List of descriptive verbs: 30 words to replace boring actions - Now novel (2023)

Sayings like "The road to hell is paved with adverbs" deters many aspiring writers who use adverbs to describe characters' actions. However, writers say this because there are usually more meaningful verbs that you can use in place of a more boring adverb plus verb. Use this list of descriptive verbs tocreate a stronger mood, atmosphereand characterization:

1. Verbs that describe movement

common words thatDescribe how your characters move(like "run", "sit" and "walk") have many vivid alternatives. Discover these alternatives:

Stronger verbs to go

"She approached" is perfect for describing an approaching character. However, here are some alternatives:

1. For Sights:To describe a carefree or relaxed character. It means “walk slowly or at ease”. Example:She walked over to our cafeteria table and casually tossed her books onto one of the dirty seats.
2. Stumble:A great alternative to walking, uneven terrain, injuries or a clumsy personality. Example:I stumbled through the dark undergrowth, hoping to see the city lights flash ahead of me soon.
3. Go:Wear it for a purposeful or confident walk. For example:She walked across the plains with raised sword, repelling arrows that came as easily as gnats in summer.
4. Scare:Use for fear or caution moves. For example:He crept to the case, his eyes widening at the iridescent gold and rubies that glittered and dazzled.
5. Yesterday:You can also use words that describemotion mode,like this. For example:Late for class, she hurries and forgets about the work she has to turn in today.

Descriptive verbs for running

"He ran to the departing train" is another use of an apt but not particularly descriptive verb. Here are alternatives for the verb 'to run':

1. Screws:This synonym for "run" has fear connotations (we usually speak of a startled horse or other animal as "run away"). For example:At the roar of the first fireworks, the dogs fled and Tess stumbled toward the sliding door with a loud squeak.
2. bring together/bring together:It conveys a sense of violence or destructive movements (because we also use it to mean "to destroy"). For example:The thief stormed down the side street, knocking a crate of fresh fruit from the arms of a startled vendor as he passed.
3. Run:This alternative word for running indicates an agile, smooth and precise movement. For example:When she realized she forgot her purse, she ran back to the checkout.
4. Throw:A great synonym, foreshadowing an impending impact (often "hurled toward"). For example:The athletes raced toward the ribbon at the finish line, each doing their best to break it first.
5. Fly:Metaphorical uses of synonyms (a character may not literally be in the air) are also useful synonyms. For example:She flew across the runway confident that she would beat her record by full seconds.

2. Verbs that describe silence

Even if a character doesn't move, a lot can happen. Instead of "they sat down," you can use a verb thatdescribes the mental or emotional states of charactersand other qualities.

Read these livelier words for still states:

Descriptive verbs for sitting

1. Transact:A useful word for expressing a character's laziness, bad posture, or a defeated, "heavy" trait. For example:She sat in the back row and looked out the window, not giving a damn what the professor said.
2. Drop:A great expression to suggest an awkward resting pose over which the character has no control (e.g. asleep or even dead). For example:In the middle of the meeting, she collapsed without warning as a loud, awkward snort echoed through the shocked conference room.
3. Plop [down]:Words that sound like the actions they describe (called "onomatopoeia") are also useful for adding variety and liveliness to your writing. For example:He flopped onto the couch and sipped his beer with his eyes closed, like he wished the world would go away.
4. Occupy:This is another great word to use for humorous effect. Suggests a bird on a branch - you feel like you're ready to pounce again at any moment. For example: "I have to go to bed,” she said, and Emma groaned, wishing her mother hadn't described going to the bathroom so lively and dirty in front of her friends.
5. Solve:This is a good word to show that a character intends to stay put. For example:He sat down in the most comfortable chair in the room, even though she reserved it with a handkerchief. Seeing her annoyed expression, he gave her a teasing wink.

Describing verbs for standing

Even if a person (or object) stands up, you can add tone and humor to this not-too-active action.

1. For tower:A grand word for imposing, awe-inspiring, or terrifying height. For example:The palace towered over peasant huts. They murmured among themselves about cakes and gold brocade cloaks and other luxuries they imagined gliding down golden corridors.
2. Place:A good substitute for "stand up" when you want to suggest self-awareness or achievement. For example:The actress posed at the meetup and greeted each time lightning went off, the same practiced smile on her face.
3. Upload:You can invest in large, immobile objects with a sense of movement—the movement a character's eyes would make if they were seeing everything. For example:The great mountain loomed over the plains, casting deep shadows across the travellers' long, dusty path.
4. Stand out:A good synonym for "stand on your feet", suggesting "stick out". For example:Her head was towering over all the other guests and she felt like an ostrich bemoaning her 6 inch heels.
5. Stand out:A word to suggest something that stands out in a way that breaks through an even surface. For example:His hand was projected over the heads of the audience. He was eager to ask the speaker a clever question - some would say trolling.

3. Livelier verbs for the voice

Actionsinclude the voice– speaking and laughing – also have many descriptive alternatives (e.gDialog-Tagsspecial,see this blog post).

Synonyms of 'speak'

1. To rattle:A great word when you want to convey that a character talks a lot but expresses very little value or interest. For example:She chatted away, not even noticing when the other guests approached the fireplace or headed in both directions through the door in search of conversation.
2. To preach:Metaphorically used professional words (like priesthood) are also great alternatives. For example, when a character in the dialogue is holier than you. For example:The more she preached, the heavier Emma's eyelids became. In the middle of a lecture on the dangers of boys driving red convertibles, she woke with a start when her mother, still talking, shook her shoulders violently.[As you can see here, the occasional adverb '-ly' is not the end of the world.]
3. To whisper:Synonyms for "talk" like these are great for building volume and humor. For example:The closer they got to the abandoned house, the softer her brother whispered his protests until she turned away, eyes shining. "Either shut up or talk."
4. Speak slowly:Words like "carried treatment" are great for characterization. It means "to speak slowly and lazily with lengthened vowels". For example:The bastard looked her up and down as he spoke slowly. "A thing as beautiful as you should never collapse on such a quiet street."
5. stutter/stutter:Although their causes aren't necessarily nervous, speech disorders are useful for conveying shaky speech in a tense or anxious situation. For example:"I d-never t-touched-:" (he swallowed) "something here." The clerk eyed the broken glass.

(Video) The 50 Most Common Irregular Verbs in English | Grammar & Pronunciation Lesson

Verbs for laughing and joking

Here are some words you can use in place of "laugh":

1. Laugh:This synonym for "laugh" conveys a feeling of high-pitched, uninhibited laughter. For example:He slapped his knee and burst out laughing as the groom stumbled down the steps to the altar, but quickly disguised his outburst as a cough when he caught his wife's warning look.
2. Laugh:A great word for suppressed or youthful laughter. For example:Her friends were camped six feet away, so she laughed and cupped his face with her hand as he started unbuckling it, saying racy things in that stupid pirate voice he loved so much.
3. Rir:This synonym for "laugh" conveys affection or serenity and is also good for characterization. For example:He didn't find the joke funny, but he laughed as naturally as he could, hoping she wouldn't notice.
4. to be hysterical:This synonym is excellent for conveying intense joy. For exampleThe more they tried to control themselves, the more hysterical they became until their faces turned red and they started screaming, which Mr.
5. Laugh:Another useful laugh substitute, this time with a mock undertone. For example:"Oh, Mr. 'I don't care if I get a D in carpentry' is building a treehouse this summer? Good luck!" She laughed as she got off the school bus.

What are some of your favorite descriptive verbs? Feel free to share them in the comments section. And when you start out as a writer, invest in a good thesaurus that will help youFind the best verbs for each context.

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