Verbs for Structural Changes · Verbs: Making Changing

to convert a substance from a solid or liquid state into gas

"The heat will vaporize the water."

"The intense heat from the fire was enough to vaporize the small puddle of water within just a few seconds."

to change from a solid state and become fluid or liquid

"The heat will liquefy the wax."

"The intense heat from the sun will liquefy the wax and cause it to melt completely."

to trigger a process where microorganisms break down sugars in a substance, often creating alcohol or acids

"Yeast ferments sugar into alcohol."

"The grape juice will ferment for several weeks to turn into wine as the natural sugars convert into alcohol."

to take in water or fluids to stay healthy or maintain proper function

"Drink water to hydrate your body."

"It is very important to hydrate your body by drinking plenty of water before during and after intense exercise."

to add carbon dioxide to something, often to make it fizzy or create a chemical change

"The machine carbonates the water with CO2."

"The soda machine injects carbon dioxide gas into the water to carbonate it and give it the fizzy bubbles that people enjoy."

to combine with oxygen, often changing the appearance or properties of a material

"The metal oxidizes when exposed to air."

"The apple slice will quickly oxidize and turn brown after it is cut open and exposed to the air."

to develop a reddish-brown coating, usually on metal, due to exposure to air and water over time

"Iron rusts quickly in moist conditions."

"The old iron gate began to rust after years of being exposed to rain and snow without any protective paint."

to break down into simpler parts or substances

"Leaves decompose into rich soil over time."

"The fallen leaves will decompose over the winter and turn into rich compost that fertilizes the soil for spring planting."

to rot and produce a bad smell as organic matter breaks down over time

"The meat began to putrefy quickly."

"The meat was left out of the refrigerator for too long and began to putrefy producing a terrible smell throughout the entire kitchen."

to slowly fall apart or decay, often because of time or neglect

"Old books molder in the damp basement."

"The old books moldered away in the damp basement for decades until they were completely ruined and had to be thrown out."

(of something in solid form) to turn into liquid form by being subjected to heat

"Ice will melt in the sun."

"The ice cream began to melt quickly under the hot summer sun so they had to eat it fast before it became a liquid mess."

to make something melt or soften

"Thaw the frozen chicken before cooking."

"You should thaw the frozen chicken in the refrigerator overnight before cooking it safely."

to become gas or vapor from liquid

"Water will evaporate."

"The puddle will evaporate quickly under the hot summer sun."

(of a solid) to become one with a liquid

"Sugar will dissolve in water."

"The sugar cubes gradually dissolve into the hot tea, sweetening it."

to transform from a liquid or flexible state into a stable, firm, or compact form

"The liquid will solidify when cooled."

"The mixture will solidify as it cools so you must pour it into the mold while it is still hot."

to make a solution or mixture weaker or less concentrated by adding more liquid

"Dilute the juice with water."

"You should dilute the concentrated cleaning solution before applying it to the surfaces."

to make something less strong by adding water to it

"Do not water down the important message."

"The bar owner was accused of watering down the drinks to save money and increase his profits at the expense of customers."

to heat a liquid and turn it into gas then cool it and make it liquid again in order to purify it

"They distill water to purify."

"The old whiskey distillery uses traditional copper pots to distill its spirits for the best flavor."

to remove water from a substance, often causing it to become dry

"The sun dehydrates the soil quickly."

"The hot desert sun will quickly dehydrate a person who does not have access to enough fresh drinking water."

to be gradually damaged or destroyed as a result of natural processes

"Old buildings decay."

"Without proper maintenance, the historic monument began to decay rapidly over the years."

to become destroyed, often due to the action of bacteria or fungi over time

"Fruit rots quickly in hot weather."

"The fallen apples began to rot on the ground because nobody picked them up in time."