50 Advanced Vocabulary Words for IELTS Writing Band 8+

Why Vocabulary Is a Quarter of Your Score

Lexical Resource accounts for 25% of your total IELTS Writing score. At Band 8, examiners expect a wide resource of vocabulary used with precision and sophistication, with only rare minor errors. This goes well beyond knowing "big" words — it means using precise, appropriate vocabulary that fits the context, demonstrating awareness of collocation, and showing control of word form.

The following 50 words and phrases are grouped by function. For each, a brief definition and example sentence demonstrates how it might appear in a Band 8+ response.

Academic Verbs for Argument and Analysis

• Underpin — to support or form the basis of. "Economic growth underpins the government's education policy."
• Exacerbate — to make a problem worse. "Urban migration has exacerbated housing shortages in major cities."
• Mitigate — to reduce the severity of something. "Renewable energy investment can mitigate the effects of climate change."
• Contend — to argue or maintain a position. "Economists contend that automation will ultimately create more jobs than it eliminates."
• Perpetuate — to cause something to continue indefinitely. "A lack of access to education perpetuates cycles of poverty."
• Engender — to cause or give rise to. "Rapid technological change can engender significant social anxiety."
• Circumvent — to find a way around a problem or rule. "Many corporations circumvent tax regulations by operating offshore."
• Alleviate — to make a problem less severe. "Government subsidies can alleviate financial pressure on low-income families."
• Corroborate — to confirm or support with evidence. "Recent studies corroborate the claim that early childhood education yields lifelong benefits."
• Preclude — to prevent something from happening. "Limited funding should not preclude access to quality healthcare."

Sophisticated Adjectives and Adverbs

• Unprecedented — never known before. "The pandemic caused unprecedented disruption to global supply chains."
• Negligible — too small to be important. "The environmental impact of this technology is negligible compared to fossil fuels."
• Pervasive — spreading widely. "Social media has had a pervasive influence on modern political discourse."
• Paradoxical — seemingly contradictory yet possibly true. "It is paradoxical that increased connectivity has made many people feel more isolated."
• Irrefutable — impossible to deny. "The scientific consensus on climate change is now considered irrefutable."
• Disproportionate — too large or small in comparison. "The wealthiest 1% hold a disproportionate share of global resources."
• Indispensable — absolutely necessary. "Critical thinking is an indispensable skill in the modern workplace."
• Contentious — causing disagreement. "The use of surveillance technology in public spaces remains a contentious issue."
• Inherent — existing as a permanent quality. "There are inherent risks in any form of unregulated financial market."
• Nuanced — showing subtle distinctions. "A nuanced understanding of cultural differences is essential for effective diplomacy."

Key Nouns for Social and Economic Topics

• Disparity — a great difference. "There remains a significant disparity in educational outcomes between rural and urban students."
• Proliferation — rapid increase in numbers. "The proliferation of misinformation online poses a serious threat to democracy."
• Ramifications — complex consequences. "The long-term ramifications of this policy have yet to be fully understood."
• Trajectory — the course of development. "Without intervention, the current economic trajectory will worsen inequality."
• Paradigm — a typical pattern or model. "The internet has fundamentally shifted the paradigm of modern communication."
• Catalyst — something that triggers change. "The financial crisis acted as a catalyst for widespread regulatory reform."
• Inequity — lack of fairness. "Addressing structural inequity requires long-term, systemic policy changes."
• Accountability — obligation to accept responsibility. "Greater corporate accountability is essential to prevent future environmental disasters."
• Sovereignty — supreme authority or independence. "Digital data sovereignty has become a central concern for national governments."
• Cohesion — forming a united whole. "Social cohesion is undermined when economic inequality reaches extreme levels."

Collocations That Signal Sophistication

Learn these as chunks — they demonstrate natural command of the language:

• pose a significant challenge
• have far-reaching consequences
• play a pivotal role in
• reach an unprecedented level
• place considerable strain on
• garner widespread support
• yield tangible benefits
• tackle deep-rooted problems
• foster greater understanding
• draw a clear distinction between

Linking Phrases for Band 8 Cohesion

• It stands to reason that — used to introduce a logical conclusion
• This notwithstanding — despite this (formal alternative to "however")
• On closer inspection — when examined more carefully
• The crux of the matter is — the most important aspect is
• By the same token — in the same way, for the same reason
• To a considerable extent — largely, significantly
• It is worth noting that — used to highlight an important point
• A compelling case can be made for — strong evidence supports

Environment and Technology Vocabulary

• Anthropogenic — caused by human activity. "Anthropogenic carbon emissions are the primary driver of global warming."
• Sustainable — maintainable without depleting resources. "A sustainable urban transport system reduces both congestion and emissions."
• Automation — technology performing tasks with minimal human input. "Automation has displaced millions of manufacturing workers globally."
• Digital divide — the gap between those with and without digital access. "The digital divide continues to disadvantage rural communities in developing nations."
• Carbon footprint — total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an entity. "Reducing the carbon footprint of urban transport systems is a policy priority."
• Algorithmic bias — unjust outcomes produced by automated systems. "Algorithmic bias in hiring software risks perpetuating workplace discrimination."

How to Integrate These Words Effectively

Learning vocabulary lists is only the first step. To score Band 8+, you must use these words accurately and appropriately in context. Write practice sentences, use them in full essay responses, and always check that the word fits both the meaning and the grammatical context. After writing a practice essay, use our AI evaluator to check your score and see how your Lexical Resource is being assessed against official band descriptors.