250 Verbs That Start with S [with Definitions and Examples]

Verbs that start with S are very useful, and so we have included them in this article. Without verbs, it is barely possible for the English language to function properly. There are numerous verbs starting with S, and you can learn some of them by reading this article.

In order to make sense of something, it is important to use not just verbs beginning with S but any verbs in general. Verbs that start with S are quite useful, and knowing more of them will help to expand your vocabulary. Knowing these verbs that start with S is so important because of the fact that not only do they hold significance but also can describe a person.

In this article, the list of verbs that start with S will help you in the long run and will come in handy too. Moreover, you can use these verbs that start with S to describe a person.

Table of Contents

Verbs That Start with S You Always Use

Verbs that start with S are used literally everywhere and by everyone. Among hundreds of verbs that you come across daily, these are some which are known by almost everyone.

1. Say

Definition: utter words so as to convey information, an opinion, a feeling or intention, or an instruction
Synonyms: speak, utter, voice

Example: ‘Thank you,’ he said.

2. Sit

Definition: adapt or be in a position in which one’s weight is supported by one’s buttocks rather than one’s feet and one’s back is upright
Synonyms: take a seat, perch

Example: I sat next to him at dinner.

3. See

Definition: perceive with the eyes; discern visually
Synonyms: discern, perceive

Example: In the distance, she could see the blue sea.

4. Sell

Definition: give or hand over (something) in exchange for money
Synonyms: vend, exchange
Example: They had sold the car.

5. Set

Definition: put, lay, or stand (something) in a specified place or position
Synonyms: put, place
Example: Delaney set the mug of tea down.

6. Send

Definition: cause to go or be taken to a particular destination; arrange for the delivery of, especially by post
Synonyms: dispatch, mail
Example: We sent a reminder letter but received no reply.

7. Show

Definition: put on display in an exhibition or competition

Synonyms: display, exhibit
Example: He ceased early in his career to show his work.

8. Speak

Definition: say something in order to convey information or to express a feeling
Synonyms: talk, utter, tell
Example: In his agitation, he was unable to speak.

9. Slice

Definition: cut (something, especially food) into slices
Synonyms: cut, carve
Example: I was told to slice the onion into rings.

10. Sleep

Definition: be in a state of sleep; be asleep
Synonyms: doze, rest
Example: She slept for half an hour.

Verbs That Start with S You Usually Use

These are some verbs starting with S that you usually use and are most probably familiar with. But this list will surely make it easier for you to find them if needed.

1. Sew

Definition: join, fasten, or repair (something) by making stitches with a needle and thread or a sewing machine
Synonyms: stitch, embroider
Example: She sewed the seams and hemmed the border.

2. Scan

Definition: look at all parts of (something) carefully in order to detect some feature
Synonyms: study, examine
Example: He raised his binoculars to scan the coast.

3. Sing

Definition: make musical sounds with the voice, especially words with a set tune
Synonyms: chant, intone
Example: Bella sang to the baby.

4. Sight

Definition: manage to see or observe (someone or something); catch an initial glimpse of
Synonyms: glimpse, see

Example: Tell me when you sight London Bridge.

5. Select

Definition: carefully choose as being the best or most suitable
Synonyms: choose, pick
Example: Children must select their GCSE subjects.

6. Seek

Definition: ask for (something) from someone
Synonyms: request, solicit
Example: He sought help from the police.

7. Shoot

Definition: kill or wound (a person or animal) with a bullet or arrow
Synonyms: hit, injure
Example: He was shot in the leg during an armed robbery.

8. Shape

Definition: give a particular shape or form to
Synonyms: form, fashion, make
Example: Most caves are shaped by the flow of water through limestone.

9. Seem

Definition: give the impression of being something or having a particular quality
Synonyms: appear, look

Example: Dawn seemed annoyed.

10. Shift

Definition: move or cause to move from one place to another, especially over a small distance
Synonyms: move, carry, transfer
Example: A team from the power company came to shift the cables away from the house.

Verbs That Start with S You Often Use

There are some verbs that are not so commonly used but are used often. This section contains such verbs starting with S, which are often used, and you might already know some.

1. Shave

Definition: (of a man) cut the hair off the face with a razor
Synonyms: crop, trim
Example: He washed, shaved, and had breakfast.

2. Serve

Definition: perform duties or services for (another person or an organization)
Synonyms: obey, assist
Example: Malcolm has served the church very faithfully.

