- olusola Butler
- Sun 18, December 2022
- 871 Views
- 2 comments
Verbs are an essential part of language, and mastering them can significantly improve your spoken and written communication skills. Verbs describe actions, states, or events, and they are an important part of expressing yourself clearly and concisely.
Whether you’re looking to improve your English skills, learn a new language, or simply expand your vocabulary, understanding and using verbs effectively can greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively and express yourself creatively. From common verbs like “speak” and “write” to more uncommon ones like “abscond” and “cosset,” there is a wide range of verbs to explore and master. So dive in and start expanding your verb knowledge today!
Here is a list of uncommon verbs with their pronunciations, definitions, and examples in a sentence.
Definition: to formally and publicly say that you no longer believe in or support something
Example: He abjured his faith in the face of persecution.
Definition: to try to persuade someone by being very nice or by saying things that are not true
Example: She cajoled him into lending her money.
Definition: to express strong disapproval of something or someone
Example: He decried the government’s corruption.
Definition: to show too much affection or attention to someone in a way that is not sincere
Example: She fawned over the celebrity.
Definition: to persuade someone to do something by being very nice to them or by saying things that are not true
Example: He inveigled her into going on a date.
Definition: behaviour that is not honest or sincere
Example: He was accused of knavery.
Definition: to criticize someone or something severely
Example: The coach lambasted the team for their poor performance.
Definition: to lose vitality or become less interesting
Example: The party began to pall after midnight.
Definition: to publicly say that you no longer believe in or support something that you previously said or believed
Example: He recanted his earlier statements.
Definition: to move or behave in a way that is secretive or sneaky
Example: He skulked in the shadows.
Definition: to delay or be slow in starting or doing something
Example: He tarried too long and missed his flight.
Definition: a feeling of anger or annoyance caused by something that offends or insults you
Example: She took umbrage at his rude remark.
Definition: to weaken or make something less effective
Example: The scandalous accusations served to vitiate his reputation.
Definition: to go or travel in a particular direction
Example: He wended his way through the crowded streets.
Definition: to raise objections or complaints that are not important or serious
Example: He cavilled about the minor details.
Definition: very careful and thorough about small details and cleanliness
Example: She is fastidious about her appearance.
Definition: a situation or event that is very chaotic and causes a lot of destruction
Example: The hurricane was a maelstrom of wind and rain.
Definition: to drink a lot of something very quickly
Example: He quaffed a beer in one gulp.
Definition: to give up or reject something that you have a right to
Example: She abnegated her claim to the inheritance.
Definition: to become liquid, especially by absorbing moisture from the air
Example: The salt deliquesced in the humid air.
Definition: to teach or impress something on someone’s mind through repeated urging or instruction
Example: The teacher tried to inculcate good study habits in the students.
Definition: excessively or affectedly sad
Example: The lugubrious music suited the funeral.
Definition: to describe or suggest something in a way that is not very clear or detailed
Example: The artist adumbrated the scene in broad strokes.
Definition: to speak of or treat someone or something as if they are not important
Example: She belittled his accomplishments.
Definition: behaviour that is meant to deceive or trick someone
Example: He was accused of chicanery.
Definition: to hide or disguise one’s true thoughts, feelings, or character
Example: He dissembled his feelings about the situation.
Definition: to order or forbid something by using authority
Example: The court enjoined the company from polluting the river.
Definition: to cause or try to cause (something, such as trouble or rebellion) to happen or increase
Example: The opposition party tried to foment unrest among the people.
Definition: liking to be with and talk to other people
Example: He is a gregarious person.
Definition: to behave in a threatening way towards someone to make them do what you want
Example: He is hectoring her into submission.
Definition: to try to make someone like you by being very nice to them or doing things for them
Example: She tried to ingratiate herself with the boss.
Definition: to throw something away, especially to make something else lighter or easier to manage
Example: The ship jettisoned its cargo to stay afloat.
Definition: a state of feeling tired or lacking energy or enthusiasm
Example: The long hike left him with a feeling of lassitude.
