Most useful synonyms for commonly used adjectives in IELTS Speaking & Writing
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To achieve a high band 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 the synonyms of various common adjectives used by IELTS learners. It will not only help you to enhance your vocabulary but also advance your writing and speaking skills.
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 good band scores can be achieved only when the broader range of vocabulary is used. One way to learn is to note down the less commonly used vocabulary, along with synonyms and examples. By this, you can avoid the use of same words again and again in the sentence. The test taker should have to list down these words and find their synonyms and examples as well. It would be useful to learn antonyms of the words as it will aid in better understanding.
The table below will furnish you with very useful synonyms (in English) 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 |
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Big | Sizable, enormous, huge, immense, gigantic, vast, large, sizable, grand, great, tall, substantial, mammoth, astronomical, ample, broad, expansive, spacious, stout, tremendous, titanic, mountainous |
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Amazing | Unbelievable, improbable, fantastic, fabulous, incredible, wonderful, astonishing, astounding, extraordinary |
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Awful | Dreadful, terrible, abominable, bad, poor, unpleasant |
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Angry | Mad, furious, wrathful, indignant, exasperated, aroused, inflamed |
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Happy | Pleased, contented, satisfied, delighted, elated, joyful, cheerful, ecstatic, jubilant, gay, tickled, gratified, glad, blissful, overjoyed |
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Unhappy | Miserable, uncomfortable, heart-broken, unfortunate, downhearted, sorrowful, depressed, gloomy, dismal, discouraged, sad |
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Interesting | Fascinating, gripping, arresting, enthralling, engaging, attractive, inviting, intriguing, provocative, thought-provoking, challenging, inspiring, titillating, tantalizing, exciting, entertaining, piquant, engrossing, absorbing |
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Boring | Mundane, dull, monotonous, tiresome, humdrum |
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Lazy | Indolent, slothful, idle, inactive, sluggish |
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Great | Noteworthy, worthy, distinguished, remarkable, grand, considerable, powerful, much, mighty |
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Good | Acceptable, adroit, commendable, competent, excellent, exceptional, fabulous, fantastic, favourable, first-class, great, marvellous, proficient, satisfactory, skilful, splendid, stupendous, super, superb, superior, tip-top, valuable, wonderful |
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Important | Chief, critical, crucial, essential, imperative, key, necessary, urgent, weighty, vital |
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Beautiful | Attractive, breathtaking, wonderful, picturesque (landscape/view)
Attractive, glowing, gorgeous, good-looking (person) |
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Brave | Courageous, fearless, dauntless, intrepid, plucky, daring, heroic, valorous, audacious, bold, gallant, valiant, doughty, mettlesome |
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Bright | Shining, shiny, gleaming, brilliant, sparkling, shimmering, radiant, vivid, colourful, lustrous
Intelligent, knowing, smart, intellectual (person) |
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Calm | Quiet, peaceful, still, tranquil, mild, serene, smooth, composed, collected, unruffled, level-headed, unexcited, detached, aloof |
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Strong | Powerful, intense, firm, solid, potent |
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Weak | Frail, feeble, shaky, flimsy, fragile |
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Dangerous | Perilous, hazardous, risky, uncertain, unsafe |
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Delicious | Savoury, delectable, appetizing, luscious, scrumptious, palatable, delightful, enjoyable, toothsome, exquisite |
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Famous | Well-known, renowned, celebrated, famed, eminent, illustrious, distinguished, noted, notorious |
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Fast | Quick, rapid, speedy, fleet, hasty, snappy, mercurial, swiftly, rapidly, quickly, snappily, speedily, posthaste, hastily, expeditiously, like a flash |
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Fat | Plump, stout, corpulent, fleshy, beefy, paunchy, elephantine |
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Funny | Humorous, amusing, droll, comic, comical, laughable, silly |
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Serious | Alarming, grave, pressing, pressuring, severe, urgent |
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Small | Insignificant, insubstantial, minimal, minor, tiny |
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New | Fresh, unique, original, unusual, novel, modern, current, recent, up-to-date |
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Old | Feeble, ancient, aged, used, worn, dilapidated, former, old-fashioned, outmoded, venerable, primitive, traditional, archaic, outdated, antiquated, obsolete |
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False | Fake, fraudulent, counterfeit, spurious, untrue, unfounded, erroneous, deceptive, groundless, fallacious |
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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 |
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Right | Correct, accurate, factual, true, good, just, honest, upright, lawful, moral, proper, suitable, apt, legal, fair |
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Easy | Simple, effortless, straightforward, uncomplicated, child’s play |
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Difficult | Taxing, tough, challenging, daunting, tricky |
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Used to | accustomed to, habituated to |
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Useful | helpful, handy, effective |
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Most of | maximum, highest |
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1 Comment
Thaixiong
Posted on Oct 7, 2016
Could you please send me this book. Thanks
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