A study dictionary built from the words that appear in the four Academic practice tests (Reading passages, Listening, and answer material). Every entry has a meaning, synonyms, and antonyms written for IELTS paraphrasing practice. Let’s start with “IELTS Vocabulary from Cambridge 21 – Academic”.

Why synonyms and antonyms matter: IELTS questions rarely repeat the exact words of the passage. True/False/Not Given, matching headings, and sentence completion all reward you for recognising a paraphrase. Learn each word together with its synonyms, and use antonyms to spot a False answer (a statement that says the opposite of the passage).

 

1. Verbs from the book

Word

Meaning

Synonyms

Antonyms

abandon (v)

give up completely, or leave behind (পরিত্যাগ করা, ছেড়ে দেওয়া)

desert, give up, discard

keep, retain, continue

accelerate (v)

make or become faster (ত্বরান্বিত করা, গতি বাড়ানো)

speed up, hasten, quicken

slow down, delay, decelerate

accumulate (v)

gather gradually over time (জমা করা, সঞ্চয় করা)

collect, build up, amass

disperse, scatter, lose

acquire (v)

gain or obtain something (অর্জন করা, লাভ করা)

obtain, gain, secure

lose, forfeit, give up

advocate (v)

publicly support an idea or plan (সমর্থন করা, পক্ষে ওকালতি করা)

support, champion, back

oppose, criticise, condemn

amass (v)

collect a large quantity (প্রচুর পরিমাণে জড়ো করা)

accumulate, gather, hoard

scatter, squander, disperse

amplify (v)

make larger, louder or stronger (বিবর্ধিত করা, শক্তিশালী করা)

boost, intensify, magnify

reduce, weaken, dampen

anticipate (v)

expect or predict something (আগে থেকে অনুমান করা, প্রত্যাশা করা)

expect, foresee, predict

be surprised by, overlook

assume (v)

accept as true without proof (ধরে নেওয়া)

presume, suppose, take for granted

know, prove, verify

attain (v)

succeed in reaching a goal (অর্জন করা, পৌঁছানো)

achieve, reach, accomplish

fail, miss, lose

compensate (v)

make up for a loss or harm (ক্ষতিপূরণ দেওয়া)

make up for, offset, reimburse

penalise, deprive

concede (v)

admit something reluctantly (অনিচ্ছায় স্বীকার করা)

admit, acknowledge, grant

deny, dispute, contest

contradict (v)

say the opposite, or conflict with (বিরোধিতা করা; বিপরীত কথা বলা)

challenge, oppose, conflict with

confirm, support, corroborate

cultivate (v)

grow crops, or develop a skill or relationship (চাষ করা; গড়ে তোলা, লালন করা)

grow, nurture, foster

neglect, abandon, destroy

decline (v/n)

decrease, or refuse politely (হ্রাস পাওয়া; বিনয়ের সঙ্গে প্রত্যাখ্যান করা)

fall, drop, diminish

rise, increase, grow

deploy (v)

put into use in a planned way (মোতায়েন করা, কাজে লাগানো)

use, employ, utilise

withdraw, hold back

deter (v)

discourage someone from acting (নিরুৎসাহিত করা, বিরত রাখা)

discourage, dissuade, put off

encourage, motivate, attract

detract (v)

reduce the value or quality of something (মান বা মূল্য কমানো)

diminish, take away from, lessen

enhance, add to, improve

devastate (v)

cause great damage or destruction (তছনছ করা, ধ্বংস করা)

ruin, wreck, shatter

build, restore, preserve

domesticate (v)

tame animals or plants for human use (গৃহপালিত করা, পোষ মানানো)

tame, breed, train

release, let go wild

emerge (v)

come into view, or become known (আবির্ভূত হওয়া, উঠে আসা)

appear, arise, surface

disappear, vanish, recede

ensure (v)

make certain that something happens (নিশ্চিত করা)

guarantee, make sure, secure

jeopardise, risk

estimate (v/n)

calculate roughly (আনুমানিক হিসাব করা)

approximate, gauge, assess

measure exactly, count

exceed (v)

go beyond a limit or amount (ছাড়িয়ে যাওয়া)

surpass, outdo, top

fall short of, lag behind

fluctuate (v)

rise and fall irregularly (ওঠানামা করা)

