IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary
cohesion
noun/kəʊˈhiːʒn/Band 9
Last updated 21 July 2026
In short
“cohesion” is a Band 9 noun that means the state of forming a united whole; unity within a group. Below you'll find its pronunciation, natural example sentences, synonyms and antonyms, and the collocations that help you use it accurately in the IELTS Speaking test.
Meaning
The state of forming a united whole; unity within a group.
Example sentences
Natural, spoken examples at the level an examiner rewards.
- “Community events strengthen social cohesion.”
- “The team lacked cohesion.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
unitysolidaritytogetherness
Antonyms
divisionfragmentation
Collocations & common phrases
Word partners that make your usage sound natural — the difference between knowing a word and using it well.
Collocations
social cohesioncommunity cohesionlack of cohesion
Common phrases
a sense of cohesion
Related words
Explore more vocabulary
Frequently asked questions
What does “cohesion” mean?
The state of forming a united whole; unity within a group.
How do you use “cohesion” in a sentence?
For example: “Community events strengthen social cohesion.”
What are some synonyms for “cohesion”?
Synonyms include unity, solidarity, togetherness.
Is “cohesion” good vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
Yes. It is Band 9 vocabulary, and collocations such as social cohesion, community cohesion, lack of cohesion help you use it naturally. Reaching for precise, less common words like this is exactly what lifts your Lexical Resource score.
Next step
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