100 Essential Words for IELTS Writing

With Synonyms & IELTS-Style Example Sentences

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🔹 1–20: Academic & Formal Verbs

Increase — Rise
The number of electric cars has significantly increased in recent years.

Decrease — Drop
The population of rural areas has decreased due to urban migration.

Improve — Enhance
Investing in public transport can improve city life.

Deteriorate — Decline
Air quality has deteriorated in many major cities.

Support — Back
Many people support the ban on plastic packaging.

Oppose — Object to
Some citizens oppose higher taxes on fuel.

Suggest — Propose
Experts suggest more investment in green energy.

Affect — Influence
Climate change affects both agriculture and weather.

Develop — Expand
Governments should develop affordable housing options.

Prevent — Stop
Education can prevent youth crime.

Rely — Depend
Many rural economies rely on agriculture.

Promote — Encourage
Schools should promote healthy eating habits.

Achieve — Accomplish
The country achieved its environmental targets early.

Boost — Increase
The new law aims to boost recycling rates.

Maintain — Preserve
It is essential to maintain historical buildings.

Reduce — Cut
One way to reduce pollution is by improving public transport.

Threaten — Endanger
Rising sea levels threaten coastal communities.

Contribute — Add to
Social media contributes to the spread of misinformation.

Ensure — Guarantee
Governments must ensure equal access to education.

Limit — Restrict
Some believe regulations limit economic growth.

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🔹 21–40: Abstract Nouns

Access — Entry
Everyone should have access to healthcare.

Benefit — Advantage
Renewable energy brings many benefits.

Challenge — Obstacle
Climate change is a global challenge.

Impact — Effect
Technology has a big impact on education.

Issue — Problem
Obesity is a growing issue worldwide.

Policy — Strategy
A recycling policy was introduced last year.

Growth — Development
Economic growth leads to higher living standards.

Decline — Reduction
There has been a decline in biodiversity.

Justice — Fairness
Many people demand justice in the legal system.

Crime — Offense
Poverty is often linked to crime.

Freedom — Liberty
Freedom of speech is a basic human right.

Equality — Fairness
Gender equality remains a global issue.

Education — Learning
Education helps people improve their quality of life.

Employment — Work
Young people struggle to find employment after university.

Environment — Surroundings
Protecting the environment should be a top priority.

Poverty — Need
Poverty is one of the main causes of social issues.

Consumption — Use
High consumption of fast food leads to health problems.

Population — Inhabitants
The world population continues to grow rapidly.

Resources — Materials
We need to manage natural resources carefully.

Tradition — Custom
Some traditions are still celebrated today.

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🔹 41–60: Useful Adjectives

Significant — Important
Pollution is a significant problem in urban areas.

Efficient — Effective
Buses are a more efficient form of transport.

Affordable — Low-cost
Solar panels have become more affordable recently.

Essential — Necessary
Clean water is essential for health.

Widespread — Common
Internet use is now widespread across the globe.

Relevant — Appropriate
The data is not relevant to the research topic.

Sustainable — Long-lasting
We need sustainable farming practices.

Dangerous — Risky
Smoking is dangerous for your health.

Reliable — Trustworthy
A reliable source of information is key in research.

Flexible — Adaptable
Remote work allows for more flexible schedules.

Controversial — Debatable
The death penalty is a controversial topic.

Effective — Successful
This method is effective in reducing costs.

Logical — Rational
His argument is well-structured and logical.

Healthy — Nutritious
A healthy diet includes plenty of vegetables.

Basic — Simple
Food and water are basic human needs.

Necessary — Essential
Public transport is necessary for city life.

Cultural — Social
Museums protect cultural heritage.

Urban — City
Many urban areas face housing shortages.

Global — Worldwide
Climate change is a global issue.

Academic — Educational
Students need to develop strong academic skills.

🔹 61–80: Linking/Transition Words

However — Nevertheless
However, others believe taxes should not increase.

Therefore — As a result
More funding was needed; therefore, the budget increased.

Moreover — In addition
Moreover, exercise improves mental health.

Although — Even though
Although expensive, the plan was approved.

Consequently — As a result
Prices rose; consequently, demand fell.

Whereas — While
Men earn more, whereas women work longer hours.

In contrast — Conversely
In contrast to last year, profits increased.

Furthermore — Additionally
Furthermore, the proposal lacks evidence.

For example — For instance
For example, many students work part-time.

In conclusion — Finally
In conclusion, stricter laws are needed.

On the other hand — Alternatively
On the other hand, some support the changes.

In fact — Actually
In fact, more people cycle now than ever before.

As a result — Therefore
Pollution increased. As a result, health declined.

To sum up — In summary
To sum up, education is key to progress.

Namely — Specifically
There are two problems, namely, cost and access.

Nonetheless — Still
It was hard. Nonetheless, they succeeded.

In addition — Furthermore
In addition, the city added more bike lanes.

Whereas — While
Whereas adults prefer TV, children like games.

Although — Though
Although useful, the app is expensive.

In summary — To sum up
In summary, action is required urgently.

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🔹 81–100: Opinion & Argumentation Words

Argue — Claim
Some experts argue that exams are outdated.

Suggest — Recommend
I suggest banning single-use plastics.

Believe — Think
Many people believe that money leads to happiness.

Assume — Suppose
We often assume older people are less active.

Prove — Show
Studies prove that reading improves memory.

Claim — State
The author claims that education should be free.

Recommend — Advise
Doctors recommend regular exercise.

Emphasize — Highlight
Experts emphasize the need for urgent action.

Question — Doubt
Some question whether online learning is effective.

Highlight — Stress
The report highlights the causes of inequality.

Justify — Defend
How can we justify spending on space travel?

Debate — Discuss
There is an ongoing debate on nuclear energy.

Criticize — Disapprove
Many criticize the government’s slow response.

Agree — Accept
I agree with the view that education is a right.

Disagree — Oppose
Others disagree, saying cost is too high.

Evaluate — Assess
We must evaluate the policy’s long-term effects.

Explain — Clarify
Please explain how this solution works.

Accept — Approve
The committee accepted the new proposal.

Prohibit — Ban
Many countries prohibit smoking indoors.

Support — Advocate
I strongly support the idea of free healthcare.

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✅ How to Use This Word List Effectively:

• Review 5–10 new words daily and write original sentences using each.

• Practice incorporating them into mock IELTS Writing Task 2 essays.

• Use synonyms naturally — don’t force words into places they don’t belong.