of how to light the burner safely and adjust the flame.
Better
Before the lab, the teacher gave a short demonstration of how to light the burner safely and adjust the flame.
Support for a claim
Nuance: Supports claim
Use in persuasive/analysis writing.
Boring
In her essay, she used a direct quote as an example that the narrator was unreliable.
Better
In her essay, she used a direct quote as evidence that the narrator was unreliable.
Best-in-class example
Nuance: Excellent model
Use for a top-quality example to learn from.
Boring
The teacher showed an example essay and pointed out the thesis, transitions, and strong conclusion.
Better
The teacher showed an exemplar essay and pointed out the thesis, transitions, and strong conclusion.
Strong sign something is true
Nuance: Proves
Use when the example strongly supports the point.
Boring
The overflowing trash can was an example that the party had gotten out of hand.
Better
The overflowing trash can was proof that the party had gotten out of hand.
Formal explanatory example
Nuance: Formal example
Formal; useful in essays.
Boring
As an example, the article describes a school that banned phones and tracked grades for a semester.
Better
As an illustrative case, the article describes a school that banned phones and tracked grades for a semester.
Classic model example (formal)
Nuance: Classic model
Very formal; use sparingly.
Boring
In philosophy class, the trolley problem is treated as a classic example of moral choice under pressure.
Better
In philosophy class, the trolley problem is treated as a paradigm of moral choice under pressure.
Something that stands for data/idea
Nuance: Stands for
Use when the example stands for a larger set of information.
Boring
The bar graph was an example of our survey results, showing the biggest group in one tall column.
Better
The bar graph was a representation of our survey results, showing the biggest group in one tall column.
Very formal word for giving an example
Nuance: Formal example
Very formal; use sparingly.
Boring
The speaker offered an example of a strong conclusion by returning to the opening image and closing the loop.
Better
The speaker offered an exemplification of a strong conclusion by returning to the opening image and closing the loop.