THE LIST OF WORDS AND PHRASES USED IN THE IELTS READING EXAM THAT

HAVE THE SIMILAR MEANING

SYNONYMS/A a prevailing wind = against the wind
annual = yearly = per year average = normal
a rise = an increase = a growth. animals = livestock
a decrease = a fall = a drop = a decline accidentally = only by chance
= a reduction agencies = jurisdictions
already = not new a (wide) variety of = a range of
a pair of = two accept = tolerate
allow = enable actively notice = pay attention to
avoid = keep safe from a sense of duty = moral obligation
all = every ancient creatures = fossils
a great deal of = a lot of a global team = an international
according to = depending on working party
areas = parts at risk = vulnerable
affect = impact auditory problems = hearing loss
anticipate = foreshadow achievement = success
aid = help a psychological illness = a mental
audience = viewer disorder
abnormal = unusual affect = influence
actor = performer aggressive behavior = frustration and
attack = assault anger
appearance = physiognomy average-sized = medium-sized
amusing = funny = humorous agree on = concur on
aspects of life = existence alter = change
alone = solely a century = 100 years
anxiety = fear associated with = relationship
assist their learning = improve their achievement = attainment
learning efficiency admit = acknowledge
a considerable amount = a great deal attempt = effort
= a lot affect the environment= ruin the
a strong connection = a very close environment.
relationship a sharp decrease = a crash = a sudden
assistant = apprentice serious fall in the price or value of
autumn (British English) = fall something
(American English) allow = grant permission
abandoned = derelict aggressive = assertive = pushy
aid = help = assist average = ordinary = fair
at the same time = at a time attraction = spectacular
a few = a handful of advocate = support = recommend
achievable = realistic arrogant = haughty
associated with = closely related to after = behind
a similar way to = like awful = dreadful = terrible = bad =
ambitious = aspiring unpleasant
antagonize = provoke = embitter SYNONYMS/B
after = following = next businesses = companies
afraid = frightened = scared beneath = under
always = forever brief = short = concise
apparent = obvious = evident broad = wide = expansive
accompanied by = together with beautiful = gorgeous = graceful =
ability = skill = aptitude elegant = pretty = lovely = attractive
accurate = correct = right begin = start = open = initiate =
awful = dreadful commence
awkward = clumsy = uncoordinated based on = modelled on
approve = accept = ratify = endorse brave = courageous = fearless
arrive = reach = come by = via
above = overhead busy = occupied
allow = permit build = construct
achieve = accomplish = attain big = enormous = huge = gigantic =
artificial = fake = synthetic = false vast = large = great.
amazing = fantastic = astonishing = bright = intelligent = knowing = quick-
extraordinary = incredible = fabulous = witted = smart = shining = shiny =
wonderful brilliant
angry = mad = furious buy = purchase
active = energetic = animated = lively best = finest
adequate = sufficient = enough = blend = combine = mix
ample be put together = be composed
ask = question = inquire be allowed = be entitled
adjourn = postpone = recess beautiful (view) = breathtaking =
active = energetic wonderful = picturesque
answer = reply = respond beautiful (person) = attractive =
ask = question = request = inquire = gorgeous = good-looking.
