20 Advanced English Verbs to Replace Vague Everyday Verbs
Formal arguments and precise texts often stall on repeated, generic verbs. A writer seeking to show strong approval might choose acclaim rather than a simple praise, while an advocate who wants to maintain a firm position can contend where others merely say. To denigrate is to cause a matter to seem less serious, capturing an intent that play down barely touches.
Every verb on this list can be added to Memorabit, which sends words, definitions, and translations as reminders at unexpected moments of the day. The complete collection of twenty verbs appears below.
| Word | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| implore | call upon in supplication; entreat | Don't go. I implore you.Tatoeba #13748347 by IMer |
| digress | lose clarity or turn aside especially from the main subject of attention or course of argument in writing, thinking, or speaking | You tend to digress.Tatoeba #12638621 by sundown |
| summon | call in an official matter, such as to attend court | We must summon a spirit.Tatoeba #12231185 by Miktsoanit |
| generalize | draw from specific cases for more general cases | You can never generalize.Tatoeba #12722063 by jacoblaguerre |
| denounce | speak out against | We need to denounce this.Tatoeba #12113538 by Amastan |
| vouch | give personal assurance; guarantee | I'll vouch for you.Tatoeba #2548748 by CK |
| notify | inform (somebody) of something | Who should I notify?Tatoeba #3738905 by CK |
| attest | provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes | We can't attest to that.Tatoeba #10808937 by sundown |
| acquaint | cause to come to know personally | Did you acquaint him with the fact?Tatoeba #284588 by CM |
| denigrate | cause to seem less serious; play down | Some translate while others denigrate.Tatoeba #921158 by sacredceltic |
| instruct | impart skills or knowledge to | I use animals to instruct men.Tatoeba #6285733 by carlosalberto |
| contend | maintain or assert | Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.Tatoeba #13600119 by Ooneykcall |
| prescribe | issue commands or orders for | I'll prescribe some antibiotics.Tatoeba #10299098 by watta |
| acclaim | praise vociferously | The mayor's speech was received with much acclaim.Tatoeba #2334849 by orcrist |
| herald | foreshadow or presage | Swallows herald the summer.Tatoeba #7857735 by shekitten |
| boast | show off | It suits him to boast.Tatoeba #12665867 by anzart |
| dedicate | give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause | I dedicate this song to you.Tatoeba #1694710 by marcelostockle |
| dismiss | bar from attention or consideration | Don't dismiss any possibility.Tatoeba #2270345 by CK |
| portray | portray in words | The aggressor tried to portray itself as the victim.Tatoeba #11588056 by sundown |
| pronounce | speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way | I can't pronounce it.Tatoeba #6577442 by Eccles17 |