225 Verbs That Start with H [with Definitions and Examples]

It is a common phenomenon that if you want to stand out from the rest of the people around you, you need to have a variety of different words at your disposal through which you can perform and explain your actions, especially verbs that start with H. There are hundreds of verbs starting with H that you must get hold of. It will not just make you stand apart from the rest but will also add compactness and denseness to your overall personality. So, memorizing a list of verbs starting with H will be the first step in achieving that goal.

H, or h, is the eighth letter in the ISO basic Latin alphabet. An interesting thing about letter H is that it acts as a voiceless vowel in some cases such as, an hour, an herb, an honorable man etc. The reason for this is that phonation of letter H is voiceless, which means it is produced without vibrations of the vocal cords.

In this article, you will see several categories of verbs that start with H to describe a person, place, or condition, etc. You will also get to know about their usage in daily life writings and communications. In order to get hold of the concepts explained in this article, firstly you can start by learning verbs that start with H. Secondly, you will need to dive deep into each of these categories and differentiate it from the rest. Thirdly, you will need to add verbs beginning with H into each of these categories that are in your knowledge. These three steps will help you build a vast encyclopedia of verbs that will come in handy when you will be writing, or communicating with someone.

Verbs That Start with H You Always Use

There are a lot of verbs that you use much frequently in your day-to-day life both while speaking and writing. Following is a list of such verb that start with H.

1. Have

• Definition: to contain, hold, or own something
• Synonyms: bear, keep, possess, own
• Example: We have some bad news.

2. Hear

• Definition: to perceive a sound with your ears
• Synonyms: discover, gather, perceive
• Example: Didn’t you hear the doorbell?

3. Hold

• Definition: to have or keep in the hand
• Synonyms: have, take, grip
• Example: She held the purse in her right hand.

4. Hit

• Definition: to strike or collide with
• Synonyms: bat, punch, bang
• Example: She hit him with a bat.

5. Happen

• Definition: to take place or occur
• Synonyms: appear, transpire, turn out
• Example: Don’t ask me what caused it—it just happened, that’s all.

6. Handle        

• Definition: to hold or deal with something
• Synonyms: control, govern, supervise
• Example: He handled the situation all by himself.

7. Hate

• Definition: to feel strong aversion or dislike
• Synonyms: abhor, despise, detest
• Example: Kelly hates her teacher.

8. Hand

• Definition: to put something into someone’s hand from your own hand
• Synonyms: pass, give, provide
• Example: Please read this memo carefully and hand it on to your colleagues.

9. Hide

• Definition: to conceal something
• Synonyms: camouflage, bury, conceal, stash
• Example: She used to hide her diary under her pillow.

10. Heat

• Definition: to add warmth to something
• Synonyms: warm, fry, thaw, ignite
• Example: Shall I heat up some soup for lunch?

Verbs That Start with H You Usually Use

A verb is the action word in a sentence; it literally drives the sentence and indicates much about what is going on. Following is a list of verbs starting with H that we usually use in our daily life routine.

1. Hop 

• Definition: to jump on one foot or to move about in this way
• Synonyms: jump, bounce, leap
• Example: I tried to hop on my good foot while holding onto Jim.

2. Hurt

• Definition: to cause someone to experience pain
• Synonyms: harm, trouble, injure
• Example: He was badly hurt by the end of his marriage.

3. Horrify

• Definition: to shock someone very much
• Synonyms: scare, alarm, appall
• Example: This news will horrify my parents.

4. Harm

• Definition: to hurt someone or damage something
• Synonyms: damage, ruin, shatter, tarnish
• Example: Thankfully no one was harmed in the accident.

5. Highlight

• Definition: to emphasize something
• Synonyms: foreground, underline, underscore
• Example: The report highlights the need for improved safety.

6. Hospitalize        

• Definition: to take someone to hospital and keep them there for treatment
• Synonyms: admit, confine
• Example: His wife’s been hospitalized for depression.

