IELTS Guide Phil

Achieving a Band 8+ in IELTS Writing Task 2 requires more than just correct grammar and structure—it demands lexical sophistication. While common words can express ideas clearly, lesser-known, high-precision words can add depth, nuance, and academic tone to your writing. This post introduces 100 advanced but natural words that are often overlooked, yet powerful for essays.

Each word is paired with a brief definition and a model sentence to show its use in IELTS Writing contexts.

100 Lesser-Known Academic Words

1. abate – to reduce or lessen
   Governments must act promptly to abate environmental degradation.
2. accrue – to accumulate or receive gradually
   Benefits from educational reforms may accrue over decades.
3. affluent – wealthy or prosperous
   Affluent nations have a greater responsibility toward global aid.
4. alleviate – to ease or relieve
   Urban planning can alleviate traffic congestion.
5. anomaly – something that deviates from the norm
   The rise in youth unemployment is a statistical anomaly.
6. arbitrary – based on personal whim rather than reason
   Many workplace rules appear arbitrary and outdated.
7. augment – to increase or enhance
   Technology can augment the quality of online education.
8. brevity – concise expression
   The essay’s strength lies in its clarity and brevity.
9. catalyst – a trigger for change
   Public protest can be a catalyst for legal reform.
10. coerce – to force or compel
    People should not be coerced into unwanted medical procedures.
11. conducive – supportive; favorable to
    Small class sizes are conducive to effective learning.
12. connotation – implied or suggested meaning
    The word ‘discipline’ carries both positive and negative connotations.
13. dearth – scarcity or lack
    A dearth of resources hampers rural development.
14. detrimental – harmful or damaging
    Excessive screen time can be detrimental to children’s health.
15. disparity – inequality or difference
    There remains a stark disparity in income between urban and rural areas.
16. elicit – to draw out a response or reaction
    Surveys are useful to elicit public opinion.
17. emulate – to imitate or follow
    Developing nations may emulate successful healthcare models.
18. entail – to involve or include
    Urban expansion entails environmental consequences.
19. eradicate – to eliminate completely
    Efforts must be made to eradicate poverty.
20. exacerbate – to worsen a situation
    Inflation exacerbates social inequality.
21. feasible – possible and practical
    It is not always feasible to implement zero-emission policies immediately.
22. fluctuate – to vary irregularly
    Prices of essential commodities continue to fluctuate.
23. fortify – to strengthen or reinforce
    Education fortifies individuals against exploitation.
24. foster – to promote or encourage
    Public policies should foster innovation.
25. hinder – to obstruct or delay
    Excessive regulation hinders business growth.
26. imperative – extremely important
    It is imperative that governments address climate change.
27. incentivize – to motivate through rewards
    Tax cuts can incentivize sustainable energy use.
28. incessant – continuous without pause
    Incessant advertising contributes to consumerism.
29. indigenous – native or original to a place
    Protecting indigenous cultures is vital to social diversity.
30. inevitable – certain to happen
    Automation is an inevitable consequence of technological advancement.
31. integral – essential and necessary
    Public participation is integral to democratic governance.
32. juxtapose – to place side by side for comparison
    The essay juxtaposes traditional and modern parenting styles.
33. lucrative – highly profitable
    Tourism is a lucrative industry for many countries.
34. mitigate – to lessen the impact
    Green infrastructure can mitigate flood risks.
35. novel – new and original
    A novel approach to education may yield better outcomes.
36. obsolete – outdated or no longer in use
    Many manual jobs are becoming obsolete due to automation.
37. paramount – of utmost importance
    Public health must remain a paramount concern.
38. pervasive – widespread or prevalent
    Internet access is becoming increasingly pervasive.
39. plausible – believable and reasonable
    The theory provides a plausible explanation for the trend.
40. precursor – something that precedes and indicates
    The rise in pollution is a precursor to health crises.
41. prevalent – common or widespread
    Obesity is prevalent in developed nations.
42. prolific – highly productive
    She is a prolific researcher in environmental science.
43. propensity – a natural inclination
    There is a growing propensity among youth to pursue entrepreneurship.
44. prospect – likelihood or chance
    The prospect of global recession affects investment.
45. reiterate – to repeat for emphasis
    It is important to reiterate the significance of early education.
46. reluctance – unwillingness
    There is reluctance to change among older generations.
47. resilient – able to recover quickly
    Resilient economies bounce back from financial shocks.
48. scrutiny – close examination
