Need some action words that start with S to help you describe or explain something?
Verbs are action words, they help us describe an action or a state. Verbs usually form the main part of a sentence and are incredibly powerful when you use the right words.
Therefore, it’s important you find the right verb as your action word. Below you’ll find a list of the most commonly used verbs beginning with the letter S:
Action Words That Start With S
Sabotage – deliberately destroy, damage, or obstruct (something), especially for political or military advantage.
Sag – sink, subside, or bulge downwards under weight or pressure or through lack of strength.
Sail – travel in a boat with sails, especially as a sport or recreation.
Saint – formally recognize as a saint; canonize.
Salute – make a formal salute to.
Saunter – walk in a slow, relaxed manner.
Save – keep safe or rescue (someone or something) from harm or danger.
Savor – taste (good food or drink) and enjoy it to the full.
Savvy – know or understand.
Scamper – (especially of a small animal or child) run with quick light steps, especially through fear or excitement.
Scare – cause great fear or nervousness in; frighten.
Scold – remonstrate with or rebuke (someone) angrily.
Scoop – pick up and move (something) with a scoop.
Score – gain (a point, goal, run, etc.) in a competitive game.
Scowl – frown in an angry or bad-tempered way.
Scrabble – scratch or grope around with one’s fingers to find, collect, or hold on to something.
Scramble – make one’s way quickly or awkwardly up a steep gradient or over rough ground by using one’s hands as well as one’s feet.
Scrap – discard or remove from service (a redundant, old, or inoperative vehicle, vessel, or machine), especially so as to convert it to scrap metal.
Scrape – drag or pull a hard or sharp implement across (a surface or object) so as to remove dirt or other matter.
Scratch – score or mark the surface of (something) with a sharp or pointed object.
Scrawl – write (something) in a hurried, careless way.
Scream – give a long, loud, piercing cry or cries expressing extreme emotion or pain.
Screech – (of a person or animal) give a loud, harsh, piercing cry.
Screw – fasten or tighten with a screw or screws.
Scribble – write or draw (something) carelessly or hurriedly.
Script – write a script for (a play, film, or broadcast).
Scrub – rub (someone or something) hard so as to clean them, typically with a brush and water.
Sculpt – create or represent (something) by carving, casting, or other shaping techniques.
Search – try to find something by looking or otherwise seeking carefully and thoroughly.
Seek – attempt to find (something).
Seize – take hold of suddenly and forcibly.
Select – carefully choose as being the best or most suitable.
Sell – give or hand over (something) in exchange for money.
Sense – perceive by a sense or senses.
Serve – perform duties or services for (another person or an organization).
Service – perform routine maintenance or repair work on (a vehicle or machine).
Shake – (of a structure or area of land) tremble or vibrate.
Share – have a portion of (something) with another or others.
Sharpen – make or become sharp or sharper.
Shatter – break or cause to break suddenly and violently into pieces.
Shave – (of a man) cut the hair off the face with a razor.
Shift – move or cause to move from one place to another, especially over a small distance.
Shine – (of the sun or another source of light) give out a bright light.
Shiver – shake slightly and uncontrollably as a result of being cold, frightened, or excited.
Shout – (of a person) utter a loud cry, typically as an expression of a strong emotion.
Shove – push (someone or something) roughly.
Show – allow or cause (something) to be visible.
Shred – tear or cut into shreds.
Shrink – become or make smaller in size or amount.
Shrug – raise (one’s shoulders) slightly and momentarily to express doubt, ignorance, or indifference.
Shudder – (of a person) tremble convulsively, typically as a result of fear or revulsion.
Shuffle – walk by dragging one’s feet along or without lifting them fully from the ground.
Simplify – make (something) simpler or easier to do or understand.
Sing – make musical sounds with the voice, especially words with a set tune.
Sizzle – (of food) make a hissing sound when frying or cooking.
Skate – move on ice skates or roller skates in a gliding fashion.
Skill – train (a worker) to do a particular task.
Slam – shut (a door, window, or lid) forcefully and loudly.
Smile – 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.
Smooth – having an even and regular surface; free from perceptible projections, lumps, or indentations.
If there are any action words beginning with S that you think are missing from the list, please drop me a comment below and I’ll add them to help others.
Additionally, if you want more action words or verbs starting with other letters of the alphabet, just click one of the letters of the alphabet from the grid below:
Lists of Action Words and Verbs From Other Letters of the Alphabet:
Image credits – Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash
Phil lives in England, UK, and has around 20 years experience as a professional life, career and executive coach. He started this blog to help others find and define their own self development journey. Blogging about a wide range of topics to help facilitate a better future.
Thank you, my increasing age and declining vocabulary is the single most frustrating issue for me. Maybe I should count my blessings living in a civilized country oh no that is fast declining too! I never thought I would turn into my paternal grandfather who died with a full head of hair unlike myself. Mind you, he was only 20 and in the trenches of WW1 😉