Most Commonly Used Synonyms for IELTS

All students applying to international study in the IELTS or TOEFL need to display a certain level of spoken and written English during the application process.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the most demanded test accepted by all foreign universities to check the student’s abilities in using English language for academic purposes.

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A great way to improve your IELTS score is by improving your IELTS vocabulary. One of the easiest ways to do this is by using synonyms for common words. Synonyms are words that are similar or have a related meaning, to another word. They can be lifesavers when you want to avoid repeating the same word over and over.

Synonyms are of great help to get a good score in IELTS along with improving one’s general vocabulary score.

Bear in mind that some synonyms in the list below might not be “perfect” synonyms – there may be slight differences in meaning and connotation.

For example, the words Awful and Bad. Both of them mean “terrible or immoral” but the word bad also means being spoiled or harmful.

Below is a list of most commonly used synonyms for common words which can help a great deal in getting you a good IELTS score.

1. Amazing – incredible, unbelievable, improbable, fabulous, wonderful, fantastic, astonishing, astounding, extraordinary
2. Anger – enrage, infuriate, arouse, nettle, exasperate, inflame, madden
3. Angry – mad, furious, enraged, excited, wrathful, indignant, exasperated, aroused, inflamed
4. Answer – reply, respond, retort, acknowledge
5. Ask – question, inquire of, seek information from, put a question to, demand, request, expect, inquire, query, interrogate, examine, quiz
6. Awful – dreadful, terrible, abominable, bad, poor, unpleasant
7. Bad – evil, immoral, wicked, corrupt, sinful, depraved, rotten, contaminated, spoiled, tainted, harmful, injurious, unfavorable, defective, inferior, imperfect, substandard, faulty, improper, inappropriate, unsuitable, disagreeable, unpleasant, cross, nasty, unfriendly, irascible, horrible, atrocious, outrageous, scandalous, infamous, wrong, noxious, sinister, putrid, snide, deplorable, dismal, gross, heinous, nefarious, base, obnoxious, detestable, despicable, contemptible, foul, rank, ghastly, execrable
8. Beautiful – pretty, lovely, handsome, attractive, gorgeous, dazzling, splendid, magnificent, comely, fair, ravishing, graceful, elegant, fine, exquisite, aesthetic, pleasing, shapely, delicate, stunning, glorious, heavenly, resplendent, radiant, glowing, blooming, sparkling
9. Begin – start, open, launch, initiate, commence, inaugurate, originate
10. Big – enormous, huge, immense, gigantic, vast, colossal, gargantuan, large, sizable, grand, great, tall, substantial, mammoth, astronomical, ample, broad, expansive, spacious, stout, tremendous, titanic, mountainous
11. Brave – courageous, fearless, dauntless, intrepid, plucky, daring, heroic, valorous, audacious, bold, gallant, valiant, doughty, mettlesome
12. Break – fracture, rupture, shatter, smash, wreck, crash, demolish, atomize
13. Bright – shining, shiny, gleaming, brilliant, sparkling, shimmering, radiant, vivid, colorful, lustrous, luminous, incandescent, intelligent, knowing, quick-witted, smart, intellectual
14. Calm – quiet, peaceful, still, tranquil, mild, serene, smooth, composed, collected, unruffled, level-headed, unexcited, detached, aloof
15. Come – approach, advance, near, arrive, reach
16. Cool – chilly, cold, frosty, wintry, icy, frigid
17. Crooked – bent, twisted, curved, hooked, zigzag
18. Cry – shout, yell, yowl, scream, roar, bellow, weep, wail, sob, bawl
19. Cut – gash, slash, prick, nick, sever, slice, carve, cleave, slit, chop, crop, lop, reduce
20. Dangerous – perilous, hazardous, risky, uncertain, unsafe
21. Dark – shadowy, unlit, murky, gloomy, dim, dusky, shaded, sunless, black, dismal, sad
22. Decide – determine, settle, choose, resolve
23. Definite – certain, sure, positive, determined, clear, distinct, obvious
24. Delicious – savory, delectable, appetizing, luscious, scrumptious, palatable, delightful, enjoyable, toothsome, exquisite
25. Describe – portray, characterize, picture, narrate, relate, recount, represent, report, record
26. Destroy – ruin, demolish, raze, waste, kill, slay, end, extinguish
27. Difference – disagreement, inequity, contrast, dissimilarity, incompatibility
28. Do – execute, enact, carry out, finish, conclude, effect, accomplish, achieve, attain
29. Dull – boring, tiring,, tiresome, uninteresting, slow, dumb, stupid, unimaginative, lifeless, dead, insensible, tedious, wearisome, listless, expressionless, plain, monotonous, humdrum, dreary
