250 Action Words Starting with ‘S’

In this guide, we’ve compiled the ultimate list of action words, starting with the letter ‘S’ to help you energize your writing and engage your readers.

With over 250 carefully curated verbs, you’ll have many options, ensuring your sentences are vivid, precise, and meaningful.

Let’s dive in and explore the incredible power of ‘S’ action words!

By incorporating these action words into your writing, you can paint a clearer picture, evoke emotions, and keep your audience engaged from start to finish.

Whether crafting compelling stories, creating persuasive copy, or simply looking to add some pizzazz to your prose, this extensive list of ‘S’ verbs is your go-to resource.

Get ready to take your writing to the next level and leave a lasting impression on your readers.

Action Words Starting with ‘S’

• Sail:  To travel in a boat with sails, typically by wind, over water.
• Salute: To show respect or recognition, often by raising the hand to the forehead.
• Save: To keep safe or rescue from danger or harm; to store for future use.
• Savor: To enjoy the taste or smell of something with pleasure.
• Scatter: To throw or spread things in various random directions.
• Schedule: Plan or arrange an event or activity at a specific time.
• Scheme: To make secret plans, often intending to accomplish something illicit or devious.
• Scold: To reprimand or criticize someone angrily for their behavior or actions.
• Score: To gain points in a game or test; to mark a success.
• Scramble: To move quickly or frantically, often on hands and knees.
• Scrape: To rub or brush against something rough, often causing damage.
• Scratch: To rub one’s skin or a surface with something sharp or rough.
• Scream: To make a loud, high-pitched noise, usually in fear, excitement, or pain.
• Screen: To show a film or video; to protect, hide, or separate something.
• Screw: To fasten or tighten with a twisting motion, often using a tool.
• Scribble: To write or draw carelessly or hurriedly, often producing illegible marks.
• Scrub: To clean something by rubbing it hard with a brush or cloth.
• Seal: To close something tightly or securely to prevent passage.
• Search: To look carefully for someone or something, often systematically.
• Secure: To make safe, stable, or free from danger or threat.
• See: To perceive with the eyes; to understand or recognize.
• Seek: To attempt to find, obtain, or achieve something.
• Seize: To take hold of suddenly and forcefully.
• Select: To carefully choose the most suitable.
• Sell: To exchange goods or services for money.
• Send: To cause to go or be taken to a particular destination.
• Sense: To perceive or become aware of something using the senses.
• Separate: To divide or cause to split into different parts or sections.
• Serve: To perform duties or services for another person or organization.
• Set: To put or place in a particular position.
• Settle: To resolve or reach an agreement about an argument or problem.
• Sew: To join or attach something by making stitches with a needle and thread.
• Shade: To protect from light or heat; to cast a shadow on.
• Shadow: To follow closely and secretly; a dark area or shape produced by a body blocking light.
• Shake: To move or cause to move up and down or side to side with rapid movements.
• Shape: To form or give a particular form to something.
• Share: To have a portion of something with others; to give a part of something to others.
• Sharpen: To make or become sharper.
• Shatter: To break suddenly into many small pieces.
• Shave: To remove hair from the skin with a razor or shaver.
• Shear: To cut the wool off a sheep or similar animal.
• Shed: To allow something to fall off; to lose naturally.
• Shell: To remove the outer covering or shell of something, such as nuts or eggs.
• Shelter: To provide protection or refuge from weather or danger.
• Shield: To protect someone or something from harm or danger.
• Shift: To move or cause to move from one place to another.
• Shine: To emit light; to glow with reflected light.
• Ship: To send goods or products to a destination by various means of transportation.
• Shock: To cause a sudden and intense surprise, fear, or disgust.
• Shoot: To fire a projectile from a weapon; to photograph or film.
• Shop: To visit stores or websites to buy goods or services.
• Shorten: To make or become shorter in length, duration, or extent.
• Shout: To utter a loud call or cry, typically expressing strong emotion.
• Show: To display or exhibit something for others to see.
• Shrink: To become or make smaller in size or amount.
• Shrug: To raise and lower the shoulders, often expressing doubt or indifference.
• Shun: To avoid deliberately; to keep away from.
• Shuffle: To walk by dragging one’s feet along or without lifting them fully from the ground.
• Sift: To put through a sieve to remove lumps or large particles.
• Sign: To indicate agreement or authorization, write one’s name on a document.
• Signal: To communicate or indicate a message or action.
• Simplify: To make something easier to do or understand by reducing complexity.
• Sing: To produce musical tones with the voice.
• Sink: To go down below the surface of water or another liquid.
• Sip: To drink slowly or in small quantities.
• Sit: Rest with the body’s weight supported by the buttocks or thighs.
• Sketch: To make a rough or unfinished drawing or painting.
• Ski: To glide over snow on skis as a sport or recreational activity.
• Skip: To move lightly and quickly, often by hopping from one foot to another.
