Full List
Dab: To press lightly or touch something gently, usually with a quick motion.
- She dabbed her eyes with a tissue during the sad movie.
Damage: To cause physical harm or injury that makes something less useful, valuable, or successful.
- The storm damaged several houses along the coast.
Dance: To move rhythmically, usually to music, often following set steps or styles.
- They danced all night at the wedding reception.
Dare: To have enough courage to do something risky, or to challenge someone to do it.
- He didn’t dare speak up against the manager.
Dash: To move quickly and suddenly, often for a short distance.
- She dashed across the street to catch the bus.
Date: To regularly spend time with someone as a romantic partner; also, to record the time something happened.
- They started dating after meeting in college.
- Please date the form before submitting it.
Dawn: To begin to be understood or realized; also, when the sun begins to rise.
- It finally dawned on her that she had been tricked.
- The day dawned bright and clear.
Dazzle: To greatly impress or amaze someone, often with skill, beauty, or brightness.
- The magician’s tricks dazzled the audience.
Deal: To distribute, give out, or manage something; also, to make agreements.
- The cards were dealt quickly across the table.
- She dealt fairly with her employees.
Debate: To discuss a subject formally, often with opposing arguments.
- The candidates debated healthcare reform on live television.
Decide: To make a choice or come to a conclusion after considering options.
- He decided to take the job offer in another city.
Declare: To announce something clearly, firmly, and publicly.
- The country declared independence after years of conflict.
Decorate: To make something look more attractive by adding ornaments, color, or details.
- They decorated the hall with flowers for the wedding.
Decrease: To become smaller in number, size, or amount.
- The number of visitors decreased during the winter months.
Dedicate: To commit time, energy, or resources to a particular purpose or person.
- She dedicated her life to helping the poor.
Deduce: To reach a conclusion by reasoning or evidence.
- From the footprints, the detective deduced that the thief had fled in a hurry.
Defeat: To win against someone or something in a contest, battle, or struggle.
- The army defeated its enemies after a long battle.
Defend: To protect someone or something from harm, attack, or criticism.
- The lawyer defended her client passionately in court.
Define: To state or explain the meaning of a word, phrase, or concept.
- The teacher asked the students to define the term “photosynthesis.”
Delay: To make something happen later than planned or expected.
- The flight was delayed due to heavy fog.
Delight: To give someone great pleasure or joy.
- The children were delighted by the surprise visit.
Deliver: To take something to a person or place; also, to formally present or perform.
- The courier delivered the package on time.
- She delivered an inspiring speech at the conference.
Demand: To ask for something forcefully, insisting on having it.
- The workers demanded better pay and conditions.
Demonstrate: To show clearly how something works or that something is true.
- The scientist demonstrated the experiment to the class.
Deny: To state that something is not true or refuse to accept it.
- He denied breaking the vase.
Depend: To rely on someone or something for support or outcome.
- Success often depends on careful planning.
Deploy: To move people or equipment into position for action; to put something into use effectively.
- The general deployed troops along the border.
- The company deployed new technology to improve efficiency.
Describe: To say or write what someone or something is like.
- She described the scene in vivid detail.
Desert: To leave someone or something behind in a disloyal or irresponsible way.
- The soldier deserted his post during the night.
Design: To create the plans or drawings for how something will be made or look.
- She designed a new logo for the company.
Desire: To strongly want something or wish for it to happen.
- He desired a chance to prove himself.
Destroy: To damage something so badly that it no longer exists or works.
- The fire destroyed the old barn completely.
Detect: To discover or notice something that is not easy to see or hear.
- The sensor detected movement in the hallway.
Determine: To officially decide or establish something; to figure something out using evidence.
- The committee will determine the winner tomorrow.
- She determined the cause of the problem through careful testing.
Develop: To grow, progress, or cause something to become more advanced.
- The town developed rapidly after the highway was built.
Devise: To invent or plan something carefully through thought.
- The engineer devised a clever solution to the problem.
Devote: To give most of your time, attention, or energy to something or someone.
- She devoted her weekends to volunteering at the animal shelter.
Diagnose: To identify an illness, problem, or condition by examining the evidence or symptoms.
- The doctor diagnosed him with pneumonia after running tests.
Differ: To be unlike or distinct from something else.
- The two brothers differ greatly in personality.
Digest: To break down food in the stomach; also, to think about information and understand it fully.
- It takes time to digest a heavy meal.
- She paused to digest the news before responding.
Direct: To control or guide how something is done; to tell someone what to do; also, to lead a performance or production.
- The teacher directed the students to form a circle.
- He directed his first movie at the age of 25.
Discover: To find or learn something for the first time.
- They discovered a hidden cave while hiking.
Discuss: To talk about something with someone in detail.
- We discussed our weekend plans over dinner.
Display: To show something in a visible or noticeable way.
- The museum displayed ancient artifacts in glass cases.
Distinguish: To recognize the differences between things or people.
- It’s hard to distinguish between the twins.
Distract: To take someone’s attention away from what they are doing.
- The loud music distracted him from his homework.
Distribute: To give something out to several people, or to spread something across an area.
- The organization distributed food and water to the refugees.
Dive: To jump headfirst into water; also, to move quickly downward.
- She dove into the pool with perfect form.
- The eagle dived toward its prey.
Divide: To separate something into parts, or to share something among people.
- The teacher divided the class into four groups.
Drive: To operate and control a vehicle; also, to push or motivate something forward.
- He drove to work every morning.
- Her ambition drove her to succeed.