30. Eager – keen, fervent, enthusiastic, involved, interested, alive to
31. End – stop, finish, terminate, conclude, close, halt, cessation, discontinuance
32. Enjoy – appreciate, delight in, be pleased, indulge in, luxuriate in, bask in, relish, devour, savor, like
33. Explain – elaborate, clarify, define, interpret, justify, account for
34. Fair – just, impartial, unbiased, objective, unprejudiced, honest
35. Fall – drop, descend, plunge, topple, tumble
36. False – fake, fraudulent, counterfeit, spurious, untrue, unfounded, erroneous, deceptive, groundless, fallacious
37. Famous – well-known, renowned, celebrated, famed, eminent, illustrious, distinguished, noted, notorious
38. Fast – quick, rapid, speedy, fleet, hasty, snappy, mercurial, swiftly, rapidly, quickly, snappily, speedily, lickety-split, posthaste, hastily, expeditiously, like a flash
39. Fat – stout, corpulent, fleshy, beefy, paunchy, plump, full, rotund, tubby, pudgy, chubby, chunky, burly, bulky, elephantine
40. Fear – fright, dread, terror, alarm, dismay, anxiety, scare, awe, horror, panic, apprehension
41. Fly – soar, hover, flit, wing, flee, waft, glide, coast, skim, sail, cruise
42. Funny – humorous, amusing, droll, comic, comical, laughable, silly
43. Get – acquire, obtain, secure, procure, gain, fetch, find, score, accumulate, win, earn, rep, catch, net, bag, derive, collect, gather, glean, pick up, accept, come by, regain, salvage
44. Go – recede, depart, fade, disappear, move, travel, proceed
45. Good – excellent, fine, superior, wonderful, marvelous, qualified, suited, suitable, apt, proper, capable, generous, kindly, friendly, gracious, obliging, pleasant, agreeable, pleasurable, satisfactory, well-behaved, obedient, honorable, reliable, trustworthy, safe, favorable, profitable, advantageous, righteous, expedient, helpful, valid, genuine, ample, salubrious, estimable, beneficial, splendid, great, noble, worthy, first-rate, top-notch, grand, sterling, superb, respectable, edifying
46. Great – noteworthy, worthy, distinguished, remarkable, grand, considerable, powerful, much, mighty
47. Gross – improper, rude, coarse, indecent, crude, vulgar, outrageous, extreme, grievous, shameful, uncouth, obscene, low
48. Happy – pleased, contented, satisfied, delighted, elated, joyful, cheerful, ecstatic, jubilant, gay, tickled, gratified, glad, blissful, overjoyed
49. Hate – despise, loathe, detest, abhor, disfavor, dislike, disapprove, abominate
50. Have – hold, possess, own, contain, acquire, gain, maintain, believe, bear, beget, occupy, absorb, fill, enjoy
51. Help – aid, assist, support, encourage, back, wait on, attend, serve, relieve, succor, benefit, befriend, abet
52. Hide – conceal, cover, mask, cloak, camouflage, screen, shroud, veil
53. Hurry – rush, run, speed, race, hasten, urge, accelerate, bustle
54. Hurt – damage, harm, injure, wound, distress, afflict, pain
55. Idea – thought, concept, conception, notion, understanding, opinion, plan, view, belief
56. Important – necessary, vital, critical, indispensable, valuable, essential, significant, primary, principal, considerable, famous, distinguished, notable, well-known
57. Interesting – fascinating, engaging, sharp, keen, bright, intelligent, animated, spirited, attractive, inviting, intriguing, provocative, though-provoking, challenging, inspiring, involving, moving, titillating, tantalizing, exciting, entertaining, piquant, lively, racy, spicy, engrossing, absorbing, consuming, gripping, arresting, enthralling, spellbinding, curious, captivating, enchanting, bewitching, appealing
58. Keep – hold, retain, withhold, preserve, maintain, sustain, support
59. Kill – slay, execute, assassinate, murder, destroy, cancel, abolish
60. Lazy – indolent, slothful, idle, inactive, sluggish
61. Little – tiny, small, diminutive, shrimp, runt, miniature, puny, exiguous, dinky, cramped, limited, itsy-bitsy, microscopic, slight, petite, minute
62. Look – gaze, see, glance, watch, survey, study, seek, search for, peek, peep, glimpse, stare, contemplate, examine, gape, ogle, scrutinize, inspect, leer, behold, observe, view, witness, perceive, spy, sight, discover, notice, recognize, peer, eye, gawk, peruse, explore
63. Love – like, admire, esteem, fancy, care for, cherish, adore, treasure, worship, appreciate, savor
64. Make – create, originate, invent, beget, form, construct, design, fabricate, manufacture, produce, build, develop, do, effect, execute, compose, perform, accomplish, earn, gain, obtain, acquire, get
65. Mark – label, tag, price, ticket, impress, effect, trace, imprint, stamp, brand, sign, note, heed, notice, designate
66. Mischievous – prankish, playful, naughty, roguish, waggish, impish, sportive
