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

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

For more information about how to use verbs, see:

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