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Verbs of Manual Action - Verbs for Changing Shape and Appearance

Here you will learn some English verbs referring to changing shape and appearance such as "smooth", "fold", and "sharpen".

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Categorized English Verbs of Manual Action
to level
[Verb]

to make something even, flat, or straight

Ex: Using a trowel , the leveled the mortar between the bricks .
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to smooth
[Verb]

to make a surface free from roughness

Ex: The smoothed the clay sculpture to refine its contours .
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to polish
[Verb]

to rub the surface of something, often using a brush or a piece of cloth, to make it bright, smooth, and shiny

Ex: The polished the wooden surfaces to remove dust and restore luster .
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to buff
[Verb]

to polish or shine a surface by rubbing it with a soft cloth or a special tool

Ex: The buffed the marble countertops for a polished look .
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to rub a surface to make it smooth, shiny, or glossy, often using a tool or an abrasive material

Ex: The burnished the gemstone to bring out its brilliance .
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to sand
[Verb]

to rub a surface with sandpaper or another abrasive material to smooth, shape, or remove imperfections

Ex: The sanded the floorboards to remove scratches and blemishes .
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to pave
[Verb]

to cover a surface, typically a road or pathway, with a hard, flat material such as asphalt, concrete, or stones

Ex: The developer chose pave the parking lot with asphalt for durability .
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to erode
[Verb]

(of natural forces such as wind, water, or other environmental factors) to gradually wear away or diminish the surface of a material

Ex: Over time , acidic eroded the ancient stone statues , gradually wearing away their features .
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to make something no longer bent or curved

Ex: The straightened her client 's curly hair using a flat iron .
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to reduce the thickness or height of something, making it less raised or elevated in its shape or form

Ex: In preparation for the construction , the workers flatten the uneven ground .
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to loosen
[Verb]

to make something less tight or more flexible

Ex: The musician loosen the guitar strings to adjust the pitch .
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to harden
[Verb]

to increase firmness or solidity of something

Ex: The potter fired the ceramics in the kiln harden them into durable pieces .
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to soften
[Verb]

to make something less firm or solid

Ex: Warm water can soften cuticles before a manicure .
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to hone
[Verb]

to sharpen a blade or edge using a tool specifically designed for sharpening

Ex: The hones the pruning shears to make clean cuts on branches .
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to make an object pointed or sharper

Ex: The barber sharpens the scissors to provide precise haircuts .
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to cause something to change into one or more crystals

Ex: The jeweler used specific conditions crystallize minerals into gemstones .
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to break a substance down into small particles

Ex: The pharmacist needed granulate the medication to ensure proper dosage .
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to fluff
[Verb]

to make something soft and puffy, often by shaking or arranging it for added volume

Ex: fluffed the skirt of her dress before stepping onto the stage , ensuring it fell gracefully around her .
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to thin
[Verb]

to reduce the density of something

Ex: The thinned the carrots to allow the remaining ones more space to grow .
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to blur
[Verb]

to make something appear less clear or distinct

Ex: The rain on the windowpane began blur the view of the street .
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to create folds or creases on a previously smooth surface

Ex: The wrinkled the pages of the magazine while exploring its glossy pictures .
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to crease
[Verb]

to cause a wrinkle or indentation on a surface

Ex: He carefully folded the letter , trying not crease it too much , but it still ended up with visible lines .
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to crush, fold, or wrinkle something, resulting in irregular and uneven creases

Ex: In a fit of anger , crumpled the letter and threw it across the room .
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to fold
[Verb]

to bend something in a way that one part of it touches or covers another

Ex: She decided fold the napkin into an elegant shape for the dinner table .
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to tangle
[Verb]

to become twisted or knotted together in a confusing manner

Ex: The long hair tangle in the windy weather , requiring extra care when combing .
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to twist
[Verb]

to bend an object into a particular shape, such as wire, cloth, etc.

Ex: twisted the flexible plastic tubing into intricate shapes to create a unique sculpture .
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to twist or weave together, creating a complex and interconnected structure

Ex: The vines seemed to intertwine, forming a lush and intricate pattern along the garden fence .
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to warp
[Verb]

to bend or change shape, often due to pressure or exposure to heat

Ex: The plastic warped in the sun , losing its original shape .
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to bend
[Verb]

to make something straight become curved or folded

Ex: The strong wind began bend the tall grass in the open field .
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to twist or bend something out of its normal or natural shape

Ex: The artist used wire contort and shape it into a sculpture that defied conventional forms .
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