This list includes 100 verbs that start with the letter R, ranging from “Race” to “Revise”. These words cover a wide range of actions, from physical movements like racing and rattling to mental processes like reasoning and remembering. You’ll find them useful for expanding your vocabulary, improving your writing, and speaking with more precision in everyday conversation.

Verbs are words that express an action, occurrence, or state of being, and they give every sentence its energy. Many R verbs trace back to Latin roots; “resign,” for example, comes from “resignare,” meaning to unseal or cancel, which is fitting for a word about giving something up. Others, like “recycle” and “reboot,” show how English keeps building new meanings onto old roots as life and technology change.

Below you’ll find the table with the verb, tense forms, definition, example usage, and description.

Verb: the word itself, listed alphabetically so you can scan the list quickly and find the exact one you need.

Tense Forms: the past, past participle, and present participle, so you can use the verb correctly no matter the tense.

Definition: a short, plain explanation of what the verb means and how people generally use it.

Example Usage: a sample sentence that shows the verb doing its job in a real, everyday context.

Description: a fuller explanation of the verb’s meaning, including any extra or figurative senses you might come across.

Verbs

VerbTense FormsDefinitionExample Usage
Raceraced / raced / racingto compete in a speed contest, or to move very fast“She raced to catch the bus.”
Radiateradiated / radiated / radiatingto emit rays of light, heat, or energy, or spread from a center“The stove radiated warmth.”
Rageraged / raged / ragingto show intense anger, or to continue with great force“The storm raged all night.”
Raidraided / raided / raidingto make a sudden attack or unauthorized entry“Police raided the warehouse.”
Rainrained / rained / rainingfor water to fall from clouds, or to arrive in great quantity“It rained all weekend.”
Raiseraised / raised / raisingto lift or elevate, or to increase or bring up“She raised her hand.”
Rallyrallied / rallied / rallyingto come together in support, or to recover strength“Fans rallied behind the team.”
Ramrammed / rammed / rammingto strike or push forcefully against something“The truck rammed the gate.”
Ramblerambled / rambled / ramblingto talk or walk without a clear direction“He rambled on about his trip.”
Ransackransacked / ransacked / ransackingto search a place thoroughly, often causing disorder“Thieves ransacked the house.”
Rantranted / ranted / rantingto speak loudly and angrily“He ranted about the traffic.”
Raterated / rated / ratingto assign a value or grade to something“Critics rated the film highly.”
Ratifyratified / ratified / ratifyingto formally approve an agreement“The senate ratified the treaty.”
Rationrationed / rationed / rationingto limit the supply of something“Food was rationed during the war.”
Rattlerattled / rattled / rattlingto make short, sharp sounds, or to unsettle someone“The old car rattled down the road.”
Ravageravaged / ravaged / ravagingto cause severe damage“The fire ravaged the forest.”
Raveraved / raved / ravingto talk with great enthusiasm, or to speak wildly“Critics raved about the new restaurant.”
Reachreached / reached / reachingto stretch out to touch, or to arrive at“She reached for the top shelf.”
Reactreacted / reacted / reactingto respond to a stimulus or situation“He reacted quickly to the noise.”
Readread / read / readingto look at and understand written words“She read the letter twice.”
Realizerealized / realized / realizingto become fully aware of something“I realized my mistake too late.”
Reapreaped / reaped / reapingto harvest a crop, or gain a reward“Farmers reap wheat in summer.”
Rearreared / reared / rearingto raise a child or animal, or to rise up“They reared cattle on the farm.”
Reasonreasoned / reasoned / reasoningto think logically, or to persuade through argument“She reasoned with the angry customer.”
Rebelrebelled / rebelled / rebellingto resist authority or control“Teenagers often rebel against rules.”
