When I train my IELTS students, one of the first lessons I share about Writing Task 2 is this:
“Vocabulary is power—but repetition is your enemy.”
Many students write “good,” “bad,” or “important” over and over in their essays. This lowers their Lexical Resource score, which makes up 25% of your IELTS Writing band.
The solution? IELTS Writing Task 2 synonyms.
Using formal, high-scoring synonyms:
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✅ Shows examiners you can use a wide range of vocabulary
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✅ Helps you avoid repetition
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✅ Makes your essay sound academic and polished
In this guide, I’ll share my personal collection of high-scoring synonyms for IELTS essays, plus tips on how to use them naturally to aim for Band 7–9.
Why Synonyms Are Important in IELTS Writing Task 2
Synonyms are alternative words with similar meanings, but in IELTS Writing, accuracy matters more than variety.
Examiners check two things about your word choice:
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Range: Can you use different words without repeating simple ones?
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Precision: Are your synonyms context-appropriate and academic?
Example:
❌ “Cars are bad for the environment.” (Too basic)
✅ “Private vehicles have detrimental effects on the environment.” (Band 7+ choice)
For a full introduction to Task 2 vocabulary, check our IELTS Writing Task 2 Vocabulary for Band 7–9.
Commonly Overused Words and Their Synonyms
I always tell my students: Learn to “upgrade” simple words into academic expressions.
Here’s a practical synonym table for the most overused words in IELTS essays:
| Common Word | High-Scoring Synonym(s) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Good | Beneficial, Advantageous, Favorable | Online education is beneficial for working professionals. |
| Bad | Detrimental, Harmful, Adverse | Fast food consumption has detrimental effects on health. |
| Big | Significant, Substantial, Considerable | Pollution is a significant challenge for modern cities. |
| Small | Minor, Minimal, Negligible | The policy change had a minimal effect on the economy. |
| Important | Crucial, Vital, Essential, Critical | Water conservation is crucial for environmental protection. |
| Many | Numerous, Countless, A great number of | There are numerous reasons for urban migration. |
| Show | Demonstrate, Illustrate, Reveal | Research demonstrates that sleep improves memory. |
| Make | Create, Generate, Produce | Tourism generates employment for local communities. |
| Think | Believe, Consider, Argue | Many experts argue that renewable energy is the future. |
| Use | Utilize, Employ, Apply | Schools should utilize digital tools to enhance learning. |
How to Use Synonyms Correctly in IELTS Essays
I’ve seen many students lose marks because they used a wrong synonym.
Here’s how to use synonyms like a Band 9 candidate:
1. Check Context Carefully
Some synonyms cannot replace the word in every situation.
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Bad → Detrimental (correct in formal contexts)
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❌ “I had a detrimental day.” (awkward)
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✅ “Smoking has detrimental effects on health.”
2. Prioritize Academic Words
IELTS Writing is formal. Avoid casual words like “awesome” or “cool.”
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❌ “The government did a good job.”
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✅ “The government implemented a successful policy.”
3. Use Synonyms to Avoid Repetition, Not to Impress
If you force rare words, it might lower clarity.
Tip: Stick to common academic words recognized by IELTS examiners.
Resource for reference:
Sample Sentences Using High-Scoring Synonyms
Here’s a mini exercise I use in class:
Original Band 6 Sentences
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Many people think social media is bad for teenagers.
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Technology has made our life easier.
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The environment is an important issue today.
Band 8+ Versions with Synonyms
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Many people argue that social media has a detrimental effect on teenagers.
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Technology has transformed our lives and facilitated daily tasks.
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Environmental protection is a crucial issue in the modern era.
Practice Exercise: Upgrade Your Essay
Rewrite these sentences using high-scoring synonyms:
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Watching TV every day is bad for children.
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The government made new laws to reduce pollution.
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Online shopping is good for busy people.
Suggested Answers:
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Watching TV every day has a harmful impact on children.
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The government implemented new laws to reduce pollution.
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Online shopping is beneficial for busy people.
Useful Links for Students
FAQ Section
Q1: How can synonyms improve my IELTS Writing Task 2 score?
Synonyms help you avoid repetition and show a wide lexical range, which improves your Lexical Resource score.
Q2: Should I use rare or complex synonyms to impress the examiner?
No. Use formal and context-appropriate synonyms instead of forcing unusual words.
Q3: How many synonyms should I use in an essay?
Use them naturally whenever a word is repeated. Quality and accuracy are more important than quantity.
Conclusion
Using high-scoring synonyms in IELTS Writing Task 2 is one of the simplest ways to improve your band score.
When you:
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Replace basic words with formal alternatives
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Avoid repetition
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Keep your sentences clear and academic
… you’re sending a strong message to the examiner that you’re a Band 7–9 writer.
If you haven’t already, check out our IELTS Writing Task 2 Vocabulary for Band 7–9 for a full vocabulary guide and start building your lexical range today.
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