vary, swing, waver

stabilise, stay steady, remain constant

infiltrate (v)

enter gradually or in secret (অনুপ্রবেশ করা)

penetrate, permeate, creep into

withdraw, leave, exit

inherit (v)

receive from a parent or earlier generation (উত্তরাধিকার সূত্রে পাওয়া)

be left, come into, receive

bequeath, pass on

jeopardise (v)

put at risk of harm or failure (ঝুঁকিতে ফেলা)

endanger, threaten, risk

protect, safeguard, secure

minimise (v)

reduce to the smallest amount (সর্বনিম্ন পর্যায়ে নামানো)

reduce, decrease, lessen

maximise, increase, enlarge

monopolise (v)

take complete control of something (একচেটিয়া দখল করা)

dominate, control, corner

share, distribute

navigate (v)

find a way, or deal with a difficult situation (পথ খুঁজে এগোনো; কঠিন পরিস্থিতি সামলানো)

steer, guide, negotiate

get lost, flounder

obliterate (v)

destroy completely (সম্পূর্ণ মুছে ফেলা)

wipe out, erase, annihilate

create, build, preserve

obstruct (v)

block or get in the way of (বাধা দেওয়া)

hinder, impede, block

assist, facilitate, help

outperform (v)

do better than (ভালো ফল করা, ছাড়িয়ে যাওয়া)

surpass, beat, outdo

underperform, lag behind

outweigh (v)

be greater in importance or value (গুরুত্বে ছাড়িয়ে যাওয়া)

override, exceed, surpass

be less important than

overcome (v)

succeed in dealing with a problem (অতিক্রম করা, জয় করা)

conquer, defeat, surmount

succumb to, give in to

overestimate (v)

judge something to be greater than it is (বেশি করে ধরা)

overrate, exaggerate

underestimate, undervalue

overlook (v)

fail to notice or consider (উপেক্ষা করা, নজর এড়িয়ে যাওয়া)

miss, neglect, disregard

notice, spot, observe

predict (v)

say what will happen in future (পূর্বাভাস দেওয়া)

forecast, foresee, anticipate

be surprised by

preserve (v)

keep safe or unchanged (সংরক্ষণ করা)

conserve, protect, maintain

destroy, spoil, damage

prosper (v)

be successful and wealthy (সমৃদ্ধ হওয়া)

flourish, thrive, boom

fail, decline, struggle

spearhead (v)

lead a movement or effort (নেতৃত্ব দেওয়া)

lead, head, pioneer

follow, trail

thwart (v)

prevent someone from succeeding (ব্যর্থ করে দেওয়া)

foil, frustrate, block

assist, enable, facilitate

transform (v)

change completely in form or nature (রূপান্তরিত করা)

convert, alter, revolutionise

preserve, maintain, keep

underestimate (v)

judge something to be less than it is (কম করে ধরা)

undervalue, underrate

overestimate, exaggerate

 

2. Adjectives from the book

Word

Meaning

Synonyms

Antonyms

abundant (adj)

existing in large amounts (প্রচুর)

plentiful, ample, copious

scarce, rare, sparse

accessible (adj)

easy to reach, enter or understand (সহজলভ্য, প্রবেশযোগ্য)

reachable, available, approachable

inaccessible, remote, unavailable

adequate (adj)

enough, or good enough (পর্যাপ্ত)

sufficient, satisfactory, acceptable

inadequate, insufficient, deficient

alarming (adj)

causing worry or fear (উদ্বেগজনক)

worrying, disturbing, shocking

reassuring, comforting

ancient (adj)

belonging to the very distant past (প্রাচীন)

age-old, archaic, prehistoric

modern, contemporary, recent

appalling (adj)

shockingly bad (ভয়াবহ রকম খারাপ)

dreadful, terrible, horrifying

excellent, wonderful, pleasing

artificial (adj)

made by people, not natural (কৃত্রিম)

man-made, synthetic, manufactured

natural, genuine, authentic

authentic (adj)

real and not copied (খাঁটি, প্রামাণিক)

genuine, real, original

fake, counterfeit, false

beneficial (adj)

having a good effect (উপকারী)

advantageous, helpful, favourable

harmful, detrimental, damaging

bespoke (adj)

made specially for one person (ফরমায়েশি, বিশেষভাবে তৈরি)

