Another Word for Relevant: Synonym Ideas for a Presentation

Olivia Johnson
Oct 22
6 min read

Overview

In professional presentations, "relevant" is a word that claims importance but often fails to prove it. Its overuse can make your arguments sound subjective and weak, as if you're telling the audience something matters without showing them why. This generic adjective lacks the precision to explain the nature of the connection, causing your key points to lose their analytical edge and making your message less impactful.

When to Use and Avoid "Relevant"

When Using "Relevant" is Appropriate:

General Statements: When introducing a category of information before specifying its importance (e.g., "We will now discuss the most relevant data points.").
Simple Categorization: For quickly distinguishing between on-topic and off-topic information in an informal setting.
When Brevity is Essential: If you need a single, universally understood word and the context already makes the connection clear.

When "Relevant" Weakens Impact:

It’s a Weak Claim: It tells the audience to believe something is important without providing the reason.
It Lacks Specificity: It doesn't explain how something is relevant. Is it pertinent to the current discussion? Applicable to the client's situation? Crucial for the decision?
It Sounds Like Filler: Overuse can make it seem like you're using "relevant" as a placeholder for a more precise, analytical thought.

Strong vs. Weak Examples of "Relevant" in a Presentation

Strong Examples:

Directly Connected: "This case study is highly applicable as it mirrors the client's current market challenges." (Specifies the nature of the relevance).
Critically Important: "The most salient finding from the survey is the 40% drop in customer satisfaction, which underpins our entire proposal." (Highlights the most prominent and important point).
On-Topic: "Let's keep this discussion germane to the Q4 budget and table the R&D topic for now." (Uses a sophisticated term to mean "on-topic").

Weak Examples:

Empty Assertion: "I am now going to share some relevant information." (Offers no value and states the obvious).
Vague Point: "This is a very relevant slide." (Why? The word does no work to explain its own importance).
Repetitive and Unprofessional: "We reviewed the relevant data to find the relevant insights to make a relevant decision." (The word becomes meaningless noise).

15 Synonyms for "Relevant"

Pertinent
Applicable
Germane
Crucial
Salient
Material
Integral
Significant
Topical
Fitting
Apropos
Key
On-topic
Connected
Appropriate

Why Replacing "Relevant" Enhances Your Presentation

Using more precise alternatives for "relevant" demonstrates your analytical rigor and strengthens your arguments:

It Adds Precision and Authority: "Pertinent" or "applicable" are more specific and sound more professional than the generic "relevant."
It Forces You to Clarify Your Thinking: To choose the right synonym, you must first define the exact relationship between your point and the main topic.
It Strengthens Your Persuasion: Stating that a fact is "crucial" for a decision is a much stronger persuasive claim than just calling it "relevant."
It Avoids Subjective Language: "Relevant" can feel like an opinion. "Connected" or "applicable" state a more objective relationship.
It Makes You Sound More Intelligent: A varied and precise vocabulary is a hallmark of a great communicator and strategic thinker.

Examples of Replacing "Relevant" with Better Synonyms

1. Pertinent

Original Sentence: Let's only discuss the relevant facts.
Improved Example Sentence: Let's only discuss the facts that are pertinent to the legal question at hand.
Insight: "Pertinent" means relating directly to the matter being considered, making it a more precise and formal choice.

2. Applicable

Original Sentence: The advice in that book isn't relevant to our industry.
Improved Example Sentence: The advice in that book isn't applicable to the unique challenges of the software-as-a-service industry.
Insight: "Applicable" specifically means that something can be applied to a practical situation, making it perfect for solutions or case studies.

3. Germane

Original Sentence: Your point is interesting, but it's not relevant to this meeting's goal.
Improved Example Sentence: Your point is interesting, but it's not germane to the core objective of this meeting.
Insight: "Germane" is a sophisticated and formal word that means closely connected or appropriate to the subject being discussed.

4. Crucial

Original Sentence: This is the most relevant piece of data for making our decision.
Improved Example Sentence: This piece of data is crucial; our final decision hinges on it.
Insight: "Crucial" elevates the importance from simply "related" to "decisive" or "essential."

5. Salient

Original Sentence: What are the relevant points from the report?
Improved Example Sentence: What are the most salient points from the report that the executive team needs to know?
Insight: "Salient" refers to the most prominent, noticeable, or important features, perfect for executive summaries.

6. Material

Original Sentence: Is this information relevant to the audit?
Improved Example Sentence: Is this financial information material to the audit?
Insight: "Material" is a specific business and legal term meaning that the information is significant enough to influence a decision or outcome.