• Skirt: To go around or past the edge of something.
• Slam: To close something forcefully and loudly.
• Slap: To strike with the palm.
• Slash: To cut with a sweeping, violent motion.
• Slide: To move smoothly along a surface while maintaining continuous contact.
• Slip: To lose one’s footing and slide unintentionally.
• Slit: To make a long, narrow cut or opening.
• Slow: To reduce speed or take longer than usual.
• Smash: To break something into pieces violently or noisily.
• Smell: To perceive the scent or odor of something through the nose.
• Smile: To form the facial expression of happiness by curving the mouth upwards.
• Smirk: To smile in a self: satisfied or smug way.
• Smoke: To emit smoke; to inhale and exhale tobacco smoke.
• Smooth: To make something flat or even by removing bumps or wrinkles.
• Snap: To break suddenly and completely, typically with a sharp cracking sound.
• Snarl: To growl aggressively, often showing teeth.
• Snatch: To quickly seize something rudely or eagerly.
• Sneak: To move quietly and secretly to avoid being noticed.
• Sniff: To inhale through the nose to detect a smell.
• Snore: To breathe noisily during sleep.
• Snow: To fall as frozen crystalline flakes from the sky.
• Soak: To immerse in liquid to soften, clean, or extract something.
• Sober: To become or make serious and thoughtful; to reduce the effects of alcohol.
• Soften: To make or become less hard or severe.
• Solve: To find an answer or solution to a problem or question.
• Soothe: To calm or comfort someone distressed or upset.
• Sort: To arrange systematically in groups or categories.
• Sound: To produce or emit a noise; to measure the water depth.
• Sow: To plant seeds in the ground for growth.
• Spark: To ignite or stimulate a small fiery particle.
• Speak: To articulate words with the voice; to communicate verbally.
• Specialize: To focus on a particular area of study or profession.
• Specify: To clearly identify or state something explicitly.
• Speed: To move quickly; to increase the rate of movement.
• Spell: To write or name the letters of a word in the correct order.
• Spend: To use money to pay for goods or services.
• Spill: To cause or allow liquid to flow over the edge of its container.
• Spin: To turn or cause to turn around rapidly.
• Spit: To eject saliva from the mouth.
• Splash: To cause liquid to scatter and fall in drops.
• Split: To divide or cause to divide into parts or
• Spoil: To damage or ruin something’s value, quality, or condition.
• Sponsor: To support or finance an event, activity, or person.
• Spot: To notice or recognize something or someone.
• Spray: To scatter liquid in fine droplets over an area.
• Spread: To extend or distribute over a wide area.
• Spring: To move suddenly or quickly, often by jumping.
• Sprout: To begin to grow or develop, especially plants.
• Spy: To watch secretly, often for information gathering.
• Squeeze: To press something firmly, often to extract liquid or air.
• Stab: To thrust a pointed object into something.
• Stack: To arrange items in a pile or neat layers.
• Stage: To plan, organize, and execute an event or performance.
• Stagger: To walk or move unsteadily, often from side to side.
• Stain: To discolor or leave a mark that is difficult to remove.
• Stamp: To bring down the foot forcefully on the ground.
• Stand: To be in an upright position on the feet.
• Start: To begin or initiate something.
• Starve: To suffer or die from lack of food.
• State: To express something clearly in speech or writing.
• Stay: To remain in a particular place or position.
• Steal: To take something without permission or legal right.
• Steer: To control the direction of a vehicle or movement.
• Step: Move by lifting and setting the foot down in a new position.
• Stick: To adhere or attach something firmly to a surface.
• Stimulate: To encourage or arouse interest or activity.
• Stir: To mix a substance by moving it around with a spoon or stick.
• Stitch: To sew or fasten by making stitches with a needle and thread.
• Stop: To cease movement or activity; to bring to a halt.
• Store: To keep or accumulate something for future use.
• Storm: To move forcefully or angrily; a violent weather condition.
• Strain: To exert effort or force to do something.
• Strap: To fasten or secure with a strap or belt.
• Stream: To flow continuously in a current, like water or data.
• Strengthen: To make something stronger or more resilient.
• Stretch: To extend or lengthen by pulling.
• Strike: To hit forcibly; to take industrial action.
• String: To attach or hang something using a cord or thread.
• Strip: To remove coverings or layers from something.
• Stroke: To move one’s hand gently over a surface or person.
• Structure: To arrange or organize something systematically.
• Struggle: To make forceful efforts to overcome challenges.
• Study: To devote time and attention to acquiring knowledge.
• Stuff: To fill something tightly with material.
• Subdue: To bring under control by force or persuasion.
• Subject: To expose or put through a particular process or condition.
• Submerge: To go or put something underwater.
• Submit: To present or propose for consideration or judgment.
• Subside: To become less intense, violent, or severe.
• Subtract: To take away one number or quantity from another.
• Succeed: To achieve a desired aim or result.
• Suck: To draw liquid or air into the mouth.
• Suffer: To experience pain, distress, or hardship.
• Suggest: To propose an idea or plan for consideration.
• Summarize: To give a brief statement of the main points.
