To achieve a high score in the IELTS test, you must show that you can use a fairly wide range of word forms. In this post I’m going to cover synonyms of various common adjectives used by IELTS learners.
An adjective is the most commonly-used type of word in IELTS which functions as modifiers of nouns, typically by describing, delimiting, or specifying quantity, as beautiful in a beautiful woman.
A synonym is a word or expression with the same or a similar meaning as another word. For example, the words beautiful and resplendent are synonyms used to describe something having great beauty.
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 angry and mad. Both of them mean “feeling or expressing annoyance” but the word mad also means being mentally deranged and foolish.
Synonyms are often used in different collocations, too. For example, we can describe either a person or an idea as brilliant, but only a person can be astute.
The table below will furnish you with synonyms for the most common adjectives which can serve as an adequate substitute in the IELTS test.
Adjectives | Synonyms |
Examples |
Bad |
Negative, detrimental, inferior, inadequate, incorrect, poor, unsatisfactory, harmful, unacceptable, unpleasant, discouraging, terrible |
|
Big |
Sizable, enormous, huge, immense, gigantic, vast, large, sizable, grand, great, tall, substantial, mammoth, astronomical, ample, broad, expansive, spacious, stout, tremendous, titanic, mountainous |
|
Amazing |
Unbelievable, improbable, fantastic, fabulous, incredible, wonderful, astonishing, astounding, extraordinary |
|
Awful |
Dreadful, terrible, abominable, bad, poor, unpleasant |
|
Angry |
Mad, furious, wrathful, indignant, exasperated, aroused, inflamed |
|
Happy |
Pleased, contented, satisfied, delighted, elated, joyful, cheerful, ecstatic, jubilant, gay, tickled, gratified, glad, blissful, overjoyed |
|
Unhappy |
Miserable, uncomfortable, heart-broken, unfortunate, downhearted, sorrowful, depressed, gloomy, dismal, discouraged, sad |
|
Interesting |
Fascinating , gripping, arresting, enthralling, engaging, attractive, inviting, intriguing, provocative, though-provoking, challenging, inspiring, titillating, tantalizing, exciting, entertaining, piquant, engrossing, absorbing |
|
Boring |
Mundane, dull, monotonous, tiresome, humdrum |
|
Lazy |
Indolent, slothful, idle, inactive, sluggish |
|
Great |
Noteworthy, worthy, distinguished, remarkable, grand, considerable, powerful, much, mighty |
|
Good |
Acceptable, adroit, commendable, competent, excellent, exceptional, fabulous, fantastic, favorable, first-class, great, marvelous, proficient, satisfactory, skillful, splendid, stupendous, super, superb, superior, tip-top, valuable, wonderful |
|
Important |
Chief, critical, crucial, essential, imperative, key, necessary, urgent, weighty, vital |
|
Beautiful |
Attractive, breathtaking, wonderful, picturesque (landscape/view) Attractive, glowing, gorgeous, good-looking (person) |
|
Brave |
Courageous, fearless, dauntless, intrepid, plucky, daring, heroic, valorous, audacious, bold, gallant, valiant, doughty, mettlesome |
|
Bright |
Shining, shiny, gleaming, brilliant, sparkling, shimmering, radiant, vivid, colorful, lustrous Intelligent, knowing, smart, intellectual (person) |
|
Calm |
Quiet, peaceful, still, tranquil, mild, serene, smooth, composed, collected, unruffled, level-headed, unexcited, detached, aloof |
|
Strong |
Powerful, intense, firm, solid, potent |
|
Weak |
Frail, feeble, shaky, flimsy, fragile |
|
Dangerous |
Perilous, hazardous, risky, uncertain, unsafe |
|
Delicious |
Savory, delectable, appetizing, luscious, scrumptious, palatable, delightful, enjoyable, toothsome, exquisite |
|
Famous |
Well-known, renowned, celebrated, famed, eminent, illustrious, distinguished, noted, notorious |
|
Fast |
Quick, rapid, speedy, fleet, hasty, snappy, mercurial, swiftly, rapidly, quickly, snappily, speedily, posthaste, hastily, expeditiously, like a flash |
|
Fat |
Plump, stout, corpulent, fleshy, beefy, paunchy, elephantine |
|
Funny |
Humorous, amusing, droll, comic, comical, laughable, silly |
|
Serious |
Alarming, grave, pressing, pressuring, severe, urgent |
|
Small |
Insignificant, insubstantial, minimal, minor, tiny |
|
New |
Fresh, unique, original, unusual, novel, modern, current, recent, up-to-date |
|
Old |
Feeble, ancient, aged, used, worn, dilapidated, former, old-fashioned, outmoded, venerable, primitive, traditional, archaic, outdated, antiquated, obsolete |
|
False |
Fake, fraudulent, counterfeit, spurious, untrue, unfounded, erroneous, deceptive, groundless, fallacious |
|
Wrong |
Amiss, arguable, askew, awry, bad, debatable, dubious, erroneous, fallacy, fallacious, false, inaccurate, incorrect, miscalculated, misconstrued, misguided, mistaken, on the wrong track, off target, perverse, spurious, unsatisfactory, untrue |
|
Right |
Correct, accurate, factual, true, good, just, honest, upright, lawful, moral, proper, suitable, apt, legal, fair |
|
Easy |
Simple, effortless, straightforward, uncomplicated, child’s play |
|
Difficult |
Taxing, tough, challenging, daunting, tricky |
|
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