In this article we are going to talk about verbs that start with S. As you are well aware of the fact that our lives are full of actions and to carry out those actions we need to utter certain words. Those words are called verbs.
Let us talk a little about the letter S first. The letter S is the seventh most common letter in English. This is the one of the reasons that the list of verbs that start with S is a large one. We could not list all S verbs here but we have tried to come up with a compelling collection of verbs that begin with S for you to learn.
All of the verbs that start with S given in this article are necessary for the completion of thought. While going through the list of verbs given below, keep two things in mind. First, try and learn each one of these verbs. Second, try to insert these verbs into your own sentences to see how different actions are performed by them.
Now without making you wait any further, let’s go through the list of action words starting with S provided below.
Table of Contents
Verbs That Start with S You Always Use
There are a lot of verbs that we use on a regular basis in our daily life routine. Below is list of some of those verbs that start with S that we always make use of.
1. See
- Definition: to be conscious of what is around you by using your eyes
- Synonyms: discern, perceive, glimpse
- Example: Turn the light on so I can see.
2. Say
- Definition: utter words so as to convey information
- Synonyms: speak, utter, pronounce
- Example: She said goodbye to all her friends and left.
3. Save
- Definition: keep safe or rescue (someone or something) from harm or danger
- Synonyms: rescue, extricate
- Example: The doctor saved my life.
4. Speak
- Definition: say something in order to convey information or to express a feeling
- Synonyms: state, declare, tell
- Example: I spoke to him last night.
5. Search
- Definition: try to find something by looking or otherwise seeking carefully and thoroughly
- Synonyms: hunt, look, explore
- Example: The police searched the woods for the missing boy.
6. Show
- Definition: to make it possible for something to be seen
- Synonyms: reveal, view, express
- Example: Let me show you this new book I’ve just bought.
7. Share
- Definition: to have or use something at the same time as someone else
- Synonyms: split, divide
- Example: He shared the pie with her.
8. Sing
- Definition: to make musical sounds with the voice, usually a tune with words
- Synonyms: chant, intone, yodel
- Example: The children sang two songs by Schubert at the school concert.
9. Set
- Definition: put, lay, or stand (something) in a specified place or position
- Synonyms: place, put, lay
- Example: Delaney set the mug of tea down.
10. Spend
- Definition: to give money as a payment for something
- Synonyms: lay out, expend, disburse
- Example: She spends a lot of money on clothes.
Verbs That Start with S You Usually Use
We have a pretty long list of verbs that we utilize in our daily lives to carry out different actions. Following is a list of verbs starting with S that we usually make use of in our daily lives.
1. Seek
- Definition: attempt to find something
- Synonyms: search, look
- Example: They came here to seek shelter from biting winter winds.
2. Send
- Definition: to cause something to go from one place to another
- Synonyms: dispatch, convey, address
- Example: We sent a reminder letter but received no reply.
3. Scream
- Definition: to make a loud, piercing sound
- Synonyms: shriek, screech, yell
- Example: A spider landed on her pillow and she screamed.
4. Shave
- Definition: (of a man) cut the hair off the face with a razor
- Synonyms: trim, barber, crop
- Example: He washed, shaved, and had breakfast.
5. Sell
- Definition: give or hand over (something) in exchange for money
- Synonyms: dispose of, trade, vend
- Example: They had sold the car.
6. Select
- Definition: carefully choose as being the best or most suitable
- Synonyms: pick, take
- Example: Children must select their subjects wisely.
7. Separate
- Definition: to (cause to) divide into parts
- Synonyms: divide, split, break
- Example: The north and south of the country are separated by a mountain range.
8. Settle
- Definition: resolve or reach an agreement about (an argument or problem)
- Synonyms: resolve, sort out
- Example: The dispute between Nauman and Nayyar has got settled.
9. Serve
- Definition: to provide food or drinks
- Synonyms: provide, supply, provide
- Example: Do they serve meals in the bar?
