We’ve made it easy for you to find more powerful verbs by putting all 400 dynamic verbs into categories. So, if you want to write more concise, direct, and dramatic sentences you need this list of action verbs.
We all know strong action verbs are the key to great writing. But If you’re like me, it’s hard to pluck the right word out of my brain as I write. I must go back and search for a more forceful verb during editing.
Sometimes, the first verb I think of isn’t meaningful enough. So, maybe I tack on an adverb to give it more oomph. However, a weak verb with an adverb adder will never be as strong as a dynamic action verb.
Action verbs are precise and concrete. In contrast, weak verbs are abstract and generic – they don’t help your reader visualize the scene. Strong verbs breathe life into abstract concepts.
Therefore, we created this list of common verbs and found more exciting synonyms. It makes it easy to find just the right verbs for our sentences.
Check out our Post: editing/how-to-edit-sentences-to-write-better-8-tips/
400 Action Verbs; All Categorized for You.
Agree
| Nod | Consent | Comply | Concur |
| Accept | Acknowledge | Approve | Harmonize |
Appear
| Show | Surface | Bloom | Flower |
| Flash | Materialize | Manifest | Emerge |
| Develop | Spohn | Arrive | Arise |
Ask
| Question | Plead | Solicit | Cross-examine |
| Demand | Request | Inquire | Proposition |
| Interrogate | Inquire | Quiz | Grill |
For a more complete list, see: lists/78-words-to-use-instead-of-ask/
Attack
| Bash | Clobber | Battle | Batter |
| Hammer | Assault | Strike | Ambush |
| Assail | Best set | Combat | Raid |
| Storm | Bombard | Barrage | Smite |
| The last | Waylay | Clobber | Charge |
Break
| Shatter | Crack | Rupture | Smash |
| Dismantle | Fracture | Splinter | Pulverize |
| Rend | Snap | Burst | Tear |
| Explode | Damage | Fragment | Split |
Bring
| Gather | Retrieve | Return | Deliver |
| Carry | Fetch | Pick up | Guide |
| Pack | Tote | Convey | Import |
Build
| Direct | Frame | Shape | Construct |
| Layer | Raise | Stack | Reinforce |
| Fortify | Create | Fashion | Form |
Change
| Shift | Transform | Modify | Vacillate |
| Twist | Mutate | Oscillate | Distort |
| Blur | Flux | Adjust | Switch |
| Fluctuate | Warp | Altar | Adapt |
| Evolve | Amend | Reform | Vary |
Chase
| Hunt | Haunt | Trail | Pursue |
| Track | Follow | Stalk | Shadow |
| Hound | Tail |
Choice
| Elect | Adopt | Pick | Draw |
| Select | Vote | Opt | Pluck |
| Prefer | Winnow | Determine | Commit to |
Close
| Seal | Slam | Shot | Shutter |
| Fasten | Sheath | Fold | Batten |
| Cage | the cure | Lockdown | Plug |
Come
| Approach | Arrive | Enter | Advance |
| Show up | Attend | Meet | Appear |
| Converge | Surface | Emerge | Arise |
Cover/ HideCover
| Hide | Shelter | Cloak | Shroud |
| Enclosed | Screen | Clothes | Conceal |
| Disguise | Mask | Bury | Smother |
| Cloud | Shield | Crust | Shade |
| Film | Seal | Envelop | Veil |
| Wrap | Blanket | Obscure | Curtain |
| Conceal | Protect | Camouflage | Stash |
Create
| Originate | Make | Fashion | Invent |
| Forge | Construct | Envision | Brew |
| Form | Sculpt | Assemble | Mold |
| Combine | Beget | Conceive | Design |
| Forge | Produce | Shape | Generate |
Cut
| Chip | Chop | Cleave | Part |
| Rupture | Hack | Sever | Split |
| Carve | Divide | Halve | Break |
| Separate | Splinter | Rend | Rip |
| Sever | Slice | Snap | Slash |
Cut continued
| Snip | Divide | Prune | Trim |
| Acts | Tear | Crop | Thin |
| Carve | Dissect | Hew | Nick |
| Pierce | Saw | Score | Shear |
Dig
| Mine | Delve | Excavate | Burrow |
| Drill | Dredge | Hollow | Rout |