query = examine. base = foundation
adult = grown-up brave = courageous
be predicted to = be expected to crops = plants which are grown for
be impossible = cannot food
building = construction components = parts
before = prior conscientious = careful
because = since common = generally
be given priority = preferential create = form
believe = trust = accept change the direction of = re-route
be successful =to prosper = be cannot be replaced = no substitute for
fortunate complexity = intricacy
barren = unproductive = infertile currently = in more recent decades
below = under = lower categories = types
beneficial = helpful = useful = create = build
advantageous consistent with = fit
become troublesome = interfere with charging = pricing
before = prior to commitment to = engagement
brain = mind colleague = peer
be able = be capable = be qualified charming = delightful = appealing =
ban = prohibit = forbid enchanting
before = prior = earlier chilly = cool
beginning = start = initiate conditions = factors
be raised = be lifted copy = reproduction
become aware of = realize colours = hues
boundaries = frontiers certain = sure = definite
body language = gestures capture = seize = arrest
beautiful = pretty = attractive = lovely consulted = asked advice
bloom = flourish collect = accumulate
bones = remains contribute to = lead to
beyond the point where land is visible care = concern = protection
= out of sight of land careful = cautious = watchful
birds in temperate climates = cold = freezing
temperate-zone birds comprehend = understand
build = construct confuse = misinterpret
SYNONYMS/C coincidental = fortuitous
located = situated civil = municipal
consumption = use close = shut = fasten
cut = reduce close = near
cities = urban conclude = draw a conclusion
change = shift energy reserves
calm = quiet = tranquil comply with = obey
complete = finish cheerful = optimistic
complex = complicated cheap = worthless
cooperation = support and courageous = brave = heroic
understanding cowardly = fearful
construction = building contributed to = made a contribution
city life = urban lifestyles to
complex = complicated = intricate charging = pricing
competent = capable = qualified contaminate = pollute
collect information = establish a contented = satisfied = pleased
databank comparatively = relatively
catastrophic = devastating come = approach = arrive = reach
compress = condense = squeeze cool = chilly = cold = frosty = frigid
concrete = solid conform = comply
concur = agree conceal = hide
conflict = oppose = differ cozy = comfortable
consecutive = successive = continuous congested = overcrowded = stuffed
conservative = cautious = restrained continue = persist = persevere
conscientious = scrupulous = virtuous clarify = explain = simplify
careless = reckless connect = join = link = attach
conflict = fight = battle = struggle conscious = aware
cease = stop = discontinue courteous = polite
courageous = brave considerate = thoughtful
carefully = meticulously constantly = always = continually
channel their feelings = emotional convenient = handy
forces in harness conventional = customary =
cemetery = burial ground traditional
current teaching methods = modern correct = accurate = right
teaching practices cry = shout = yell = scream
characteristics = traits cut = chop = reduce
citizens = residents crazy = insane = mad
cognitive = perceptual cruel = heartless
cut down on = reduce careless = negligent
categories = types chatting on the internet = chatting
city = metropolitan online
conserving energy = sparing use of criminals = people who commit a
crime devised = formulated
SYNONYMS/D detecting = locating
distance = transportation dumb = stupid
disadvantage = drawback documentation = written accounts
directly = straight domestic =in homes
decline = downfall dark = black
dull = banal doubt = mistrust
dominant = overbearing dawn = sunrise
death rate = mortality rate dense = thick = heavy = compressed
domestic = home due primarily to = mainly because of
define = distinguish depend (mainly) on = rely (heavily) on
dense = tight disclose = eliminate the secrecy
direction = regulation declined by 50% = halved
difficult situations= challenging destroy = ruin
activities dangerous = hazardous = risky =
disobey = resist unsafe
discovered = explored dark = shadowy = dim = dusky = black
damage = harm = injure different = distinct = unlike
divided = split documented evidence = data
dissuade = deter incidence = scale
disputes = disagreement decreasing = decline
difficulties = challenges doubt = distrust
depart = leave doubtful = vague
disaster = accident decay = rot = spoil
do not have = lack delicate = fragile
domestic = connected with the home disagree = differ = dispute
or family dispute = debate = oppose
difficulty in recognizing = hidden or demolish = destroy
obscured delightful = charming = lovely
drop = discard dissatisfied = unhappy
different = unrelated discontinue = stop
discoveries = breakthroughs dull = boring = tiring = tiresome =
distinctive = different uninteresting = tedious = monotonous
dreadful = terrible = unpleasant different = varied
dull = blunt damage = hurt = impair = harm
depart = leave = exit dangerous = unsafe = hazardous
deposit = place deduct = subtract
defend = protect encourage = promote = support =
detest = dislike = hate urge
divide = separate = split enemy = opponent = ally
docile = tame = gentle effective = works well
difficult = hard = challenging effects = consequences
diverse = different = distinct entirely = wholly
dirty = messy evident = apparent = obvious = clear
destroy = demolish expenditure on = spent on
dishonest = untrustworthy each year = annual
dull = uneducated established = founded = started or
destroy = ruin = demolish created an organization, a system, etc.