10. Shrink
- Definition: become or make smaller in size or amount
- Synonyms: contract, diminish
- Example: The workforce shrank to a thousand.
Verbs That Start with S You Often Use
Whether in a sentence or on their own, verbs are the primary functional part of the sentence. Following are some of the verbs beginning with S that we often use in our talks and writings.
1. Sail
- Definition: travel in a boat with sails, especially as a sport or recreation
- Synonyms: boat, yacht
- Example: The ship was sailing to China.
2. Score
- Definition: gain (a point, goal, run, etc.) in a competitive game
- Synonyms: get, gain
- Example: McCartney scored a fine goal.
3. Scare
- Definition: cause great fear or nervousness in
- Synonyms: frighten, terrify
- Example: A black cat scared me last night.
4. Seize
- Definition: to take something quickly and keep or hold it
- Synonyms: grab, grasp, snatch
- Example: I seized his arm and made him turn to look at me.
5. Shape
- Definition: give a particular shape or form to
- Synonyms: form, fashion, make
- Example: Most caves are shaped by the flow of water through limestone.
6. Shop
- Definition: visit one or more shops or websites to buy goods
- Synonyms: buy, purchase
- Example: She shops for groceries twice a week.
7. Shift
- Definition: (of an idea, opinion, etc.) to change
- Synonyms: move, carry, transfer
- Example: Society’s attitudes towards women have shifted enormously over the last century.
8. Spark
- Definition: emit sparks of fire or electricity
- Synonyms: gleam, glint, glitter
- Example: The ignition sparks as soon as the gas is turned on.
9. Shower
- Definition: to take a shower
- Synonyms: wash, bathe
- Example: I shower every morning.
10. Satisfy
- Definition: meet the expectations, needs, or desires of (someone)
- Synonyms: please, content
- Example: I am not satisfied with your result.
Verbs That Start with S You Sometimes Use
Verbs are important because they help people communicate about different events in their lives by combining words into sentences. Following are some of the verbs starting with letter S that we only use sometimes in our day-to-day lives.
1. Skate
- Definition: move on ice skates or roller skates in a gliding fashion
- Synonyms: glide, flow, skim
- Example: The boys were skating on the ice.
2. Shrug
- Definition: raise (one’s shoulders) slightly and momentarily to express doubt, ignorance, or indifference
- Synonyms: beckon, flourish, wave
- Example: Jimmy looked enquiringly at Pete, who shrugged his shoulders.
3. Smear
- Definition: coat or mark (something) messily or carelessly with a greasy or sticky substance
- Synonyms: stain, mark, streak
- Example: His face was smeared with dirt.
4. Scrape
- Definition: drag or pull a hard or sharp implement across (a surface or object) so as to remove dirt or other
- Synonyms: rake, drag, push
- Example: Remove the green tops from the carrots and scrape them.
5. Shovel
- Definition: move (coal, earth, snow, or a similar substance) with a shovel
- Synonyms: scoop, spade, dig
- Example: Would you give me a hand shoveling the snow away from the garage door?
6. Sensualize
- Definition: make something sensual
- Synonyms: debase, debauch, demoralize
- Example: By the neglect of prayer, the thoughts are sensualized.
7. Swell
- Definition: become or make greater in intensity, number, amount, or volume
- Synonyms: expand, bulge, distend
- Example: Her bruised knee was already swelling up.
8. Specialize
- Definition: concentrate on and become expert in a particular subject or skill
- Synonyms: particularize, specify
- Example: He is specializing in tropical medicine.
9. Standardize
- Definition: cause something to conform to a standard
- Synonyms: systematize, regulate
- Example: There is a movement to standardize web design.
10. Satirize
- Definition: deride and criticize by means of satire
- Synonyms: mock, ridicule
- Example: The movie satirized the notion of national superiority.
