Tom doesn't want Mary butting in.
Source: tatoeba (1094277)
Butting
/ˈbʌtɪŋ/
Synonyms for "butting" (23 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (5)
Strong matches (7)
Verb(7 words)
Related words (11)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: abut, barge in, bump, butt joined, butt joint.
- Sentence evidence is available for butting, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from opengloss.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "butting".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "butting"
Keep "butting" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "butting" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "butting", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "butting" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
12 entriesMore specific
16 entriesabutbarge inbutt jointcollidecut incutting inend-to-end joinhead-buttingheadbuttheadbuttinghorn buttinginterjectinterruptingpressramramming
Collocations
16 entriesanimal buttingbutt againstbutt intobutt joined panelsbutt jointbutt jointed edgebutt jointingbutt up againstbutting behaviorbutting headsbutting inbutting jointsbutting surfaceshead butthead buttinghorn butting
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
4 entriesSample sentences
9 total sentences available.
Why does Tom keep butting in to our conversation? He doesn't even know Mary.
Source: tatoeba (3364417)
Two he-goats, belonging to his herd, were jealous of one another, and at last engaged in fight, butting at each other so violently that one of them had a horn broken, and ran away in great pain, bellowing loudly.
Source: tatoeba (6212392)
Sami and Layla started butting heads together.
Source: tatoeba (6719095)
Showing 4 of 9 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "butting"?
Closest matches include abut, barge in, bump, butt joined, butt joint.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "butting"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.