IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary
recuperate
verb/rɪˈkuːpəreɪt/Band 9
Last updated 21 July 2026
In short
“recuperate” is a Band 9 verb that means to recover from illness, exhaustion, or a setback. 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
To recover from illness, exhaustion, or a setback.
Example sentences
Natural, spoken examples at the level an examiner rewards.
- “She went to the coast to recuperate after surgery.”
- “The body needs rest to recuperate fully.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
recoverconvalesceget better
Antonyms
deteriorateworsen
Collocations & common phrases
Word partners that make your usage sound natural — the difference between knowing a word and using it well.
Collocations
recuperate from illnesstime to recuperate
Common phrases
recuperate from
Related words
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Frequently asked questions
What does “recuperate” mean?
To recover from illness, exhaustion, or a setback.
How do you use “recuperate” in a sentence?
For example: “She went to the coast to recuperate after surgery.”
What are some synonyms for “recuperate”?
Synonyms include recover, convalesce, get better.
Is “recuperate” good vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
Yes. It is Band 9 vocabulary, and collocations such as recuperate from illness, time to recuperate 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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