• Summon: To call upon someone to be present.
• Supervise: To oversee or direct the execution of a task.
• Supply: To provide or make available what is needed.
• Support: To bear the weight of or hold up; to assist.
• Suppose: To assume something is true without proof.
• Surprise: To cause someone to feel unexpected astonishment.
• Surround: To enclose or encircle something on all sides.
• Survey: To examine or look at something comprehensively.
• Suspect: To have an idea or impression without certain proof.
• Suspend: To temporarily halt or delay something.
• Sustain: To support or maintain over a period.
• Swallow: To cause or allow something to pass down the throat.
• Swear: To make a solemn statement or promise.
• Sweat: To excrete moisture through the skin, especially due to heat or stress.
• Sweep: To clean or clear an area by brushing.
• Swell: To increase in size or volume, typically as a result of an injury.
• Swim: To move through water by using the limbs.
• Swing: To move back and forth or from side to side while suspended.
• Switch: To change or exchange something.
• Swoop: To move rapidly downward through the air.
• Symbolize: To represent or stand for something else.
• Sympathize: To feel or express compassion for someone else’s situation.
• Synthesize: To combine various elements into a coherent whole.
• Systematize: To arrange or organize according to a system.
• Sabotage: Deliberately destroying or obstructing something, especially for political or military advantage.
• Sacrifice: To give up something valued for the sake of other considerations.
• Safeguard: To protect from harm or damage.
• Sanitize: To make it clean and hygienic, especially by removing bacteria.
• Satirize: To use humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize.
• Safeguard:  To protect from harm or damage.
• Salvage: To rescue or recover something from potential loss or destruction.
• Sample: To take a small part or quantity for testing or analysis.
• Sand: To smooth or polish with sandpaper or a similar abrasive.
• Saturate: To soak thoroughly; to fill with something.
• Scale: To climb up or over something; to measure or assess size or extent.
• Scan: To examine closely or quickly, often using a device to capture images or data.
• Scar: To mark with a lasting impression or injury.
• Schedule: Plan or arrange an event or activity at a specific time.
• Score: To gain points in a game or test; to mark a success.
• Screen: To show a film or video; to protect, hide, or separate something.
• Sculpt: To create or shape something by carving or molding.
• See: To perceive with the eyes; to understand or recognize.
• Seek: To attempt to find, obtain, or achieve something.
• Seize: To take hold of suddenly and forcefully.
• Select: To carefully choose the most suitable.
• Sell: To exchange goods or services for money.
• Send: To cause to go or be taken to a particular destination.
• Sensitize: To make someone or something sensitive to particular stimuli.
• Separate: To divide or cause to split into different parts or sections.
• Serve: To perform duties or services for another person or organization.
• Set: To put or place in a particular position.
• Settle: To resolve or reach an agreement about an argument or problem.
• Shape: To form or give a particular form to something.
• Share: To have a portion of something with others; to give a part of something to others.
• Shatter: To break suddenly into many small pieces.
• Shelter: To provide protection or refuge from weather or danger.
• Shift: To move or cause to move from one place to another.
• Shimmer: To shine with a soft, flickering light.
• Shine: To emit light; to glow with reflected light.
• Ship: To send goods or products to a destination by various means of transportation.
• Shiver: To shake slightly and uncontrollably as a result of being cold, frightened, or excited.
• Shock: To cause a sudden and intense surprise, fear, or disgust.
• Shoot: To fire a projectile from a weapon; to photograph or film.
• Shorten: To make or become shorter in length
• Shorten: To make or become shorter in length, duration, or extent.
• Shout: To utter a loud call or cry, typically as an expression of strong emotion.
• Show: To display or exhibit something for others to see.
• Shrink: To become or make smaller in size or amount.
• Shuffle: To walk by dragging one’s feet along or without lifting them fully from the ground.
• Signal: To communicate or indicate a message or action.
• Simplify: To make something easier to do or understand by reducing complexity.
• Sing: To produce musical tones with the voice.
• Sink: To go down below the surface of water or another liquid.
• Sit: Rest with the body’s weight supported by the buttocks or thighs.
• Sketch: To make a rough or unfinished drawing or painting.
• Skip: To move lightly and quickly, often by hopping from one foot to another.
• Skirt: To go around or past the edge of something.
• Slash: To cut with a sweeping, violent motion.
• Slide: To move smoothly along a surface while maintaining continuous contact.
• Slit: To make a long, narrow cut or opening.
• Smell: To perceive the scent or odor of something through the nose.
• Smile: To form the facial expression of happiness by curving the mouth upwards.
• Smoke: To emit smoke; to inhale and exhale tobacco smoke.
• Smooth: To make something flat or even by removing bumps or wrinkles.
• Snap: To break suddenly and completely, typically with a sharp cracking sound.
• Snarl: To growl aggressively, often showing teeth.

