verbs-that-start-with-h

200+ Verbs That Start with H | Huge List with Definitions and Examples

In this article we are going to discuss verbs that start with H. Why should one have a list of verbs at one’s disposal? This is a question we often ask of ourselves. Let’s find a suitable answer to this query.

Our lives are full of action and to carry out those actions we need to utter certain words. Such words are known as verbs and they are an obligatory part of our everyday lives. In this article a list of verbs that start with H will be put before you so that you may know how verbs are used to carry out actions.

For example, if you want your son to have his meal, you need to utter specific words to convey your message. Most of the times you will say the words “Eat your meal”. In this sentence, without the word ‘eat’ you wouldn’t have gotten your message across. You will get familiarized with a number of such action words starting with H in this article.

Now that you have got a fair bit of an idea about verbs, let us go through a list of verbs that begin with H that we have designed for you. This list contains some interesting verbs that start with H that you should have up your sleeve.

Verbs That Start with H You Always Use

There are innumerable verbs that we use in our day-to-day life, in both writings and speech. These are some of those verbs that start with H that we use regularly.

1. Have

  • Definition: to contain, hold, or own something
  • Synonyms: keep, possess, own
  • Example: They have two million dollars in their account.

2. Hear

  • Definition: to perceive a sound with your ears
  • Synonyms: discover, perceive
  • Example: Didn’t you hear the doorbell?

3. Hold

  • Definition: to have or keep in the hand
  • Synonyms: keep, take, grip
  • Example: She held the purse in her right hand.

4. Hit

  • Definition: to strike or collide with
  • Synonyms: bat, punch, bang
  • Example: She hit him with a bat.

5. Happen

  • Definition: to take place or occur
  • Synonyms: appear, transpire
  • Example: No one knows exactly what happened but several people have been hurt.

6. Handle        

  • Definition: to hold; to deal with something
  • Synonyms: control, supervise
  • Example: He handled the situation all by himself.

7. Harm

  • Definition: to hurt someone or damage something
  • Synonyms: damage, tarnish
  • Example: Thankfully, no one was harmed in the accident.

8. Hand

  • Definition: to put something into someone’s hand from your own hand
  • Synonyms: pass, give, provide
  • Example: Please read this memo carefully and hand it on to your colleagues.

9. Hide

  • Definition: to conceal something
  • Synonyms: camouflage, conceal
  • Example: She hides her diary under her pillow.

10. Heat

  • Definition: to add warmth to something
  • Synonyms: warm, ignite
  • Example: Shall I heat up some soup for lunch?

Verbs That Start with H You Usually Use

Verb is the action word in a sentence; it literally drives the sentence and indicates much about what is going on. Following is a list of verbs starting with H that we usually use in our daily life routine.

1. Hop 

  • Definition: to jump on one foot or to move about in this way
  • Synonyms: jump, bounce, leap
  • Example: The children were hopping around on one foot.

2. Highlight

  • Definition: to emphasize something
  • Synonyms: foreground, underline
  • Example: The report highlights the need for improved safety.

3. Hospitalize        

  • Definition: to take someone to hospital and keep them there for treatment
  • Synonyms: admit, confine
  • Example: She was hospitalized after the accident.

4. Headline

  • Definition: to publicize highly
  • Synonyms: prioritize, foreground, emphasize
  • Example: The story was headlined “Killer dogs on the loose”.

5. Head

  • Definition: to be in charge of a group or organization
  • Synonyms: control, lead, supervise
  • Example: She heads one of Britain’s leading travel firms.

6. Hunt

  • Definition: to chase and try and kill an animal or bird for food
  • Synonyms: chase, pursue, stalk
  • Example: Some animals hunt at night.

7. Hang

  • Definition: to attach or suspend so as to allow free movement
  • Synonyms: suspend, swing, dangle
  • Example: A heavy gold necklace hung around her neck.

8. Hurry

  • Definition: to move or do things more quickly than normal
  • Synonyms: hasten, hustle, rush
  • Example: Hurry or you’ll be late.