Verbs That Start with S You Occasionally Use
Choosing appropriate verb for the action that you want to carry out is of utmost importance because without that you wouldn’t be able to convey your message properly. These are some of the verb words that start with S that are occasionally used by us.
1. Synthesize
- Definition: make (something) by synthesis, especially chemically
- Synonyms: manufacture, unify, blend
- Example: This drug was first synthesized in 1929.
2. Sabotage
- Definition: deliberately destroy, damage, or obstruct (something), especially for political or military advantage
- Synonyms: wreck, damage, vandalize
- Example: Power lines from South Africa were sabotaged by rebel forces.
3. Steward
- Definition: (of an official) supervise arrangements or keep order at (a large public event)
- Synonyms: administrate, conduct
- Example: The event was organized and stewarded properly.
4. Scrutinize
- Definition: examine or inspect closely and thoroughly
- Synonyms: survey, examine, inspect
- Example: She leaned forward to scrutinize their faces.
5. Salvage
- Definition: to save goods from damage or destruction
- Synonyms: rescue, save, recover
- Example: An emerald and gold cross was salvaged from the wreck.
6. Synchronize
- Definition: cause to occur or operate at the same time or rate
- Synonyms: contemporize, coincide
- Example: Soldiers used watches to synchronize movements.
7. Scribble
- Definition: write or draw (something) carelessly or hurriedly
- Synonyms: scratch, scrawl
- Example: He took the clipboard and scribbled something illegible.
8. Scorch
- Definition: burn the surface of (something) with flame or heat
- Synonyms: burn, sear, singe
- Example: Surrounding houses were scorched by heat from the blast.
9. Scrawl
- Definition: write something in a hurried, careless way
- Synonyms: scribble, scratch, doodle
- Example: Charlie scrawled his signature on the cheque.
10. Strum
- Definition: to move your fingers across the strings of a guitar or similar instrument
- Synonyms: play, pluck, thrum
- Example: He was sitting in the bedroom strumming a guitar.
Verbs That Start with S You Seldom Use
There are some verbs that are very complex in nature and because of that they are not used a lot in our talk and writings. These are some of those action verbs starting with S that are seldom used by us.
1. Saunter
- Definition: walk in a slow, relaxed manner
- Synonyms: stroll, amble, wander
- Example: Adam sauntered into the room.
2. Salve
- Definition: soothe (wounded pride or one’s conscience)
- Synonyms: lighten, alleviate, soothe
- Example: Charity salves our conscience.
3. Satiate
- Definition: to completely satisfy yourself or a need, especially with food or pleasure, so that you could not have any more
- Synonyms: fill, satisfy
- Example: He drank greedily until his thirst was satiated.
4. Scald
- Definition: injure with very hot liquid or steam
- Synonyms: burn, scorch, sear
- Example: The tea scalded his tongue.
5. Scavenge
- Definition: search for and collect (anything usable) from discarded waste
- Synonyms: search, hunt, look
- Example: People sell junk scavenged from the garbage.
6. Scrimp
- Definition: to save money by spending less than is necessary to reach an acceptable standard
- Synonyms: economize, save
- Example: I have scrimped and saved to give you a good education.
7. Scintillate
- Definition: to emit flashes of light
- Synonyms: sparkle, shine, gleam
- Example: The sleek boat seemed to scintillate with a dark blue light.
8. Secede
- Definition: to withdraw from an organization (such as a religious communion or political party or federation)
- Synonyms: withdraw, break away, leave
- Example: South Carolina seceded from the Union in 1860.
9. Scourge
- Definition: to cause great suffering or a lot of trouble
- Synonyms: curse, plague
- Example: The country has been scourged by famine in recent years.
10. Serenade
- Definition: to play a piece of music or sing for someone, especially for a woman while standing outside her house at night
- Synonyms: chant, sing, warble
- Example: Romeo serenaded Juliet in the moonlight.
Positive Verbs That Start with S
There are verbs that are used to convey positive messages and to express positive actions. These are some of the positive verbs that start with S that describe positive actions performed by us.