| Unearth | Gouge | Tunnel | Exhume |
Enter
| Plunge | Penetrate | Invade | Engulf |
| Board | Access | Usher in | Barge in |
| Burst into | Trespass | Drop in | Wonder in |
| Infiltrate | Pierce | Encroach |
Fall
| Tumble | Collapse | Spill | Plunge |
| Crumple | Pitch | Crash | Drop |
| Buckle | Plummet | Slip | Dive |
| Stumble | Topple | Sink | Slant |
| Slump | Trip | Stagger |
Fight
| Battle | Tussle | Scuffle | Wrestle |
| Dual | Brawl | Joust | Spar |
| War | Clash | Grapple | Scrap |
| Struggle | Assault | Attack | Feud |
| Contest | Skirmish | Match | Competition |
Find
| Discover | Detect | Locate | Notice |
| Catch on | Obtain | Solve | Acquire |
| Uncover | Unearth | Reveal | Expose |
Flee
| Evade | Escape | Avoid | Bail |
| Run | Elude | Clear out | Dodge |
| Duck | Bolt | Sidestep | Scramble |
| Leave | Slip out | Sneak away | Fly away |
Fit
| Set | Rig | Cram | Nest |
| Mold blend | Wedge | Implant | Lock |
| Apply | Arrange | Stuff | Force |
| Jam | Pack | Press | Pound |
Fix
| Repair | Patch | Mend | Cure |
| Service | Darn | Cobble | Rebuild |
| Tinker | Refit | Maintain | Renovate |
| Improve | Correct | Doctor | Restore |
Flee
| Escape | Evade | Avoid | Bail |
| Ron | Elude | Clear out | Dodge |
| Sidestep | Scramble | Slip out | Sneak away |
| Duck | Bolt | Leave | Abscond |
Get
| Gather | Garner | Collect | Corral |
| Group | Horde | Stockpile | Extract |
| Reap | Harvest | Amass | Accrue |
| Assemble | Compile | Inherit | Cashed |
| Store | Seize | Cache | Grow |
| Take | Receive | Catch | Gain |
| Obtain | Acquire | Earn | Score |
| Win | Accomplish | Fetch | Secure |
Give
| Deliver | Distribute | Offer | Supply |
| Gift | Pass | Toss | Hand over |
| Donate | Bestow | Grant | Parcel out |
| Sacrifice | Award | Bequeath | Confer |
| Dispense | Present | Hand out |
Give up
| Relinquish | Surrender | Release | Yield |
| Cede | Spare | Drop | Resign |
| Dispose of | Forgo | Renounce | Dismiss |
| Eject | Divest | Jettison | Discard |
| Forsake | Desert | Renounce |
Help
| Aid | Support | Assist | Comfort |
| Encourage | Advocate | Save | Heal |
| Befriend | Intercede | Serve | Boost |
| Further | Relieve | Nurture | Advise |
| Guide | Benefit | Benevolent |
Hit
| Bash | Punch | Smack | Slap |
| Slam | Clap | Bump | Swing |
| Slug | Poke | Wallop | Deck |
| Ram | Strike | Knock down | Drill |
| Smoke | Beat | Clobber | Flog |
| Pound | Swat | Whack | Knockout |
Hold
| Grip | Clasp | Clinch | Clutch |
| Squeeze | Grasp | Port | Bolster |
| Prop | Shoulder | Shelter | Handle |
| Carry | Cradle | Embrace | Hug |
Hurry
| Scurry | Bolt | Bustle | Dash |
| Advance | Glide | Cruise | Sweep |
| Zip | Slide | Speed | Roche |
| Hustle | Scamper | Pelt | Scuttle |
| Expedite | Hasten | Quicken | Rush |
| Panic | Urgency | Imperative | Haste |
Join
| Stitch | Tether | Unite | Marry |
| Knit | Bridge | Add | Craft |
| Glue | Cement | Merge | Adhere |
| Affix | Attach | Combine | Fasten |
| Fuse | Link | Pair | Weave |
| Meld | Hinge | Staple | Pin |
| Splice | Couple | Seam | Connect |
Jump
| Hop | Hurdle | Pounce | Trounce |
| Skip | Lurch | Surge | Leapfrog |
| Leap | Bounce | Spring | Bound |
Know
| Perceive | Sense | Detect | into it |
| Feel | Realize | Understand | Identify |
| Discern | Recognize | Distinguish | Comprehend |
Lament
| Mourn | Grieve | Bewail | Deplore |
| Regret | Fret | Bawl | Sob |
| Blubber | Groan | Mother | Whine |
| Gripe | Grumble | Sulk | Mope |
| Bemoan | Complain | Ache | Hurt |
Leave
| Depart | Abandon | Vacate | Quit |
| Set forth | Maroon | Evacuate | Take off |
| Ditch | Forsake | Split | Scram |