9. Humble

  • Definition: cause someone to feel less important or proud
  • Synonyms: belittle, demean, debase
  • Example: He was humbled by his many ordeals.

10. Haunt

  • Definition: to cause repeated suffering or anxiety
  • Synonyms: torment, disturb
  • Example: Fighting in Vietnam was an experience that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

Verbs That Start with H You Often Use

Verbs are a very important part of speech because without them a sentence cannot exist. They serve several purposes within a sentence. If you want to memorize some new and fascinating verbs, you can start by learning a list of verbs beginning with H given below.

1. Heave         

  • Definition: lift or haul (something heavy) with great effort
  • Synonyms: fling, haul, hoist
  • Example: She heaved the sofa back into place.

2. Hook

  • Definition: to fasten something with a hook
  • Synonyms: fasten, pin, clasp
  • Example: He hooked the trailer to his car.

3. Hurtle

  • Definition: to move very quickly
  • Synonyms: charge, dash, lunge
  • Example: The truck hurtled along at breakneck speed.

4. Hoard    

  • Definition: to collect large amounts of something and keep it for yourself
  • Synonyms: amass, stash, accumulate
  • Example: During the siege people began hoarding food supplies.

5. Harbor

  • Definition: to give shelter to
  • Synonyms: hide, protect, defend
  • Example: They harbored the refugees who streamed across the borders.

6. Hoist

  • Definition: to raise or lift
  • Synonyms: boost, crane, uplift
  • Example: A helicopter hoisted the final section of the bridge into place.

7. Hinder

  • Definition: to restrain or hold something back
  • Synonyms: impede, obstruct, fetter
  • Example: He will not hinder anything useful nor allow anything harmful.

8. Huddle  

  • Definition: to crowd together
  • Synonyms: assemble, consult, group
  • Example: It was so cold that we huddled together for warmth.

9. Hamper

  • Definition: hinder or impede the movement or progress of
  • Synonyms: hinder, obstruct, impede
  • Example: Fierce storms have hampered rescue efforts.

10. Hobble

  • Definition: to walk in an awkward way
  • Synonyms: limp, falter, totter
  • Example: He was hobbling around on crutches.

Verbs That Start with H You Sometimes Use

There are some verbs that are either complicated or just less common than the rest. Following are some of those action verbs starting with letter H that are used sometimes in our daily lives.

1. Hijack         

  • Definition: to take over something that doesn’t belong to you
  • Synonyms: commandeer, capture, seize
  • Example: Two men tried to hijack a plane on a flight from Riga to Murmansk.

2. Hiss

  • Definition: to make the sound of a snake
  • Synonyms: seethe, buzz, sound
  • Example: People in the audience were hissing their disapproval.

3. Harness

  • Definition: to control something, usually in order to use its power
  • Synonyms: control, mobilize, exploit
  • Example: Organizations need to harness the skills and knowledge of people who are retired.

4. Hybridize

  • Definition: to cause the production of hybrids by crossing
  • Synonyms: mix, blend, cross-breed
  • Example: Some people will take the seeds and hybridize the resulting plants with others of their own.

5. Hinge          

  • Definition: to depend entirely on
  • Synonyms: depend, rest
  • Example: My decision will hinge on your views.

6. Harpoon

  • Definition: to hit or kill a fish or whale with a harpoon
  • Synonyms: skew, dart, spike
  • Example: Maria’s father harpooned a five-meter shark.

7. Handcuff

  • Definition: to put handcuffs on someone
  • Synonyms: bind, restrain, secure
  • Example: He was handcuffed by the police and taken into custody.

8. Hypothesize

  • Definition: to give a possible but not yet proved explanation for something
  • Synonyms: suppose, consider
  • Example: There’s no point hypothesizing about how the accident happened.

9. Hike

  • Definition: to increase the cost of something
  • Synonyms: raise, increase, boost
  • Example: Retailers have hiked up prices again.

10. Hail

  • Definition: to call out or yell in order to catch someone’s attention
  • Synonyms: address, salute, signal
  • Example: I tried to hail her from across the room.

