Out of the various parts of speech, it's hard to say if nouns or verbs are more important. Let's just say they're equally necessary. While nouns tend to act as the subject of the sentence, verbs take that subject and propel it into action. So everyone definitely needs a strong vocabulary of verbs. Boost yours by exploring 50 verbs that start with "p." After you've propelled your way down the list, pause briefly for a quick verb overview, then peruse some sample sentences.
50 Verbs Starting With P
There are a lot of verbs that start with "p" in the English language. Find out what 50 of the most commonly used "p" verbs mean and discover a few synonyms for each.
Verb | Definition | Synonyms |
paint | to create an image or covering a surface with paint | brush, coat, color, cover |
participate | to take part in an activity | contribute, cooperate, partake |
pass | to move in front of or go by someone or something | move past, go beyond, slip by |
pause | to stop for a brief period of time | wait, delay, halt |
pay | to give money for goods or services | compensate, purchase, reimburse |
peel | to pull or tear away something that's attached to something else | shell, shuck, husk |
penetrate | to pass into or through something | enter, permeate, puncture |
perceive | to notice or see | comprehend, discern, become aware |
perform | to carry out or fulfill duties or tasks | do, carry out, carry out |
permit | to allow something | authorize, let, sanction |
persist | to refuse to give up | continue, persevere, keep going |
persuade | to convince someone to do something | convince, win over, induce |
pick | to choose | select, opt, elect |
place | to set down | deposit, position, put |
plan | to develop a scheme or program to get something done | arrange, plot, organize |
play | to engage in activity for fun | carouse, cavort, frolic |
pledge | to give something as security for an agreement | guarantee, vouch, promise |
plug | to fill a hole by inserting material into it | block, fill, seal |
point | to motion in the direction of something, usually with a finger | gesture, indicate, signal |
pop | to make a sudden, short, explosive noise | bang, burst, crack |
pose | to get into a certain position | arrange, model, assume a stance |
possess | to have an item or property | hold, retain, own |
post | to display or publish something up in a public location | place, put, make known |
pour | to flow or drop into something | stream, splash, trickle |
praise | to lavish approval on someone | recognize, applaud, laud |
pray | to ask for something or offer thanks to a higher being | ask a deity for favor, request favor, supplicate |
prefer | to like someone or something better than another | favor, be partial to, inclined toward |
prepare | to make ready | make ready, make arrangements, plan |
present | to formally introduce someone or give an honor via a ceremony | introduce, recognize, bestow |
preserve | to care for or maintain something | secure, protect, safeguard |
pretend | to make believe or imitate | fake, falsify, purport |
prevent | to keep from happening | avert, avoid, intervene |
to produce written documents via hand or machine | publish, write, letter | |
proceed | to move forward | advance, start, set in motion |
produce | to create or bring into being | generate, create, make |
prohibit | to forbid someone from doing something | stop, ban, block |
promise | to guarantee that one will do something | affirm, commit, declare |
promote | to give someone a higher position | advance, move up, upgrade |
prompt | to cause something else to happen | incite, elicit, star |
propose | to suggest or recommend | initiate, put forward, submit |
protect | to defend or guard | shield, secure, safeguard |
prove | to establish that something is true | confirm, convince, substantiate |
provide | to supply or make available | furnish, give, issue |
publish | to issue a work of writing for sale or reading | circulate, issue, go live |
pull | to make something move toward something else by tugging or dragging | drag, tow, haul |
punish | to impose suffering | penalize, discipline, corrective action |
purchase | to obtain something by paying for it | acquire, buy, procure |
pursue | to actively seek to obtain or catch something | go after, follow, chase |
push | to press, force or urge a person or thing to move | shove, force, knock |
put | to place something | position, set, situate |
3 Prominent Types of Verbs
The English language has many, many verbs, including a lot that start with "p." Most are action verbs, as is the case with the verbs listed above. However, given their prominence in the English language, there are actually a few different kinds of verbs. Action verbs, helping verbs and linking verbs are the most prevalent kinds of verbs.
- Action verbs highlight things a person can do. For example, if you perform a task, that means you're engaging in an action. If you persuade someone to hire you for a job, that took effort on your part. Action verbs are action words.
- Linking verbs don't describe an action. Instead, they link the subject to more information. Some verbs, such as the "p" verb prove can function as an action or linking verb. Consider this sentence: "This document proves ownership." Here, prove simply links the subject (this document) to more information about the subject. However, if someone said, "You need to prove that you own this," then prove would be an action verb.
- Helping verbs assist the main verb in a sentence by extending its meaning. Consider this statement: "Peter is promising to clean out the attic." Here, "is" is the helping verb to the main (action) verb, which is the word promising.
10 Example Sentences
Knowing a lot of verbs that start with "p" is helpful only if you can actually use them in sentences. The basic format of a sentence is subject + verb + direct object, though some sentences are more complex than this. In the simple yet alliterative sentence, "Penelope possesses great potential," "Penelope" is the subject, "possesses" is the verb and "great potential" is the direct object. Ready to ponder a few sample sentences? Review 10 of the "p" words properly placed in sentences.
- I'd love to paint a mural on the living room wall.
- Let's pause after this chapter.
- If you do not participate, you will lose class points.
- But, if you persist, you will succeed.
- Please pick your favorite book.
- Who do you pray for at night?
- They are going to produce new music.
- Will you promise never to leave?
- Did you seriously purchase a new car?
- Please do not push your little sister.
Penetrating P-Verbs
Why not let some of these "p" verbs penetrate into your next piece of writing? Let them pulsate and pop across the page as you weave an interesting story or poem. While you're at it, consider pairing a "p" verb with the occasional "p" noun. Or ponder the full range of words that start with "p" on WordFinder by YourDictionary. You never know what sort of alliteration you might come up with! When you're ready to move on from "p," then it'll be time to quickly query verbs that start with "q."