Choose a Power Verb

When you replace a weak verb with a strong one, make sure it works in your
sentence as words have their own ‘shades of meaning’.

Cry- weep, shed tears, sob, blubber, snivel, mourn, lament, whimper, wail, howl,
groan, bawl, plead, moan

Talk-speak, converse, chat, reply, gossip, consult, discuss, reveal, confess, address,
negotiate, lecture, rant, rave, mutter, chatter, utter, prattle, babble, rattle on

Think-reflect, consider, ponder, imagine, meditate, picture, contemplate, deem,

recollect, recall, speculate, conceive, fancy, realize, surmise, rationalize, muse.

Run-race, hurry, speed, hasten, dash, sprint, dart, zoom, scamper, scoot, scurry,
bustle, rush, hustle, trot, scramble, flee, take flight, skedaddle, jog, glide, bolt

Walk-stroll, promenade, wander, saunter, march, trudge, tramp, hike, parade, tread,
pace, step, prance, amble, trek, waddle, cruise

Laugh-chuckle, giggle, roar, chortle, cackle, guffaw, snicker, titter.

Yell- shout, holler, scream, bellow, roar, howl, shriek, bawl, whoop, yowl

Eat-gobble, devour, munch, snack, consume, swallow, dine, chew, feast, feed,
nibble, gulp, wolf down, lunch, ingest

Watch-look, stare, gaze, peep, ogle, observe, notice, attend, regard, survey,
scrutinize, pore over, eye, note, examine, view, tend, oversee, patrol, guard

Dream -daydream, fantasize, wish, hope, imagine, fancy, muse, desire

See- discern, distinguish, spy, mark, mind, note, notice, observe, view, detect,
glimpse, spot, witness
Sleep -nap, doze, drowse, rest, nod off, snooze, forty winks

Say - reply, converse, disclose, explain, inform, express, state, report, announce,
mention, acknowledge, answer, declare, suggest

Adjectives for Characters

Good Guy Bad Guy

angelic brutish
helpful violent
saintly Unhelpful
upright rotten
talented mean
skilful evil
Worthy wicked
grateful vicious
gentle mischievous
wise Rude
generous Ferocious
beautiful wild
kind Vile
wholesome horrible
courageous selfish
honest spiteful
thoughtful undisciplined
considerate sick
gracious destructive
loving foul
sympathetic disobedient
fair Ghastly
obliging naughty
sincere shocking
 trustworthy immoral
tolerant Devilish
Sensible Cruel
Truthful Vindictive
Reasonable nasty
gorgeous slanderous
venomous
savage
rough
aggressive
hostile
murderous

