11+ synonyms word list: 184 power words
The exam-level synonyms every 11+ candidate should know, grouped the way examiners actually ask them.
These are the synonym groups used in real 11+ verbal reasoning papers. Learning words in groups (all the ways to say "big", all the ways to say "scared") is far more effective than alphabetical lists, because that is exactly how synonym questions are asked in the exam.
Words meaning BIG4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Enormous | Very large in size, quantity, or extent. |
| Gigantic | Of very great size or extent; huge or enormous. |
| Colossal | Extremely large. |
| Massive | Large and heavy or solid. |
Words meaning SMALL4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Tiny | Very small. |
| Minute | Extremely small. |
| Diminutive | Extremely or unusually small. |
| Petite | Having a small and attractively dainty build (usually of a woman). |
Words meaning HAPPY4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Ecstatic | Feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement. |
| Jubilant | Feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph. |
| Elated | Ecstatically happy. |
| Overjoyed | Extremely happy. |
Words meaning SAD4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Despondent | In low spirits from loss of hope or courage. |
| Melancholy | A feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause. |
| Sorrowful | Feeling or showing grief. |
| Dejected | Sad and depressed; dispirited. |
Words meaning ANGRY4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Furious | Extremely angry. |
| Irate | Feeling or showing extreme anger. |
| Enraged | Very angry; furious. |
| Livid | Furiously angry. |
Words meaning KIND4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Compassionate | Feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others. |
| Benevolent | Well meaning and kindly. |
| Generous | Showing a readiness to give more than is necessary or expected. |
| Thoughtful | Showing careful consideration for the needs of others. |
Words meaning SCARED4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Terrified | Extremely frightened. |
| Petrified | So frightened that one is unable to move. |
| Apprehensive | Anxious or fearful that something bad will happen. |
| Timid | Showing a lack of courage or confidence; easily frightened. |
Words meaning FAST4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Rapid | Happening in a short time or at a great rate. |
| Swift | Happening quickly or promptly. |
| Hasty | Done or acting with excessive speed or urgency; hurried. |
| Fleet | Fast and nimble in movement. |
Words meaning SLOW4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Sluggish | Slow-moving or inactive. |
| Leisurely | Acting or done at leisure; unhurried or relaxed. |
| Gradual | Taking place or progressing slowly or by degrees. |
| Unhurried | Moving or acting without urgency. |
Words meaning SMART4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Astute | Having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations and turn this to one's advantage. |
| Ingenious | Creates things that are clever, original, and inventive. |
| Shrewd | Having or showing sharp powers of judgment. |
| Brilliant | Exceptionally clever or talented. |
Words meaning BRAVE4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Courageous | Not deterred by danger or pain; brave. |
| Valiant | Possessing or showing courage or determination. |
| Gallant | Brave; heroic. |
| Intrepid | Fearless; adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect). |
Words meaning BEAUTIFUL4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Gorgeous | Beautiful; very attractive. |
| Radiant | Sending out light; shining brightly; clearly very happy or beautiful. |
| Exquisite | Extremely beautiful and delicate. |
| Splendid | Magnificent; very impressive. |
Words meaning UGLY4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Hideous | Extremely ugly; repulsive. |
| Grotesque | Comically or repulsively ugly or distorted. |
| Repulsive | Arousing intense disgust; disgusting. |
| Unsightly | Unpleasant to look at; ugly. |
Words meaning NOISY4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Raucous | Making or constituting a disturbingly harsh and loud noise. |
| Boisterous | Noisy, energetic, and cheerful; rowdy. |
| Clamorous | Making a loud and confused noise. |
| Deafening | Extremely loud; so loud as to make it impossible to hear anything else. |
Words meaning QUIET4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Serene | Calm, peaceful, and untroubled. |
| Tranquil | Free from disturbance; calm. |
| Hushed | Made quiet or restrained; very quiet. |
| Placid | Not easily upset or excited; calm. |
Words meaning TIRED4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Exhausted | Drained of one's physical or mental resources; very tired. |
| Weary | Feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion. |
| Lethargic | Affected by lethargy; sluggish and apathetic. |
| Fatigued | Extremely tired; exhausted. |
Words meaning ENERGETIC4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Vigorous | Strong, healthy, and full of energy. |