disagreement = contrast = express large numbers = deal with
incompatibility large numbers
different functions = various features. establish targets = setting goals
SYNONYMS/E enjoy = like
estimate = predict enlarge = expand = magnify
ecozones = areas where there is a earnings = pay = remuneration
natural community of plants and enormous = vast = immense
animals early part of the process = early
encourage = stimulate phases of development
emotions = feelings expected = predicted
experts = biologists expensive = pricey = costly = dear
enormous = immense exaggerate their claims = overstate
eyesight = vision their arguments
effect = impact examine = analyse
economic significance = economic excited = turbulent
impact early = soon = premature
evidence = clue easy = simple
experiments = studies evil = bad = wrong = wicked
evidence = indication excite = arouse = provoke = incite
environmental = ecological exterior = outside = outer
extremely high = impressive effortless = easy
each person = each individual energetic = lively
external = outer end = stop = finish = terminate =
extended = longer conclude = close = halt = cessation
efficiently = in the quickest way explain = clarify = define = interpret =
extend = prolonging justify
SYNONYMS/F practical
fertilisers = artificial chemicals added fabulous = marvelous = amazing
to the land to make crops grow bigger ferocious = fierce = savage
or more quickly fertile = fruitful = productive
fresh = new famous = well-known = renowned =
fear = be afraid famed = eminent.
false = incorrect fear = fright = dread = scare = panic.
fast = rapid = quick = swift face = confront = meet
food production = food chain = food fair = impartial
supply fresh = unused = new
feel = experience frigid = freezing = frosty
fix = mend = repair furious = angry = enraged = infuriated
fluid = liquid future = tomorrow
fixed = determined fixed = immobile
failed to overcome = made it failing = unsuccessful
impossible filled = occupied
farming = agriculture firm = steady
fertile = productive false = fake = fraudulent = counterfeit
free = release SYNONYMS/G
first = beginning goal = imperative
first stage = initial stage grow = rise
faults = flaws goals = the highest levels of expertise
features = characteristics grades = results
feelings = emotional responses generous = giving = big-hearted
format = pattern genuine = real = authentic = sincere
former = previous = earlier good = nice = fine = well-behaved
fraction = part = portion = segment great = outstanding = remarkable
fat = chubby give their opinions = express their
fatal = deadly = mortal views
feedback = comments good things = positive things
frivolous = trivial = unimportant give = donate = present = offer
full = packed = stuffed go around = orbit
forbid = prohibit = ban gain = acquire = obtain = receive
forgive = pardon = excuse gather = collect = accumulate =
focus on = emphasize compile
finish = end glad = happy = pleased = delighted
feasible = possible = attainable = glorious = splendid = magnificent =
superb high = tall
gentle = tender = mild harsh = rough
gratitude = thankfulness = happy = joyful = cheerful = glad =
appreciation overjoyed = pleased = contented =
good luck = fortune satisfied = delighted
go = move = travel SYNONYMS/I
good = excellent = fine = wonderful = infectious diseases = diseases that can
helpful. pass from one plant to another by the
SYNONYMS/H wind or by insects
have a major impact on = transformed in the natural world = throughout
halt = call it quits nature
happiness = joy ignore = resist
happen = come about intuitive thinking = intuition
have not been diagnosed = illnesses = ailments
undiagnosed information = data
hard work = effort instructed = told
how paper is recycled = the process of insufficient = sparse
paper recycling illogical = unreasonable
humble = modest immoral = unethical
harsh = strict important = crucial
how to produce = the process of incompetent = inept
producing intense = extreme
higher corresponds to threefold = improve = increase the efficiency of