dark -unlit, shady ,sunless, gloomy, somber ,bleak ,dismal, black

light - glare ,shine, luminous, sparkle, glow ,radiant

tall - high , lofty , giant , towering , colossal

cold – chilly , freezing , arctic , raw ,numbing

special – exceptional , extraordinary , curious , rare ,strange

slow – leisurely , gradual

quick - immediate ,fast , slow ,leisurely, gradual

unusual - uncommon , odd , extraordinary, peculiar , cruel

fierce – strong , evil , menacing , savage , wild

light – glare, shine , luminous , sparkle , glow , radiant

special – exceptional , extraordinary , curious , rare , strange

tall - high, lofty , giant , towering , colossal

fierce – strong , evil , menacing , savage , wild , cruel

attractive -convincing ,fascinating, stimulating

1. Prevalent- widespread in a particular area or at a particular time.

2. Aforementioned- mentioned above
3. Indicative- serving as a sign or indication of something.
4. Enchanting - captivating/enthralling
5. Refuted - disprove/invalidate
6. Complacent- lazy/lethargic
7. Docile - unassertive/ compliant/submissive
8. Frugal - thrifty/cautious/ prudent
9. Inept - incompetent/amateurship/unskilled
10. Meander - wander
11. Mnemonic - memory aid/prompting
12. Logophile- a word lover
13. Abstruse - hard to understand, incomprehensible
14. Baffling - -puzzle/confuse
15. Parochial - conservative/narrow outlook
16. Febrile - nervous/feverish
17. Sanguine - hopeful/optimistic
18. Abominable - awful/horrible
19. Austere -strict & serious / harsh
20. Quibble -a small complaint
21. Totter -move in a shabby way/falter
22. Serpentine - winding
23. Pluviophile - one who enjoys rainy day
24. Cafune -running your fingers through the hair you love
25. Solivagant - wander alone
26. Slovenly- negligent of neatness especially in dress and person
27. Supersede- take the place or move into the position of
28. Vanquish- defeat in a competition, race, or conflict
29. Arduous- characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion
30. Cacophony- loud confusing disagreeable sounds (Opposite of euphony)
31. Contemptuous- expressing extreme contempt
32. Scorn- a feeling and expression of contempt or disdain for someone or
something.
33. Disdain- the feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's
consideration or respect.
34. Dilapidated- in a state of decay, ruin, or deterioration
35. Effervescent- marked by high spirits or excitement
36. Erudite- having or showing profound knowledge
37. Fervent- characterized by intense emotion
38. Incongruous- lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
39. Iniquity- absence of moral or spiritual values
40. Lucrative- producing a sizeable profit
41. Myriad- a large indefinite number
42. Ostracize- avoid speaking to or dealing with
43. Pertinent- having precise or logical relevance to the matter at hand
44. Vehement- marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions
45. Tactful- having a sense of what is considerate in dealing with others
46. surmise-imagine to be the case or true or probable
47. Adulterate- make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance
48. Cajole- influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
49. Corroborate- support with evidence or authority or make more certain
50. Exaltation- a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion
51. Dissident (noun) - a person who dissents.
52. Subordinate (adjective) placed in or belonging to a lower order or
rank.
53. Admonish ( verb ) (used with object). to caution, advise, or counsel
against something.
54. Cohesive (adjective) - characterized by or causing cohesion
55. Fabricate ( verb) (used with object) - to make by art or skill and labor
56. Inherent (adjective) - existing in someone or something as a
permanent and inseparable element, quality, or attribute
57. Lax (adjective) - not strict or severe
58. Qualitative (adjective) - pertaining to or concerned with quality or
qualities.
59. Vindicate (verb) (used with object - to clear, as from an accusation,
imputation, suspicion, or the like
60. Obscure (adjective) - not clear or plain
61. Expedite (verb) - to speed up the progress of
62. Disseminate (verb) - to scatter or spread widely, as though sowing
seed
63. Concurrent (adjective) - occurring or existing simultaneously or side
by side
64. Fortuitous - (adjective) - happening or produced by chance
65. Precarious - (adjective) - dependent on circumstances beyond one's
control
66. Meticulous (adjective) - taking or showing extreme care about minute
details
67. Heinous (adjective) - hateful
68. Criteria (noun) - a plural of criterion.
69. Quantitative (adjective)- that is or may be estimated by quantity.
70. Disparity (noun.) - lack of similarity or equality
71. Eschew (verb) - to abstain or keep away from
72. Preclude (verb ) - to prevent the presence, existence, or occurrence of
73. Divert (verb) - to turn aside or from a path or course
74. Contingent (adjective) - dependent for existence, occurrence,
character, etc., on something not yet certain
75. Zealot (noun) - a person who shows zeal.
76. Static (adjective)- pertaining to or characterized by a fixed or stationary
condition.
77. Deplore (verb) - to disapprove of
78. Tumult (noun) - violent and noisy commotion or disturbance of a crowd
or mob
79. Imminent (adjective) - likely to occur at any moment
80. Docile (adjective) - easily managed or handled
81. Negligent (adjective) - guilty of or characterized by neglect, as of duty
82. Stringent (adjective) - rigorously binding or exacting
83. Unilateral (adjective) - relating to, occurring on, or involving one side
only
84. Belligerent - (adjective) - warlike
85. Derogatory (adjective) - tending to lessen the merit or reputation of a
person or thing
86. Dormant (adjective) - lying asleep or as if asleep
87. Anarchy ( noun) - a state of society without government or law.
88. Estrange (verb) - to turn away in feeling or affection
89. Indigenous (adjective) - originating in and characteristic of a particular
region or country
90. Circumvent (verb) - to go around or bypass
91. Rejuvenate (verb) -to restore to a former state
92. Steppe (noun) - an extensive plain, especially one without
trees.
93. Malinger (verb ) - to pretend illness, especially in order to shirk
one's duty, avoid work, etc.
94. Asinine (adjective) - foolish, unintelligent, or silly
95. Welkin (noun) - the sky
96. Sklent (verb) - to deviate from a straight course.
97. Trachle (verb) - to fatigue
98. Pandiculation (noun) - the act of stretching oneself,
especially on waking.
99. Vociferous (adjective) - crying out noisily
100. Menagerie (noun) - a collection of wild or unusual animals, especially
for exhibition.
101. Garrulous (adjective) - excessively talkative in a rambling, roundabout
manner, especially about trivial matters.
102. Provender (noun) - dry food, as hay or oats, for livestock or other
domestic animals
103.
104. Malevolent (adjective) - wishing evil or harm to another or others
105.
106. Stratagem (noun) - a plan, scheme, or trick for surprising or deceiving
an enemy.
107. Portentous (adjective) - marvelous
108. Tableau ( noun) - a picture, as of a scene.
109. Hilarious (adjective) - arousing great merriment
110. Merry (adjective) - full of cheerfulness or gaiety
111. Whimsical (adjective) - given to whimsy or fanciful notions
112. Droll (adjective) - amusing in an odd way
113. Riotous (adjective) - hilariously funny.
114. Jocular (adjective) - given to, characterized by, intended for, or suited
to joking or jesting
115. Hysterical (adjective) - causing unrestrained laughter
116. Antic (noun) - Usually antics. - a playful trick or prank
117. Risible (adjective) - causing or capable of causing laughter
118. Perennial (adjective) - perpetual
119.
120. Petrichor (noun) - a distinctive scent, usually described as earthy,
pleasant, or sweet, produced by rainfall on very dry ground.
121.
122. Olfaction (noun) - the act of smelling.
123. ​gnarly ( adjective) - excellent
124. Sublime (adjective) - impressing the mind with a sense of grandeur or
power
125. Exquisite (adjective) - of special beauty or charm, or rare and
appealing excellence, as a face, a flower, coloring, music, or poetry.
126. Phenomenal (adjective) - highly extraordinary or prodigious
127. Bounteous (adjective) - more than sufficient
128. Convivial (adjective) - friendly
129. Affable (adjective) - pleasantly easy to approach and to talk to
130. Amicable (adjective) - characterized by or showing goodwill
131. Jubilant (adjective) - showing great joy, satisfaction, or triumph
132. Zippy (adjective) - lively
133. Effervescent (adjective.) - vivacious
134. Serendipitous (adjective) - good
135. Auspicious (adjective) - promising success
136. Delectable (adjective) - delightful
137. Appealing (adjective) - evoking or attracting interest, desire, curiosity,
sympathy, or the like
138.