3. Slit

Definition: make a long, narrow cut in
Synonyms: cut, slash
Example: Give me the truth or I will slit your throat.

4. Slope

Definition: (of a surface or line) be inclined from a horizontal or vertical line; slant up or down

Synonyms: slant, incline
Example: The garden sloped down to a stream.

5. Slay

Definition: kill (a person or animal) in a violent way
Synonyms: kill, murder
Example: St George slew the dragon.

6. Skip

Definition: move along lightly, stepping from one foot to the other with a hop or bounce
Synonyms: caper, prance
Example: She began to skip down the path.

7. Separate

Definition: cause to move or be apart
Synonyms: part, slip
Example: Both owners were trying to separate the dogs.

8. Search

Definition: try to find something by looking or otherwise seeking carefully and thoroughly
Synonyms: hunt, look, explore
Example: I searched among the rocks, but there was nothing.

9. Smell

Definition: perceive or detect the odor or scent of (something)

Synonyms: scent, aroma, whiff
Example: I think I can smell something burning.

10. Scream

Definition: give a long, loud, piercing cry or cries expressing extreme emotion or pain
Synonyms: screech, yell
Example: They could hear him screaming in pain.

Verbs That Start with S You Sometimes Use

Not all words are equally as frequently used as others and so you may or may not know these verbs beginning with S that are sometimes used. Keep reading to check for yourself.

1. Shout

Definition: (of a person) utter a loud cry, typically as an expression of a strong emotion
Synonyms: yell, cry

Example: She shouted for joy.

2. Shatter

Definition: upset (someone) greatly
Synonyms: shock, devastate
Example: Everyone was shattered by the news.

3. Smash

Definition: violently break (something) into pieces
Synonyms: break, shatter
Example: The thief smashed a window to get into the car.

4. Slant

Definition: slope or lean in a particular direction; diverge or cause to diverge from the vertical or horizontal
Synonyms: slop, tilt
Example: A plowed field slanted up to the skyline.

5. Sink

Definition: (of a ship) go to the bottom of the sea or some other body of water because of damage or a collision

Synonyms: founder, submerge
Example: The trawler sank with the loss of all six crew.

6. Shower

Definition: (of a mass of small things) fall or be thrown in a shower
Synonyms: rain, fall, drizzle

Example: Bits of broken glass showered over me.

7. Shake

Definition: (of a structure or area of land) tremble or vibrate

Synonyms: vibrate, tremble
Example: Buildings shook in Sacramento, and tremors were felt in Reno.

8. Shelve

Definition: decide not to proceed with (a project or plan), either temporarily or permanently
Synonyms: stay, suspend
Example: Plans to reopen the school have been shelved.

9. Shove

Definition: push (someone or something) roughly
Synonyms: push, thrust
Example: They started shoving people out of the way.

10. Shampoo

Definition: wash or clean (something, especially the hair) with shampoo
Synonyms: bath, cleanse
Example: Dolly was sitting in the bath, shampooing her hair.

Verbs That Start with S You Occasionally Use

We surely come across some new words once in a while reading, right? In this list below are some verb words that start with S, which are occasionally used.

1. Shuffle

Definition: walk by dragging one’s feet along or without lifting them fully from the ground
Synonyms: shamble, stumble
Example: I stepped into my skis and shuffled to the edge of the steep slope.

2. Smear

Definition: coat or mark (something) messily or carelessly with a greasy or sticky substance
Synonyms: smudge, stain
Example: His face was smeared with dirt.

3. Scratch

Definition: score or mark the surface of (something) with a sharp or pointed object
Synonyms: score, scrape
Example: The car’s paintwork was battered and scratched.

4. Saddle

Definition: burden (someone) with an onerous responsibility or task
Synonyms: burden, encumber
Example: He’s saddled with debts of $12 million.

5. Shun

Definition: persistently avoid, ignore, or reject (someone or something) through antipathy or caution
Synonyms: avoid, evade
Example: He shunned fashionable society.

6. Smelt

Definition: extract (metal) from its ore by a process involving heating and melting
Synonyms: melt, purify
Example: The ores are smelted in a blast furnace.

7. Slash

Definition: cut with a wide, sweeping movement, typically using a knife or sword
Synonyms: gash, slit
Example: For what felt like hours, we climbed behind the trackers slashing the undergrowth ahead.

8. Shrug

Definition: dismiss something as unimportant
Synonyms: disregard, dismiss
Example: The managing director shrugged off the criticism.

