Found 18 stronger alternatives to upgrade your writing.
Physical thing
Nuance: Physical
Use for something physical you can touch.
Boring
The scientist found a strange thing in the rock and held it up to the light.
Better
The scientist found a strange object in the rock and held it up to the light.
One countable thing
Nuance: Specific
Use for a specific thing you can count or list.
Boring
Before we left the cabin, she checked each thing on the list: keys, water bottle, and flashlight.
Better
Before we left the cabin, she checked each item on the list: keys, water bottle, and flashlight.
Machine/tool
Nuance: Functional
Use for a piece of equipment, especially electronic.
Boring
He pulled a small thing from his bag that could charge a phone in minutes.
Better
He pulled a small device from his bag that could charge a phone in minutes.
Small clever device
Nuance: Clever
Use for a small, clever tool.
Boring
This thing peels apples in one spiral, and she showed it off like a magic trick.
Better
This gadget peels apples in one spiral, and she showed it off like a magic trick.
Idea you can think about
Nuance: Mental
Use when thing means an idea.
Boring
Freedom is a difficult thing to define, and the class argued about it for twenty minutes.
Better
Freedom is a difficult concept to define, and the class argued about it for twenty minutes.
One part/angle of something
Nuance: Detail
Use for a particular part or angle.
Boring
The most important thing about the plan is safety, even if it slows us down.
Better
The most important aspect of the plan is safety, even if it slows us down.
One cause/influence
Nuance: Causal
Use for something that contributes to a result.
Boring
One thing that caused the accident was the icy road, even though everyone drove slowly.
Better
One factor that caused the accident was the icy road, even though everyone drove slowly.
Part that makes up a whole
Nuance: Component
Use for a component in a larger whole.
Boring
Trust is a key thing in teamwork, and once it breaks, everything gets harder.
Better
Trust is a key element of teamwork, and once it breaks, everything gets harder.
Characteristic (often designed)
Nuance: Attribute
Use for a distinctive characteristic, often designed into something.
Boring
The car has a safety thing that stops it automatically when it senses a crash.
Better
The car has a safety feature that stops it automatically when it senses a crash.
Small specific part
Nuance: Precise
Use for small specific information.
Boring
He missed a thing in the instructions, so the model fell apart at the last step.
Better
He missed a detail in the instructions, so the model fell apart at the last step.
Material stuff
Nuance: Material
Use for a material, especially in science contexts.
Boring
A sticky thing leaked from the bottle and glued the papers together.
Better
A sticky substance leaked from the bottle and glued the papers together.
Household machine
Nuance: Machine
Use for domestic machines.
Boring
The dishwasher is a useful kitchen thing, but it still needs someone to load it correctly.
Better
The dishwasher is a useful appliance, but it still needs someone to load it correctly.
Things you own
Nuance: Owned
Use when emphasizing ownership.
Boring
He kept his things in a small box under the bed: photos, a watch, and letters.
Better
He kept his possessions in a small box under the bed: photos, a watch, and letters.
Topic/issue under discussion
Nuance: Serious
Use when thing means an issue/topic.
Boring
We need to discuss a serious thing regarding your attendance, so please stay after class.
Better
We need to discuss a serious matter regarding your attendance, so please stay after class.
Distinct thing (often abstract/legal)
Nuance: Distinct
Use for abstract/legal distinctness.
Boring
In the contract, the company is a separate thing with its own responsibilities.
Better
In the contract, the company is a separate legal entity with its own responsibilities.
Observed event/occurrence
Nuance: Observable
Use for an observed event, especially in science.
Boring
The Northern Lights are a beautiful natural thing that people travel for hours to see.
Better
The Northern Lights are a beautiful natural phenomenon that people travel for hours to see.
Historical object
Nuance: Old/valuable
Use for a human-made historical object.
Boring
The museum displayed an ancient thing from Egypt behind glass and alarms.
Better
The museum displayed an ancient artifact from Egypt behind glass and alarms.
Tool for a purpose
Nuance: Tool
Formal word for a tool used for a purpose.
Boring
He grabbed a sharp thing to pry open the crate when the latch jammed.
Better
He grabbed a metal implement to pry open the crate when the latch jammed.