| Skedaddle | Withdraw | Disappear | Defect |
| Exit | Retire | Escape | Flee |
| Bolt | Dodge | Sneak away | Bail |
Lessen
| Deplete | Lighten | Limit | Trim |
| Reduce | Curb | Cull | Dwindle |
| Blunt | Abate | Minimize | Diminish |
| Fade | Evaporate | Shrink | Slacken |
| Weaken | Taper off | Dampen | Curtail |
| Cut back | Decrease | Mitigate | Thin out |
| Belittle | Decrease | Decline | Lower |
Lift
| Raise | Hoist | Elevate | Winch |
| Boost | Jack up | Mount | Hike |
Listen
| Hear | Heed | Eavesdrop | Attend |
| Harkin | Overhear | Monitor | Tune in |
Look
| Gaze | Glare | Watch | Gawk |
| Peak | Ogle | Eye | Survey |
| Browse | Glimpse | Leer | Lance |
| Inspect | Gaze | Scan | Canvas |
| View | Observe | Spy | Notice |
| Stare | Peep | Squint | Focus |
| Witness | Detect | Spot | Regard |
| Scope out | Scrutinize | Notice | Contemplate |
| Glimpse | Gander | Gawk | Perceive |
Love
| Adore | Desire | Pine | Long for |
| Yearn | Like | Fancy | Care for |
| Favor | Enamored | Revere | Prize |
| Cling to | Cherish | Idolize | Fall for |
| Endear | Charm | seduce | Fascinate |
| Captivate | Bewitch | Enrapture | Attract |
Move
| Advance | Drag | Haul | Lug |
| Toe | Hall | Tote | Yank |
| Tug | Transport | Slide | Shift |
| Flow | Draft | Hover | Propel |
| Motivate | Mobilize | Maneuver | Reposition |
| Budge | Displace | Relocate | Surge |
Organize
| Arranged | Formatted | Allotted | Formalized |
| File | Accessed | Catalogued | Charted |
| Mapped | Monitor | Classified | Coded |
| Ordered | Scheduled | Standardized | Systemized |
Open
| Unfold | Unzip | Spread | Peel |
| Reveal | Widen | Expose | Gape |
| Expand | Unbolt | Unlock | Unhinge |
| Uncover | Unfurl | Unfasten | Unroll |
| Undo | Free | Release | Uncork |
Play
| Entertain | Cavort | Clown | Act |
| Rejoice | Romp | Dally | Frisk |
| Joke | Kid | Tease | Dabble |
| Flirt | Caper | Toy | frolic |
Push
| Shove | Press | Nudge | Prod |
| Drive | Polk | Elbow | Jostle |
| Impel | Muscle | Propel | Knock |
| Strain | Thrust | Crowd | Jam |
| Bulldoze | Force | Crush | Compel |
Put
| Deposit | Set | Place | Position |
| Lay down | Plant | Settle | Nest |
| Lodge | Spread | Drop |
Rejoice
| Exalt | Glory in | Triumph | Celebrate |
| Cheer | Revel | Praise | Leap for joy |
| Laugh | Delight | Giggle | Glee |
| Make Merry | Congratulate | Toast | Applaud |
Remember
| Acknowledge | Recall | Retain | Memorialize |
| Recognize | Identify | Reminisce | Realize |
| Recollect | Call to mind | Revive | Flashback |
Rest
| Recline | Roost | Sit | Sprawl |
| Crouch | Huddle | Slouch | Lounge |
| Flop | Laze | Relax | Settle |
| Park | Perch | Plop | Hunker down |
Ride
| Tour | Drive | Gallup | Jockey |
| Mount | Travel | Journey | Cruise |
| Surf | Glide | Speed | Coast |
Run
| Hurry | Hasten | Gallup | Trot |
| Race | Streak | Lope | Scurry |
| Scamper | Jog | Dash | Rush |
| Stampede | Jet | Dart | Scoot |
| Speed | Sprint | Cantor | Barrel |
| Flee | Fly | Hustle | Pelt |
Said
| Address | Articulate | Blab | Utter |
| Murmur | Mutter | Stammer | Rant |
| Rave | Jabber | Converse | Discuss |
| Whisper | Stutter | Banter | Chant |
| Chat | Dictate | Drawl | Spout |
| Yell | Shout | Spotter | Jibber |
| Mutter | Mumble | Confide | Gossip |
| Divulge | Disclose | Whisper | Reveal |
For 50 words to never use to replace said and 240 words to use to replace said See: Said Replacements
Search
| Quest | Forage | Hunt | Rummage |
| Seek | Probe | Delve | Scout |
| Investigate | Scour | Ferret | Ransack |
| Sift | Dig | Examine | Wire |
| Browse | Pursue | Explore | Surf |
Send
| Transport | Ship | Broadcast | Transfer |
