Synonyms for Common Words Every 11+ Student Should Know

Why Synonyms Matter in the 11+

Examiners reading your 11+ creative writing are looking for vocabulary range — your ability to choose precise, varied words rather than repeating the same ones. If your character is "happy" in paragraph one, "happy" in paragraph two, and "happy" again in paragraph three, you are signalling a limited vocabulary, even if your ideas are strong.

By building a bank of synonyms for the most commonly overused words, you give yourself options. Instead of reaching for "happy" every time, you can select "elated," "content," or "overjoyed" — whichever fits the exact shade of meaning you need.

Below, you will find eight overused words with eight alternatives each, every one accompanied by an example sentence. For alternatives to "said," see our dedicated guide: Powerful Verbs to Replace 'Said' and 'Went'.

Synonyms for 'Happy'

• delighted — She was delighted to find her name on the team sheet.
• elated — He felt elated after receiving his exam results.
• overjoyed — Grandma was overjoyed when we arrived for the holidays.
• thrilled — The children were thrilled to see snow falling outside the window.
• content — She sat by the fire, perfectly content with her book and a cup of cocoa.
• cheerful — Despite the grey sky, Mr Abbot remained remarkably cheerful.
• jubilant — The jubilant crowd spilled onto the pitch after the final whistle.
• ecstatic — When her poem won first prize, she was absolutely ecstatic.

Synonyms for 'Sad'

• miserable — The rain made the long walk home feel utterly miserable.
• sorrowful — A sorrowful silence filled the room after the announcement.
• dejected — He trudged off the field, dejected after missing the penalty.
• heartbroken — She was heartbroken to learn the old bookshop had closed.
• forlorn — The forlorn kitten sat on the doorstep, mewing softly in the rain.
• gloomy — A gloomy mood hung over the class after the test.
• melancholy — There was a melancholy beauty to the abandoned garden.
• despondent — After weeks of searching, he grew despondent and almost gave up.

Synonyms for 'Big'

• enormous — An enormous oak tree stood in the centre of the village green.
• vast — The vast moorland stretched endlessly under a pale sky.
• immense — She felt an immense wave of relief when the ordeal was over.
• colossal — A colossal statue towered above the harbour entrance.
• towering — Towering cliffs rose on either side of the narrow bay.
• massive — A massive iron gate blocked the only way in.
• substantial — They found a substantial amount of treasure hidden beneath the floorboards.
• gigantic — A gigantic wave crashed over the sea wall and flooded the promenade.

Synonyms for 'Small'

• tiny — A tiny spider dangled from the lampshade on a single thread.
• minute — The map was covered in minute handwriting that was almost impossible to read.
• miniature — On the shelf sat a miniature replica of the Eiffel Tower.
• compact — The compact kitchen had everything they needed, neatly arranged.
• petite — The petite woman had a surprisingly commanding voice.
• slight — There was a slight tremor in his hand as he opened the envelope.
• minuscule — The difference between the two scores was minuscule.
• diminutive — The diminutive cottage was almost hidden among the hedgerows.

Synonyms for 'Nice'

• pleasant — It was a pleasant afternoon, warm with a gentle breeze.
• delightful — The garden party was a delightful occasion.
• lovely — What a lovely surprise to find fresh flowers on the table.
• agreeable — The headmaster was an agreeable man, always ready with a kind word.
• charming — The village was charming, with its cobbled streets and thatched roofs.
• splendid — "What a splendid idea," said Mrs Barker, clapping her hands.
• wonderful — It was wonderful to see everyone together again after so long.
• gracious — She gave a gracious smile and welcomed us inside.

Synonyms for 'Good'

• excellent — Her handwriting was excellent — every letter neat and consistent.
• outstanding — The school received an outstanding report from the inspectors.
• superb — The view from the hilltop was absolutely superb.
• remarkable — He made remarkable progress in just one term.
• exceptional — The choir gave an exceptional performance at the cathedral.
• impressive — Her knowledge of local history was truly impressive.
• admirable — It was an admirable effort, especially under such pressure.
• first-rate — The museum's collection of Roman artefacts was first-rate.

Synonyms for 'Bad'

• dreadful — The weather that weekend was absolutely dreadful.
• terrible — A terrible crash echoed through the empty warehouse.
• appalling — The conditions in the old factory were appalling.
• awful — An awful smell drifted up from the cellar.
• disastrous — The science experiment had disastrous results.
• atrocious — The traffic on the motorway was atrocious that morning.
• wretched — She spent a wretched night, unable to sleep for worry.
• ghastly — A ghastly sight awaited them at the bottom of the staircase.

Synonyms for 'Walked'

• strolled — They strolled along the riverbank, enjoying the autumn colours.
• trudged — She trudged home through the mud after football practice.
• strode — The detective strode into the room with quiet confidence.
• ambled — He ambled through the market, stopping at every other stall.
• marched — The soldiers marched in perfect formation across the parade ground.
• tiptoed — She tiptoed across the landing so as not to wake anyone.
• sauntered — He sauntered into class five minutes late, without a care in the world.
• hobbled — The injured footballer hobbled to the sideline, clutching his knee.

Tips for Using Synonyms Well

• Match the word to the mood. "Elated" and "content" are both synonyms for "happy," but they describe very different feelings. Choose the one that fits your scene.
• Do not overdo it. Using three or four impressive synonyms per paragraph is enough. If every single word is unusual, the writing becomes exhausting to read.
• Check you understand the word fully. Using a synonym incorrectly ("the diminutive mountain") is worse than using a simple word correctly. Only use words you are confident about.

• Practise in context. For each synonym, write your own example sentence. This helps the word stick in your memory far better than simply reading a list.