7. Hesitate

• Definition: to pause before deciding, acting, or speaking
• Synonyms: vacillate, pause, ponder
• Example: She hesitated slightly before answering detective’s question.

8. Headline

• Definition: to publicize highly
• Synonyms: prioritize, foreground, emphasize
• Example: The story was headlined “Killer dogs on the loose”.

9. Head

• Definition: to be in charge of a group or organization
• Synonyms: control, lead, supervise
• Example: She heads one of Britain’s leading travel firms.

10. Humiliate

• Definition: to make someone feel ashamed or lose respect for himself or herself
• Synonyms: embarrass, demean, degrade
• Example: England were humiliated in last night’s match.

Verbs That Start with H You Often Use

A verb possesses the grammatical meaning of verbiality – the ability to denote a process developing in time. The processual meaning is embedded in all the verbs. Following is a list of verbs starting with H that you often make use of.  

1. Harass

• Definition: to subject to unwelcome sexual advances
• Synonyms: bother, pester, badger
• Example: She was harassed by her boss many years ago.

2. Hunt

• Definition: to chase and try and kill an animal or bird for food
• Synonyms: chase, pursue, stalk
• Example: Some animals hunt at night.

3. Hang

• Definition: to attach or suspend so as to allow free movement
• Synonyms: suspend, swing, dangle
• Example: A heavy gold necklace hung around her neck.

4. Hurry

• Definition: to move or do things more quickly than normal
• Synonyms: hasten, hustle, rush
• Example: Hurry or you’ll be late.

5. Hike

• Definition: to increase the cost of something
• Synonyms: raise, increase, boost
• Example: Retailers have hiked up prices again.

6. Heave         

• Definition: to raise or lift with effort or force
• Synonyms: fling, haul, hoist
• Example: He cleared the space, heaving boxes out of the way.

7. Hail

• Definition: to call out or yell in order to catch the attention of
• Synonyms: address, salute, signal
• Example: I tried to hail her from across the room.

8. Hook

• Definition: to fasten something with a hook
• Synonyms: fasten, pin, clasp
• Example: He hooked the trailer to his car.

9. Hurtle

• Definition: to move very quickly
• Synonyms: charge, dash, lunge
• Example: The truck hurtled along at breakneck speed.

10. Howl

• Definition: to cry out in pain
• Synonyms: wail, lament, cry
• Example: An injured dog lay in the middle of the road, howling in pain.

Verbs That Start with H You Sometimes Use

In both our verbal and written communications, we use some verbs more than the others. These are some of the verbs beginning with H that are not used on a regular basis in our daily life routine. 

1. Hoard   

• Definition: to collect large amounts of something and keep it for yourself
• Synonyms: amass, stash, accumulate
• Example: During the siege people began hoarding food supplies.

2. Hush

• Definition: to become or be silent or quiet
• Synonyms: muffle, quieten, shush
• Example: They hushed as the judge walked in.

3. Harbor

• Definition: to give shelter to
• Synonyms: hide, protect, defend
• Example: They harbored the refugees who streamed across the borders.

4. Hoist

• Definition: to raise or lift
• Synonyms: boost, crane, uplift
• Example: A helicopter hoisted the final section of the bridge into place.

5. Hinder

• Definition: to restrain or hold something back
• Synonyms: impede, obstruct, fetter
• Example: High winds have hindered firefighters in their efforts to put out the blaze.

6. Hijack         

• Definition: to take over something that doesn’t belong to you
• Synonyms: commandeer, capture, seize
• Example: He resents the way his ideas have been hijacked by others.

7. Haunt

• Definition: to appear as a ghost
• Synonyms: spook, materialize, pervade
• Example: 30 years after the fire he is still haunted by images of death and destruction.

8. Hamper

• Definition: hinder or impede the movement or progress of
• Synonyms: hinder, obstruct, impede
• Example: Fierce storms have hampered rescue efforts.

