User blog comment:JohnathanNash/Editing and some things to look for./@comment-7064562-20170130032549/@comment-31111342-20170130043238

It really just kind of depends on why the repetition is there. If it's to emphasize something, that's one thing. But there are also times where it can sound really clunky and tiring to read, and is usually just a sign of laziness. To a degree, of course.

On the other hand, it's easy to go too far in looking for synonyms and end up using words that don't fit, or just makes the story sound very purple prose-y and pretentious for just using big words that sort of fit the scene.

It's just about context and what sounds good to the reader, IMO.