139. Guile (noun) - insidious cunning in attaining a goal

140. Derision ( noun ) - ridicule
141. Effeminate (adjective) (of a man or boy) having traits, tastes, habits,
etc., traditionally considered feminine, as softness or delicacy.
142. Zephyr (noun) - a gentle, mild breeze.
143. Prattle (verb) - to talk in a foolish or simple-minded way
144. Moiety (noun) - a half.
145. Whet (verb) - to sharpen (a knife, tool, etc.) by grinding or friction.
146. Tempest (noun) - a violent windstorm, especially one with rain, hail, or
snow.
147. Soliloquize (verb ) - to utter a soliloquy
148. Palaver (noun) - a conference or discussion.
149.
150.

151. Nary (adjective) - not any

152. Warble ( verb) - to sing or whistle with trills, quavers, or melodic
embellishments
153. Athwart ( adverb) - from side to side
154. Abstruse ( adjective) - hard to understand
155. Hackneyed (adjective) - made commonplace or trite
156. Somnambulism (noun) - sleepwalking.
157. Sagacious (adjective) - having or showing acute mental discernment
and keen practical sense
158. Inveterate (adjective) - settled or confirmed in a habit, practice, feeling,
or the like
159. Fusillade (noun) - a simultaneous or continuous discharge of firearms.
160. Lout (noun) - an awkward, stupid person
161. Vagary (noun) - an unpredictable or erratic action, occurrence, course,
or instance
162. Spurious (adjective) - not genuine, authentic, or true
163. Beseech ( verb ) - to implore urgently
164. Repine (verb) - to be fretfully discontented
165. Adulation ( noun) - excessive devotion to someone
166. Appurtenance (noun) - something associated with, accompanying, or
belonging to another thing
167. Ribald ( adjective) - vulgar or indecent in speech, language, etc.
168. Repudiate (verb) - to reject as having no authority or binding force
169.