9. Humble

• Definition: cause someone to feel less important or proud
• Synonyms: belittle, demean, debase
• Example: He was humbled by his many ordeals.

10. Hobble

• Definition: to walk in an awkward way
• Synonyms: limp, falter, totter
• Example: He was hobbling around on crutches.

Verbs That Start with H You Occasionally Use

Most of the verbs words that start with H might be pretty commonly used, but there are some verbs that are only used at some specific occasions. Following is a list of such verbs.

1. Huddle  

• Definition: to crowd together
• Synonyms: assemble, consult, group
• Example: It was so cold that we huddled together for warmth.

2. Hallucinate

• Definition: to perceive things that are not really present
• Synonyms: fantasize, envision, visualize
• Example: Mental disorders can cause people to hallucinate.

3. Hiss

• Definition: to make the sound of a snake
• Synonyms: seethe, buzz, sound
• Example: People in the audience were hissing their disapproval.

4. Harness

• Definition: to control something, usually in order to use its power
• Synonyms: control, mobilize, exploit
• Example: Organizations need to harness the skills and knowledge of people who are retired or unemployed.

5. Hybridize

• Definition: to cause the production of hybrids by crossing
• Synonyms: cross-breed, mix, blend
• Example: A few gardeners hybridize their roses.

6. Hinge          

• Definition: to depend entirely on
• Synonyms: depend, rest, hang
• Example: The future of the industry could hinge on the outcome of next month’s election.

7. Harpoon

• Definition: to hit or kill a fish or whale with a harpoon
• Synonyms: skew, dart, spike
• Example: Gilbert’s father harpooned a five-meter shark.

8. Hanker

• Definition: to have a strong desire for something
• Synonyms: crave, itch, yearn
• Example: I’ve been hankering for a hot dog.

9. Handcuff

• Definition: to put handcuffs on someone
• Synonyms: bind, restrain, secure
• Example: He was handcuffed by the police and taken into custody.

10. Hypothesize

• Definition: to give a possible but not yet proved explanation for something
• Synonyms: suppose, cerebrate, consider, brainstorm
• Example: There’s no point hypothesizing about how the accident happened.

Verbs That Start with H You Seldom Use

While going through a written piece or while listening to a person talking, you often come across verbs that you haven’t heard of a lot. Below is a list of verbs that start with the letter H that are seldom used.

1. Haggle  

• Definition: to bargain on a price
• Synonyms: bargain, barter, negotiate
• Example: It’s traditional that you haggle over the price of things in the market.

2. Harbinger

• Definition: to give a warning or prediction
• Synonyms: signal, predict, herald
• Example: The speech harbingered a change in policy.

3. Hone

• Definition: to make an object sharp
• Synonyms: sharpen, whet, edge
• Example: The bone had been honed to a point.

4. Habituate

• Definition: to get used to something
• Synonyms: prepare, familiarize, acclimatize
• Example: Feeding moose habituates them to humans.

5. Hypnotize

• Definition: to put in trance
• Synonyms: captivate, mesmerize, spellbind
• Example: I was hypnotized by her steely grey eyes.

6. Hibernate          

• Definition: to spend the winter in close quarters in a dormant condition
• Synonyms: sleep, immure, hole up
• Example: The turtle hibernates in a shallow burrow up to six months.

7. Homogenize

• Definition: to change something so that all of its parts or features become the same or very similar
• Synonyms: blend, adapt, mingle, intermix
• Example: TV has homogenized the culture and language of large parts of the planet.

8. Humidify

• Definition: increase the level of moisture in air
• Synonyms: moisten, dampen, bedew
• Example: Plants humidify and cool the air in hot weather.

9. Hitchhike

• Definition: to travel by getting free rides in someone else’s vehicle
• Synonyms: hitch, ride, travel
• Example: They hitchhiked to Paris.