1. Soar
- Definition: to rise very quickly to a high level
- Synonyms: rise, escalate
- Example: All night long fireworks soared into the sky.
2. Sustain
- Definition: to cause or allow something to continue for a period of time
- Synonyms: continue, keep up, maintain
- Example: The economy looks set to sustain its growth into next year.
3. Stimulate
- Definition: to encourage something to grow, develop, or become active
- Synonyms: restore, energize, revitalize
- Example: The government plans to cut taxes in order to stimulate the economy.
4. Surpass
- Definition: to do or be better than
- Synonyms: excel, transcend, exceed
- Example: The book’s success has surpassed everyone’s expectations.
5. Sympathize
- Definition: feel or express sympathy
- Synonyms: agree, support, commend
- Example: He sympathized with her and put an arm about her shoulders.
6. Sweeten
- Definition: make or become sweet or sweeter, especially in taste
- Synonyms: sugar, freshen
- Example: The apple mixture can be sweetened with honey.
7. Socialize
- Definition: participate in social activities; mix socially with others
- Synonyms: interact, converse
- Example: He loved socializing with his staff.
8. Spruce
- Definition: make someone or something smarter or tidier
- Synonyms: tidy, clean, sort out
- Example: The fund will be used to spruce up historic buildings.
9. Sprout
- Definition: to begin to grow
- Synonyms: germinate, bud
- Example: It takes about three days for the seeds to sprout.
10. Snuggle
- Definition: to curl up comfortably or cozily
- Synonyms: nestle, settle, embrace
- Example: The children snuggled up to their mother to get warm.
Verbs That Start with S to Describe a Person
Verbs have this amazing trait of explaining the state of being of a person. Following are some of the verbs that start with S to describe a person. Go through these S verbs and find out what they tell us about other people and their state of being.
1. Smile
- Definition: to make a happy or friendly expression in which the corners of your mouth curve up
- Synonyms: grin, beam, twinkle
- Example: She was smiling broadly.
2. Smell
- Definition: perceive or detect the odor or scent of (something)
- Synonyms: scent, savor
- Example: I think I can smell something burning.
3. Shine
- Definition: to show great ability in an activity
- Synonyms: excel, gem
- Example: Shaw is an underrated actor who truly shines in this movie.
4. Seem
- Definition: to give the effect of being; to be judged to be
- Synonyms: appear, look
- Example: He’s 16, but he often seems younger.
5. Shiver
- Definition: shake slightly and uncontrollably as a result of being cold, frightened, or excited
- Synonyms: tremble, quiver, shake
- Example: They were shivering in the damp foggy cold.
6. Shout
- Definition: (of a person) utter a loud cry, typically as an expression of a strong emotion
- Synonyms: yell, roar, cry
- Example: Why do you shout at your children?
7. Shudder
- Definition: (of a person) tremble convulsively, typically as a result of fear or revulsion
- Synonyms: shake, shiver, tremble
- Example: She still shuddered at the thought of him.
8. Sophisticate
- Definition: make (someone or something) more sophisticated
- Synonyms: refine, reform, transform
- Example: She’ll sophisticate me, I know that!
9. Seethe
- Definition: to feel very angry but to be unable or unwilling to express it clearly
- Synonyms: boil, rage, simmer
- Example: By the end of the meeting he was seething.
10. Strut
- Definition: walk with a stiff, erect, and apparently arrogant or conceited gait
- Synonyms: swagger, swank, parade
- Example: The boys strutted around trying to get the attention of a group of girls who were nearby.
