Strong Verbs for Academic Writing

Consider going over the following chart of strong verbs for academic writing to encourage students to use
a variety of verbs to strengthen their prose.
Address

Demonstrate

Link

Simplify

Admonish

Detail

Magnify

State

Advance

Deter

Maintain

Strengthen

Advocate

Detract

Mark

Stress

Affirm

Develop

Minimize

Suggest

Alert

Direct

Negate

Symbolize

Argue

Discover

Nullify

Testify

Ascertain

Enable

Paint

Tell

Assert

Enhance

Parallel

Tint

Attest

Entails

Point

Trace

Balance

Epitomize

Portend

Transmit

Build

Establish

Portray

Translate

Cause

Evoke

Present

Understand

Characterize

Evolve

Proclaim

Urge

Combine

Explain

Produce

Use

Complement

Foreshadow

Pronounce

Validate

Complicate

Guide

Recommend

Verify

Comprehend

Hint

Refer

Vouch

Conclude

Identify

Reflect

Warn

Connect

Illustrate

Reinforce

Weaken

Constitute

Imply

Reiterate

Write

Contend

Indicate

Relegate

Contradict

Infer

Relate

Contrast

Inform

Relay

Continue

Introduce

Remind

Convey

Invalidate

Remark

Corroborate

Justify

Represent

Counsel

Juxtapose

Reveal

Create

Lead

Show

Declare

Legitimize

Signify