9. Shed

Definition: (of a tree or other plant) allow (leaves or fruit) to fall to the ground
Synonyms: cast, mold
Example: Both varieties shed leaves in winter.

10. Seize

Definition: take hold of suddenly and forcibly
Synonyms: grab, grasp
Example: She jumped up and seized his arm.

Verbs That Start with S You Seldom Use

These words are not so commonly used, and so you will surely come across some new verbs here. Keep reading to find some new verbs that start with the letter S.

1. Shunt

Definition: push or pull (a train or part of a train) from the mainline to a siding or from one line of rails to another
Synonyms: avert, deviate
Example: Their train had been shunted into a siding.

2. Shudder

Definition: (of a person) tremble convulsively, typically as a result of fear or revulsion
Synonyms: shake, shiver
Example: She still shuddered at the thought of him.

3. Sever

Definition: divide by cutting or slicing, especially suddenly and forcibly
Synonyms: cut off, cleave
Example: The head was severed from the body.

4. Scoff

Definition: speak to someone or about something in a scornfully derisive or mocking way
Synonyms: mock, deride
Example: Patrick professed to scoff at soppy love scenes in films.

5. Scrunch

Definition: crush or squeeze (something) into a compact mass
Synonyms: crush, rumple
Example: Flora scrunched the handkerchief into a ball.

6. Scrabble

Definition: scratch or grope around with one’s fingers to find, collect, or hold on to something
Synonyms: scratch, grope
Example: She scrabbled at the grassy slope, desperate for purchase.

7. Slacken

Definition: make or become slack
Synonyms: loosen, relax
Example: He slackened his grip.

8. Sear

Definition: burn or scorch the surface of (something) with a sudden, intense heat
Synonyms: scorch, burn
Example: The water got so hot that it seared our lips.

9. Seep

Definition: (of a liquid) flow or leak slowly through a porous material or small holes
Synonyms: ooze, exude
Example: Water began to seep through the soles of his boots.

10. Scurry

Definition: (of a person or small animal) move hurriedly with short quick steps
Synonyms: scamper, scuttle
Example: The mouse scurried across the floor.

Verbs That Start with S You Rarely Use

Our brain isn’t a dictionary, and so it is likely that we don’t know all the words that exist. These are some S-verbs that might be new to you as they are rarely used.

1. Scintillate

Definition: emit flashes of light
Synonyms: sparkle, shine
Example: The sleek boat seemed to scintillate with a dark blue light.

2. Superannuate

Definition: retire (someone) with a pension
Synonyms: retired, pensioned
Example: His pilot’s license was withdrawn, and he was superannuated.

3. Scrimp

Definition: be thrifty or parsimonious
Synonyms: economize, skimp
Example: I have scrimped and saved to give you a good education.

4. Scrutinize

Definition: examine or inspect closely and thoroughly
Synonyms: inspect, survey
Example: Customers were warned to scrutinize the small print.

5. Skulk

Definition: move stealthily or furtively
Synonyms: lurk, hide
Example: He spent most of his time skulking about the corridors.

6. Skirmish

Definition: engage in a skirmish
Synonyms: fight, combat
Example: The two powers have fought three major wars and have skirmished continually.

7. Scrawl

Definition: write (something) in a hurried, careless way
Synonyms: scribble, doodle
Example: Charlie scrawled his signature.

8. Slabber

Definition: dribble at the mouth
Synonyms: slaver, splatter
Example: He was slabbering like a child.

9. Slake

Definition: quench or satisfy (one’s thirst)
Synonyms: quench, satisfy
Example: Slake your thirst with a glass of lemon water.

10. Shrivel

Definition: wrinkle and contract or cause to wrinkle and contract, especially due to loss of moisture
Synonyms: wither, wrinkle
Example: The flowers simply shriveled up.

Positive Verbs That Start with S

Positive verbs that start with S can be quite useful when it comes to cheering ourselves up. So here are some verbs that can possibly help you feel better and can increase your vocabulary at the same time.

1. Salute

Definition: show or express admiration and respect for
Synonyms: honor, recognize
Example: We salute a truly great photographer.

2. Smile

Definition: form one’s features into a pleased, kind, or amused expression, typically with the corners of the mouth turned up and the front teeth exposed
Synonyms: grin, beam
Example: She was smiling broadly.

3. Save

Definition: keep safe or rescue (someone or something) from harm or danger
Synonyms: rescue, liberate
Example: They brought him in to help save the club from bankruptcy.

