Useful Synonyms & Antonyms For IELTS Writing Test
International English Language Testing System ( IELTS )
Antonyms and synonyms is closely linked with word formation. This happen because of prefixes and suffixes.When you put small parts like "un" or "ful" with a word, the meaning can change a lot.
Simple example for you: take happy and add "un" to it. It become unhappy, which means the opposite.
Synonyms work a bit different. Words like beauty and beautiful means almost same thing. Same for joy and joyful. Knowing how prefixes and suffixes work is very useful. It make creating new words more easy for you.
Your IELTS vocabulary grow faster when you know these rules. Word formation help you understand many new words without memorizing each one. So, learning about prefixes and suffixes improve your vocabulary skills. This is important for IELTS preparation because you need good range of words for the exam.
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What are Antonyms and Synonyms?
Synonyms are words that mean almost same or close thing. Like “big” and “large”, they both talk about size. When you use synonyms, it makes your English look better and not sound same again and again. It also help you say things more clear and nice way.
Antonyms are words that mean opposite. For example, the antonyms of hot is coll. You can use antonyms to show contrast or make your meaning more easy to understand. In IELTS Writing and IELTS Speaking, using these kinds of words help your score go higher and make your answer sound more natural too.
Antonyms and Synonyms for better score in IELTS
Check the importance below:
Reading
- When you know synonyms, it gets easier to catch the same idea written in different words.
- Antonyms help you find opposite meaning fast so you can pick right answers more easy.
- Good vocabulary make it simple for you to read and understand long or hard passages.
Listening
- In the IELTS Listening test, they don’t always use same words from question, they change them using synonyms.
- You need to notice them so you don’t miss any main point.
- Sometimes antonyms come in the audio too and it helps you know when meaning change or turn opposite.
Speaking
- Using synonyms in your talk make you sound more natural and not repeat same word again.
- When you use antonyms, it shows you can talk about difference things or opposite ideas.
- More IELTS vocabulary gives better marks for Lexical Resource because you show you know many words.
Writing
- In IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2, you must use synonyms to change question words and not copy same line.
- It shows you can write in new way but same meaning.
- Using antonyms help you write about contrast ideas and make essay stronger.
- If you got a wide vocabulary, your writing looks better and helps get higher IELTS band score.
List of Antonyms and Synonyms
Sublist 1
| Word |
Synonyms |
Antonyms |
| Analyze |
Examine, Assess |
Ignore, Overlook |
| Approach |
Method, Strategy |
Avoid, Departure |
| Area |
Region, Zone |
- |
| Assess |
Evaluate, Appraise |
Neglect, Disregard |
| Assume |
Presume, Believe |
Doubt, Reject |
| Authority |
Power, Control |
Subordination, Weakness |
| Available |
Accessible, Obtainable |
Unavailable, Inaccessible |
| Benefit |
Advantage, Gain |
Disadvantage, Harm |
| Concept |
Idea, Notion |
Reality, Fact |
| Consist |
Contain, Include |
Exclude, Omit |
Sublist 2
| Word |
Synonyms |
Antonyms |
| Achieve |
Accomplish, Attain |
Fail, Lose |
| Acquire |
Obtain, Gain |
Lose, Relinquish |
| Administrate |
Manage, Supervise |
Mismanage, Neglect |
| Affect |
Influence, Impact |
Detach, Disengage |
| Appropriate |
Suitable, Fitting |
Inappropriate, Unsuitable |
| Assist |
Help, Support |