Verbs That Start with H You Occasionally Use

There are certain verbs that we only use in a specific situation to a specific person. These are some of the verb words that start with H that are occasionally used in our everyday lives.

1. Haggle  

  • Definition: to bargain on a price
  • Synonyms: bargain, negotiate
  • Example: He was haggling over the price of things in the market.

2. Harbinger

  • Definition: to give a warning or prediction
  • Synonyms: signal, predict, herald
      • Example: His speech harbingered a change in policy.

3. Hone

  • Definition: to make an object sharp
  • Synonyms: sharpen, whet, edge
  • Example: The bone had been honed to a point.

4. Habituate

  • Definition: to get used to something
  • Synonyms: prepare, familiarize, acclimatize
  • Example: Feeding moose habituates them to humans.

5. Hibernate          

  • Definition: to spend the winter in close quarters in a dormant condition
  • Synonyms: sleep, immure
  • Example: The turtle hibernates in a shallow burrow up to six months.

6. Homogenize

  • Definition: to change something so that all of its parts or features become very similar
  • Synonyms: blend, mingle, intermix
  • Example: TV has homogenized the culture and language of large parts of the planet.

7. Humidify

  • Definition: increase the level of moisture in air
  • Synonyms: moisten, dampen, bedew
  • Example: Plants humidify and cool the air in hot weather.

8. Hanker

  • Definition: to have a strong desire for something
  • Synonyms: crave, yearn
  • Example: I’ve been hankering for a sandwich.

9. Hitchhike

  • Definition: to travel by getting free rides in someone else’s vehicle
  • Synonyms: hitch, ride, travel
  • Example: They hitchhiked to Constantinople.

10. Harrow

  • Definition: to disturb keenly or painfully
  • Synonyms: trouble, distress, afflict
  • Example: Michelle could take it, whereas I’m harrowed by it.

Verbs That Start with H You Seldom Use

Using a rare collection of verbs help you add terseness and pithiness to your expression and writing which would implicitly create an admirable public self-image for you in the eyes of your audience. Going through a list of action verbs starting with H given below can be a very good place to make a start.

1. Harangue    

  • Definition: to speak to someone or a group of people, often for a long time, in a forceful and sometimes angry way
  • Synonyms: lecture, address, accost
  • Example: A drunk in the station was haranguing passers-by.

2. Hector

  • Definition: talk to someone in a bullying way
  • Synonyms: bully, intimidate
  • Example: She doesn’t hector us about giving up things.

3. Hoodwink

  • Definition: to deceive or trick
  • Synonyms: outwit, deceive, dupe
  • Example: He hoodwinked us into agreeing.

4. Hypostasize

  • Definition: to treat or represent something abstract as a concrete reality
  • Synonyms: materialize, actualize, realize
  • Example: We must beware of hypostatizing the market as a real entity, a maker of unchangeable decisions.

5. Horsewhip

  • Definition: to hit someone with a whip
  • Synonyms: lash, batter, smack
  • Example: He was horsewhipping the laborers mercilessly.

6. Hyperventilate

  • Definition: to breathe at an abnormally rapid rate
  • Synonyms: huff, gasp, pant
  • Example: He started to hyperventilate under stress.

7. Hotfoot

  • Definition: to run or walk somewhere as quickly as possible
  • Synonyms: hasten, race
  • Example: He walked in and I hotfooted it out the back door.

8. Humbug

  • Definition: to impose upon by false pretense
  • Synonyms: deceive, trick, misled
  • Example: Poor Dave is easily humbugged.

9. Handicap

  • Definition: act as an impediment to
  • Synonyms: hamper, impede, hinder
  • Example: Lack of funding has handicapped the development of research.

10. Henpeck

  • Definition: continually criticize and give orders to someone
  • Synonyms: suppress, intimidate
  • Example: I don’t feel it’s my place to henpeck him about it.

Positive Verbs That Start with H

Do you need a mood booster? Do you need help complimenting your friends? Go through the positive verbs that start with H given below. These will surely brighten up your day.