| Radiate | Message | Channel | Route |
| Transmit | Relay | Wire | Publish |
Summon
| Call | Request | Cry | Scream |
| Holler | Hail | Signal | Bellow |
| Roar | Yell | Proclaim | Exclaim |
Shake
| Convulse | Quiver | Quake | Shiver |
| Trimble | Totter | Vibrate | Rattle |
| Jolt | Churn | Shudder | Tremor |
| Twitch | Spasm | Lurch | Squirm |
| Slosh | Agitate | Twinge | Palpitate |
| Throb | Ripple | Flutter | Jerk |
Start
| Begin | Launch | Jump | Embark |
| Enter | Dawn | Plunge | Introduce |
| Usher in | Erupt | Birth | Spring |
| Sally forth | Activate | Initiate | Commence |
| Set out | Pioneer | Innovate | Inaugurate |
Hidden Content
Stop
| Holt | Cease | Quit | Stall |
| Retire | Pause | End | Finish |
| Rein | Freeze | Suspend | Hold |
| Belay | Terminate | Desist | Conclude |
Take
| Grab | Steal | Snatch | Seize |
| Clutch | Hook | Grip | Net |
| Snag | Arrest | Claim | Grapple |
| Trap | Catch | Snap up | Nick |
| Wrench | Pluck | Apprehend | Appropriate |
Tap
| Bump | Nudge | Jostle | Jar |
| Knock | Jolt | Thump | Butt |
| Strike | Whack | Slam | Slap |
Throw
| Flip | Toss | Fling | Hurl |
| Propel | Heave | Chuck | Catapult |
| Pitch | Lob | Fire | Pelt |
Touch
| Nuzzle | Caress | Chafe | Grind |
| Smear | Scrub | Polish | Knead |
| Scour | Stroke | Massage | Smooth |
| Buff | Brush | Wipe | Feel |
| Fondle | Glove | Palm | Stroke |
| Tickle | Pat | Dab | Pat |
Trap
| Snare | Corner | Entangle | Imprison |
| Pin | Catch | Restrain | Hook |
| Snatch | Clutch | Bind | Pinch |
| Chain | Cage | Surround | Capture |
| Handcuff | Shackle | Confined | Clasp |
Try
| Attempt | Strive | Tackle | Embark |
| Endeavor | Undertake | Gamble | Venture |
| Take a chance | Take a shot | Go for it | Struggle |
Turn
| Swerve | Switch | Swing | Swirl |
| Swivel | Sway | Spin | Twist |
| Tilt | Round | Reel | Lean |
| Twirl | Pivot | Curl | Whirl |
| Circle | Fork | Loop | Rotate |
| Revolve | Bend | Spiral | Swivel |
Use
| Handle | Wield | Work | Exercise |
| Avail | Harness | Apply | Maneuver |
| Utilize | Employ | Adopt | Practice |
| Manipulate | Operate | Deploy | Operate |
Wait
| Pause | Delay | Linger | Remain |
| Stay | Hold | Stand fast | Adhere |
| Abide | Loiter | Hover | Roost |
| Settle | Lag | Tarry | Perch |
| Dwell | Dally | Hesitate | Procrastinate |
Walk
| Sneak | Stamp | Clump | Tramp |
| Parade | Plod | Prance | Limp |
| Glide | Pace | March | Shuffle |
| Lurch | Trample | Prowl | Mosey |
| Toddle | Slink | Scamper | Clump |
| Lumber | Coast | Scoot | Creep |
| Tiptoe | Stride | Trudge | Swagger |
| Strut | Stroll | Saunter | Amble |
| Pad | Coast | Roam | Waddle |
Want
| Require | Demand | Claim | Exact |
| Desire | Thirst | Hunger | Crave |
| Long for | Covet | Pine | Yearn |
| Wish | Dream | Need | Hanker |
Wash
| Clean | Bathe | Launder | Rinse |
| Sluice | Scrub | Lather | Shower |
| Cleanse | Buff | Freshen up | Scour |
| Shampoo | Soak | Soap | Swab |
Went
| Gone | Jetted | Scurried | Shove off |
| Charged | Dart | Dash | Defected |
| Leaked | Lounged | Moseyed | Traverse |
| Scampered | Zigzagged | Skedaddled | Skyrocketed |
| Slithered | Snaked | Soared | Sprang |
| Stole away | Sashayed | Plummeted | sled |
Whisper
| Garble | Sigh | Mutter | Mouth |
| Murmur | Rumor | Gossip | Mumble |
| Wheeze | Confide | Divulge | Disclose |
Wonder
| Ponder | Consider | Dwell | Debate |
| Mull | Study | Ruminate | Weigh |
| Question | Doubt | Meditate | Speculate |
| Puzzle | Think | Contemplate | Deliberate |
We believe you’ll find this list incredibly valuable. It’s truly transformed the way we write.
Happy Writing
John & Patty