Hinder, Obstruct |
| Category |
Classification, Type |
Disorganization, Unity |
| Complex |
Complicated, Intricate |
Simple, Easy |
| Compute |
Calculate, Estimate |
Guess, Ignore |
| Conclude |
End, Finish |
Begin, Start |
Sublist 3
| Word |
Synonyms |
Antonyms |
| Alternative |
Substitute, Choice |
Necessity, Obligation |
| Circumstance |
Situation, Condition |
Certainty, Fact |
| Contribute |
Donate, Add |
Hinder, Withdraw |
| Convene |
Assemble, Gather |
Disperse, Scatter |
| Demonstrate |
Show, Exhibit |
Hide, Conceal |
| Emphasis |
Focus, Importance |
Neglect, Ignore |
| Ensure |
Guarantee, Secure |
Risk, Endanger |
| Exclude |
Omit, Reject |
Include, Admit |
| Framework |
Structure, System |
Chaos, Disorganization |
| Justify |
Explain, Defend |
Condemn, Blame |
Sublist 4
| Word |
Synonyms |
Antonyms |
| Access |
Entry, Admission |
Exit, Egress |
| Adequate |
Sufficient, Enough |
Insufficient, Inadequate |
| Approximate |
Estimate, Rough |
Exact, Precise |
| Attribute |
Characteristic, Trait |
- |
| Civil |
Polite, Courteous |
Rude, Impolite |
| Commit |
Dedicate, Pledge |
Abandon, Neglect |
| Contrast |
Difference, Opposition |
Similarity, Likeness |
| Dimension |
Size, Proportion |
Insignificance, Triviality |
| Grant |
Allow, Permit |
Refuse, Deny |
| Retain |
Keep, Hold |
Release, Discard |
Sublist 5
| Word |
Synonyms |
Antonyms |
| Academy |
School, Institution |
- |
| Adjust |
Modify, Adapt |
Disarrange, Ruin |
| Amend |
Revise, Improve |
Worsen, Damage |
| Aware |
Conscious, Informed |
Unaware, Oblivious |
| Capacity |
Ability, Capability |
Inability, Incapacity |
| Challenge |
Confrontation, Objection |
Agreement, Acceptance |
| Clause |
Provision, Stipulation |
- |
| Compensate |
Reimburse, Repay |
Deprive, Penalize |
| Compound |
Combine, Mix |
Separate, Simplify |
| Consult |
Advise, Confer |
Ignore, Neglect |
Sublist 6
| Word |
Synonyms |
Antonyms |
| Abstract |
Conceptual, Theoretical |
Concrete, Real |
| Acknowledge |
Admit, Recognize |
Deny, Ignore |
| Aggregate |
Total, Combine |
Separate, Individual |
| Allocate |
Distribute, Assign |
Retain, Withhold |
| Assign |
Allocate, Delegate |
Remove, Revoke |
| Attach |
Join, Connect |
Detach, Separate |
| Author |
Writer, Creator |
Reader, Audience |
| Bond |
Link, Tie |
Separation, Divide |
| Brief |
Short, Concise |
Long, Lengthy |
| Capable |
Competent, Skilled |
Incapable, Incompetent |
Sublist 7
| Word |
Synonyms |
Antonyms |
| Adapt |
Adjust, Modify |
Resist, Oppose |
| Advocate |
Supporter, Proponent |
Opponent, Critic |
| Aid |
Help, Assistance |
Obstruction, Hindrance |
| Channel |
Pathway, Conduit |
Blockage, Obstruction |
| Classical |
Traditional, Conventional |
Modern, Contemporary |
| Comprehensive |
Inclusive, Thorough |
Partial, Incomplete |
| Confirm |
Verify, Validate |
Deny, Refute |
| Contrary |
Opposite, Contradictory |
Similar, Alike |
| Convert |
Transform, Change |
Preserve, Retain |
| Definite |
Certain, Clear |
Unclear, Indefinite |
Sublist 8
| Word |
Synonyms |
Antonyms |
| Abandon |
Leave, Desert |
Retain, Keep |
| Accompany |
Escort, Join |
Separate, Leave |
| Accumulate |
Gather, Collect |
Disperse, Scatter |
| Ambiguous |
Unclear, Vague |
Clear, Definite |
| Appreciate |
Value, Respect |
Disregard, Dismiss |
| Arbitrary |
Random, Unplanned |
Rational, Reasoned |
| Automate |
Mechanize, Robotize |
Manual, Human-operated |
| Bias |
Prejudice, Favoritism |
Fairness, Impartiality |
| Chart |
Graph, Diagram |
- |
| Clarify |
Explain, Elucidate |
Confuse, Obscure |
Sublist 9
| Word |
Synonyms |
Antonyms |
| Accommodate |
Adjust, Adapt |
Reject, Hinder |
| Anticipate |
Expect, Predict |
Doubt, Question |
| Cease |
Stop, Terminate |
Begin, Start |
| Coherent |
Logical, Consistent |
