Paraphrasing is a process of rephrasing or restating a text using different words or sentence structures while retaining the original meaning. Synonyms for paraphrasing include rewording, restating, summarizing, translating, rephrasing, rehashing, putting into one's own words, and expressing in a different way. Additionally, the term may also be defined as abridging, condensing or shortening a piece of writing. Paraphrasing plays a key role in academic research, writing, and communication, as it not only helps avoid plagiarism but also allows writers to express ideas in their own words. Various online tools are available nowadays to help with paraphrasing, including artificial intelligence-powered paraphrasing software and paraphrasing services.