three times as much/ triple increase in population = population
high noise level = loud noise growth
help = have a positive effect on industrial revolution =
heat = temperature industrialisation
hide = conceal immediately = nearly instant
happy = content information = data
humiliate = embarrass imitate (imitation) = mimic
handy = useful = convenient impaired = damaged
hard = firm = solid innocent = guiltless
honest = truthful = sincere = frank insufficient = inadequate = deficient
hospitable = welcoming = gracious in accordance with = according to
hostile = aggressive inaccurate= incorrect
huge = vast = immense = great intelligent = smart = bright
hide = conceal increasing = soaring
interior access = inner staircases impolite = rude
initiate = bring about indefinite = unclear
interesting = provocative = engrossing insignificant = unimportant
identify the problem = understand the immune = resistant
problem impartial = neutral = unbiased = fair
isolated = inaccessible idea = thought = concept
internal = inner = inside incident = event
in excess of = over incompatible characteristics =
increase = expand = rise paradox
irrelevant = inappropriate = unrelated SYNONYMS/K
irritate = annoy keep = save = protect =guard
introduction = invention kind = considerate = tender =
identical = alike = duplicate thoughtful
inactive = lazy kind = wonderful
ignore = disregard knowledgeable = smart
important = vital = indispensable SYNONYMS/L
interesting = fascinating = engaging = launched = initiated
attractive = intriguing = captivating = lived apart = be separated at birth
enchanting large = big = massive = huge
impossible = unachievable last = final = end
infants = very young children look like = resemble
intriguing = fascinating levels = storeys
in essence = essentially lethargic = tired
independent = self-reliant lifted = raised
inappropriate = unsuitable leave out = omit
increase = enlarge = amplify life expectancy = lifetime
ingenious = clever = creative lower secondary schools = middle-
impetuous = impulsive = reckless years education
important = significant = meaningful least = fewest = minimum = smallest
inappropriate = unsuitable = wrong lacking = insufficient
ignorant = unaware long-term = sustainable
immaculate = spotless = pure liable to = can happen
imperfect = defective = faulty less time spent on exercises = shorten
imperative = compulsory = mandatory the practice
involved with = associated with learn = acquire
idle = inactive long = lengthy
immature = childish = inexperienced lure = attract = seduce
long-lost traits = ancestral features off
left = soared out of moulded = reshaped
limit = minimize man-made = synthetic
limited = incomplete mild = moderate
local people = communities moral = ethical = virtuous = righteous
large city = megalopolis mature = adult
long-term = lasting/extending over a most = maximum
long time maximum = greatest
little doubt = almost certainly minimum = least
luxurious = extravagant = elegant mobile = moveable
lack = deficit monotonous = boring = tedious
love = like = fancy = cherish = adore = mysterious = secret
treasure = appreciate manufactured = produced
levels of unemployment = move onto = pass onto
unemployment rate most of = nearly all of
SYNONYMS/M moves = gestures
motifs = patterns = images more = increased
material = commodity modified = qualified
magnify = expand = enlarge = migrate back = return
exaggerate medical technique = treatment
misfortune = hardship mean = cruel = inconsiderate
mathematical method = statistical movable = portable
concept manufacture = produce
moved = relocation SYNONYMS/N
most people = almost every individual need = require
manager = boss non-fossil-based fuels = renewable
mass production = print out huge energy
numbers needed = required
mainly = most important nature = essence
mishandling = bungling not traditional = new
make payment = pay for natural forests = primary forests
movement =transport not limit = transcend
mean = unkind = malicious = nasty neat = clean, tidy, well-organized.
