100 Essential Words for IELTS Writing
With Synonyms & IELTS-Style Example Sentences
🔹 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.
🔹 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.
🔹 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.
🔹 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.
✅ How to Use This Word List Effectively:
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Review 5–10 new words daily and write original sentences using each.
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Practice incorporating them into mock IELTS Writing Task 2 essays.
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Use synonyms naturally — don’t force words into places they don’t belong.