| Dynamic | Positive in attitude and full of energy and new ideas. |
| Spirited | Full of energy, enthusiasm, and determination. |
| Vivacious | Attractively lively and animated. |
Words meaning QUAKE4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Quake | To shake or tremble, especially from fear or cold. |
| Tremble | To shake involuntarily, typically as a result of anxiety, excitement, or weakness. |
| Quiver | To tremble or shake with a slight rapid motion. |
| Shudder | To shake or tremble suddenly, typically as a result of fear or disgust. |
Words meaning STRENUOUS4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Strenuous | Requiring or using great effort or exertion. |
| Arduous | Involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring. |
| Taxing | Physically or mentally demanding. |
| Gruelling | Extremely tiring and demanding. |
Words meaning PERILOUS4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Perilous | Full of danger or risk. |
| Treacherous | Dangerous because of concealed hazards; guilty of betrayal. |
| Hazardous | Risky; dangerous. |
| Precarious | Not securely held; dependent on chance; uncertain. |
Words meaning ENTICE4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Entice | Attract or tempt by offering pleasure or advantage. |
| Tempt | Attract; to make (someone) want to have or do something. |
| Lure | Tempt (a person or animal) to do something or to go somewhere, especially by offering some form of reward. |
| Coax | Persuade (someone) gradually or by flattery to do something. |
Words meaning SUSPICIOUS4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Suspicious | Having or showing a cautious distrust of someone or something. |
| Sceptical | Not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations. |
| Dubious | Hesitating or doubting; not to be relied upon. |
| Doubtful | Feeling uncertain or unlikely; not sure. |
Words meaning ANTIQUATED4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Antiquated | Old-fashioned or outdated; no longer in common use. |
| Archaic | Very old or old-fashioned; belonging to an earlier period. |
| Outmoded | Out of date; no longer fashionable or current. |
| Obsolete | No longer produced or used; out of date. |
Words meaning MODERN4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Novel | Interestingly new or unusual; not previously encountered. |
| Contemporary | Belonging to or occurring in the present; modern. |
| Innovative | Featuring new methods; advanced and original. |
| Fresh | New and different; not previously known or used. |
Words meaning MALICIOUS4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Malicious | Intending or intended to do harm; motivated by hatred or desire to hurt. |
| Cruel | Deliberately causing pain or suffering to others. |
| Spiteful | Deliberately wanting to hurt, upset, or annoy someone. |
| Vengeful | Wanting to harm someone because they have harmed you; seeking revenge. |
Words meaning NOISE4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Noise | A loud, unpleasant, or unwanted sound. |
| Disturbance | The interruption of a settled state; a noisy disruption. |
| Racket | A loud unpleasant noise; a din. |
| Commotion | A state of confused and noisy disturbance. |
Words meaning AROMA4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Aroma | A distinctive, typically pleasant smell. |
| Perfume | A pleasant scent; a sweet smell. |
| Scent | A distinctive smell, especially a pleasant one. |
| Fragrance | A pleasant, sweet smell. |
Words meaning CONTEMPLATE4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Contemplate | To think about something carefully and for a long time. |
| Dwell | To think, speak, or write at length about a subject; to linger on it in the mind. |
| Ponder | To think about something carefully, especially before making a decision. |
| Muse | To be absorbed in thought; to think reflectively about something. |
Words meaning SMOG4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Smog | A dense, dirty fog mixed with smoke and pollutants, especially over a city. |
| Haze | A slight obscuration of the atmosphere, typically caused by fine particles of dust, smoke, or moisture. |
| Fog | A thick cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere that reduces visibility. |
| Murk | Darkness and thick mist; gloom or fog making visibility very poor. |
Words meaning AMPLE4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Ample | Enough or more than enough; plentiful. |
| Plentiful | Available in large quantities; more than enough. |
| Copious | Abundant in supply or quantity; large in amount. |
| Profuse | Produced or occurring in large amounts; plentiful or overflowing. |
Words meaning OPULENT4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Opulent | Ostentatiously rich and luxurious; wealthy and magnificent. |
| Palatial | Resembling a palace; spacious and splendid. |
| Grand | Magnificent and imposing in appearance, size, or style. |
| Lavish | Sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious; given in generous amounts. |
Words meaning DERELICT4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Derelict | In a very poor condition as a result of disuse and neglect; abandoned. |