170. Garrulous (adjective) - excessively talkative in a rambling, roundabout

manner, especially about trivial matters.
171. Iconoclast (noun) - a person who attacks cherished beliefs, traditional
institutions, etc., as being based on error or superstition.
172. Miscreant (adjective) - depraved, villainous, or base.
173. Waylay (verb) - to intercept or attack from ambush, as in order to rob,
seize, or slay.
174. Puissant (adjective) - powerful
175. Tatterdemalion (noun) - a person in tattered clothing
176. Raiment (noun) - clothing
177. Dolorous (adjective) - full of, expressing, or causing pain or sorrow
178. Maunder (verb) - to talk in a rambling, foolish, or meaningless way.
179. Promulgate (verb) -nto make known by open declaration
180. Apoplexy (noun) - a state of extreme anger.
181. Vermilion (noun) - a brilliant scarlet red.
182. Languid (adjective) - lacking in vigor or vitality
183. Indolent (adjective) - lazy
184. Incorrigible (adjective)- not corrigible
185. Sanguine (adjective) - cheerfully optimistic, sometimes to the point of
seeming complacent, oblivious, or naive
186. Effigy (noun) - a representation or image, especially sculptured, as on a
monument.
187. Prate (verb )- to talk excessively and pointlessly
188. .

189. Debonair (adjective) - courteous, gracious, and having a sophisticated

charm
190. Patronizing (adjective) - displaying or indicative of an offensively
condescending manner
191. Profligate (adjective) - utterly and shamelessly immoral or dissipated
192. Surmise (verb) - to think or infer without certain or strong evidence
193. Vacillating (adjective) - not resolute
194. Quixotic (adjective) - extravagantly chivalrous or romantic
195. Neologism (noun) - a new word, meaning, usage, or phrase.
196. Misanthrope (noun) - a person who hates, dislikes, or distrusts most
others
197. Equanimity (noun) - mental or emotional stability or composure,
especially under tension or strain
198. Impetuous (adjective) . of, relating to, or characterized by sudden or
rash action, emotion, etc.
199. Effeminate (adjective) . (of a man or boy) having traits, tastes, habits,
etc., traditionally considered feminine, as softness or delicacy.
200. Effrontery (noun) - shameless or impudent boldness
201. Credulity (noun) - willingness to believe or trust too readily, especially
without proper or adequate evidence
202. Insuperable - (adjective) - incapable of being passed over, overcome,
or surmounted
203. Mercenary (adjective) - working or acting merely for money or other
reward
204. Tutelage (noun) - the act of guarding, protecting, or guiding
205. Quail (verb) - to lose heart or courage in difficulty or danger
206. Capacious (adjective) - capable of holding much
207. Trammel (noun) - a hindrance or impediment to free action
208. Saunter (verb) - to walk with a leisurely gait
209. Expiation (noun) - the act of making amends
210. Sully (verb) - to soil, stain, or tarnish.
211. Punctilious (adjective) - extremely attentive to detail or correct
behaviour
212. Efficacious (adjective) - capable of having the desired result or effect
213. Draught (noun) - the game of checkers.
214. Appurtenance (noun) - something associated with, accompanying,
or belonging to another thing
215. Ewer (noun) - a pitcher with a wide spout.
216. Recumbent (adjective) - lying down
217. Consecrate (verb) - to make or declare sacred
218. Segue (verb) - to make a transition from one thing to another smoothly
and without interruption
219. Radiant (adjective) - bright with joy, hope, etc.
220. Egregious (adjective) - extraordinary in some bad way
221. Poignant (adjective) - keenly distressing to the feelings
222. Affluence (noun) _ abundance of money, property, and other material
goods
223. Capitulate (verb) - to surrender unconditionally or on stipulated terms
224. Incorrigible (adjective) - needs improvement
225. Nebulous (adjective) - hazy, vague, indistinct, or confused
226. Pariah ( noun) - an outcast.
227. Cajole (verb) - to persuade by flattery or promises
228. Amicable (adjective) - friendly
229.
230. Grueling ( adjective.) - exhausting
231. Effervescent (adjective.) - vivacious
232. Debilitate (verb) - to make weak or feeble
233. Aberration (noun) - the act of departing from the right, normal, or
usual course.
234. Pizazz (noun) - liveliness
235. Zest (noun) - liveliness or energy
236.
237. Schadenfreude (noun) - satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone
else's misfortune.
238. Ennui (noun) - a feeling of utter weariness and discontent resulting from
satiety or lack of interest
239. Languor (noun) - lack of energy or vitality
240. Desiderium (noun) - an ardent longing, as for something lost.
241. Doldrums (noun) - a dull, listless, depressed mood
242. Trepidation (noun) - tremulous fear, alarm, or agitation
243. Angst (noun) - a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish.
244. Wrath (noun) - strong, stern, or fierce anger
245.
246. Ire (noun) - intense anger
247. Gall (noun) - bold and impudent behaviour
248. Apocalypse- something causing destruction
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How Did You Look? Don’t Just Walk...