1. Help

  • Definition: to provide aid or assistance
  • Synonyms: aid, assist, boost
  • Example: He always helps the poor.

2. Heal

  • Definition: to make or become healthy
  • Synonyms: alleviate, cure
  • Example: The wound on your hand would heal over soon.

3. Hope

  • Definition: to wish or desire that something will occur
  • Synonyms: expect, pray, aspire
  • Example: I hope she’ll win.

4. Hug

  • Definition: to put the arms around and hold closely
  • Synonyms: caress, cradle, embrace
  • Example: They hugged each other when they met at the station.

5. Hum

  • Definition: to sing without opening your mouth
  • Synonyms: sing, murmur, buzz
  • Example: She hummed to herself as she walked to school.

6. Hire      

  • Definition: to employ someone for wages
  • Synonyms: employ, appoint
  • Example: I was hired by the first company I applied to.

7. Harvest

  • Definition: to pick and collect crops
  • Synonyms: gather, pick, reap
  • Example: Farmers sort the vegetables when they harvest.

8. Harmonize

  • Definition: to bring ideas, feelings, or actions into agreement
  • Synonyms: adjust, coordinate, integrate
  • Example: The singers harmonized their voices beautifully.

9. Honor

  • Definition: to show great respect for someone
  • Synonyms: respect, admire, appreciate
  • Example: We are honored that you have come to speak to our students.

10. Host

  • Definition: to be the host for guests or for a special event
  • Synonyms: arrange, organize
  • Example: Tokyo will host the next Olympics?

Verbs That Start with H to Describe a Person

One of the most important aspect of verbs is that they tell us about the state of being of a person. Following is a list of verbs that start with H to describe a person. Try using these H verbs to describe a person in your daily lives.

1. Hate

  • Definition: to feel strong aversion or dislike
  • Synonyms: abhor, despise, detest
  • Example: Maria hates her teacher.

2. Hurt

  • Definition: to cause someone to experience pain
  • Synonyms: harm, trouble, injure
  • Example: He was badly hurt by the end of his marriage.


3. Horrify

  • Definition: to shock someone very much
  • Synonyms: scare, alarm, appall
  • Example: We were horrified by what we saw.

4. Hesitate

  • Definition: to pause before deciding, acting, or speaking
  • Synonyms: vacillate, pause, ponder
  • Example: She hesitated slightly before answering detective’s question.

5.   Humiliate

  • Definition: to make someone feel ashamed or lose respect for himself or herself
  • Synonyms: embarrass, demean, degrade
  • Example: She was hurt and deeply humiliated by the lies he told about her.

6. Hush

  • Definition: to become or be silent or quiet
  • Synonyms: muffle, quieten, shush
  • Example: They hushed as the judge walked in.

7. Hypnotize

  • Definition: to put in trance
  • Synonyms: captivate, mesmerize, spellbind
  • Example: I was hypnotized by her magical grey eyes.

8. Hobnob

  • Definition: mix socially, especially with those of perceived higher social status
  • Synonyms: associate, mix, fraternize
  • Example: They vacation in exotic locales, where they hobnob with celebrities.

9. Hallucinate

  • Definition: to perceive things that are not really present
  • Synonyms: fantasize, visualize
  • Example: The patient may hallucinate if she has a fever.

10. Hellenize         

  • Definition: to make Greek in character
  • Synonyms: transform, adopt, Grecize
  • Example: Antiochus sought to Hellenize his subjects.

Verbs That Start with H – Full List (200+)

