The word poetesses refers to female poets, but it has fallen out of favor in modern times as it can be seen as exclusionary or patronizing. There are a variety of synonymous terms that can be used instead, such as female poets, women poets, poetic voices, or lyrical writers. These terms celebrate and honor the contributions of women to the literary arts without reducing them to a gendered label. It is important to continually reassess language and avoid perpetuating stereotypes or prejudices, by adopting more inclusive and accurate language. Therefore, using alternative synonyms for poetesses can help in creating a more equitable and fair society.