108 Verbs That Start with W | Huge List with Definitions and Examples

In this article, we are going to talk about verbs that start with W. Verbs are an essential part of our everyday lives. The most crucial thing to remember about verbs is that each subject must have a verb. If this rule is not followed, you will be unable to convey your messages and thoughts properly.

It is also a well-known fact that if you want to stand out from rest of the people around you and if you want to build for yourself a resounding self-image, you must have a diverse vocabulary at your disposal to perform and describe your actions, particularly verbs that begin with W.

You can take a start by studying verbs that start with W. These verbs will make your speech and writing concise, distinctive and appealing.

For your convenience, verbs that start with W given in this article have been divided into several categories. This categorization will make your learning experience much more smooth and systematic. So without making you wait any further, let us go through the list of action words starting with W given below.

Table of Contents

Verbs That Start with W You Always Use

We have a pretty long list of verbs that we utilize in our daily lives to carry out actions. Following is a list of verbs that start with W that we always make use of in our daily lives.

1. Walk

Definition: move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn, never having both feet off the ground at once
Synonyms: stroll, saunter, amble
Example: I walked across the lawn.

2. Want

Definition: have a desire to possess or do something
Synonyms: desire, fancy

Example: I want an apple.

3. Work

Definition: be engaged in physical or mental activity in order to achieve a result; do work

Synonyms: toil, labor, service
Example: She has been working so hard.

4. Watch

Definition: look at or observe attentively over a period of time
Synonyms: observe, view, look
Example: Lucy watched him go.

5. Wash

Definition: clean with water and, typically, soap or detergent
Synonyms: clean, cleanse, sponge

Example: Auntie Lou had washed all their clothes.

6. Write

Definition: mark (letters, words, or other symbols) on a surface, typically paper, with a pen, pencil, or similar implement

Synonyms: note, record, mark
Example: He wrote his name on the paper.

7. Wave

Definition: move one’s hand to and fro in greeting or as a signal
Synonyms: gesture, gesticulate, signal
Example: He waved to me from the train.

8. Win

Definition: be successful or victorious in a contest or conflict
Synonyms: succeed, secure

Example: Nadal won four games in a row.

9. Wink

Definition: to shut one eye briefly as a signal or in teasing

Synonyms: blink, flutter, bat
Example: He winked at Nicole as he passed.

10. Waste

Definition: use or expend carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose
Synonyms: squander, misspend
Example: Don’t waste your money on such junk.

Verbs That Start with W You Usually Use

Verbs are very important for language development because they allow children to start building sentences. Following is a list of verbs starting with W that we usually make use of in our daily lives.

1. Whisper

Definition: speak very softly using one’s breath rather than one’s throat, especially for the sake of secrecy

Synonyms: murmur, mutter, mumble
Example: Alison was whispering in his ear.

2. Wipe

Definition: clean or dry something by rubbing with a cloth
Synonyms: rub, clean, mop
Example: Paul wiped his face with a handkerchief.

3. Wake

Definition: emerge or cause to emerge from sleep; stop sleeping
Synonyms: rouse, stir, come to

Example: She woke up feeling better.

4. Wrap

Definition: cover or enclose in paper or soft material

Synonyms: muffle, cloak, enfold
Example: The candles are wrapped in tissue paper.

5. Weigh

Definition: find out how heavy (someone or something) is, typically using scales
Synonyms: calculate, assess, examine
Example: She weighs herself every week.

6. Warm

Definition: make or become warm
Synonyms: heat, zap

Example: I stamped my feet to warm them up.

7. Wet

Definition: cover or touch with liquid

Synonyms: damp, moisten, humidify
Example: He wetted a finger and flicked through the pages.

8. Wire

Definition: install electric circuits or wires in
Synonyms: thread, anchor, belay
Example: The electrician is wiring the plug.

9. Whack

Definition: strike forcefully with a sharp blow
Synonyms: hit, beat, strike

Example: You really have to whack the ball.

10. Widen

Definition: make or become wider

Synonyms: spread, expand
Example: We should widen the scope of our investigation.

Verbs That Start with W You Often Use

Verbs are an essential part of speech because a sentence cannot exist without them. Following are some of the verbs beginning with W that we often use in our day-to-day lives.

