Synonyms for the 96 Most Commonly Used Words in the TOEFL iBT Test
VocabularyUpdated 3 min read
Here are synonyms for 96 everyday words that TOEFL test-takers tend to repeat in Writing and Speaking answers, grouped into adjectives, verbs, nouns, and linking words. Using the same word again and again makes a response sound flat; rotating in a precise alternative makes it sound more fluent. The four video lessons at the end cover synonyms for common TOEFL words.
Adjectives
| Word | Synonyms |
|---|---|
| important | significant, crucial, essential |
| big | large, substantial, considerable |
| small | minor, slight, modest |
| good | beneficial, advantageous, favorable |
| bad | harmful, damaging, negative |
| easy | simple, straightforward, effortless |
| difficult | challenging, demanding, tough |
| necessary | essential, required, vital |
| different | distinct, varied, diverse |
| similar | comparable, alike, related |
| clear | evident, obvious, apparent |
| effective | successful, productive, useful |
| interesting | fascinating, engaging, intriguing |
| boring | dull, tedious, monotonous |
| happy | glad, pleased, cheerful |
| sad | unhappy, upset, disappointed |
| new | modern, recent, innovative |
| old | ancient, traditional, elderly (for people) |
| fast | quick, rapid, swift |
| slow | gradual, unhurried, sluggish |
| hard-working | diligent, dedicated, industrious |
| smart | intelligent, clever, bright |
| beautiful | attractive, lovely, stunning |
| famous | well-known, renowned, celebrated |
| popular | widespread, common, well-liked |
| expensive | costly, pricey, high-priced |
| cheap | inexpensive, affordable, low-cost |
| enough | sufficient, adequate, ample |
| true | accurate, correct, valid |
| wrong | incorrect, mistaken, inaccurate |
| main | primary, principal, chief |
| whole | entire, complete, total |
| special | unique, distinctive, exceptional |
| useful | helpful, practical, valuable |
Verbs
| Word | Synonyms |
|---|---|
| believe | think, consider, hold the view that |
| show | demonstrate, illustrate, indicate |
| increase | rise, grow, climb |
| decrease | decline, drop, fall |
| change | alter, modify, transform |
| improve | enhance, strengthen, refine |
| help | assist, support, aid |
| use | utilize, employ, apply |
| develop | build, cultivate, expand |
| get | obtain, gain, acquire |
| give | provide, offer, supply |
| make | create, produce, form |
| need | require, depend on, call for |
| think about | consider, reflect on, weigh |
| say | state, mention, point out |
| explain | clarify, describe, account for |
| start | begin, launch, initiate |
| end | finish, complete, conclude |
| keep | maintain, preserve, retain |
| try | attempt, make an effort, strive |
| choose | select, pick, opt for |
| like | enjoy, appreciate, be fond of |
| want | would like, wish to, hope to |
| find | discover, identify, come across |
| look at | examine, observe, study |
| ask | inquire, request, question |
| affect | influence, shape, have an impact on |
| cause | lead to, result in, bring about |
| solve | resolve, fix, deal with |
| stop | quit, cease, halt |
| learn | pick up, acquire, study |
| suggest | recommend, propose, advise |
Nouns
| Word | Synonyms |
|---|---|
| example | instance, illustration, case |
| result | outcome, consequence, effect |
| reason | cause, factor, motive |
| problem | issue, difficulty, challenge |
| solution | remedy, answer, fix |
| goal | aim, objective, target |
| idea | concept, notion, thought |
| way | method, approach, means |
| benefit | advantage, merit, strength |
| disadvantage | drawback, downside, weakness |
| opinion | view, viewpoint, perspective |
| chance | opportunity, possibility, prospect |
| job | career, occupation, profession |
| people | individuals, persons, the public |
| skill | ability, talent, competence |
| knowledge | understanding, expertise, awareness |
| experience | background, practice, exposure |
| trend | tendency, pattern, movement |
| importance | significance, value, relevance |
| amount | quantity, volume, level |
Quantity and linking words
| Word | Synonyms |
|---|---|
| many | numerous, a large number of, plenty of (countable nouns) |
| a lot of | a great deal of (uncountable nouns), plenty of, a large amount of |
| because | since, as, given that |
| however | nevertheless, on the other hand, yet |
| also | in addition, furthermore, moreover |
| so | therefore, as a result, consequently |
| but | yet, although, whereas |
| first | to begin with, first of all, initially |
| finally | lastly, in the end, ultimately |
| for example | for instance, such as, to illustrate |
Synonyms are rarely perfect swaps
Most synonyms differ slightly in meaning, formality, or grammar. "Big" and "large" are neutral, while "substantial" and "considerable" suggest something bigger and sound more formal. "Many" goes with countable nouns (many reasons), "a great deal of" with uncountable ones (a great deal of time). "Want" takes an object directly, but "wish" and "hope" need "to" before a verb. Check an example sentence before you use a new word under time pressure.
How to study this list
- Write your own sentence for each synonym instead of just reading the word pair — that's what makes it stick when you're speaking or writing under time pressure.
- Learn a few words at a time. Ten words a day, each used in two sentences, covers the whole list in under two weeks.
- Aim to use at least two different words for the same idea across a single essay or response rather than repeating one word every time.
- Don't force a formal word into a casual spoken answer. "Utilize" in place of "use" can sound stiff; choose the word you would naturally say.
Video lessons
For more word lists organized by topic, see TOEFL vocabulary lists and transition words and phrases for your TOEFL essay.
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