How to Turn Off Thesaurus and Synonym Suggestions in Word for Mac
Question details
The user wants to stop Microsoft Word for Mac from displaying unwanted synonym and language suggestion balloons while typing.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Editing a document as a Microsoft 365 subscriber and experiencing intrusive pop-up suggestions.
- Observed behavior
- Word continuously displays synonym or grammatical correction balloons from the online language pack while the user is typing.
Before modifying your settings, note that disabling these features will prevent Word from automatically flagging both typos and grammar errors across all your documents.
Disable Automatic Spelling and Grammar Checks
This is the most effective method to completely remove the suggestion balloons for synonyms and grammar corrections.
Often, grammatical correction suggestions from the online language pack appear as synonym balloons. Disabling grammar settings alone may not fully remove the suggestion balloon, so it is recommended to disable both spelling and grammar checks.
Launch Microsoft Word on your Mac. Click on 'Word' in the top Apple menu bar and select 'Preferences' from the dropdown menu.
In the Word Preferences window, locate the 'Authoring and Proofing Tools' section and click on 'Spelling & Grammar'.
Uncheck the boxes next to both 'Check spelling as you type' and 'Check grammar as you type'. Close the Preferences window to apply your new settings.
Customize Writing Style Settings to Exclude Profanity
If you prefer to keep basic spell check active but want to remove specific trigger suggestions, adjusting your writing style options may help.
Try WPS Office for a Distraction-Free Writing Experience
If Microsoft Word's automatic suggestions and complex settings are disrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a clean, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative for Mac users, allowing you to focus purely on your writing without intrusive pop-ups.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free version for Mac.
- 2. Install and Launch: Follow the simple installation prompts and open WPS Writer.
- 3. Open Your Document: Drag and drop your existing .docx files into WPS Writer to continue editing seamlessly without intrusive synonym balloons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off synonym suggestions but keep the spell checker in Word for Mac?
It can be difficult to isolate just the synonym suggestions because grammatical corrections from online language packs often trigger these balloons. You can try turning off 'Check grammar as you type' while leaving 'Check spelling as you type' enabled, though some users find they must disable both to completely stop the pop-ups.
Why do I see suggestion balloons even after disabling grammar checks?
Disabling only the grammar check might not remove all suggestion balloons, especially if they are tied to spelling, profanity filters, or online language packs. Ensure both 'Check spelling as you type' and 'Check grammar as you type' are unchecked in your Word Preferences.
How do I access the thesaurus manually if I turn off automatic suggestions?
You can still access the thesaurus manually without the intrusive pop-ups. Simply highlight a word, go to the 'Review' tab on the ribbon, and click 'Thesaurus', or use the keyboard shortcut Shift + F7.
