During formal presentations, most speakers become hung up about exact words.  Poppycock.  Consider the definition of the common noun "bolt".  How many synonyms did you come up with?  To run, lightening, fabric, a metal thing?  The exact word can be a wonderful thing, but in most presentations it is rarely the most important aspect.  The point?  If you can't remember the exact word, use something similar.  In a talk, it will all work out okay as long as your intention is transparent.  As long as they get the general gist of where you are going and what you are trying to say, most audiences could care less about whether or not you remember the exact, perfect word.

 

     Of course, there are exceptions to this...the most important one being when you face people who are looking to create a fuss--as in journalists covering the President or other public figures.

 

     But 99.9 percent of us don't have to worry about those rare circumstances.  Thank goodness!