Found 23 stronger alternatives to upgrade your writing.
Swap positions or settings
Nuance: Swap
Common for seats and settings.
Boring
We changed seats so I could see the board.
Better
We switched seats so I could see the board.
Trade one thing for another
Nuance: Exchange
Casual trade between two people.
Boring
We changed lunches at lunch time.
Better
We swapped lunches at lunch time.
Do again to fix mistakes
Nuance: Do again
Use when you do it again to improve.
Boring
I changed my answer after I noticed an error.
Better
I redid the problem after I noticed an error.
Change slightly (often to fit)
Nuance: Adjustment
Often a small careful change.
Boring
The tailor changed the suit so it fit better.
Better
The tailor altered the suit so it fit better.
Change part of something (tweak)
Nuance: Tweaked
Good for plans and rules.
Boring
We changed our plan to include a budget.
Better
We modified our plan to include a budget.
Move from one focus to another
Nuance: Move focus
Use for attention and priorities.
Boring
We changed our focus to the conclusion.
Better
We shifted our focus to the conclusion.
Change to fit new conditions
Nuance: Adjust to survive
Use for people or animals adjusting.
Boring
Animals change to survive cold winters.
Better
Animals adapt to cold winters.
Change to the correct level
Nuance: Fine tuning
Often small correction.
Boring
She changed the volume during the movie.
Better
She adjusted the volume during the movie.
Change form or format
Nuance: Format change
Good for files and measurements.
Boring
He changed the file to PDF.
Better
He converted the file to PDF.
Edit writing to improve it
Nuance: Improve writing
Strong school writing word.
Boring
She changed her essay after feedback.
Better
She revised her essay after feedback.
Make something different each time
Nuance: Variety
Use for adding variety.
Boring
Try to change your sentence starters.
Better
Try to vary your sentence starters.
Change completely
Nuance: Complete change
Stronger than change; big effect.
Boring
New paint changed the room.
Better
New paint transformed the room.
Change slowly over time
Nuance: Grows slowly
Often natural slow change.
Boring
Language changes over time.
Better
Language evolves over time.
Put a new one in its place
Nuance: New item
Use when you swap in a new item.
Boring
Please change the battery before the trip.
Better
Please replace the battery before the trip.
Trade items (often equal)
Nuance: Trade
More formal than swap.
Boring
We changed gifts with each other during the party.
Better
We exchanged gifts during the party.
Change a system to improve it
Nuance: Improve the system
Use for systems and organizations.
Boring
The city changed its recycling program.
Better
The city reformed its recycling program.
Shape something into a new form
Nuance: New shape
Physical reshaping.
Boring
She changed the clay into a bowl.
Better
She reshaped the clay into a bowl.
Change a building or room
Nuance: Updated
Used for homes and buildings.
Boring
They changed the kitchen last summer.
Better
They remodeled the kitchen last summer.
Go up and down (numbers)
Nuance: Unstable movement
Often used for prices and levels.
Boring
Gas prices change each month.
Better
Gas prices fluctuate each month.
Change officially (laws/documents)
Nuance: Official edit
Formal for policies and laws.
Boring
The council changed the rule.
Better
The council amended the rule.
Change form (biology)
Nuance: Biological change
Science word for life stage change.
Boring
The caterpillar changed into a butterfly.
Better
The caterpillar metamorphosed into a butterfly.
Change in appearance (literary)
Nuance: Transformed appearance
Very literary; sudden beauty change.
Boring
The sunrise changed the mountains.
Better
The sunrise transfigured the mountains.
Change one substance to another (rare)
Nuance: Rare transformation
Very rare; fantasy or chemistry style.
Boring
In the legend the wizard changed lead into gold.
Better
In the legend the wizard transmuted lead into gold.