Illogical, Incoherent |
| Coincide |
Match, Align |
Differ, Conflict |
| Converse |
Opposite, Reverse |
Similar, Alike |
| Deviate |
Diverge, Stray |
Align, Conform |
| Ethical |
Moral, Principled |
Immoral, Unethical |
| Format |
Layout, Structure |
- |
| Inherent |
Intrinsic, Natural |
Acquired, External |
Sublist 10
| Word |
Synonyms |
Antonyms |
| Accumulate |
Collect, Gather |
Scatter, Disperse |
| Accurate |
Exact, Precise |
Inaccurate, Incorrect |
| Acknowledge |
Admit, Recognize |
Deny, Ignore |
| Aggregate |
Combine, Total |
Separate, Individual |
| Allocate |
Assign, Distribute |
Retain, Withhold |
| Compatible |
Harmonious, Suitable |
Incompatible, Conflicting |
| Define |
Explain, Clarify |
Confuse, Obscure |
| Emphasis |
Stress, Highlight |
Neglect, Ignore |
| Encounter |
Meet, Face |
Avoid, Evade |
| Underlie |
Support, Base |
Overlie, Oppose |
Synonyms and Antonyms Quiz
Instructions:
Read the passage below and fill in the blanks with synonym or antonym.
Passage:
The scientist’s discovery was initially met with (1) _______ (skepticism), as many experts refused to accept such a groundbreaking claim. However, after a series of rigorous experiments, the results were deemed (2) _______ (unreliable) and widely acknowledged by the scientific community.
Despite the overwhelming evidence, some critics remained (3) _______ (supportive), arguing that the data could still be interpreted differently. Others, however, admired the scientist’s (4) _______ (hesitant) approach, as she meticulously examined every detail before drawing conclusions.
As the debate continued, one thing became clear: the discovery had the potential to (5) _______ (weaken) our current understanding of the subject and reshape future research. Whether it would lead to significant advancements or remain a (6) _______ (permanent) mystery was yet to be seen.
Answers for questions 1-6
-
doubt / disbelief / uncertainty
Explanation: Skepticism is a noun, so we need a noun synonym. Doubt means a lack of belief or certainty, matching the tone of initial disbelief. -
valid / credible / trustworthy
Explanation: The word "unreliable" means not dependable. Its antonyms include "valid," "credible," or "trustworthy," all of which suggest that the results were now considered dependable and accurate. -
resistant / opposed / unwilling
Explanation: The word "supportive" means helpful and encouraging. The opposite would be "resistant," "opposed," or "unwilling," all of which indicate reluctance or refusal to agree. -
confident / decisive / assertive
Explanation: The word "hesitant" means uncertain or reluctant. Its antonyms include "confident," "decisive," or "assertive," which suggest certainty and determination. -
strengthen / reinforce / enhance
Explanation: The word "weaken" means to make less strong. Its antonyms are "strengthen," "reinforce," or "enhance," all of which suggest making something stronger or more impactful. -
provisional / temporary / uncertain
Explanation: The word "permanent" means lasting forever. Its antonyms include "provisional," "temporary," or "uncertain," all of which indicate something that is not fixed or final.
Word Formation of Antonyms and Synonyms
Antonyms and synonyms got a close link with word formation because of prefixes and suffixes. When you put small parts like “un” or “ful” with a word, it can totally change the meaning. Like when you say “happy”, and then add “un”, it turns into “unhappy”. It means exact opposite. Also words like “beauty” and “beautiful”, or “joy” and “joyful”, they mean kind of the same. When you understand how prefixes and suffixes work, it’s more easy to make new words and grow your IELTS vocabulary too.
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