Verbs for Causing Movement · Verbs: Causing Movement

to drive, push, or cause to move forward or onward

"The engine propels the boat forward."

"The strong wind was enough to propel the small sailboat across the lake much faster than expected by everyone."

to push an object or person with considerable strength and speed

"She thrust the sword forward."

"The knight thrust his sword forward and managed to pierce the dragon's thick scaly armor."

to be pulled along by a leading force

"Hikers trail behind the group leader."

"The children trailed behind their parents as they walked slowly through the busy zoo looking at the animals."

to pull an object behind a vehicle, typically using a rope or chain

"The truck tows the broken car."

"The truck had to tow the broken car to the nearest repair shop because the engine would not start at all."

to pull something with a sudden and powerful motion

"Yank the cord to start the engine."

"The toddler yanked the cat's tail and the startled animal hissed and scratched the child's hand."

to drag someone or something with force

"They hale the prisoner."

"The sailors haled the heavy ropes to raise the enormous sail as the wind began to pick up."

to pull with a quick, forceful movement

"She gave the door a tug."

"The dog gave the rope a sharp tug, eager to start their game of fetch in the park."

to completely put something into a liquid

"Immerse the cloth in warm water."

"You should immerse the paintbrush completely in water before using it with the new colors to keep the bristles soft."

to guide or carve a path for a flow of water through a specific route or landscape, either naturally or intentionally

"They channel the river here."

"Engineers worked to channel the excess water away from the flooded residential areas."

to cause someone or something to move up and down or from one side to the other with short rapid movements

"Do not shake the bottle."

"The strong wind caused the tall trees to shake violently throughout the night."

to cause someone or something to move gently from one side to another

"Please rock the baby."

"The gentle waves will rock the small boat peacefully throughout the night."

to move or make something move from one side to another while suspended

"The children swing on the playground."

"The little girl loved to swing back and forth on the old wooden swing set behind her grandparent's house."

to cause something to move gently back and forth or from side to side

"The trees sway."

"The strong winds caused the tall trees to sway precariously in the storm."

to use your hands, arms, body, etc. in order to make something or someone move forward or away from you

"Push the door to open it."

"You need to push the door instead of pulling it because the sign clearly says push to open."

to push forcefully with a quick, strong movement, often using hands or body

"Do not shove people in line."

"The impatient crowd started to shove each other to get closer to the stage entrance quickly."

to cause someone or something to move quickly

"Hustle the box."

"The busy waiter had to hustle the food to the hungry customers."

to force something into or through another object using physical effort or a tool

"Drive the nail."

"He had to drive the stake firmly into the ground to secure the tent."

to push or insert something pointed or sharp into or through something else

"Stick the knife."

"Be careful not to stick the sharp needle into your finger."

to use your hands to move something or someone toward yourself or in the direction that your hands are moving

"Pull the door to close it."

"You need to pull the handle toward you rather than pushing it away to open the heavy door."

to pull something with effort along a surface

"He will drag the box."

"The movers had to drag the heavy furniture up the narrow staircase."

to cause something to move toward oneself or in a particular direction by pulling it

"Draw the curtain."

"She decided to draw the heavy curtains to block out the bright sunlight."

to quickly and suddenly move something into a different position

"Hitch the trailer to the truck."

"We plan to hitch a small trailer to the back of our SUV to carry extra luggage on our road trip."

to let or make something fall to the ground

"Do not drop it."

"Be careful not to drop the fragile vase when you are moving it across the room."

to move something downward

"Dip the cookie."

"He decided to dip his biscuit into the hot chocolate for extra flavor."

to make gas or liquid move in a certain direction using a mechanical action

"He pumps air into the flat tire."

"The heart pumps blood through the arteries to deliver oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body."