custom-made, tailored, personalised

mass-produced, standard, off-the-shelf

burgeoning (adj)

growing or developing rapidly (দ্রুত বর্ধনশীল)

booming, expanding, flourishing

declining, shrinking, dwindling

bustling (adj)

full of busy, noisy activity (কর্মব্যস্ত, জমজমাট)

lively, hectic, buzzing

quiet, deserted, sleepy

contemporary (adj)

modern, or from the same period (সমসাময়িক)

modern, current, present-day

ancient, old-fashioned, outdated

contentious (adj)

likely to cause argument (বিতর্ক সৃষ্টিকারী)

controversial, disputed, divisive

uncontroversial, agreed, harmonious

controversial (adj)

causing public disagreement (বিতর্কিত)

debatable, disputed, divisive

accepted, uncontroversial

crucial (adj)

extremely important (অত্যন্ত গুরুত্বপূর্ণ)

vital, essential, critical

trivial, unimportant, minor

delicate (adj)

fragile, or needing careful handling (নাজুক, সূক্ষ্ম)

fragile, sensitive, dainty

robust, sturdy, tough

dominant (adj)

most powerful or most common (প্রভাবশালী, প্রধান)

leading, principal, prevailing

subordinate, minor, secondary

dramatic (adj)

sudden and striking (নাটকীয়, আকস্মিক ও লক্ষণীয়)

sharp, striking, spectacular

gradual, slight, minor

enormous (adj)

very large (বিশাল)

huge, vast, immense

tiny, minute, minuscule

essential (adj)

absolutely necessary (অপরিহার্য)

vital, indispensable, fundamental

unnecessary, optional, minor

extensive (adj)

covering a large area or range (ব্যাপক, বিস্তৃত)

wide-ranging, comprehensive, broad

limited, narrow, restricted

extinct (adj)

no longer existing (বিলুপ্ত)

died out, vanished, lost

living, surviving, extant

fashionable (adj)

popular at a particular time (ফ্যাশনদুরস্ত, প্রচলিত)

trendy, stylish, in vogue

unfashionable, outdated, old-fashioned

genuine (adj)

real, honest and not fake (আসল, খাঁটি)

authentic, real, sincere

fake, false, counterfeit

gradual (adj)

happening slowly and steadily (ক্রমিক, ধীরে ধীরে ঘটা)

slow, steady, progressive

sudden, abrupt, rapid

harmful (adj)

causing damage or injury (ক্ষতিকর)

damaging, detrimental, injurious

harmless, beneficial, safe

hypothetical (adj)

based on an idea, not on fact (কাল্পনিক, অনুমানভিত্তিক)

theoretical, imagined, speculative

actual, real, proven

inevitable (adj)

certain to happen (অনিবার্য)

unavoidable, inescapable, certain

avoidable, preventable, uncertain

inherent (adj)

existing as a natural part of something (সহজাত)

intrinsic, innate, built-in

acquired, external, added

intrinsic (adj)

belonging naturally to something (অন্তর্নিহিত)

inherent, innate, essential

extrinsic, external, acquired

intriguing (adj)

arousing curiosity (কৌতূহলোদ্দীপক)

fascinating, captivating, absorbing

dull, boring, uninteresting

lucrative (adj)

producing a lot of money (লাভজনক)

profitable, rewarding, gainful

unprofitable, loss-making, poor

malicious (adj)

intending to cause harm (বিদ্বেষপূর্ণ, ক্ষতি করার উদ্দেশ্যে)

spiteful, vicious, hostile

kind, benevolent, harmless

massive (adj)

very large and heavy (বিশাল, ভারী)

enormous, colossal, vast

tiny, small, slight

meaningful (adj)

having purpose or importance (অর্থবহ)

significant, worthwhile, purposeful

meaningless, pointless, trivial

numerous (adj)

many (অসংখ্য)

countless, many, plentiful

few, scarce, rare

profound (adj)

very deep or intense (গভীর)

deep, intense, far-reaching

superficial, shallow, slight

rigorous (adj)

strict and thorough (কঠোর ও নিখুঁত)

strict, thorough, meticulous

lax, careless, slack

rudimentary (adj)

basic and undeveloped (প্রাথমিক, অনুন্নত)

