What is the best thesaurus for student writers? You might expect me to recommend a traditional thesaurus or an online tool. But, the best one I have found is actually an app: IEW Writing Toolbox.
In January 2026, IEW released the IEW Writing Toolbox app for Apple and Android. If you teach writing or have students learning the IEW method, this little app may quickly become your favorite tool.
Recently my college freshman was home for spring break. While we were talking about word choice, he told me to look up the word use in my online thesaurus. That word in its present tense form did not exist. I could only find results in the past tense. The results for used were predictable: recycled, worn, hand-me-down, nearly new. These were not especially inspiring.
Then he told me to look up the word use in the IEW Writing Toolbox. The results were richer and more useful for writing. This makes writing more precise. “It really is the best,” he declared.
However, this app is not just another thesaurus. It’s a writer’s toolbox. Andrew Pudewa reminds us that we should surround students with words so they can write creatively and confidently. We should never withhold help. The IEW Writing Toolbox places helpful word lists and explanations right at students’ fingertips.
The app contains three sections.
Structure
This section contains the IEW structural model posters. If you have ever used IEW’s Portable Walls™ or Classroom Posters, you will recognize them immediately. Students can quickly review the models and remember how to organize their compositions.
Style
This section highlights the stylistic techniques: dress-ups, sentence openers, decorations, and triple extensions. Students can review definitions, examples, comma rules, and word lists so that they can include strong verbs, -ly adverbs, quality adjectives, prepositions, transitions, and more in their own compositions.
Search for a Word
This is my favorite feature. Writers of all ages and abilities can search for a word and instantly access a focused thesaurus designed specifically for writers. Instead of overwhelming students with endless synonyms, it provides targeted, high-quality options that strengthen sentences.
Years ago, IEW released a simple app during the early days of mobile technology. It was helpful but basic. The new IEW Writing Toolbox app is in a completely different league. It’s polished, intuitive, and genuinely useful.
My son was right, of course. IEW Writing Toolbox just might be my favorite thesaurus, and at $1.99, it’s one every student needs.
by Heidi Thomas
