Verbs Starting with “U”

Full List

Understand: To grasp the meaning, significance, or nature of something. To be sympathetically or knowledgeably aware of another person’s situation or feelings.

• She couldn’t understand the instructions because they were too vague.
• He really tries to understand what his friends are going through.

Use: To put into service or apply for a purpose. To consume or take advantage of something.

• You can use this key to open the gate.
• She doesn’t use sugar in her coffee.

Uncover: To remove a covering from. To make known or reveal.

• He uncovered the pot to stir the soup.
• The journalist worked hard to uncover the truth.

Undo: To reverse the effects of an action. To untie or unfasten.

• She tried to undo the mistake with an apology.
• He quickly undid the knot.

Unfold: To spread or open something that was folded. To develop or become clear gradually.

• She carefully unfolded the letter.
• The story began to unfold in unexpected ways.

Unwind: To relax after stress. To undo or loosen something wound.

• He likes to unwind with a good book after work.
• She unwound the rope from around the post.

Unite: To bring or come together as one.

• The campaign aims to unite people from all backgrounds.

Unravel: To disentangle or separate threads. To solve or clarify something complex.

• She tried to unravel the ball of yarn.
• The detective managed to unravel the mystery.

Unplug: To disconnect from an electrical outlet. To take a break from technology or responsibilities.

• Please unplug the charger when it’s not in use.
• He decided to unplug from social media for a week.

Unload: To remove a load from something. To get rid of something or express feelings.

• The workers unloaded the truck.
• She needed to unload her worries onto a friend.

Update: To bring something up to date or give the latest information.

• Please update the software to the latest version.
• The teacher will update parents on the school trip details.

Upgrade: To raise something to a higher standard.

• They decided to upgrade their phones.
• The airline offered to upgrade her to business class.

Upload: To transfer data or files from a device to a server or another system.

• She will upload the pictures to the cloud.

Upset: To make someone unhappy or distressed. To overturn or disturb.

• The argument really upset her.
• The wind upset the vase on the table.

Uphold: To maintain or support something, especially laws or principles.

• The court must uphold the constitution.

Utilize: To make practical use of something.

• The team utilized new software to speed up production.

Unleash: To release from restraint. To suddenly release a force or feeling.

• He unleashed the dog from its chain.
• The movie unleashed a wave of excitement among fans.

Unpack: To remove items from a container. To analyze or examine something in detail.

• They began to unpack their luggage.
• The professor tried to unpack the theory for the students.

Unfasten: To release something that was fastened or closed.

• She quickly unfastened her seatbelt.

Unlock: To open by using a key or code. To make something accessible or reveal potential.

• He unlocked the door with his key.
• The program aims to unlock children’s creativity.

Unwrap: To remove wrapping from something.

• The child eagerly unwrapped the present.

Unmask: To reveal someone’s true identity. To expose something hidden.

• The detective unmasked the culprit.
• The study helps to unmask the causes of the disease.

Unfreeze: To cause something frozen to thaw. To remove restrictions or make active again.

• The sun began to unfreeze the lake.
• The government decided to unfreeze the funds.

Unhinge: To detach from hinges. To make mentally unstable.

• He unhinged the old gate.
• The tragedy nearly unhinged her mind.

Unchain: To release from chains.

• The prisoner was finally unchained.

Unclasp: To release the clasp of something.

• She unclasped the necklace and set it aside.

Unclip: To detach by releasing a clip.

• He unclipped the leash from the dog’s collar.

Unroll: To open or spread something rolled up. To present or announce something.

• She unrolled the yoga mat.
• The company plans to unroll a new campaign.

Unlace: To loosen or remove laces.

• He unlaced his shoes before bed.

Untie: To release or loosen a knot.

• She carefully untied the ribbon.

Untangle: To free something from knots or confusion.

• It took him an hour to untangle the fishing line.
• The lawyer worked to untangle the legal mess.

Unveil: To reveal or make known publicly. To remove a covering.

• The company will unveil its latest product tomorrow.
• The artist unveiled the sculpture to the crowd.

Unbalance: To cause to lose stability. To upset mental or emotional equilibrium.

• The sudden shove unbalanced him.
• The stress completely unbalanced her.

Unsettle: To disturb or make uneasy.

• The strange noise unsettled the campers.

Unify: To make or become a single unit.

• The leader sought to unify the divided groups.

Unsubscribe: To cancel a subscription.

• He decided to unsubscribe from the newsletter.

Underestimate: To think something is less important, difficult, or valuable than it really is.

• They underestimated the amount of time needed.

Undertake: To agree to or begin doing something.

• She will undertake the project on her own.

Undergo: To experience or endure something.

• He had to undergo surgery last year.

Undermine: To weaken or damage gradually.

• Constant criticism can undermine confidence.

Underline: To draw a line beneath text. To emphasize something.

• Please underline the key points in the passage.
• Her speech underlined the importance of unity.

Undress: To take off clothes. To strip coverings from.

• He began to undress before going to bed.
• The nurse had to undress the wound.

Unbutton: To open by releasing buttons.

• She unbuttoned her coat as she entered.

Unbuckle: To release a buckle.

• He unbuckled his belt.

Unjam: To clear something stuck.

• He tried to unjam the printer.

Unzip: To open with a zipper.

• She unzipped her backpack.

Unarm: To deprive of weapons.

• The guards were ordered to unarm the intruder.

Unseat: To remove from a position of power or authority. To dislodge someone from a seat.

• The opposition party managed to unseat the governor.
• The horse suddenly unseated its rider.