Definition: in a way that is meant to be kept secret or hidden
Example: He surreptitiously took the money.
Definition: to change the appearance or form of something in a way that makes it more beautiful or spiritual
Example: The sunset transfigured the sky.
Definition: to criticize or scold someone severely
Example: She upbraided him for his recklessness.
Definition: to leave secretly and go into hiding, especially to avoid being caught or punished
Example: The thief absconded with the jewels.
Definition: to treat someone with too much care and attention, often in a way that is not good for them
Example: She cosseted her pet.
Definition: to hold a baby on one’s lap and move gently up and down
Example: She dandled the child on her knee.
Definition: to criticize or scold someone severely
Example: He fustigated her for her carelessness.
Definition: to burn or sear a wound or body tissue using a hot iron or caustic substance to stop bleeding or to kill bacteria or tissue
Example: The doctor cauterized the wound.
Definition: a state of not being used or not being active
Example: The old bridge fell into desuetude.
Definition: the state of being lively and full of energy
Example: She greeted him with ebullience.
Definition: having qualities that are strange and unsettling, as if not from this world
Example: She had a fey quality about her.
Definition: to attack someone or something strongly with words
Example: He fulminated against injustice.
Definition: a long, angry speech
Example: He delivered a harangue against the government.
Definition: to say something that is meant to be funny or amusing
Example: He japed about the weather.
Definition: to chew food
Example: She masticated the food slowly.
Definition: harmful or offensive, especially to the sense of smell
Example: The noisome fumes made her sick.
Definition: the use of words that sound like the thing they are describing
Example: The word “meow” is onomatopoeia for the sound a cat makes.
Definition: a conference or discussion, especially between people who are in a disagreement or conflict
Example: The two sides agreed to a parley.
Definition: a state of being punished forever in a very unpleasant place after death
Example: He believed he was headed for perdition.
Definition: to read or examine something very carefully
Example: She perused the menu.
Definition: to talk too much and without saying anything important
Example: He prated on about his problems.
Definition: to avoid telling the truth or to make someone believe something that is not true
Example: She prevaricated about her whereabouts.
Definition: having a strong desire for wealth or possessions and being willing to get them by any means, especially by taking advantage of others
Example: He was accused of being rapacious.
Definition: not well known or understood, especially because it is very difficult or technical
Example: The topic was too recondite for her.
Definition: having a strong, pleasant smell
Example: The room was redolent of flowers.
Definition: to feel or express a lack of satisfaction or happiness
Example: She repined at her situation.
Definition: a job that does not require much work but provides an income
Example: The position was a sinecure.
Definition: to satisfy a feeling of thirst
Example: He slaked his thirst with water.
Definition: to reject someone or something with strong dislike or contempt
Example: She spurned his advances.
Definition: firmly loyal and reliable
Example: He was a stalwart supporter.
Definition: to make it difficult or impossible for someone or something to succeed or make progress
Example: The weather stymied their plans.
Definition: to bring something to an end
Example: The rain surceased.
Definition: to wrap or cover something completely
Example: The bandages swathed his wound.
Definition: repeating the same idea in different words, often in a way that is not necessary
Example: His argument was tautological.
Definition: dark or not easy to see or understand
Example: The room was tenebrous.
Definition: having little substance or strength; not firm or strong
Example: The evidence was tenuous.
Definition: to drink alcohol often, especially in a way that is not controlled
Example: He liked to tipple on the weekends.
Definition: slow or inactive; not lively or energetic
Example: The snake was torpid.
Definition: a device used to stop the flow of blood from a wound by pressing on a blood vessel
Example: He applied a tourniquet to the wound.
Definition: to prevent someone or something from moving or acting freely
Example: The rules trammelled his creativity.
Definition: a way of using a word or expression that is different from its usual meaning, to create a special effect or to suggest something
Example: The phrase “the writing is on the wall” is a trope.
This would really help increase my winning streak in the word identification module
It takes time to start using this verbs in my spoken English as I’m not so good with it