basic, primitive, elementary

advanced, sophisticated, developed

sophisticated (adj)

advanced and complex (উন্নত, জটিল ও পরিশীলিত)

advanced, refined, complex

simple, primitive, basic

straightforward (adj)

easy and uncomplicated (সহজ, সরল)

simple, easy, uncomplicated

complicated, complex, difficult

sufficient (adj)

enough for a purpose (যথেষ্ট)

enough, adequate, ample

insufficient, inadequate, scarce

susceptible (adj)

easily affected or harmed (সহজে আক্রান্ত হয় এমন)

vulnerable, prone, liable

immune, resistant, unaffected

sustainable (adj)

able to continue without harming the environment (টেকসই)

renewable, viable, eco-friendly

unsustainable, wasteful, harmful

tedious (adj)

boring and too long (একঘেয়ে, ক্লান্তিকর)

dull, monotonous, tiresome

interesting, exciting, stimulating

ubiquitous (adj)

found everywhere (সর্বব্যাপী)

omnipresent, universal, widespread

rare, scarce, uncommon

vibrant (adj)

full of life, energy or colour (প্রাণবন্ত)

lively, energetic, colourful

dull, lifeless, drab

vulnerable (adj)

easily harmed or attacked (ঝুঁকিপূর্ণ, অরক্ষিত)

exposed, defenceless, at risk

protected, secure, resilient

widespread (adj)

found over a large area (ব্যাপক, সর্বত্র ছড়ানো)

extensive, common, prevalent

limited, isolated, rare

 

3. Nouns from the book

Word

Meaning

 

Synonyms

Antonyms

biodiversity (n)

the variety of living things in an area

জীববৈচিত্র্য

ecological variety, species richness

monoculture, uniformity

blueprint (n)

a detailed plan or model

নকশা, বিস্তারিত পরিকল্পনা

plan, design, template

improvisation

breadth (n)

the wide range or extent of something

বিস্তৃতি, পরিসর

range, scope, extent

narrowness, depth

bureaucracy (n)

a complex system of official rules

আমলাতন্ত্র

red tape, administration, officialdom

informality, flexibility

capability (n)

the ability to do something

সক্ষমতা

ability, capacity, competence

inability, incompetence

consequence (n)

a result or effect of an action

পরিণতি

result, outcome, effect

cause, origin, source

deprivation (n)

lack of things needed for a good life

বঞ্চনা

hardship, want, privation

abundance, plenty, prosperity

disadvantage (n)

something that makes success harder

অসুবিধা

drawback, downside, handicap

advantage, benefit, asset

drawback (n)

a problem that lowers the value of something

নেতিবাচক দিক, অসুবিধা

downside, snag, disadvantage

benefit, advantage, plus point

entrepreneur (n)

a person who starts and runs businesses

উদ্যোক্তা

business owner, founder, businessperson

employee, worker

framework (n)

a supporting structure or system of ideas

কাঠামো

structure, system, outline

chaos, disorder

guidance (n)

advice or direction

নির্দেশনা

advice, direction, counsel

misdirection, neglect

inequality (n)

unfair difference in wealth, status or chances

বৈষম্য, অসমতা

disparity, imbalance, unfairness

equality, fairness, parity

infrastructure (n)

basic systems such as roads, power and water

অবকাঠামো

facilities, foundations, services

no direct antonym

initiative (n)

a new plan or project, or the ability to act first

উদ্যোগ

scheme, programme, enterprise

inaction, passivity

innovation (n)

a new idea or method

উদ্ভাবন

invention, breakthrough, novelty

tradition, convention, stagnation

insight (n)

a deep understanding of something

অন্তর্দৃষ্টি

understanding, awareness, perception

ignorance, misunderstanding

legislation (n)

laws made by a government

আইন প্রণয়ন; আইনসমূহ

law, regulation, statute

lawlessness

livelihood (n)

the way a person earns money to live

জীবিকা

income, living, occupation

unemployment, joblessness

majority (n)

the greater part of a group

সংখ্যাগরিষ্ঠতা

bulk, most, greater number

minority, few

migration (n)

movement of people or animals from one place to another

অভিবাসন, স্থানান্তর

relocation, movement, resettlement

settlement, staying put

misconception (n)

a wrong idea or belief

ভুল ধারণা

misunderstanding, fallacy, myth

truth, fact, correct view

notion (n)

