IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary
recession
noun/rɪˈseʃn/Band 7
Last updated 21 July 2026
In short
“recession” is a Band 7 noun that means a period of temporary economic decline with reduced trade and activity. 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
A period of temporary economic decline with reduced trade and activity.
Example sentences
Natural, spoken examples at the level an examiner rewards.
- “The economy slipped into recession.”
- “Many small firms closed during the recession.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
downturnslumpdepression
Antonyms
boomrecoveryupturn
Collocations & common phrases
Word partners that make your usage sound natural — the difference between knowing a word and using it well.
Collocations
economic recessionslide into recessionglobal recession
Common phrases
in the grip of a recession
Related words
Explore more vocabulary
Frequently asked questions
What does “recession” mean?
A period of temporary economic decline with reduced trade and activity.
How do you use “recession” in a sentence?
For example: “The economy slipped into recession.”
What are some synonyms for “recession”?
Synonyms include downturn, slump, depression.
Is “recession” good vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
Yes. It is Band 7 vocabulary, and collocations such as economic recession, slide into recession, global recession 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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