Positive verbs that start with E

E verbs raise people up: empower, enable, encourage, elevate, enrich and educate. Excel and evolve describe your own growth, and endorse is the formal word for backing someone.

40 verbs starting with E Updated How we choose the words PDF

Our first picks, and when to use them

  1. Empower Reach for it when describing a transfer of real agency rather than encouragement alone
  2. Enjoy Reach for it when describing positive pleasure during an activity, relationship, or possession
  3. Ease Reach for it when describing a helpful change that makes a burden more manageable
  4. Edify Reach for it when describing teaching intended to leave the audience wiser or morally strengthened
  5. Endow Reach for it when describing a substantial provision intended to endure
  6. Exalt Reach for it when describing elevated praise that places its subject above the ordinary

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E verbs40

  • Ease

    v. · calm, kind

    To make pain, effort, or difficulty less severe.

    Show example

    A clear checklist can ease the pressure of a complicated move.

    In a phrase ease the pressure, ease concerns Similar relieve, alleviate, soften

  • Economize

    v. · capable, thoughtful

    To reduce waste and use money or resources carefully.

    Show example

    The theater will economize by repairing costumes between productions.

    In a phrase economize on fuel, need to economize Similar save, cut costs, conserve

  • Edify

    v. · thoughtful, hopeful

    To improve someone's knowledge, judgment, or character.

    Show example

    The curator hoped the exhibition would edify every visitor.

    In a phrase edify the reader, seek to edify Similar educate, enlighten, instruct

  • Educate

    v. · capable, hopeful

    To help someone gain knowledge, skill, or understanding.

    Show example

    The exhibit aims to educate visitors about local wetlands.

    In a phrase educate the public, educate students Similar teach, instruct, inform

  • Elevate

    v. · hopeful, capable

    To raise the quality, position, or spirit of something.

    Show example

    Specific praise can elevate a useful contribution without exaggerating it.

    In a phrase elevate the experience, elevate a dish Similar improve, enhance, uplift

  • Elucidate

    v. · thoughtful, capableless common

    To make a complex subject clear and understandable.

    Show example

    A simple diagram helped elucidate the water cycle.

    In a phrase elucidate a concept, elucidate the relationship Similar clarify, explain, illuminate

  • Emancipate

    v. · hopeful, resilient

    To free someone from unjust control or restriction.

    Show example

    The reform helped emancipate workers from exploitative contracts.

    In a phrase emancipate people, legally emancipate Similar liberate, free, enfranchise

  • Embolden

    v. · hopeful, resilient

    To give someone courage and confidence to act.

    Show example

    The early success may embolden more residents to volunteer.

    In a phrase embolden others, embolden a team Similar encourage, empower, inspire

  • Embrace

    v. · kind, hopeful

    To accept, support, or welcome someone or something willingly.

    Show example

    The school chose to embrace a more inclusive admissions policy.

    In a phrase embrace change, embrace an opportunity Similar welcome, accept, adopt

  • Emerge

    v. · hopeful, capable

    To come into view or develop into a clearer, stronger state.

    Show example

    New leaders began to emerge during the community project.

    In a phrase emerge as a leader, emerge from difficulty Similar appear, arise, surface

  • Empathize

    v. · kind, thoughtful

    To understand and share another person's feelings.

    Show example

    Good counselors empathize without assuming every experience is the same.

    In a phrase empathize with others, difficult to empathize Similar understand, relate, sympathize

  • Empower

    v. · capable, hopeful

    To give someone confidence, authority, or practical ability.

    Show example

    The course will empower residents to test their own water.

    In a phrase empower people, empower communities Similar enable, authorize, encourage

  • Enable

    v. · capable, kind

    To give someone or something the means to act or succeed.

    Show example

    Captions enable more visitors to follow the presentation.

    In a phrase enable access, enable people Similar allow, empower, equip

  • Encourage

    v. · hopeful, kind

    To give someone confidence, support, or a reason to continue.

    Show example

    The tutor used a small success to encourage another attempt.

    In a phrase encourage participation, encourage someone Similar support, motivate, reassure

  • Endear

    v. · kind, joyful

    To cause someone to be loved or warmly liked.

    Show example

    His patience with beginners endeared him to the whole class.

    In a phrase endear someone to, endear herself Similar charm, win over, ingratiate

  • Endorse

    v. · capable, hopeful

    To express clear approval or support.

    Show example

    Health groups endorse the new smoke-free playground rule.

    In a phrase publicly endorse, endorse a candidate Similar support, recommend, approve

  • Endow

    v. · kind, hopeful

    To provide a person or institution with a lasting gift or quality.

    Show example

    The bequest will endow a yearly scholarship for nurses.

    In a phrase endow a scholarship, richly endowed Similar fund, equip, grant

  • Energize

    v. · energetic, joyful

    To give someone or something fresh energy and enthusiasm.

    Show example

    A brisk team walk can energize the afternoon workshop.

    In a phrase energize a team, energize the room Similar invigorate, motivate, revitalize

  • Enfranchise

    v. · hopeful, kindless common

    To give people rights, especially the right to vote.

    Show example

    The new constitution will enfranchise citizens previously denied a voice.

    In a phrase enfranchise citizens, fully enfranchise Similar give the vote to, empower, emancipate

  • Enhance

    v. · capable, hopeful

    To improve the quality, value, or appeal of something.

    Show example

    Better lighting will enhance both safety and comfort.

