The Strong Verb Thesaurus: Banish Bland Verbs to Boost Your Writing Skills

Active verbs are dynamic words that breathe life into your sentences. You don’t want Benny simply arriving home. You want him scampering in or materializing. Don’t just cut those vegetables. Dice them, or massacre them if you’re angry. Each word has a different nuance that can elevate your sentence to an entirely new level.

Some verbs are weak because their very definitions are generic. To walk is to “move along by foot”. It’s an action, but it doesn’t imply anything other than traveling from one place to another on foot. Some verbs are strong because they paint a picture. Stomping out of a room is very different from slinking out of a room. You could also strut or limp. Each one is walking, but in a particular way that adds flavor to the scene.

Want to write that bestseller? Then shed the flab from your manuscript by ridding yourself of tired verbs. Replace them with powerhouse words that convey action and meaning. Make those sentences sing! I’ll see you on that bestseller list.