Verbs of Manual Action - Verbs for Changing Shape and Appearance

to make something even, flat, or straight

to make a surface free from roughness

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

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

to rub a surface to make it smooth, shiny, or glossy, often using a tool or an abrasive material

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

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

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

to make something no longer bent or curved

to reduce the thickness or height of something, making it less raised or elevated in its shape or form

to make something less tight or more flexible

to increase firmness or solidity of something

to make something less firm or solid

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

to make an object pointed or sharper

to cause something to change into one or more crystals

to break a substance down into small particles

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

to reduce the density of something

to make something appear less clear or distinct

to create folds or creases on a previously smooth surface

to cause a wrinkle or indentation on a surface

to crush, fold, or wrinkle something, resulting in irregular and uneven creases

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

to become twisted or knotted together in a confusing manner

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

to twist or weave together, creating a complex and interconnected structure

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

to make something straight become curved or folded

to twist or bend something out of its normal or natural shape