That's why context is so important. But a whole religious movement sprung up around that single word in the 19th Century. No word is without its own place and power. A single word can change the essence of reality as we know it. And since reality is defined by words, you can change it depending on the language you use to describe it.
Words are a powerful medium.
That's why the pen is mightier than the sword. But they have survived for two millennia. I mean, think about it. Philip Dick's books are not mere escapist entertainments. They are a journey thru madness, a journey that teaches you to pay attention to the world in which you live, a journey towards sanity.