4. Sport

Definition: play in a lively, energetic way
Synonyms: play, caper
Example: The children sported in the water.

5. Satisfy

Definition: meet the expectations, needs, or desires of (someone)
Synonyms: please, content
Example: I have always been satisfied with my job.

6. Sparkle

Definition: be vivacious and witty
Synonyms: brilliant, dazzling
Example: After a glass of wine, she began to sparkle.

7. Shine

Definition: (of a person’s eyes) be bright with emotion
Synonyms: glowing, beaming
Example: Her eyes shone as she spoke about family values.

8. Secure

Definition: protect against threats
Synonyms: protect, strengthen
Example: The government is concerned to secure the economy against too much foreign ownership.

9. Settle

Definition: resolve or reach an agreement about (an argument or problem)
Synonyms: resolve, sort out
Example: The unions have settled their year-long dispute with Hollywood producers.

10. Support

Definition: give assistance to, especially financially
Synonyms: help, aid
Example: The government gives £2,500 million a year to support the voluntary sector.

Verbs That Start with S – Full List (250 words)

Sabotage
Sacrifice
Sag
Sail
Saint
Salute
Sanctify
Sanction
Satirize
Satisfy
Saunter
Save
Savor
Savvy
Saw
Say
Scald
Scale
Scamper
Scandalize
Scare
Scintillate
Scold
Scoop
Score
Scowl
Scrabble
Scramble
Scrap
Scrape
Scratch
Scrawl
Scream
Screech
Screw
Scribble
Script
Scrub
Scrutinize
Sculp
Search
Season
Seat
Secularize
Secure
Seduce
See
Seize
Select
Sell
Send
Sense
Sensitize
Sensualize
Sentence
Sentinel
Separate
Serve
Service
Set
Sew
Shake
Shape
Share
Sharpen
Shatter
Shave
Shear
Shed
Shelter
Shift
Shine
Ship
Shiver
Shock
Shoe
Shoot
Shop
Shorten
Shout
Shove
Shovel
Show
Shred
Shrink
Shrivel
Shrug
Shudder
Shuffle
Shut
Sight
Sign
Signal
Signify
Simplify
Sinew
Sing
Sink
Sire
Sister
Sit
Size
Sizzle
Skate
Ski
Skid
Skill
Skylark
Slam
Slaughter
Sleek
Sleep
Slick
Slide
Slip
Slit
Slow
Smack
Smash
Smear
Smell
Smile
Smoke
Smooth
Snap
Snivel
Snow
Snug
Snuggle
Soar
Socialize
Solemnize
Solve
Soothe
Sophisticate
Sort
Sound
Soup
Sovietize
Sow
Spark
Sparkle
Spatialize
Speak
Specialize
Speed
Spell
Spend
Spice
Spill
Spin
Spirit
Spiritualize
Spit
Split
Spoil
Sponsor
Sport
Spot
Sprain
Spray
Spread
Spring
Sprout
Spruce
Square
Squat
Squeeze
Squint
Squire
Stabilize
Stable
Stamp
Stand
Standardize
Star
Start
State
Stave
Stay
Steady
Steal
Stem
Step
Sterilize
Steward
Stick
Stigmatize
Stimulate
Sting
Stink
Stir
Stitch
Stop
Store
Strengthen
Stress
Strew
Strike
String
Strip
Strive
Struggle
Strum
Strut
Study
Stumble
Stun
Style
Stylize
Sublime
Submit
Subsidize
Substitute
Succeed
Suffer
Suffice
Sugar
Suggest
Suit
Summarize
Supervize
Supple
Supply
Support
Suppose
Surpass
Surprise
Surrender
Surround
Survey
Survive
Suspect
Suspend
Sustain
Swallow
Swank
Swap
Sway

Swear
Sweat
Sweep
Sweeten
Swell
Swim
Swing
Symbolize
Sympathize
Synchronize
Synthesize

Final Thoughts on Verbs That Start with S

Congratulations on finishing this article. So did you come across some new verbs or not? I am confident that you surely did. These are some verbs starting with S, but of course not all. It is fascinating how many verbs beginning with S there are, but not many are aware of all of them. If you memorize these verbs, I am sure you will be able to improve your English skills drastically.

Keep on reading this article, and you will surely be able to expand your vocabulary and excel in your writing skills. Hope you found this article containing verbs that start with S helpful.