1. Worship

Definition: show reverence and adoration for a deity
Synonyms: revere, reverence, venerate

Example: The Maya built jungle pyramids to worship their gods.

2. Witness

Definition: see (an event, typically a crime or accident) happen

Synonyms: see, observe, watch
Example: She witnessed the murder of a young boy.

3. Weld

Definition: to join two pieces of metal together permanently by melting the parts that touch
Synonyms: fuse, unite, bond
Example: Steel plates are being welded in the shop.

4. Weaken

Definition: make or become weaker in power, resolve, or physical strength
Synonyms: enfeeble, debilitate, incapacitate

Example: The bill would seriously weaken environmental protections.

5. Waft

Definition: (with reference to a scent, sound, etc.) pass or cause to pass gently through the air

Synonyms: drift, float, glide
Example: The smell of stale fat wafted out from the café.

6. Withdraw

Definition: remove or take away something from a particular place or position
Synonyms: remove, extract, draw out
Example: Ruth withdrew her hand from his.

7. Wrestle

Definition: to fight with someone (especially as a sport) by holding them and trying to throw them to the ground
Synonyms: grapple, fight, struggle

Example: He has wrestled professionally for five years.

8. Wind

Definition: cause (someone) to have difficulty breathing because of exertion or a blow to the stomach

Synonyms: pant, puff
Example: The fall nearly winded him.

9. Whip

Definition: beat (a person or animal) with a whip or similar instrument, especially as a punishment or to urge them on
Synonyms: flog, scourge, flagellate
Example: Lewis whipped the boy twenty times.

10. Wreak

Definition: cause (a large amount of damage or harm)
Synonyms: create, cause

Example: Torrential rainstorms wreaked havoc yesterday.

Verbs That Start with W You Sometimes Use

Verbs are the building blocks of sentences. They are essential for the creation of a complete thought. Following is a list of verbs starting with letter W that we only use sometimes in our day-to-day lives.

1. Wring

Definition: squeeze and twist (something) to force liquid from it
Synonyms: twist, squeeze, screw
Example: She wrung the cloth out in the sink.

2. Warrant

Definition: justify or necessitate a course of action
Synonyms: justify, call for

Example: It’s a relatively simple task that really doesn’t warrant a great deal of time being spent on it.

3. Wag

Definition: (especially with reference to an animal’s tail) move or cause to move rapidly to and fro

Synonyms: swing, sway, shake
Example: The little dog’s tail wagged in delight.

4. Whisk

Definition: take or move (someone or something) somewhere suddenly and quickly
Synonyms: speed, hurry, rush
Example: He whisked her off to Paris for a few days.

5. Wage

Definition: carry on (a war or campaign)
Synonyms: engage in, carry on, conduct

Example: It is necessary to destroy their capacity to wage war.

6. Wobble

Definition: move or cause to move unsteadily from side to side

Synonyms: rock, move, jiggle
Example: The table wobbles where the leg is too short.

7. Weave

Definition: form (fabric or a fabric item) by interlacing long threads passing in one direction with others at a right angle to them
Synonyms: entwine, lace, work
Example: This type of wool is woven into fabric which will make jackets.

8. Wield

Definition: to have or use power, authority, or influence, or to hold and use a weapon
Synonyms: exert, employ
Example: Faction leaders wielded enormous influence within the party.

9. Withhold

Definition: refuse to give (something that is due to or is desired by another)
Synonyms: stop, retain, hold
Example: The name of the dead man is being withheld.

10. Wince

Definition: make a slight involuntary grimace or shrinking movement of the body out of pain or distress
Synonyms: grimace, flinch
Example: He winced at the disgust in her voice.

Verbs That Start with W You Occasionally Use

You must have noticed this thing that some verbs are uttered on specific occasions only. The following list of verb words that start with W contains those verbs that we occasionally make use of.

1. Wade

Definition: walk with effort through water or another liquid or viscous substance
Synonyms: paddle, wallow, dabble
Example: He waded out to the boat.

2. Winnow

Definition: to reduce a large number of people or things to a much smaller number by judging their quality
Synonyms: reduce, lessen
Example: A list of 15 applicants has been winnowed down to three.

3. Wilt

Definition: (of a plant, leaf, or flower) become limp through heat, loss of water, or disease; droop
Synonyms: droop, sag
Example: The hot weather wilted the plants.