Verbs That Start with S – Full List (200+)
- Shove
- Scrawl
- Swap
- Saunter
- Sponsor
- Shuffle
- Subsidize
- Sell
- Shape
- Scald
- Surpass
- Steward
- Sovietize
- Sleek
- Strip
- Strengthen
- Submit
- Service
- Suffice
- Say
- Sleep
- Scintillate
- Strum
- Snap
- Shorten
- Suspect
- Steal
- Solve
- Sound
- Swear
- Slow
- Sustain
- Star
- Spit
- Shift
- Smack
- Stink
- Support
- Shave
- Ski
- Step
- Spring
- Secure
- See
- Shred
- Shelter
- Slide
- Savor
- Synchronize
- Sow
- Scrape
- Swallow
- Sink
- Spruce
- Separate
- Show
- Standardize
- Sway
- Sense
- Stand
- Stop
- Skid
- Shop
- Sculp
- Scrap
- Sabotage
- Sparkle
- Shear
- Sanctify
- Sublime
- Start
- Score
- Succeed
- Surround
- Sanction
- Scream
- Stay
- String
- Smell
- Sail
- Secularize
- Shock
- Scowl
- Snow
- Stimulate
- Spark
- Strew
- Struggle
- Sweep
- Sacrifice
- Signify
- Suit
- Squeeze
- Sprout
- Sit
- Strive
- Slit
- Slaughter
- Shine
- Sterilize
- Smooth
- Stable
- Scoop
- Square
- Saw
- Season
- Synthesize
- Skate
- Shudder
- Sizzle
- Sentinel
- Saint
- Smile
- Sight
- Surrender
- Salute
- Satisfy
- Sew
- Spice
- Sweeten
- Stir
- Supple
- Scrub
- Spirit
- Stylize
- Stumble
- Style
- Squire
- Seat
- Stave
- Shrivel
- Scandalize
- Shrink
- Sire
- Squat
- Scamper
- Send
- Sympathize
- Soothe
- Symbolize
- Save
- Soup
- Skill
- Swim
- Sweat
- Soar
- Serve
- Stitch
- Swank
- Scramble
- Suspend
- Satirize
- Suppose
- Scrabble
- Slip
- Spoil
- Shrug
- Scold
- Savvy
- Stigmatize
- Search
- Spin
- Swell
- Sting
- Stun
- Survey
- Script
- Sinew
- Snug
- Scribble
- Smash
- Suffer
- Steady
- Store
- Sister
- Stress
- Specialize
- Scratch
- Spot
- Stem
- Strike
- Spread
- Scrutinize
- Suggest
- Squint
- Swing
- Shed
- Shatter
- Solemnize
- Spend
- Size
- Spiritualize
- Study
- Sugar
- Spatialize
- Supervize
- Sign
- Snivel
- Simplify
- Snuggle
- Stamp
- Sag
- Slick
- Spill
- Screech
- Survive
- Shake
- Spray
- Smear
- Smoke
- Sing
- Supply
- Sport
- Summarize
- Scare
- Slam
- Stick
- Scale
- Substitute
- Screw
- Sensualize
- Sprain
- Speak
- Stabilize
- Strut
- Sophisticate
- Signal
- Socialize
- Shut
- Sharpen
- Share
- Select
- Ship
- Sensitize
- Shiver
- Shoot
- State
- Set
- Speed
- Surprise
- Sentence
- Split
- Spell
- Shoe
- Skylark
- Seize
- Seduce
- Shout
- Shovel
- Sort
Final Thoughts on Verbs That Start with S
Let us now conclude our discussion on verbs that start with S. By now you must have known that if we didn’t have a collection of verbs up our sleeves we would not have been able to excel in our lives, especially verbs that begin with S. Our lives would have come to a standstill.
Verbs in the English language are used to communicate either actions, occurrences, or states of being. Hence, the more verbs you know, the more versatile your talks and writings can get.
As S is one of the mostly used letter, the verbs starting with it are great in number too. By using maximum number of verbs starting with S in your everyday talks will help you distinguish yourself from the rest of the people. An enthralling list of verbs that start with S has been provided to you in this article above. Go through it a couple of times and try to learn all the verbs it contains.
People also search for positive words that start with S, adjectives that start with S and nouns that start with S.