    Government policies should undergo rigorous public scrutiny.
49. subsidize – to financially support
    Governments should subsidize public transport.
50. suppress – to hold back or restrain
    Strict laws can suppress free speech.
51. tangible – real and measurable
    The new system has brought tangible benefits.
52. transient – temporary or short-lived
    Most fashion trends are transient.
53. ubiquitous – present everywhere
    Smartphones are now ubiquitous in modern life.
54. undermine – to weaken gradually
    Corruption undermines institutional trust.
55. viable – capable of working successfully
    Solar energy is a viable alternative to fossil fuels.
56. warrant – to justify or necessitate
    The severity of the issue warrants urgent action.
57. yield – to produce or result in
    Organic farming yields healthier produce.
58. zeal – great enthusiasm
    Environmental activists approach the issue with zeal.
59. acquiesce – to accept reluctantly
    Many citizens acquiesce to unfair laws.
60. belittle – to minimize or devalue
    It is unfair to belittle the importance of arts education.
61. circumvent – to find a way around
    Some companies circumvent tax laws through loopholes.
62. debunk – to expose as false
    The study debunks myths about climate change.
63. equitable – fair and impartial
    An equitable tax system benefits all citizens.
64. foreseeable – able to be predicted
    In the foreseeable future, AI may dominate many fields.
65. harrowing – extremely distressing
    The report describes harrowing conditions in refugee camps.
66. intermittent – occurring at irregular intervals
    Intermittent internet access limits remote education.
67. lucid – clear and easy to understand
    Her essay presents a lucid argument on migration.
68. menial – low-status and repetitive
    Automation replaces many menial tasks.
69. nuanced – subtle and refined
    The writer offers a nuanced view of the issue.
70. onerous – burdensome and difficult
    Student loans are often seen as onerous.
71. polarize – to divide into opposing groups
    The policy has polarized public opinion.
72. quintessential – the most typical example
    She is the quintessential modern leader.
73. ramification – consequence or outcome
    Ignoring climate change has serious ramifications.
74. scrupulous – extremely attentive to detail
    Academic researchers must be scrupulous in citing sources.
75. tacit – understood without being stated
    There is a tacit agreement to avoid conflict.
76. unprecedented – never done or known before
    The pandemic led to unprecedented economic shutdowns.
77. vindicate – to prove right
    The data vindicates the scientist’s hypothesis.
78. weary – tired or worn out
    Citizens are growing weary of political instability.
79. yearning – deep longing
    There is a yearning for better opportunities.
80. zealous – passionately devoted
    He is zealous about educational reform.
81. altruistic – unselfishly concerned for others
    Altruistic motives often drive social entrepreneurs.
82. bane – a source of harm
    Plastic waste is the bane of marine ecosystems.
83. conspicuous – easily noticed
    His absence was conspicuous during the debate.
84. delineate – to describe in detail
    The essay delineates both sides of the argument.
85. elusive – difficult to find or define
    Happiness is often an elusive concept.
86. fortitude – courage in adversity
    Students need fortitude to face academic challenges.
87. glean – to gather bit by bit
    Insights were gleaned from multiple case studies.
88. hegemony – leadership or dominance
    Economic hegemony often dictates global policies.
89. imbue – to inspire with a quality
    Good teaching imbues students with curiosity.
90. jeopardy – danger or risk
    Failing to act puts biodiversity in jeopardy.
91. knack – a skill or ability
    She has a knack for persuasive writing.
92. levy – to impose a tax or fee
    The government levied new environmental taxes.
93. moratorium – a temporary halt
    A moratorium was placed on nuclear testing.
94. nostalgia – sentimental longing
    Nostalgia can cloud objective analysis of the past.
95. onus – burden or responsibility
    The onus is on the state to ensure education.
96. precipitate – to cause something suddenly
    The policy precipitated widespread protests.
97. rescind – to revoke or cancel
    The law was rescinded after public backlash.
98. salient – most noticeable or important
    The essay highlights salient features of urbanization.
99. tantamount – equivalent in seriousness
    Ignoring the rules is tantamount to cheating.
100. usurp – to take power illegally or forcefully
     The military usurped control of the nation.

Final Thoughts

To score Band 8+ in IELTS Writing Task 2, you must demonstrate a command of precise, nuanced vocabulary that enhances your clarity and argumentation. These lesser-known words are not just impressive—they are practical and help you write more academically, logically, and persuasively. Practice using them in context, and avoid overuse or misuse by learning their exact meaning and tone.

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