10. Harrow

• Definition: to disturb keenly or painfully
• Synonyms: trouble, distress, afflict
• Example: Ali could take it, whereas I’m harrowed by it.

Verbs That Start with H You Rarely Use

There are some verbs that are rarely seen or heard in our day-to-day life and we are often amazed knowing the fact that such verbs even exist. Below is list of some H-verbs that fall under this category.

1. Harangue    

• Definition: to speak to someone or a group of people, often for a long time, in a forceful and sometimes angry way
• Synonyms: lecture, address, accost
• Example: A drunk in the station was haranguing passers-by.

2. Hector

• Definition: talk to someone in a bullying way
• Synonyms: bully, intimidate, browbeat
• Example: She doesn’t hector us about giving up things.

3. Hoodwink

• Definition: to deceive or trick
• Synonyms: outwit, deceive, dupe
• Example: He hoodwinked us into agreeing.

4. Hobnob

• Definition: mix socially, especially with those of perceived higher social status
• Synonyms: associate, mix, fraternize
• Example: He was hobnobbing with the great and good.

5. Hypostasize

• Definition: to treat or represent something abstract as a concrete reality
• Synonyms: materialize, actualize, realize
• Example: We must beware of hypostatizing the market as a real entity, a maker of inexorable decisions.

6. Hellenize           

• Definition: to make Greek in character
• Synonyms: transform, adopt, Grecize
• Example: Antiochus sought to Hellenize his subjects.

7. Horsewhip

• Definition: to hit someone with a whip
• Synonyms: lash, batter, smack
• Example: She would horsewhip them mercilessly.

8. Hyperventilate

• Definition: to breathe at an abnormally rapid rate
• Synonyms: huffing, gasp, pant
• Example: She started to hyperventilate under stress.

9. Hotfoot

• Definition: to run or walk somewhere as quickly as possible
• Synonyms: hasten, race, speed
• Example: He walked in and I hotfooted it out the back door.

10. Humbug

• Definition: to impose upon by humbug or false pretense
• Synonyms: deceive, trick, misled
• Example: Poor Dave is easily humbugged.

Positive Verbs That Start with H

Positive connotation makes words seem pleasant, satisfying and affirmative in the context in which they are used. Following is a list of positive verbs that start with H that carry a positive connotation.

1. Help

• Definition: to provide aid or assistance
• Synonyms: aid, assist, boost
• Example: He always helps the poor.

2. Heal

• Definition: to make or become healthy
• Synonyms: alleviate, cure, mend
• Example: The plaster cast helps to heal the broken bone.

3. Hope

• Definition: to wish or desire that something will occur
• Synonyms: expect, pray, aspire
• Example: I hope she’ll win.

4. Hug

• Definition: to put the arms around and hold closely
• Synonyms: caress, cradle, embrace
• Example: They hugged each other when they met at the station.

5. Hum

• Definition: to sing without opening your mouth
• Synonyms: sing, murmur, buzz
• Example: She hummed to herself as she walked to school.

6. Hire      

• Definition: to employ someone for wages
• Synonyms: employ, appoint, sign up
• Example: I was hired by the first company I applied to.

7. Harvest

• Definition: to pick and collect crops
• Synonyms: gather, pick, reap
• Example: Farmers sort the vegetables when they harvest.

8. Harmonize

• Definition: to bring ideas, feelings, or actions into agreement
• Synonyms: adjust, coordinate, integrate
• Example: We need to harmonize the different approaches into a unified plan.

9. Honor

• Definition: to show great respect for someone
• Synonyms: respect, admire, appreciate
• Example: We are honored that you have come to speak to our students.

10. Host

• Definition: to be the host for guests or for a special event
• Synonyms: entertain, receive, organize
• Example: Which country is hosting the next Olympics?