mend = repair = fix new = fresh = original = current
motorised vehicles = buses and trucks noisy = rowdy
more than = exceed noise = disturbance
make the noise stop = turn the noise normal = ordinary = typical, usual
negligent = careless = inattentive old people = people who are retired
naughty = bad = disobedient offend = displease = disgust
neat = clean = orderly = tidy outstanding = extraordinary
neglectful = careless odd = weird = strange
no limit = never reach maximum obey = comply
not charged = not have to pay SYNONYMS/P
new = recent plant = grow
nervous energy = psychic tension place = locate
new technologies = modern paintings = works
technologies precious metals = gold, silver
not natural = artificial premature = early
not appreciated = undervalued pretty = lovely = beautiful = attractive
now = current pleasing = appealing
need = requirement perform = carry out
SYNONYMS/O pioneered = first suggested
observe = see persuasive = powerful
omit = strip out = leave out play it safe = avoid risk
ordinary = conventional personality = character
over the counter = in the shops potential = possibilities
officials = authorities promptly = immediately
overcome = deal with profit = gain = earnings = benefit
open = begin prohibit = forbid = restrict
occur frequently = are common policy initiative = strategy
only = solely previous events = past experience
overdirect = too much guidance plants = stations
overcome shyness = learn to be more provide a view of = overlook
outgoing private transport = car
one explanation = another possibility principles = laws
ordinary = commonplace put together = assembled
old = antique place = deposit
obsolete = dated = antiquated prompt = punctual = timely
optimistic = hopeful = confident prosperous = thriving = successful =
odours = smell flourishing
overcome = getting rid of prevent = prohibit = hinder
occur more than once = repeated permit = allow
outgoing = assured prior to = beforehand
obey = comply pictures = images
problem = difficulty errors
permit = allow problems = difficulties
promotion = advancement present beliefs = contemporary
prominent = distinguished = eminent perceptions
personal values = individual picked out = chose
properties pesticides = potent chemicals
pessimistic view = seems to be getting pagoda = temple building
worse prehistoric = ancient
prevail upon = have influence in = patience = perseverance
persuade permanent = enduring = lasting
principles = essential features prevent misunderstanding = resolve
publicity = press any confusion
program cost = program fee peace = harmony
physical changes = hormonal changes persuade = convince = influence
processes = stages peace = quiet
perfect = flawless preceding = previous
precious = valuable SYNONYMS/Q
plausible = believable = reasonable = quickly = rapidly
logical question = interrogate = inquire = ask
polite = gracious = courteous quiet = silent = tranquil
place = area = plot = region = location quick = speedy
= situation quit = cease = stop = withdraw
proportion = percentage = rate SYNONYMS/R
poverty rate = level of poverty = rely on = be dependent on
poverty level = the percentage of rules = laws
people who live in poverty restrict = curb
production = manufacture = be really successful = achieve at a higher
produced = be made = be level
manufactured rainfall = precipitation
per person = per capita rotate = turn
people who use cars = car users = car recording of events = documentation
commuters = people who commute by of history
car = people who travel by car replication = reproducing
people who cycle to work = cycling regarded as =considered
commuters researchers with differing attitudes =
public = individuals sceptics and advocates
produce accurate work = make fewer remove = extract
react = respond reluctant = unwilling = hesitant
reason = caused remote = secluded = isolated = distant
remedy = repair rarely = seldom
rude = unfriendly reduce = shrink
replaced = upgrade remarkable = outstanding
rational thinking = judgment rough = harsh
reversible = run backwards release = discharge
responsibility = moral obligation rude = discourteous
reticence = shyness rich = wealthy
remains = fragments risky = hazardous
re-emerge = reappear reputable = honorable
respond = reply resist = oppose = withstand
resemble = look like recreation = amusement = pleasure
regular = continual reduce = lessen = decrease = diminish
referring to = talk about reliable = trustworthy
response = reply reveal = show = disclose
run their own business = open their ridiculous = nonsensical = foolish
own business/ company remove = eliminate = get rid of
regulations = standards SYNONYMS/S
relies on = draw on shut out water = seal off from water
reliable = predictable sea = ocean
relationships with other people = support = back up
social experience satisfying = rewarding
reflection = movements in the mirror suffers = experiences
reveal = tell supplementary = extra
recognize = distinguish silence = absence of a sound
remember = recall shade = shelter from the heat
retain = learn steps = measures
raise = lift strengthen = deepen
recognize = certify = admit officially share = interchange
(usually in writing) socially disadvantaged = deprived