What to Use Instead of
Said!
Viewed strolled
Glimpsed Muttered swerved
Focused Screamed dived
Spotted strutted
Witnessed Glared Roared darted
Examined stomped
Squealed
Spied staggered
Observed Mumbled browsed
Peeped sauntered
Peered Grumbled
Stared
Howled

Yelled

Whispered

Barked

Shouted

Spluttered

Bellowed

Big - huge , vast ,bulky , massive , enormous ,colossal

Like - enjoy , adore , fancy , appreciate

Bad – mean , wicked , evil , awful ,dreadful

Want - prefer , demand , require , wish ,desire yearn

Old - ancient , outdated , stale ,mature ,prehistoric

Colors
Red - blood , bloodshot , blush , burgundy , cardinal , carmine , cherry , coral
,crimson damask , garnet , pink ,rose ,ruby , ruddy , salmon , sanguine , scarlet ,
tomato

Orange – apricot , copper , coral , peach , rust ,tangerine , titian

Yellow – amber ,buff ,canary ,champagne , eggshell , gold ,golden ,lemon ,ochre
,saffron , xanthic

Green -apple , chartreuse , emerald , forest ,jade ,kelly ,leaf ,lime ,olive, pine
,reseda

Blue - aqua , aquamarine , azure ,bice ,cerulean , cobalt , indigo , midnight , navy ,
sapphire , turquoise

Purple - fuchsia , heliotrope , lavender ,lilac , magenta , maroon , mauve ,

plum , violet

Brown – amber , auburn ,beige , bronze ,brunette ,chestnut , chocolate , cinnamon

,cocoa coffee , drab , fawn , ginger , hazel , khaki , mahogany , nut , sepia ,
tawny , toast , umber

White – alabaster , ashen , blanched ,bloodless , chalky , cream , fair , frosted ,

ghostly ivory , pale , pallid , pasty , pearl , pearly , sickly , snowy

Black – carbon , charcoal , coal , dark , ebony , jet , obsidian , onyx , pitch ,
raven , sable slate , sooty

Other – buff , checkered , freckled , hounds-tooth , iridescent , opaque ,

polka-dotted , silver , spotted , striped , transparent

Creative Writing Phrases

SURPRISE

I was shocked beyond belief

He was exceedingly surprised

I let out a squeak of delight

The incident made my hair stand on ends

I could not believe my eyes

My eyelids jumped open

We stood speechless

He stood breathless

My heart almost jumped out of my chest

The incident left me awestruck I blinked my eyes in disbelief

My heart skipped a beat

We stared almost in a trance

I felt as if a million volts surged through my body

EXCITEMENT

I experienced a burst of energy

Her tongue raced like a squirrel in the park

A wave of enthusiasm swept over my body

The village buzzed with activity

In a split second I was on my feet

My entire body jittered in agitation

My heart made a throbbing sound within my chest

My heart pounded

I was as eager as a child

The crowds cheered exuberantly

CONFUSION

I could neither predict nor fathom

My mind was in turmoil

I became dazed

Weird thoughts filtered into my mind

My head got light and dizzy

I was overcome with bewilderment

I was lost in a world of my own

All my sensations were numb

DETERMINED

I was steadfast in my belief

We were determined to press on

I was consumed with determination

I worked feverishly

I burnt the midnight oil

There was no limit to my persistence

GUILT/APOLOGETIC/ REGRETFUL

My pleas for forgiveness were in vain

Guilt was written all over my face

I was overcome with guilt

I was overwhelmed with remorse

I had to face the consequences of my actions

I had been caught in the act

There was no escaping the myth