Verbs describe an action. That makes sense, right? Without them, we wouldn't know whether Victoria vanished into the mist or simply vacated through the garden gate. Most verbs take the subject of the sentence (in this case, Victoria) and mobilize it into some form of action. Of course, there are other types of verbs (such as helping and linking verbs) and there's more of that to come. In the meantime, enjoy this voluminous list of verbs that start with "v."
Verbs Starting With V
Are you ready to venture into the world of "v" verbs? Take a deep dive into 50 of the most common "v" verbs. Expand your vocabulary by getting to know what these verbs mean and exploring some very similar synonyms.
Verb | Definition | Synonyms |
vacate | to empty | abandon, abdicate, leave |
vacation | to take time off from regular work | holiday, break, rest |
vaccinate | to take a shot in order to prevent disease | immunize, inoculate, inject |
vacillate | to waver back and forth and be unable to choose between options | fluctuate, waiver, teeter |
vacuum | to remove dirt using a tool that sucks up dirt | clean, hoover, suction clean |
valet | to work parking or cleaning cars | park, attend, detail |
validate | to confirm the accuracy of something | authenticate, certify, vet |
value | to determine the worth of something | estimate, assess, appraise |
vamp | to attempt to attract admiration or desire | preen, seduce, flirt |
vandalize | to damage someone else's property | wreck, destroy, trash |
vanish | to become invisible | dematerialize, disappear, dissolve |
vanquish | to defeat | beat, best, conquer |
vaporize | to convert into gas by heating | aerate, boil, evaporate |
varnish | to brush on a clear, protective coating | finish, paint, shellac |
vary | to cause something to differ from something else | alter, change, deviate |
vault | to leap over something | hurdle, clear, bound |
veer | to turn or swerve sharply | avert, bend, careen |
vend | to offer for sale | peddle, hawk, sell |
venerate | to regard with great respect | admire, adulate, respect |
vent | to complain about something | release, discharge, let out |
ventilate | to to expose to air | aerate, circulate, oxygenate |
venture | to proceed with something that has an element of risk | attempt, set forth, proceed |
verbalize | to use words to express something | articulate, express, say |
verge | to be on the border or edge | approach, contiguous, touch on |
verify | to confirm | affirm, attest, validate |
vest | to grant authority | empower, authorize, sanction |
vet | to evaluate in a thorough way | appraise, judge, assess |
veto | to refuse to sign a bill or reject a proposed act | overrule, reject, deny approval |
vex | to cause irritation or frustration | annoy, upset, irk |
vibrate | to shake quickly | shake, quiver, quaver |
victimize | to cheat, fool or harm | bamboozle, exploit, swindle |
videotape | to capture an event in video format | film, video, record |
vie | to strive to win something | compete, contend, contest |
view | to look at | observe, see, watch |
vilify | to express negative things about a person or thing | malign, disparage, denigrate |
vindicate | to demonstrate that one is not guilty | acquit, exonerate, clear |
violate | to break a law or agreement | breach, disobey, infract |
visit | to call on someone to spend time with them | call on, go by, drop in |
visualize | to form a mental image of something | picture, envision, imagine |
vocalize | to express with the voice | articulate, enunciate, speak |
voice | to express through words | state, assert, utter |
void | to invalidate | nullify, invalidate, cancel |
volley | to hit something to keep it in the air | hit, knock, return |
volunteer | to give without being asked | offer, give, donate |
vomit | to eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth | throw up, hurl, puke |
vote | to participate in an election | cast a ballot, aye or nay, choose |
vouch | to confirm the value or merit | affirm, assert, support |
vouchsafe | to give or do something as a favor | award, grant, bestow upon |
vow | to promise | pledge, commit, attest |
voyage | to go on a long trip | expedition, pilgrimage, journey |
Types of Verbs
While action is usually what comes to mind first when most people think of verbs, action words are actually not the only kind of verb. Action verbs are the most common type, but helping and linking verbs are also often used in everyday sentences.
- Action verbs highlight things you can do. For example, you could visit a new restaurant. If you happen to get a case of food poisoning from whatever you eat at that new restaurant, you'll vomit when you get home. These two words (visit and vomit) are examples of action verbs.
- Helping verbs work in conjunction with the main verb to extend its meaning. Because of this, they always appear in conjunction with another verb. For example, consider this sentence: "Victoria is violating the contract agreement." In this sentence, "is" is the helping verb to the main (action) verb "violating."
- Linking verbs don't involve action. They link a sentence's subject to more information. Linking verbs are often "to be" verbs (like am, is, are, were). An example would be, "Veronica was a friend." In this example, "was" is the linking verb. It connects the subject (Veronica) to an adjective phrase that describes her (a friend).
10 Example Sentences
Are you ready to put the "v" verbs you've learned to use in sentences? Before you do, quickly review the formula for a simple sentence. It's easy: subject + verb + direct object. In the sentence, "Victor ventured to Venezuela," "Victor" is the subject, "ventured" is the verb, and "Venezuela" is the direct object. In preparation for using various words that start with "v," consider a few sample sentences featuring "v" verbs.
- They were forced to vacate the premises.
- Would you like to vacation in Mumbai with me?
- Ask them to validate our tickets, please.
- This should vanquish all evil for good.
- Why do they choose to venerate these false gods?
- She knows how to verbalize her needs well.
- The twins both vie for attention from their grandparents.
- He can visualize his dreams and make them come true.
- Tony had to vouch for him, but he made it into the club.
- They decided to voyage across the sea to England.
Voice Your V-Verbs
Pretty interesting, right? From vacillate to vouchsafe, there are some pretty unique "v" verbs in the English language. What about adjectives? The adjective "very" tends to be overused. Add some variety to your vocab by learning 20 adjectives that start with "v." Will you be victorious? If so, venture into even more "v" words by exploring WordFinder by YourDictionary's list of words that start with "v." You'll be on your way to building a truly versatile vocabulary! From there, move on to the next letter in the alphabet with a list of 50 "w" verbs.