7. Integral

Original Sentence: The user feedback is a relevant part of our design process.
Improved Example Sentence: User feedback is an integral part of our design process; we cannot proceed without it.
Insight: "Integral" means that something is an essential, fundamental part of a whole.

8. Significant

Original Sentence: The new regulation is relevant to our business.
Improved Example Sentence: The new regulation is significant because it will require a complete overhaul of our compliance procedures.
Insight: "Significant" implies not only relevance but also a large and important effect or influence.

9. Topical

Original Sentence: The article is relevant because it discusses current events.
Improved Example Sentence: The article is highly topical, as it discusses the economic trends we are seeing this month.
Insight: "Topical" specifically means that something is of interest or relevance at the present time.

10. Fitting

Original Sentence: That was a relevant analogy to use.
Improved Example Sentence: That was a particularly fitting analogy that perfectly illustrated the complexity of the situation.
Insight: "Fitting" suggests that something is not just relevant but also suitable and appropriate for the context.

11. Apropos

Original Sentence: Your comment about the budget is very relevant.
Improved Example Sentence: Your comment about the budget is quite apropos to this discussion of resource allocation.
Insight: "Apropos" is a sophisticated word that means very appropriate to a particular situation.

12. Key

Original Sentence: Let's focus on the relevant metrics.
Improved Example Sentence: Let's focus on the three key metrics that drive profitability.
Insight: "Key" identifies something as being of central importance and a primary driver of success.

13. On-topic

Original Sentence: Please keep your questions relevant.
Improved Example Sentence: Please keep your questions on-topic so we can finish the agenda on time.
Insight: "On-topic" is a clear, direct, and slightly more informal way to ensure the discussion stays focused.

14. Connected

Original Sentence: I'm not sure how your point is relevant.
Improved Example Sentence: I'm not sure how your point is connected to the problem we're trying to solve.
Insight: "Connected" is a simple, effective word that focuses on the logical link between two ideas.

15. Appropriate

Original Sentence: Is this a relevant time to bring this up?
Improved Example Sentence: Is this an appropriate time to discuss the staffing issue?
Insight: "Appropriate" considers relevance in the context of suitability, timing, and social norms.

Tips for Effectively Replacing "Relevant"

Define the nature of the connection: Before you speak, ask yourself how the point is relevant. Is it essential (crucial)? Directly related (pertinent)? A good fit (applicable)?
Use remio AI Assistant to seamlessly prepare the presentation: Don't just claim your data is "relevant." Use remio to find the specific data points, case studies, or metrics from your knowledge base that are directly applicable to the client's problem, and let it suggest the most precise language.
Analyze your audience: "Germane" and "apropos" are great for formal, academic, or executive audiences. "On-topic" and "connected" are better for informal team meetings.
Use quantifiable data to prove significance: Instead of saying a trend is "relevant," say it is "significant because it represents a $10 million market opportunity."

How remio boosts your productivity

Seamless Knowledge Integration: Quickly retrieve the most pertinent case studies, applicable data points, and crucial metrics from your knowledge base to build a compelling argument.
Targeted Expression: AI suggests precise, authoritative vocabulary to describe why your information matters, replacing weak claims with strong, logical connections.
Industry Language Mastery: Align your communication with the specific vocabulary of finance, law, or strategic consulting, using terms like "material" with confidence.
Data-Driven Persuasion: Frame your argument with the specific, quantifiable data that makes your points undeniably significant and crucial to the discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I Use "Relevant" At All?Yes, but use it sparingly as a general signpost, not as the core of your analytical statement. It's a pointer, not the destination.
How Many Times Is Too Many?When the word starts to feel like a verbal tic or a substitute for a more precise thought, you've used it too much.
Will Synonyms Really Make My Presentation Better?Absolutely. They force you to sharpen your own thinking. The act of choosing between "applicable" and "pertinent" makes your argument itself stronger and more logical.
How Do I Choose the Right Synonym for My Presentation?Define the relationship. Is the point connected to the topic (pertinent)? Is it useful for a specific purpose (applicable)? Is it the most important point (salient)? Is it absolutely necessary (crucial)?

A Short Conclusion

The difference between a good presentation and a great one often comes down to the precision of its language. By moving beyond the generic and subjective word "relevant," you can build arguments that are more logical, authoritative, and persuasive. Choosing the right synonym is not just a vocabulary exercise; it is an act of strategic clarity that proves your expertise and commands the respect of your audience.