Reboundrebounded / rebounded / reboundingto bounce back, or recover after a setback“Stocks rebounded after the crash.”
Rebuildrebuilt / rebuilt / rebuildingto build something again after damage“The city was rebuilt after the earthquake.”
Recallrecalled / recalled / recallingto remember, or to call something back“I can’t recall her name.”
Receivereceived / received / receivingto get or be given something“She received a gift in the mail.”
Reckonreckoned / reckoned / reckoningto calculate, or to think or suppose“I reckon it’ll rain today.”
Reclaimreclaimed / reclaimed / reclaimingto get something back, or make land usable“They reclaimed the swamp for farming.”
Recognizerecognized / recognized / recognizingto identify someone or something known before“I recognized her from school.”
Recommendrecommended / recommended / recommendingto suggest something as good or suitable“The doctor recommended more rest.”
Reconsiderreconsidered / reconsidered / reconsideringto think about something again“Please reconsider your decision.”
Reconstructreconstructed / reconstructed / reconstructingto build or form again“Investigators reconstructed the crime scene.”
Recordrecorded / recorded / recordingto set down in writing, or capture sound or video“They recorded the concert.”
Recoverrecovered / recovered / recoveringto return to a normal state, or get something back“He recovered from his illness.”
Recruitrecruited / recruited / recruitingto enlist people for an organization“The army recruited new soldiers.”
Recyclerecycled / recycled / recyclingto convert waste into reusable material“We recycle paper and plastic.”
Redeemredeemed / redeemed / redeemingto make up for a fault, or exchange for something“He redeemed himself with a great performance.”
Reducereduced / reduced / reducingto make something smaller or less“They reduced the price by half.”
Referreferred / referred / referringto mention, or direct someone to a source“She referred to the report.”
Reflectreflected / reflected / reflectingto throw back light or image, or think deeply“The lake reflected the mountains.”
Refreshrefreshed / refreshed / refreshingto make someone feel less tired, or update“A nap refreshed her.”
Refuserefused / refused / refusingto indicate unwillingness to do something“He refused to apologize.”
Regainregained / regained / regainingto get something back after losing it“She regained consciousness.”
Regardregarded / regarded / regardingto consider or think of in a specified way“They regard him as a hero.”
Registerregistered / registered / registeringto enter officially in a record“Students must register for classes.”
Regretregretted / regretted / regrettingto feel sorry about something done or not done“I regret not calling her.”
Regulateregulated / regulated / regulatingto control or maintain through rules“The agency regulates food safety.”
Rehearserehearsed / rehearsed / rehearsingto practice a performance before presenting it“The band rehearsed for hours.”
Reignreigned / reigned / reigningto rule as king or queen, or to be dominant“Queen Victoria reigned for 63 years.”
Reinforcereinforced / reinforced / reinforcingto strengthen or support something“Steel bars reinforce the concrete.”
Rejectrejected / rejected / rejectingto refuse to accept or consider“The publisher rejected the manuscript.”
Rejoicerejoiced / rejoiced / rejoicingto feel or show great joy“The crowd rejoiced at the victory.”
Relaterelated / related / relatingto connect two things, or tell a story“The two events are closely related.”
Relaxrelaxed / relaxed / relaxingto become less tense, or make rules less strict“She relaxed on the couch.”
Releasereleased / released / releasingto set free, or make available to the public“They released the prisoner.”
Relieverelieved / relieved / relievingto ease pain or distress“The medicine relieved her headache.”
Relyrelied / relied / relyingto depend on someone or something with confidence“You can rely on him.”
Remainremained / remained / remainingto stay in the same place or state“She remained calm during the crisis.”
Rememberremembered / remembered / rememberingto recall information from memory“I remember my first day of school.”
