Two weeks ago, I talked about the Top Edits for Writers. Item number 6 was weasel words, or words that are overused or weak in writing. There are weasel words in all categories but the most dangerous are the verbs. A non-descriptive or overused verb can become wasted space in writing. But how do you find a good verb?
That’s why Jerry Jenkins made a list of 249 strong verbs. And that’s why I’m sharing them with you guys. Most of these are descriptive, so make sure what it describes fits with your sentence (nibble versus devour).
A Verbs
- Absorb
- Advance
- Advise
- Alter
- Amend
- Amplify
- Attack
B Verbs
- Balloon
- Bash
- Batter
- Beam
- Beef
- Blab
- Blast
- Bolt
- Boost
- Brief
- Broadcast
- Brood
- Burst
- Bus
- Bust
C Verbs
- Capture
- Catch
- Charge
- Chap
- Chip
- Clasp
- Climb
- Clutch
- Collide
- Command
- Commune
- Cower
- Crackle
- Crash
- Crave
- Crush
D Verbs
- Dangle
- Dash
- Demolish
- Depart
- Deposit
- Detect
- Deviate
- Devour
- Direct
- Discern
- Discover
- Dismantle
- Download
- Drag
- Drain
- Drip
- Drop
E Verbs
- Eavesdrop
- Engage
- Engulf
- Enlarge
- Ensnare
- Envelop
- Erase
- Escort
- Expand
- Explode
- Explore
- Expose
- Extend
- Extract
- Eyeball
F Verbs
- Fight
- Fish
- Fling
- Fly
- Frown
- Fuse
G Verbs
- Garble
- Gaze
- Glare
- Gleam
- Glisten
- Glitter
- Gobble
- Govern
- Grasp
- Gravitate
- Grip
- Groan
- Grope
- Growl
- Guide
- Gush
H Verbs
- Hack
- Hail
- Heighten
- Hobble
- Hover
- Hurry
I Verbs
- Ignite
- Illuminate
- Inspect
- Instruct
- Intensify
- Intertwine
- Impart
J Verbs
- Jostle
- Journey
L Verbs
- Lash
- Launch
- Lead
- Leap
- Locate
- Lurch
- Lurk
M Verbs
- Magnify
- Mimic
- Mint
- Moan
- Modify
- Multiply
- Muse
- Mushroom
- Mystify
N Verbs
- Notice
- Notify
O Verbs
- Obtain
- Oppress
- Order
P Verbs
- Paint
- Park
- Peck
- Peek
- Peer
- Perceive
- Picture
- Pilot
- Pinpoint
- Place
- Plant
- Plop
- Pluck
- Plunge
- Poison
- Pop
- Position
- Power
- Prickle
- Probe
- Prune
R Verbs
- Realize
- Recite
- Recoil
- Refashion
- Refine
- Remove
- Report
- Retreat
- Reveal
- Reverberate
- Revitalize
- Revolutionize
- Revolve
- Rip
- Rise
- Ruin
- Rush
- Rust
S Verbs
- Saunter
- Scamper
- Scan
- Scorch
- Scrape
- Scratch
- Scrawl
- Seize
- Serve
- Shatter
- Shepherd
- Shimmer
- Shine
- Shock
- Shrivel
- Sizzle
- Skip
- Skulk
- Slash
- Slide
- Slink
- Slip
- Slump
- Slurp
- Smash
- Smite
- Snag
- Snarl
- Sneak
- Snowball
- Soar
- Spam
- Sparkle
- Sport
- Sprinkle
- Stare
- Starve
- Steal
- Steer
- Storm
- Strain
- Stretch
- Strip
- Stroll
- Struggle
- Stumble
- Supercharge
- Supersize
- Surge
- Survey
- Swell
- Swipe
- Swoon
T Verbs
- Tail
- Tattle
- Toddle
- Transfigure
- Transform
- Travel
- Treat
- Trim
- Trip
- Trudge
- Tussle
U/V Verbs
- Uncover
- Unearth
- Untangle
- Unveil
- Usher
- Veil
W Verbs
- Wail
- Weave
- Wind
- Withdraw
- Wreck
- Wrench
- Wrest
- Wrestle
- Wring
Y/Z Verbs
- Yank
- Zing
- Zap