an idea or belief

ধারণা

concept, idea, belief

fact, reality

obstacle (n)

something that blocks progress

বাধা

barrier, hurdle, hindrance

aid, help, advantage

perception (n)

the way you see or understand something

উপলব্ধি

view, impression, awareness

misunderstanding, ignorance

perspective (n)

a particular way of thinking about something

দৃষ্টিভঙ্গি

viewpoint, outlook, standpoint

no direct antonym

pollution (n)

harmful substances in air, water or land

দূষণ

contamination, impurity

purity, cleanliness

poverty (n)

the state of being very poor

দারিদ্র্য

hardship, destitution, need

wealth, prosperity, affluence

prejudice (n)

an unfair opinion formed without knowledge

কুসংস্কার, পূর্বধারণাজনিত পক্ষপাত

bias, discrimination, bigotry

fairness, impartiality, tolerance

shortage (n)

not enough of something

ঘাটতি, অভাব

scarcity, lack, deficit

surplus, abundance, excess

stakeholder (n)

a person or group with an interest in something

স্বার্থসংশ্লিষ্ট পক্ষ

interested party, investor, participant

outsider, bystander

subsidy (n)

money given by the government to support an industry

ভর্তুকি

grant, funding, financial aid

tax, levy

surplus (n)

an amount left over, more than needed

উদ্বৃত্ত

excess, extra, glut

shortage, deficit, lack

upbringing (n)

the way a child is raised

লালনপালন

rearing, raising, nurture

neglect

upheaval (n)

a big, sudden change that causes disruption

ব্যাপক উলটপালট

disruption, turmoil, disturbance

calm, stability, order

welfare (n)

health, happiness and general wellbeing

কল্যাণ

wellbeing, benefit, health

harm, hardship, suffering

wilderness (n)

a wild area with no people or farming

বন্য অনাবাদি এলাকা, বনভূমি

wilds, wasteland, backcountry

city, farmland, civilisation

 

4. Linking words and discourse markers

These words organise ideas. Use them in Writing Task 2 and Speaking, and watch for them in Reading, because they signal contrast, cause and result.

Word

Function

Meaning

 

Synonyms

Opposite idea

however

contrast

but, on the other hand

তবে, তবুও

nevertheless, yet, still

similarly, likewise

although

contrast

in spite of the fact that

যদিও

though, even though

because, since

despite

contrast

without being affected by

সত্ত্বেও

in spite of, regardless of

because of, thanks to

nevertheless

contrast

in spite of what was just said

তা সত্ত্বেও, তবুও

nonetheless, even so, still

therefore, as a result

whereas

contrast

compared with the fact that

অথচ, পক্ষান্তরে

while, but, in contrast

similarly, likewise

therefore

result

for that reason

সুতরাং, তাই

thus, hence, as a result

however, nevertheless

consequently

result

as a result

ফলস্বরূপ

therefore, accordingly, thus

despite this, nevertheless

eventually

time

after a long time, in the end

অবশেষে

finally, ultimately, in time

immediately, at first

overall

summary

taking everything into account

সামগ্রিকভাবে

on the whole, in general, generally

in particular, specifically

instead

alternative

in place of something

পরিবর্তে

rather, alternatively

as well, in addition

 

5. Exam-instruction words that appear again and again

These words fill the question wording of every test. Knowing them exactly saves time and prevents wrong answers.

Word

Meaning

Meaning (Bn)

Synonyms

Antonyms

acceptable (adj)

allowed, or good enough

গ্রহণযোগ্য

allowable, permissible, satisfactory

unacceptable, inadmissible, unsatisfactory

claim (n/v)

say that something is true, often without proof

দাবি; দাবি করা

assert, maintain, allege

deny, disclaim, refute

evidence (n)

facts that show something is true

প্রমাণ

proof, data, grounds

disproof, speculation

overview (n)

a general summary of the main points

সামগ্রিক সারসংক্ষেপ

summary, outline, survey

detail, specifics

recommend (v)

suggest that something is good or should be done

সুপারিশ করা

suggest, advise, propose

discourage, advise against, warn

relevant (adj)

closely connected to the topic

প্রাসঙ্গিক

pertinent, applicable, related

irrelevant, unrelated, off-topic

statement (n)

a sentence that says something clearly

বিবৃতি

assertion, declaration, remark

question, denial

suitable (adj)

right for a particular purpose

উপযুক্ত

appropriate, fitting, apt

unsuitable, inappropriate, unfit

summarise (v)

give only the main points

সারসংক্ষেপ করা

sum up, outline, condense

elaborate, expand, detail

 

6. Topic vocabulary (environment, health, society, history)

The four tests keep returning to these themes, so these words are very likely to help in Reading, Listening and Writing Task 2.