Verbs That Start with H – Full List (225 words)

• Habilitate
• Habit
• Habituate
• Hack
• Hackle
• Haggle
• Hail
• Hale
• Halloo
• Hallow
• Halt
• Halter
• Halve
• Ham
• Hammer
• Hamper
• Hamstring
• Hand
• Handcraft
• Handcuff
• Handicap
• Handle
• Handstamp
• Handwrite
• Hang
• Hanker
• Hap
• Happen
• Harangue
• Harass
• Harbinger
• Harbor
• Harbour
• Harden
• Hare
• Hark
• Harken
• Harlequin
• Harm
• Harmonize
• Harness
• Harp
• Harpoon
• Harrow
• Harry
• Harshen
• Harvest
• Hash
• Hasp
• Hassle
• Hasten
• Hat
• Hatch
• Hatchel
• Hate
• Haul
• Haunt
• Have
• Haw
• Hawk
• Hay
• Hazard
• Haze
• Head
• Headline
• Headquarter
• Heal
• Heap
• Hear
• Hearken
• Hearten
• Heat
• Heave
• Heckle
• Hectograph
• Hector
• Hedge
• Hedgehop
• Heed
• Heel
• Heft
• Heighten
• Heist
• Heliograph
• Hellenize
• Helm
• Help
• Hem
• Hemagglutinate
• Hemorrhage
• Hemstitch
• Henna
• Herald
• Herd
• Hesitate
• Heterodyne
• Hew
• Hex
• Hibachi
• Hibernate
• Hiccough
• Hiccup
• Hide
• Hie
• Higgle
• Highjack
• Highlight
• Hightail
• Hijack
• Hike
• Hill
• Hinder
• Hinge
• Hint
• Hire
• Hiss
• Hit
• Hitch
• Hitchhike
• Hive
• Hoard
• Hoax
• Hob
• Hobble
• Hobnail
• Hobnob
• Hock
• Hoe
• Hog
• Hoist
• Hold
• Hole
• Holiday
• Holler
• Hollo
• Hollow
• Holystone
• Home
• Homer
• Homestead
• Homogenize
• Homologize
• Hone
• Honey
• Honeycomb
• Honeymoon
• Honk
• Honor
• Honour
• Hood
• Hoodoo
• Hoodwink
• Hoof
• Hook
• Hoop
• Hoot
• Hoover
• Hop
• Hope
• Hopple
• Horn
• Hornswoggle
• Horrify
• Horse
• Horseshoe
• Horsewhip
• Hose
• Hospitalize
• Host
• Hotfoot
• Hound
• House
• Housebreak
• Houseclean
• Housekeep
• Hover
• Howl
• Huckster
• Huddle
• Hue
• Huff
• Hug
• Hulk
• Hull
• Hum
• Humanize
• Humble
• Humbug
• Humidify
• Humiliate
• Humor
• Humour
• Hump
• Hunch
• Hunger
• Hunker
• Hunt
• Hurdle
• Hurl
• Hurrah
• Hurry
• Hurt
• Hurtle
• Husband
• Hush
• Husk
• Hustle
• Hybridize
• Hydrate
• Hydrogenate
• Hydrolyze
• Hydroplane
• Hymn
• Hype
• Hyperbolize
• Hyperextend
• Hypertrophy
• Hyperventilate
• Hyphen
• Hyphenate
• Hypnotize
• Hypostasize
• Hypostatize
• Hypothecate
• Hypothesize

Final Thoughts on Verbs That Start with H

Thank you for reading this article with interest. It is hoped that you would have learned something new as a result of this experience. I am sure that there are many more verbs starting with H that you can add to the above given categories. Inserting those verbs that start with H into the phrases, clauses, and sentences that you speak and write would bring you great success. This article will undoubtedly help you improve your English skills and clear up any confusion you might have over the use of verbs beginning with H in your writings and interactions. Apart from that you will also be able to add terseness and pithiness to your expression and writing which would implicitly create an admirable public self-image for you in the eyes of your audience.

Ps. See also positive words that start with H, adjectives that start with H and nouns that start with H.