Conclusion

Action words starting with ‘S’ offer many opportunities to energize your writing and engage your readers.

From supporting and sharing to savoring and shining, these verbs paint vivid pictures, evoke emotions, and create a sensory experience that transports your audience into the heart of your narrative.

By mastering this diverse collection of ‘S’ verbs, you’ll have a powerful toolkit to craft compelling stories, persuasive arguments, and impactful descriptions that leave a lasting impression.

So, the next time you write, sprinkle in some sizzling ‘S’ verbs and watch your prose come alive.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What Are Action Words, and Why Are They Important in Communication?

Action words are verbs that express physical or mental actions. They add clarity, specificity, and engagement to your writing, making it more impactful and persuasive.

How Can Using Sensory Verbs Enhance My Writing?

Sensory verbs evoke the five senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell), creating vivid descriptions that immerse readers in the story and make the writing more engaging.

Can You Provide Examples of How to Use Sensory Verbs Effectively in a Narrative?

• Example 1: “The leaves crackled beneath her feet as she strolled through the autumn:kissed park.”
• Example 2: “The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the kitchen, making his mouth water in anticipation.”

What Are the Differences Between Auditory, Tactile, and Visual Sensory Verbs?

Auditory verbs describe sounds (whisper, buzz, clang), tactile verbs describe touch sensations (caress, tickle, graze), and visual verbs describe sights (shimmer, glisten, flicker).

How Can Integrating Sensory Verbs Starting with ‘S’ Improve Reader Engagement and Immersion in Stories?

‘S’ sensory verbs like sizzle, stroke, and sparkle create vivid, multi-sensory experiences that draw readers into the story, making it more engaging, memorable, and emotionally resonant.