Word

Meaning

Meaning (Bn)

Synonyms

Antonyms

invasive (adj)

spreading harmfully into new areas

আগ্রাসী (যে প্রজাতি নতুন এলাকায় ছড়িয়ে ক্ষতি করে)

aggressive, spreading, damaging

native, contained, indigenous

habitat (n)

the natural home of an animal or plant

প্রাকৃতিক বাসস্থান

environment, territory, home

captivity

endangered (adj)

at risk of dying out

বিপন্ন

threatened, at risk, vulnerable

thriving, plentiful, safe

conservation (n)

protection of nature and resources

সংরক্ষণ

preservation, protection, safeguarding

destruction, exploitation, waste

predator (n)

an animal that hunts others

শিকারি প্রাণী

hunter, carnivore

prey, victim

renewable (adj)

naturally replaced, not used up

নবায়নযোগ্য

sustainable, replaceable, inexhaustible

non-renewable, finite, exhaustible

extinction (n)

the dying out of a species

বিলুপ্তি

disappearance, dying out

survival, existence

irrigation (n)

supplying water to land for crops

সেচ

watering, flooding

drainage, drought

consumption (n)

the using of goods, energy or food

ভোগ, ব্যবহার

use, usage, spending

production, saving, conservation

investment (n)

money put into something to make a profit

বিনিয়োগ

funding, stake, capital

withdrawal, divestment

epidemic (n)

a widespread outbreak of disease

মহামারি

outbreak, plague, spread

eradication, containment

obesity (n)

a condition of excessive body fat

স্থূলতা

overweight, excess weight

slimness, thinness

recovery (n)

the return to health or a normal state

সুস্থতা লাভ, পুনরুদ্ধার

recuperation, healing, rebound

relapse, decline, deterioration

therapeutic (adj)

helping to heal or relax

নিরাময়মূলক

healing, curative, restorative

harmful, damaging

literacy (n)

the ability to read and write

সাক্ষরতা

reading ability, education

illiteracy

multilingual (adj)

able to use several languages

বহুভাষিক

polyglot, multi-language

monolingual

overpopulation (n)

too many people for the available resources

অতিজনসংখ্যা

overcrowding, congestion

underpopulation, depopulation

megacity (n)

a very large city, often over ten million people

অতি বৃহৎ মহানগর

metropolis, conurbation

village, hamlet

suburban (adj)

in a residential area on the edge of a city

শহরতলির

residential, outlying

urban, rural

ancestor (n)

a person from whom you are descended

পূর্বপুরুষ

forebear, forefather, predecessor

descendant, offspring

prehistoric (adj)

from before written records

প্রাগৈতিহাসিক

primeval, ancient, primitive

modern, historic

settlement (n)

a place where people have made their home

বসতি

colony, community, village

nomadic camp, abandonment

evolution (n)

gradual development over time

বিবর্তন

development, progression, growth

stagnation, regression

 

7. How to use this IELTS Vocabulary dictionary for a higher band score

  1. Learn in families. Study each word with its synonyms, so one idea gives you three ways to say it. This is the quickest route to better paraphrasing.
  2. Use antonyms to spot False answers. If a True/False/Not Given statement says the opposite of the passage (for example, gradual where the passage says sudden), the answer is False.
  3. Write your own sentence. For ten words a day, write one sentence about a topic from your Writing Task 2 practice. Words you only recognise will not help you write.
  4. Match words to Listening. Speakers often use a synonym of the word printed on the question paper, so read the question words first and expect a paraphrase.
  5. Review on a schedule. Look at each batch again after one day, one week, and one month.
  6. Stay consistent in spelling. The book uses British spelling (minimise, organisation, colour). Either British or American is accepted, but do not mix them in one answer.

Leave a Comment