| Dilapidated | In a state of disrepair or ruin as a result of age or neglect. |
| Tumbledown | Falling or fallen into ruin; in a very bad state of repair. |
| Neglected | Not given proper care or attention; left to fall into a bad condition. |
Words meaning INSUFFICIENT4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Insufficient | Not enough; lacking the required amount. |
| Paltry | (Of an amount) small and meagre; ridiculously small. |
| Meagre | Lacking in quantity or quality; too small in amount. |
| Scant | Barely sufficient or adequate. |
Words meaning CUNNING4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Wily | Skilled at gaining an advantage, especially through clever or deceitful methods. |
| Crafty | Clever at achieving things, especially by indirect or deceitful means. |
| Devious | Showing a willingness to use underhand methods to get what one wants. |
| Scheming | Given to making plans to achieve things by underhand or secret means. |
Words meaning HUMBLE4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Modest | Unassuming in the estimation of one's abilities or achievements. |
| Meek | Quiet, gentle, and unwilling to argue or express one's opinions forcefully. |
| Unassuming | Not pretentious or arrogant; pleasantly modest. |
| Diffident | Modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence. |
Words meaning PECULIAR4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Bizarre | Very strange or unusual, especially in a striking way. |
| Eccentric | Unconventional and slightly strange in behaviour or appearance. |
| Outlandish | Looking or sounding bizarre or very unfamiliar. |
| Uncanny | Strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling or surprising way. |
Words meaning ABSURD4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Ridiculous | Deserving or inviting mockery; extremely silly or unreasonable. |
| Preposterous | Contrary to reason or common sense; utterly absurd. |
| Ludicrous | So foolish or unreasonable as to be amusing; laughable. |
| Farcical | Resembling a farce; absurd and laughably clumsy. |
Words meaning HEROIC4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Valiant | Possessing or showing courage and determination. |
| Courageous | Not deterred by danger or pain; brave. |
| Gallant | Brave and noble in action; heroic. |
| Intrepid | Fearless and adventurous; willing to face the unknown. |
Words meaning OBSTINATE4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Obstinate | Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action. |
| Headstrong | Determined to have one's own way; wilful and stubborn. |
| Tenacious | Holding firmly to something; persistent and determined. |
| Unyielding | Unlikely to be swayed; firm and resolute. |
Words meaning DECEITFUL4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Duplicitous | Deceitful; deliberately misleading, especially by pretending to be honest. |
| Treacherous | Guilty of or involving betrayal or deception. |
| Fraudulent | Obtained, done by, or involving dishonesty or cheating. |
| Insidious | Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way but with harmful effects. |
Words meaning PROSPEROUS4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Affluent | Having a great deal of money; wealthy. |
| Prosperous | Successful and thriving, especially in financial terms. |
| Thriving | Flourishing and developing well; growing strongly. |
| Flourishing | Growing or developing in a healthy and vigorous way. |
Words meaning DESTITUTE4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Destitute | Extremely poor and lacking the means to provide for oneself. |
| Impoverished | Made poor; reduced to poverty. |
| Indigent | Poor; needy; lacking sufficient money to live on. |
| Penniless | Having no money at all. |
Words meaning CONCEITED4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Conceited | Excessively proud of oneself; vain. |
| Pompous | Affectedly grand and self-important. |
| Haughty | Arrogantly superior and disdainful towards others. |
| Vain | Having an excessively high opinion of one's own appearance or abilities. |
Words meaning SLY4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Sly | Having or showing a cunning and deceitful nature. |
| Furtive | Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt. |
| Stealthy | Behaving or done in a cautious and secretive manner so as not to be seen or heard. |
| Clandestine | Kept secret or done secretly, especially because it would not be approved of. |
Words meaning SINCERE4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Sincere | Free from pretence or deceit; genuinely meaning what one says. |
| Earnest | Showing sincere and intense conviction; serious in intention. |
| Genuine | Truly what something is said to be; authentic and honest. |
| Wholehearted | Showing or characterised by complete sincerity and commitment. |
Words meaning TURBULENT4 words
| Word | Definition |
|---|
| Turbulent | Characterised by conflict, disorder, or confusion; not stable. |
| Volatile | Liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse. |
| Tempestuous | Characterised by strong and turbulent emotion or activity; stormy. |
| Tumultuous | Making an uproar or loud, confused noise; very loud and excited. |