  • Hesitate
  • Hone
  • Hew
  • Heed
  • Hide
  • Honeycomb
  • Hydrogenate
  • Horseshoe
  • Handcraft
  • Heal
  • Handcuff
  • Happen
  • Handicap
  • Habituate
  • Help
  • Honk
  • Halloo
  • Housekeep
  • Hoodoo
  • Herald
  • Hold
  • Hornswoggle
  • Hurl
  • Hack
  • Hint
  • Henna
  • Harpoon
  • Hobble
  • Holystone
  • Hamper
  • Huckster
  • Heighten
  • Handstamp
  • Harp
  • Hitchhike
  • Hasp
  • Headline
  • Harbour
  • Hatch
  • Hitch
  • Humidify
  • Hurt
  • Hypostasize
  • Hail
  • Honeymoon
  • Hay
  • Helm
  • Hijack
  • Hollow
  • Hunch
  • Hypothesize
  • Hull
  • Hear
  • Hurdle
  • Harbinger
  • Haul
  • Hose
  • Humble
  • Hike
  • Housebreak
  • Hammer
  • Horsewhip
  • Hob
  • Hasten
  • Harbor
  • Hug
  • Hibernate
  • Herd
  • Husk
  • Harvest
  • Honey
  • Hemstitch
  • Hoax
  • Huddle
  • Hook
  • Halter
  • Hope
  • Hollo
  • Ham
  • Hark
  • Hyphen
  • Host
  • Heliograph
  • Hypertrophy
  • Hire
  • Handle
  • Haze
  • Hymn
  • Hiss
  • House
  • Heft
  • Holler
  • Heckle
  • Hype
  • Hit
  • Hulk
  • Hyperbolize
  • Heat
  • Hybridize
  • Hump
  • Horn
  • Harangue
  • Hock
  • Humour
  • Handwrite
  • Home
  • Hydroplane
  • Hectograph
  • Homestead
  • Harlequin
  • Hearken
  • Heist
  • Harmonize
  • Hum
  • Hale
  • Hobnail
  • Hoover
  • Howl
  • Haggle
  • Hood
  • Hog
  • Harry
  • Hunt
  • Hound
  • Hallow
  • Heel
  • Horrify
  • Humbug
  • Hap
  • Homologize
  • Hustle
  • Hat
  • Hydrate
  • Hemorrhage
  • Heterodyne
  • Highjack
  • Houseclean
  • Hurrah
  • Hoist
  • Hedge
  • Hyphenate
  • Hackle
  • Hex
  • Harshen
  • Hare
  • Halve
  • Highlight
  • Hoot
  • Hue
  • Hoodwink
  • Hash
  • Homogenize
  • Hellenize
  • Harrow
  • Hedgehop
  • Hospitalize
  • Honor
  • Hanker
  • Hamstring
  • Have
  • Hush
  • Hurtle
  • Horse
  • Harken
  • Humiliate
  • Hie
  • Hem
  • Holiday
  • Hearten
  • Hunker
  • Hyperventilate
  • Hill
  • Hypothecate
  • Heap
  • Hoof
  • Hydrolyze
  • Hover
  • Hobnob
  • Hunger
  • Hyperextend
  • Hotfoot
  • Harden
  • Hypostatize
  • Hate
  • Hawk
  • Huff
  • Haw
  • Hazard
  • Hiccup
  • Hinge
  • Hurry
  • Honour
  • Humanize
  • Hightail
  • Hinder
  • Halt
  • Hoe
  • Humor
  • Hand
  • Hang
  • Hiccough
  • Habilitate
  • Harass
  • Homer
  • Harm
  • Hemagglutinate
  • Hatchel
  • Headquarter
  • Hoop
  • Hoard
  • Husband
  • Hector
  • Harness
  • Hibachi
  • Heave
  • Hive
  • Hole
  • Hassle
  • Haunt
  • Hypnotize
  • Head
  • Higgle
  • Hop
  • Hopple
  • Habit

Final Thoughts on Verbs That Start with H

Thank you for avidly reading this article on verbs that start with H. It is clear now that to make one’s conversations and writings distinctive and appealing, one should have a vast encyclopedia of verbs at one’s disposal. For your convenience a variety of different verbs starting with H have been provided above.

If you acquire maximum amount of these verbs that start with H, you will not only be able to establish an excellent rapport with other speakers and authors, but will also get famous among your friends.

Now it is up to you to learn and use these verbs that begin with H in speeches and writings. Go through this article more than once, if you want to get hold of these verbs properly.

People also search for positive words that start with Hadjectives that start with H and nouns that start with H.