The informal contraction "what's" is a short form of "what is" or "what has." When speaking or writing, there are several synonyms that can be used instead of "what's." For example, "what is" can easily be replaced with "what does" or "what do". The phrase "what has" can be substituted with "what happened" or "what occurred." Other synonyms to consider when replacing "what's" include "what exists," "what appears," "what takes place," and "what becomes." By using synonyms for "what's," speakers and writers can add variety and enhance the clarity of their communication.