Remindreminded / reminded / remindingto cause someone to remember something“This song reminds me of summer.”
Removeremoved / removed / removingto take something away from a place“Please remove your shoes.”
Renewrenewed / renewed / renewingto resume, or extend the period of validity“They renewed their vows.”
Renovaterenovated / renovated / renovatingto restore something to a good condition“They renovated the old house.”
Rentrented / rented / rentingto pay for temporary use of something“We rented a car for the trip.”
Reopenreopened / reopened / reopeningto open again after being closed“The store reopened after renovations.”
Repairrepaired / repaired / repairingto fix something damaged or broken“He repaired the leaking pipe.”
Repayrepaid / repaid / repayingto pay back money owed, or return a favor“She repaid the loan in full.”
Repeatrepeated / repeated / repeatingto say or do something again“Could you repeat the question?”
Replacereplaced / replaced / replacingto put something new in place of another“They replaced the old carpet.”
Replyreplied / replied / replyingto respond to something said or written“She replied to his email.”
Reportreported / reported / reportingto give an account of something, or inform officials“He reported the incident to police.”
Representrepresented / represented / representingto act or speak on behalf of someone“The lawyer represents her client.”
Requestrequested / requested / requestingto politely or formally ask for something“She requested a refund.”
Requirerequired / required / requiringto need something, or to make something necessary“This job requires experience.”
Rescuerescued / rescued / rescuingto save someone from danger“Firefighters rescued the cat from the tree.”
Researchresearched / researched / researchingto study a subject in detail“She researched the topic online.”
Resembleresembled / resembled / resemblingto look or seem like someone or something“She resembles her mother.”
Reservereserved / reserved / reservingto arrange for something to be kept for later use“We reserved a table for dinner.”
Resignresigned / resigned / resigningto formally give up a position or job“He resigned from his post.”
Resistresisted / resisted / resistingto withstand or refuse to accept something“She resisted the urge to laugh.”
Resolveresolved / resolved / resolvingto find a solution, or firmly decide“They resolved the dispute peacefully.”
Respectrespected / respected / respectingto admire someone or feel esteem for them“Students respect their teacher.”
Respondresponded / responded / respondingto reply or react to something“He responded to the email quickly.”
Restrested / rested / restingto relax or stop working to recover energy“She rested after the long hike.”
Restorerestored / restored / restoringto bring something back to its original condition“They restored the old painting.”
Restrictrestricted / restricted / restrictingto limit the size, amount, or range of something“The rules restrict access to the area.”
Resultresulted / resulted / resultingto occur as a consequence of something“The accident resulted from careless driving.”
Resumeresumed / resumed / resumingto begin again after a pause“Talks resumed after a brief recess.”
Retainretained / retained / retainingto continue to have or hold something“The team retained its title.”
Retireretired / retired / retiringto leave one’s job and stop working, usually due to age“She retired at 65.”
Retreatretreated / retreated / retreatingto withdraw from a place or situation“The army retreated across the river.”
Retrieveretrieved / retrieved / retrievingto get or bring something back“The dog retrieved the ball.”
Returnreturned / returned / returningto come or go back, or give something back“She returned home late.”
Revealrevealed / revealed / revealingto make previously unknown information known“The study revealed surprising results.”
Reversereversed / reversed / reversingto move backward, or turn something the opposite way“He reversed the car into the driveway.”
Reviewreviewed / reviewed / reviewingto examine or assess something again“The teacher reviewed the exam answers.”
Reviserevised / revised / revisingto reconsider and change something, or study again“She revised her essay before submitting.”