4. Wither

Definition: (of a plant) become dry and shriveled
Synonyms: fade, shrivel, dry
Example: The grass had withered to an unappealing brown.

5. Waylay

Definition: to wait for and then stop someone, especially either to attack or talk to that person
Synonyms: intercept, ambush
Example: A man on his way to deposit $12,000 in a bank was waylaid by two men who snatched his bag.

6. Waltz

Definition: to walk somewhere quickly and confidently, often in a way that annoys other people
Synonyms: walk, move, proceed
Example: I waltzed across the floor with the lieutenant.

7. Wangle

Definition: to succeed in getting or doing something by persuading someone or by being clever in some way
Synonyms: contrive, engineer
Example: I’ll be so jealous if you manage to wangle an invitation to his house.

8. Whet

Definition: sharpen the blade of (a tool or weapon)
Synonyms: sharpen, hone, grind
Example: She took out her dagger and began to whet its blade in even, rhythmic strokes.

9. Wrangle

Definition: have a long, complicated dispute or argument
Synonyms: argue, quarrel, row
Example: They had been wrangling with the authorities over parking spaces.

10. Waggle

Definition: to (cause to) move quickly up and down or from side to side
Synonyms: wag, shake, wiggle
Example: He can waggle his ears.

Verbs That Start with W You Seldom Use

This is a common occurrence that we often come across certain verbs that we didn’t have seen or heard before. Following list contains some of those action verbs starting with W that are seldom used.

1. Wreathe

Definition: to cover or surround something
Synonyms: festoon, garland, cover
Example: The peak of the mountain is perpetually wreathed in cloud.

2. Whittle

Definition: to make something from a piece of wood by cutting off small, thin pieces
Synonyms: pare, peel, cut
Example: An old sailor sat on the dockside, whittling a toy boat.

3. Wheedle

Definition: use flattery or coaxing in order to persuade someone to do something or give one something
Synonyms: coax, cajole, inveigle
Example: She’s one of those children who can wheedle you into giving her anything she wants.

4. Winkle

Definition: extract or obtain something with difficulty
Synonyms: extract, obtain, force out
Example: I swore I wasn’t going to tell her, but she winkled it all out of me.

5. Wad

Definition: line or stuff with wadding
Synonyms: stuff, pad, fill
Example: The quilts are wadded with thick natural cotton.

6. Ween

Definition: be of the opinion; think or suppose
Synonyms: believe, think
Example: He, I ween, is no sacred personage.

7. Warp

Definition: make or become bent or twisted out of shape, typically as a result of the effects of heat or damp
Synonyms: buckle, twist, bend
Example: After being left in the damp garage, the wooden frame had warped.

8. Wrench

Definition: to pull and twist something suddenly or violently away from its position
Synonyms: tug, pull, jerk
Example: The photographer tripped over the cord, wrenching a microphone from its stand.

9. Waffle

Definition: to talk or write a lot without giving any useful information or any clear answers
Synonyms: prattle, ramble
Example: If you don’t know the answer, it’s no good just waffling on for pages and pages.

10. Wile

Definition: to lure someone
Synonyms: entice, tempt
Example: She could be neither driven nor wiled into the parish kirk.

Positive Verbs That Start with W

Do you want to acquaint yourself with some positive verbs? Go through the list of positive verbs that start with W given below. This list contains some interesting verbs that you would love to learn and use.

1. Wander

Definition: walk or move in a leisurely way
Synonyms: stroll, amble, saunter
Example: I wandered through the narrow streets.

2. Water

Definition: pour or sprinkle water over (a plant or area) in order to encourage plant growth
Synonyms: sprinkle, moisten, dampen
Example: I went out to water the geraniums.

3. Wish

Definition: to hope or express hope for another person’s success or happiness or pleasure on a particular occasion
Synonyms: desire, hope, want
Example: We wish you every success in the future.

4. Whistle

Definition: emit a clear, high-pitched sound by forcing breath through a small hole between one’s lips or teeth
Synonyms: blare, pipe, toot
Example: Someone was whistling Beatles tunes outside my window.

5. Warble

Definition: (of a bird) sing softly and with a succession of constantly changing notes
Synonyms: trill, sing, chirp
Example: Larks were warbling in the trees.

