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Awesome Action Verbs

In every sentence, employ language that conveys the depth of your argument—especially DTQs, theoretical
claims, thesis statements, topic sentences, and analysis. This list of verbs will strengthen your writing, but only
if you select words that you know will fit your meaning and syntax.
Example: The text emphasizes its unlikely representations of injustice in order to explore how the
characters contend with oppression.

Ironize Expand Assume Justify Review


Conjecture Perceive Denounce Account Announce
Illuminate Manipulate Renounce Address Nod (toward/at)
Expose Configure Link Problematize Diagnose
Render Isolate Gesture (to/at) Position Detect
Interpret Respond Censure Inform Guide
Contradict Characterize Contend Maintain Persuade
Challenge Probe Descend Conceal Pronounce
Conflict Question Reinforce Instigate Coach
Analyze Evaluate Bolster Expound (on) Adapt
Examine Highlight Detach Recall Clarify
Study Emphasize Broaden Echo Craft
Signal Underscore Distinguish Dismiss Attain
Investigate Focus Amplify Alter Discuss
Scrutinize Feature Intensify Elevate Posit
Confirm Accentuate Reconfigure Conflate Obscure
Verify Attest Deride Negate Disguise
Create Initiate Shroud Disclose Trigger
Generate Shape Authorize Enforce Rationalize
Fashion Transform Dramatize Conceive Treat
Form Frame Illustrate Augment Carry
Construct Support Present Identify Validate
Deconstruct Sustain Represent Witness Engage
Reconstruct Suggest Explain Attribute Elaborate (on)
Build Propose Prove Arrange Condense
Produce Imply Demonstrate Evoke Connect
Invent Insinuate Exhibit Advance Defy
Condemn Indicate Express Dismantle Divulge
Claim Signify Reveal Argue Warp
Hint Denote Establish Enable Misconceive
Obstruct Connote Offer Explore Grasp
Veil Critique Exist Negotiate Recognize
Dispute Interrogate Portray Mediate Ascribe
Criticize Situate Describe Simulate Assign
Consider Assert Exemplify Organize Radicalize
Access Complicate Epitomize Work (to) Navigate
Heighten Associate Embody Prioritize Counteract
Chronicle Insist Explicate Prompt Traverse
Historicize Elucidate Instruct Contextualize Lampoon

For the printable PDF version of this list, click here.

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