Descriptions

Race
To compete against others in speed, or to move very quickly toward something.
Radiate
To send out energy, light, or heat in all directions, or to visibly display a quality.
Rage
To display violent anger, or to continue with uncontrolled intensity, as with a storm or fire.
Raid
To carry out a surprise attack or unauthorized entry, often to seize goods or make arrests.
Rain
To fall as precipitation from the sky, or figuratively to arrive in great abundance.
Raise
To lift something up, increase its amount, or bring up a child, topic, or issue.
Rally
To gather people together for a common cause, or to recover strength after a setback.
Ram
To crash forcefully into something or force an object into a tight space.
Ramble
To wander aimlessly on foot, or to talk at length without a clear purpose.
Ransack
To search a place roughly and thoroughly, typically leaving it in disarray.
Rant
To talk in a loud, angry, often lengthy way about something that upsets you.
Rate
To assess the quality, value, or worth of something on a scale.
Ratify
To give official sanction or formal approval to a law, treaty, or agreement.
Ration
To distribute a limited amount of something, especially during a shortage.
Rattle
To make a quick series of clicking sounds, or figuratively to make someone nervous.
Ravage
To cause extensive and often violent destruction to something.
Rave
To speak with wild enthusiasm about something, or to talk irrationally in anger or delirium.
Reach
To stretch out a hand or arm, or to arrive at a place, level, or agreement.
React
To act in response to something that happens, is said, or is offered.
Read
To look at written or printed matter and understand its meaning.
Realize
To become fully aware of a fact or situation, or to achieve a goal.
Reap
To cut and gather a crop, or figuratively to receive the results of one’s efforts.
Rear
To bring up and care for a child or animal, or, of an animal, to rise on its hind legs.
Reason
To think in a logical way, or to try to persuade someone using logical arguments.
Rebel
To resist or rise up against an authority, government, or convention.
Rebound
To spring back after impact, or to recover quickly after a difficulty.
Rebuild
To construct something again after it has been damaged or destroyed.
Recall
To bring a memory back to mind, or to officially order something to be returned.
Receive
To be given, presented with, or paid something, or to accept a person as a visitor.
Reckon
To calculate or estimate something, or, informally, to think or believe something.
Reclaim
To take back something previously lost or given up, or to make land fit for use.
Recognize
To identify a person or thing from previous knowledge, or to acknowledge something formally.
Recommend
To suggest that someone or something is good or suitable for a purpose.
Reconsider
To think about a decision or opinion again, often to possibly change it.
Reconstruct
To build something again, or to piece together an account of past events.
Record
To set down information in a permanent form, or to capture sound or images for later playback.
Recover
To return to health or a normal condition, or to regain possession of something lost.
Recruit
To persuade someone to join an organization, group, or cause.
Recycle
To process used materials so they can be used again rather than thrown away.
Redeem
To compensate for a fault or shortcoming, or to exchange a voucher for goods or money.
Reduce
To make something smaller in size, amount, or degree.
Refer
To mention or allude to something, or to direct someone to a source of information.
Reflect
To throw back light, heat, or an image, or to think carefully about something.
Refresh
To give someone renewed energy, or to update information to its latest version.
Refuse
To indicate unwillingness to do, accept, or give something.
Regain
To obtain possession or use of something again after losing it.
Regard
To think of or consider someone or something in a particular way.
Register
To enter one’s name officially in a list or record, or to be shown on an instrument.
Regret
To feel sad or sorry about something you did or failed to do.
Regulate
To control or maintain the rate or standard of something, often via rules.
Rehearse
To practice a play, piece of music, or speech in preparation for a public performance.
Reign
To hold royal power over a country, or to be the dominant feature of a situation.
Reinforce
To strengthen something with additional material, support, or force.
Reject
To dismiss something as inadequate or refuse to accept it.
Rejoice
To feel or express great happiness or triumph.
Relate
To show or establish a connection between things, or to narrate a story.
Relax
To rest and become free of tension, or to make a rule or restriction less strict.
Release
To set a person or thing free, or to make information, a product, or a film available.
Relieve
To lessen or remove pain, distress, or a burden.
Rely
To depend on someone or something with full trust or confidence.
Remain
To continue to exist or stay in the same place or condition.
Remember
To keep or bring back information in your mind from the past.
Remind
To cause someone to remember a fact, event, or another person.
Remove
To take something away from a particular place or position.
Renew
To resume an activity after an interruption, or to extend the validity of something.
Renovate
To repair and improve a building or structure, restoring it to good condition.
Rent
To pay someone for the temporary use of property or an item.
Reopen
To become open again, or to begin an activity or discussion again.
Repair
To restore something damaged, worn, or faulty to good condition.
Repay
To pay back money that is owed, or to return a favor or kindness.
Repeat
To say or do something again, or to happen again in the same way.
Replace
To take the place of something, or to put a new item in place of an old one.
Reply
To give a spoken or written answer to something.
Report
To give a formal or detailed account of an event, or to present oneself somewhere officially.
Represent
To act or speak officially on behalf of another person or group, or to depict something.
Request
To politely or formally ask for something to be given or done.
Require
To need something for a particular purpose, or to officially demand it.
Rescue
To save someone or something from a dangerous or difficult situation.
Research
To investigate a subject carefully in order to discover new facts or information.
Resemble
To have a similar appearance or characteristics to another person or thing.
Reserve
To arrange to have something set aside for use at a later time.
Resign
To formally give up a job or position of responsibility.
Resist
To withstand the force or effect of something, or to refuse to accept change.
Resolve
To settle a problem or dispute, or to make a firm decision to do something.
Respect
To admire someone for their qualities or achievements, or to treat with consideration.
Respond
To say or do something as a reaction to something else.
Rest
To stop working or being active in order to relax and recover energy.
Restore
To return something to its former, good condition or position.
Restrict
To put a limit on the size, extent, or range of something.
Result
To happen or exist because of something else that occurred before it.
Resume
To start something again after it has stopped or been interrupted.
Retain
To continue to have, hold, or keep something.
Retire
To leave one’s job permanently, usually upon reaching a certain age.
Retreat
To withdraw from a place or situation, especially in the face of danger.
Retrieve
To get or bring something back, especially from a specific location.
Return
To come or go back to a place, or to give something back to its owner.
Reveal
To make known or show something that was previously hidden or secret.
Reverse
To move in the opposite direction, or to change a decision or process to its opposite.
Review
To examine or assess something formally, or to give a critical evaluation.
Revise
To change something in light of new information, or to study material again before a test.
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