67. Move – plod, go, creep, crawl, inch, poke, drag, toddle, shuffle, trot, dawdle, walk, traipse, mosey, jog, plug, trudge, slump, lumber, trail, lag, run, sprint, trip, bound, hotfoot, high-tail, streak, stride, tear, breeze, whisk, rush, dash, dart, bolt, fling, scamper, scurry, skedaddle, scoot, scuttle, scramble, race, chase, hasten, hurry, hump, gallop, lope, accelerate, stir, budge, travel, wander, roam, journey, trek, ride, spin, slip, glide, slide, slither, coast, flow, sail, saunter, hobble, amble, stagger, paddle, slouch, prance, straggle, meander, perambulate, waddle, wobble, pace, swagger, promenade, lunge
68. Moody – temperamental, changeable, short-tempered, glum, morose, sullen, mopish, irritable, testy, peevish, fretful, spiteful, sulky, touchy
69. Neat – clean, orderly, tidy, trim, dapper, natty, smart, elegant, well-organized, super, desirable, spruce, shipshape, well-kept, shapely
70. New – fresh, unique, original, unusual, novel, modern, current, recent
71. Old – feeble, frail, ancient, weak, aged, used, worn, dilapidated, ragged, faded, broken-down, former, old-fashioned, outmoded, passé, veteran, mature, venerable, primitive, traditional, archaic, conventional, customary, stale, musty, obsolete, extinct
72. Part – portion, share, piece, allotment, section, fraction, fragment
73. Place – space, area, spot, plot, region, location, situation, position, residence, dwelling, set, site, station, status, state
74. Plan – plot, scheme, design, draw, map, diagram, procedure, arrangement, intention, device, contrivance, method, way, blueprint
75. Popular – well-liked, approved, accepted, favorite, celebrated, common, current
76. Predicament – quandary, dilemma, pickle, problem, plight, spot, scrape, jam
77. Put – place, set, attach, establish, assign, keep, save, set aside, effect, achieve, do, build
78. Quiet – silent, still, soundless, mute, tranquil, peaceful, calm, restful
79. Right – correct, accurate, factual, true, good, just, honest, upright, lawful, moral, proper, suitable, apt, legal, fair
80. Run – race, speed, hurry, hasten, sprint, dash, rush, escape, elope, flee
81. Say/Tell – inform, notify, advise, relate, recount, narrate, explain, reveal, disclose, divulge, declare, command, order, bid, enlighten, instruct, insist, teach, train, direct, issue, remark, converse, speak, affirm, suppose, utter, negate, express, verbalize, voice, articulate, pronounce, deliver, convey, impart, assert, state, allege, mutter, mumble, whisper, sigh, exclaim, yell, sing, yelp, snarl, hiss, grunt, snort, roar, bellow, thunder, boom, scream, shriek, screech, squawk, whine, philosophize, stammer, stutter, lisp, drawl, jabber, protest, announce, swear, vow, content, assure, deny, dispute
82. Scared – afraid, frightened, alarmed, terrified, panicked, fearful, unnerved, insecure, timid, shy, skittish, jumpy, disquieted, worried, vexed, troubled, disturbed, horrified, terrorized, shocked, petrified, haunted, timorous, shrinking, tremulous, stupefied, paralyzed, stunned, apprehensive
83. Show – display, exhibit, present, note, point to, indicate, explain, reveal, prove, demonstrate, expose
84. Slow – unhurried, gradual, leisurely, late, behind, tedious, slack
85. Stop – cease, halt, stay, pause, discontinue, conclude, end, finish, quit
86. Story – tale, myth, legend, fable, yarn, account, narrative, chronicle, epic, sage, anecdote, record, memoir
87. Strange – odd, peculiar, unusual, unfamiliar, uncommon, queer, weird, outlandish, curious, unique, exclusive, irregular
88. Take – hold, catch, seize, grasp, win, capture, acquire, pick, choose, select, prefer, remove, steal, lift, rob, engage, bewitch, purchase, buy, retract, recall, assume, occupy, consume
89. Tell – disclose, reveal, show, expose, uncover, relate, narrate, inform, advise, explain, divulge, declare, command, order, bid, recount, repeat
90. Think – judge, deem, assume, believe, consider, contemplate, reflect, mediate
91. Trouble – distress, anguish, anxiety, worry, wretchedness, pain, danger, peril, disaster, grief, misfortune, difficulty, concern, pains, inconvenience, exertion, effort
92. True – accurate, right, proper, precise, exact, valid, genuine, real, actual, trusty, steady, loyal, dependable, sincere, staunch
93. Ugly – hideous, frightful, frightening, shocking, horrible, unpleasant, monstrous, terrifying, gross, grisly, ghastly, horrid, unsightly, plain, homely, evil, repulsive, repugnant, gruesome
94. Unhappy – miserable, uncomfortable, wretched, heart-broken, unfortunate, poor, downhearted, sorrowful, depressed, dejected, melancholy, glum, gloomy, dismal, discouraged, sad
95. Use – employ, utilize, exhaust, spend, expend, consume, exercise
96. Wrong – incorrect, inaccurate, mistaken, erroneous, improper, unsuitable

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