6. Woo

Definition: seek the favor, support, or custom of
Synonyms: court, pursue, seek
Example: Pop stars are being wooed by film companies eager to sign them up.

7. Withstand

Definition: remain undamaged or unaffected by
Synonyms: resist, fight, combat
Example: She is an artist whose work will undoubtedly withstand the test of time.

8. Warish

Definition: to protect from the effects of
Synonyms: cure, heal
Example: My brother shall be warished hastily.

9. Wallow

Definition: (chiefly of large mammals) roll about or lie in mud or water, especially to keep cool or avoid biting insects
Synonyms: slop, paddle, lie around
Example: There were watering places where buffalo liked to wallow.

10. Whelp

Definition: (of a female dog) give birth to a puppy
Synonyms: bud, produce
Example: Copper whelped seven puppies.

Verbs That Start with W to Describe a Person

Following are some of those verbs that start with W to describe a person. Try and use these W verbs in your speech and writing to describe people around you.

1. Worry

Definition: feel or cause to feel anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems
Synonyms: fret, agonize, brood
Example: He worried about his soldier sons in the war.

2. Wear

Definition: have (something) on one’s body as clothing, decoration, or protection
Synonyms: dress, sport, put on
Example: Sheela is wearing a dark suit.

3. Wrong

Definition: act unjustly or dishonestly towards
Synonyms: falsify, refute, negate
Example: He felt he had been wronged, but everyone else blamed him for what happened.

4. Wed

Definition: get married to
Synonyms: marry, unify, espouse
Example: He is to wed the king’s daughter.

5. Weep

Definition: shed tears
Synonyms: cry, sob
Example: A grieving mother wept over the body of her daughter.

6. Whine

Definition: give or make a long, high-pitched complaining cry or sound
Synonyms: hum, drone, sing
Example: Alice, if you keep whining I won’t take you – do you understand?

7. Wonder

Definition: desire to know something; feel curious
Synonyms: ponder, think
Example: Will this turkey be big enough for eight, I wonder?

8. Warn

Definition: inform someone in advance of a possible danger, problem, or other unpleasant situation
Synonyms: notify, alert, apprise
Example: His father had warned him of what might happen.

9. Will

Definition: try to make it happen by the power of your thoughts
Synonyms: motivate, encourage
Example: She willed herself to remember his name.

10. Welcome

Definition: greet someone in a polite or friendly way
Synonyms: greet, salute
Example: Please welcome our guest of honor, George Taylor.

Verbs That Start with W – Full List (108 Words)

Whelp
Wash
Warp
Wiredraw
Ween
Wig
Water
Wet
Wallow
Wish
Waste
Waltz
Withstand
Weld
Whirl
Wrestle
Wage
Well
Wither
Whitewash
Wreck
Welcome
Whip
Warish
Withhold
Wedlock
Wiggle
Whack
Warrant
Wriggle
Wrinkle
Worship
Wean
Way
Write
Warn
Worry
Weed
Withdraw
Wake
Wipe
Wrong
Wreak
Word
Weird
Weigh
Whiz
Weal
While
Woo
Wane
Wander
Warm
Waive
Wound
Weary
Wave
Wager
Wring
Weaken
Witness
Will
Wrap
Wax
Wait
Win
Weather
Weep
Westernize
Whimsey
Work
Weave
Wheel
Watch
Waken
Wall
Whisk
Wonder
Whine
Whisper
Whistle
Weet
Wire
Wilt
White
Wed
Wrangle
Worsen
Whir
Wad
Wag
Widen
Waft
Wow
Wilne
Waterproof
Warble
Wear
Waggle
Whet
Wheedle
Waver
Wield
Whimper
Wedge
Wobble
Want
Walk

Final Thoughts on Verbs That Start with W

Thank you for going through this article on verbs that start with W. You must have realized by now that we would not have been able to thrive in our lives if we didn’t have a list of verbs up our sleeves.

Our lives would have come to a halt if we didn’t have verbs, especially verbs starting with W. When you are done with this article try and incorporate these verbs into your own phrases and sentences.

Practically applying these verbs that begin with W in your daily life routine will not just enhance your skill level but also groom your expressive language. You will be able to achieve excellence in your speech and writing, if you learn the art of using these verbs that start with W correctly.