List of Action Words That Start With W (Positive Verbs)

Need some action words that start with W to describe an action, state, or occurrence exactly how you want to?

In this article, I’ve put together a list of action words – or verbs – to help you do exactly that.

Finding the right word can be extremely powerful when describing or explaining something. It’s always worth the time looking for the correct word.

Verbs are action words, you should be able to find the word you’re looking for from the list below:

Action Words That Start With W

Wade – walk with effort through water or another liquid or viscous substance.

Wag – (especially with reference to an animal’s tail) move or cause to move rapidly to and fro.

Wait – stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or event.

Waive – refrain from insisting on or using (a right or claim).

Wake – emerge or cause to emerge from sleep; stop sleeping.

Walk – move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn, never having both feet off the ground at once.

Wander – walk or move in a leisurely or aimless way.

Want – have a desire to possess or do (something); wish for.

Warm – make or become warm.

Warn – inform someone in advance of a possible danger, problem, or other unpleasant situation.

Warp – make or become bent or twisted out of shape, typically as a result of the effects of heat or damp.

Warrant – justify or necessitate (a course of action).

Wash – clean with water and, typically, soap or detergent.

Waste – use or expend carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose.

Watch – look at or observe attentively over a period of time.

Water – pour or sprinkle water over (a plant or area) in order to encourage plant growth.

Wave – move one’s hand to and fro in greeting or as a signal.

Weaken – make or become weaker in power, resolve, or physical strength.

Weal – mark with a weal.

Wear – have (something) on one’s body as clothing, decoration, or protection.

Weave – form (fabric or a fabric item) by interlacing long threads passing in one direction with others at a right angle to them.

Wed – get married to.

Weep – shed tears.

Weigh – find out how heavy (someone or something) is, typically using scales.

Welcome – greet (someone arriving) in a polite or friendly way.

Weld – join together (metal parts) by heating the surfaces to the point of melting with a blowpipe, electric arc, or other means, and uniting them by pressing, hammering, etc.

Well – (of a liquid) rise up to the surface and spill or be about to spill.

Whack – strike forcefully with a sharp blow.

Wheel – push or pull (a vehicle with wheels).

Whelp – (of a female dog) give birth to (a puppy).

Whine – give or make a long, high-pitched complaining cry or sound.

Whip – beat (a person or animal) with a whip or similar instrument, especially as a punishment or to urge them on.

Whisk – take or move (someone or something) somewhere suddenly and quickly.

Whisper – speak very softly using one’s breath rather than one’s throat, especially for the sake of secrecy.

Whistle – emit a clear, high-pitched sound by forcing breath through a small hole between one’s lips or teeth.

Whiz – move quickly through the air with a whistling or buzzing sound.

Widen – make or become wider.

Wield – hold and use (a weapon or tool).

Wiggle – move or cause to move up and down or from side to side with small rapid movements.

Will – expressing the future tense.

Wilt – (of a plant, leaf, or flower) become limp through heat, loss of water, or disease; droop.

Win – be successful or victorious in (a contest or conflict).

Wing – travel on wings or by aircraft; fly.

Wink – close and open one eye quickly, typically to indicate that something is a joke or a secret or as a signal of affection or greeting.

Wipe – clean or dry (something) by rubbing with a cloth, a piece of paper, or one’s hand.

Wish – feel or express a strong desire or hope for something that cannot or probably will not happen.

Withdraw – remove or take away (something) from a particular place or position.

Wither – (of a plant) become dry and shriveled.

Withhold – refuse to give (something that is due to or is desired by another).

Withstand – remain undamaged or unaffected by; resist.

Witness – see (an event, typically a crime or accident) happen.

Wobble – move or cause to move unsteadily from side to side.

Wonder – desire to know something; feel curious.

Woo – seek the favor, support, or custom of.

Work – be engaged in physical or mental activity in order to achieve a result; do work.

Worry – feel or cause to feel anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems.

Worship – show reverence and adoration for (a deity).

Wrap – cover or enclose in paper or soft material.

Wreak – cause (a large amount of damage or harm).

Wrestle – take part in a fight, either as sport or in earnest, that involves grappling with one’s opponent and trying to throw or force them to the ground.

Wring – squeeze and twist (something) to force liquid from it.

Write – mark (letters, words, or other symbols) on a surface, typically paper, with a pen, pencil, or similar implement.

If there are any action words beginning with W 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:

ABCDEFGHI
JKLMNOPQR
STUVWXYZ

Image credits – Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash

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