    In a phrase enhance performance, enhance the experience Similar improve, strengthen, enrich

  • Enjoy

    v. · joyful, calm

    To take pleasure or satisfaction in something.

    Show example

    Visitors enjoy reading beneath the old oak trees.

    In a phrase enjoy the experience, thoroughly enjoy Similar like, appreciate, relish

  • Enlighten

    v. · thoughtful, hopeful

    To give someone greater knowledge or understanding.

    Show example

    The archive can enlighten students about the town's history.

    In a phrase enlighten the public, help enlighten Similar inform, educate, illuminate

  • Enliven

    v. · joyful, energetic

    To make something more cheerful, interesting, or energetic.

    Show example

    Colorful cushions enliven the hospital's family waiting room.

    In a phrase enliven a space, enliven the discussion Similar brighten, animate, invigorate

  • Ennoble

    v. · thoughtful, kindless common

    To give greater dignity, honor, or moral worth.

    Show example

    Her honest account helped ennoble the overlooked rescue effort.

    In a phrase ennoble a cause, ennoble the spirit Similar dignify, elevate, honor

Show all 40 verbs
  • Enrich

    v. · joyful, hopeful

    To improve quality, meaning, knowledge, or experience.

    Show example

    Public art can enrich an ordinary walk through the city.

    In a phrase enrich lives, enrich the experience Similar enhance, improve, deepen

  • Enshrine

    v. · thoughtful, resilient

    To preserve and honor something deeply valued.

    Show example

    The charter will enshrine equal access as a basic right.

    In a phrase enshrine a right, enshrine in law Similar guarantee, embed, ensconce

  • Ensure

    v. · capable, thoughtful

    To make a desired result certain or secure.

    Show example

    A second check will ensure every name appears correctly.

    In a phrase ensure safety, ensure access Similar make sure, guarantee, secure

  • Entertain

    v. · joyful, energetic

    To give someone enjoyment or hold their interest.

    Show example

    Local musicians entertain travelers in the station hall.

    In a phrase entertain guests, entertain an audience Similar amuse, engage, delight

  • Enthrall

    v. · joyful, energetic

    To delight and hold someone's complete attention.

    Show example

    The storyteller could enthrall listeners with a single quiet sentence.

    In a phrase enthrall an audience, continue to enthrall Similar captivate, fascinate, mesmerize

  • Entrust

    v. · capable, thoughtful

    To give someone responsibility because they are trusted.

    Show example

    The director will entrust Maya with the final safety review.

    In a phrase entrust someone with, entrust to the care Similar trust, delegate, assign

  • Equalize

    v. · kind, hopeful

    To make access, treatment, or opportunity more equal.

    Show example

    Free equipment can equalize participation across the school district.

    In a phrase equalize access, equalize opportunity Similar level, balance, standardize

  • Evolve

    v. · hopeful, resilient

    To develop gradually into a stronger or more advanced form.

    Show example

    The course will evolve as teachers learn what students need.

    In a phrase continue to evolve, evolve over time Similar develop, adapt, mature

  • Exalt

    v. · joyful, thoughtful

    To praise, honor, or raise to greater dignity.

    Show example

    The ceremony will exalt courage expressed through everyday service.

    In a phrase exalt a virtue, exalt above others Similar praise, glorify, elevate

  • Excel

    v. · capable, hopeful

    To perform exceptionally well in an activity.

    Show example

    With patient practice, Kira began to excel at public speaking.

    In a phrase excel at, excel in Similar shine, thrive, distinguish yourself

  • Exculpate

    v. · hopeful, resilientless common

    To clear someone from blame or alleged wrongdoing.

    Show example

    New evidence helped exculpate the volunteer completely.

    In a phrase exculpate a defendant, fully exculpate Similar exonerate, absolve, vindicate

  • Exonerate

    v. · hopeful, resilient

    To officially clear someone from blame or accusation.

    Show example

    The independent review may exonerate the wrongly accused driver.

    In a phrase fully exonerate, evidence may exonerate Similar clear, acquit, vindicate

  • Expedite

    v. · capable, hopeful

    To make a useful process happen more quickly.

    Show example

    Extra staff will expedite repairs to the damaged homes.

    In a phrase expedite the process, help expedite Similar accelerate, speed up, fast-track

  • Explore

    v. · hopeful, energetic

    To investigate, travel, or examine with curiosity.

    Show example

    The children used magnifiers to explore the garden soil.

    In a phrase explore options, explore the area Similar investigate, examine, discover

  • Extol

    v. · joyful, thoughtfulless common

    To praise someone or something enthusiastically.

    Show example

    The review chose to extol the cast's warmth and precision.

    In a phrase extol the virtues, extol someone's work Similar praise, acclaim, celebrate

  • Exult

    v. · joyful, energeticless common

    To feel or show triumphant happiness and delight.

    Show example

    Supporters began to exult when the final result appeared.

    In a phrase exult in victory, begin to exult Similar rejoice, celebrate, triumph

Questions people ask

How many positive verbs start with E?

This list has 40 verbs that start with E; 34 of them are in everyday use.

What is a positive verb that starts with E?

Empower: To give someone confidence, authority, or practical ability. Others to consider: Enjoy, Ease, Edify, Endow, Exalt and Excel.

What positive action words start with E?

Each verb here names something a person does, thinks or feels. Good places to start are Empower, Enjoy, Ease, Edify, Endow, Exalt, Excel and Emerge.

Where are the other positive words that start with E?

All 251 positive words that start with E, in every part of speech, are on the letter page.

All 251 E words