restricted = limited self-reliance = independence
recognise the difference = distinguish support = backup
rise = growing = increased significance = importance
release = punctured show statistically = provide precise,
recommence = continue valid or reliable data
real = authentic seem to contradict = sound
paradoxical smart = intelligent = clever
significant = important sadness = depression
several times = on more than one scatter = disperse
occasion show = present = reveal =
signals = radio waves demonstrate = display = exhibit
site = station slow = gradual = leisurely
seeking = looking for selfish = stingy
searching for = looking for sad = unhappy
stop = quit = cease = terminate subsequent = following = succeeding
strenuous = vigorous = laborious small = tiny
suitable = appropriate sensible = rational
small = minor separate = disconnect = detach
stop = halt small = little
sea life = fish and other creatures swift = fast = speedy = hasty
saw the importance = understood the synthetic = man-made = artificial
need sloppy = disorderly
success rate = hit-rate sick = ill
surprising = unexpectedly slim = slender = thin
similar to = not unusual small = little
severe weather conditions = typhoons sociable = friendly
stop = constrain successful = thriving = prosperous =
send = deliver triumphant
stop = close down = put a halt to = surplus = excess = additional = extra
bring a halt to strange = odd = weird, outlandish,
separate from = independent of curious, unique, exclusive, irregular
staff = employees sales = turnover = how much money is
sleep disorders = sleep disturbance made = income = revenue
shy = timid spending = expenditure
separate = disconnect sort = classify
sparse = empty start a business = own a business/
stable = steady = unchanging company
stimulate = motivate shopping on the internet = online
same = similar shopping = buying/purchasing online
sharp = bright sales of fast food = turnover from fast
strict = severe food
strong = powerful = mighty
stupid = dense = foolish
SYNONYMS/T today = now
taken out = removed teaching activities = methods
the folklore = the local belief three different types= three separate
the most important step = key step ways
time limit = deadline to copy = to replicate = to reproduce
trend of the period = fashion of the the world economy = the global
time economy
tradesmen = merchants to be sure = to ensure
the rapid growth = the spectacular to proceed = to continue
growth total = whole = entire = complete
transport methods = transport modes tell = inform = notify
technological developments = take = pick = choose = select
information technologies the level of income = the rate of
take gambles = take chances income = the income rate = the
techniques = methods = practices income level = the level of revenue =
transport mode = means of transport the revenue rate = the revenue level
test = examination the elderly = elderly people = senior
test = experiment citizens
to investigate = to analyse the amount of time spent = the time
the most important = major spent
to give up = to abandon the majority of people = most of the
2 decades = 20 years people = most people
the most vividly coloured red = the transport = deliver = carry
reddest to rise = to increase = to grow = to go
took = carried up
tools = facilities to decrease = to fall = to reduce = to
the question = the puzzle go down = to drop = to decline
transmission = pass along SYNONYMS/U
communication channels uncover = reveal
transmitted = sent back underestimate = overlook
transmit = sent out universal = just about everybody
thin = skinny unjust = unfair
tragic = sorrowful unemployment = out of work
take = receive unlike = a fundamental difference
terrible = awful = bad unpredictably = erratically
threat = endangered understand = recognize
today = current upset = find painful, distressing
unnecessary = superfluous = SYNONYMS/W
redundant world = international
unpleasant = offensive working together = coordination
uncommon = unusual worldwide = international
unknown = not renowned wider = greater
unwanted material = waste water consumption = the amount of
upgrade = improve water consumed
unsuccessful = fruitless ways of learning = techniques for
unfit = unsuited learning = approaches to learning
unexpectedly = without warning = waste = trash = rubbish
unpredictable well known = famous
unusual = exceptional wholehearted = sincere
uncertain = unsure wise = knowing = smart
unbiased = impartial = unprejudiced = water is pumped = pumped with the
fair water
unite = join wild = stubborn
unaware = unconscious weak = frail
unnecessary = optional work = labor
unimportant = meaningless wasteful = extravagant
untruthful = insincere wealth = prosperity = assets
uninteresting = dull weary = tired = fatigued = lethargic
usual = ordinary wonderful = incredible = splendid =
unpleasant = unacceptable marvelous
SYNONYMS/V waste output = the amounts of waste
view = vision work for an employer = work for
valuable = precious other people
views = convictions wrong = incorrect
views = attitudes waste paper = paper that has been
vibrate = shake thrown away
vacant = unoccupied = empty works of art = pieces
vague = unclear = indistinct = obscure
vague = ambiguous