Strong action verbs can really help drive home your previous success and career achievements. Often times, we draw a blank on which verbs to use. This page provides an alphabetical index of power verbs that can be used in a resume, mainly to start action oriented statements.
Though keywords may impress a computer enough to get your resume to the hiring manager's desk, you still have to impress that live human being enough to keep it out of the trash.
As any writer will tell you, the key to compelling prose lies in the action words: verbs. Below you will find a comprehensive list of power verbs that will make your resume stand out from the pack.
Resume Power Verb List
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z
- a -
|
abated
|
syn.
|
decline, decrease, lessen
|
|
abbreviated
|
syn.
|
concise, condensed, summarized
|
|
abolished
|
syn.
|
ended, eradicated, terminated
|
|
abridged
|
syn.
|
compressed, condensed, compact
|
|
absolved
|
syn.
|
cleared, excused, exonerated
|
|
absorbed
|
syn.
|
consumed, engrossed, fascinated
|
|
accelerated
|
syn.
|
fast, rapid, swift
|
|
accentuated
|
syn.
|
heightened, highlight, stress
|
|
accommodated
|
syn.
|
adapt, aid, support
|
|
accomplished
|
syn.
|
achieve, attain, realize
|
|
accounted for
|
syn.
|
available, at hand, near
|
|
accrued
|
syn.
|
accumulate, amass, build up
|
|
accumulated
|
syn.
|
accrued, amass, collect
|
|
achieved
|
syn.
|
accomplished, concluded, done
|
|
acquired
|
syn.
|
attained, earned, received
|
|
acted
|
syn.
|
mock, pretended, simulate
|
|
adapted
|
syn.
|
accommodate, conform, tailor
|
|
adopted
|
syn.
|
accept, endorse, foster
|
|
added
|
syn.
|
augment, summated, supplement
|
|
addressed
|
syn.
|
discourse, lecture, remark
|
|
adjusted
|
syn.
|
altered, diversified, revised
|
|
administered
|
syn.
|
execute, manage, oversee
|
|
advanced
|
syn.
|
continue, further, promote
|
|
advertised
|
syn.
|
amplify, notify, publicize
|
|
advised
|
syn.
|
apprise, enlighten, inform
|
|
advocated
|
syn.
|
advance, bolster, encourage
|
|
affirmed
|
syn.
|
approved, assured, confirmed
|
|
aided
|
syn.
|
alleviate, benefit, subsidize
|
|
alerted
|
syn.
|
caution, notify, signaled
|
|
aligned
|
syn.
|
commensurate, level, parallel
|
|
allayed
|
syn.
|
abate, assuage, relieve
|
|
alleviated
|
syn.
|
ease, improve, mitigate
|
|
allocated
|
syn.
|
allot, budget, designate
|
|
allotted
|
syn.
|
appoint, budget, mete
|
|
altered
|
syn.
|
adjust, convert, revised
|
|
amassed
|
syn.
|
compile, collect, gather
|
|
amended
|
syn.
|
enhance, improve, modify
|
|
analyzed
|
syn.
|
consider, examine, interpret
|
|
answered
|
syn.
|
comment, reply, remark
|
|
anticipated
|
syn.
|
assume, expect, deduce
|
|
appeased
|
syn.
|
conciliate, contend, subdue
|
|
applied
|
syn.
|
correlated, exercised, related
|
|
appointed
|
syn.
|
assign, delegate, determine
|
|
appraised
|
syn.
|
assess, evaluate, inspect
|
|
approached
|
syn.
|
advance, offer, propose
|
|
appropriated
|
syn.
|
appoint, devote, disperse
|
|
approved
|
syn.
|
commend, praise, sanction
|
|
arbitrated
|
syn.
|
mediate, negotiate, settle
|
|
aroused
|
syn.
|
animate, enliven, provoke
|
|
arranged
|
syn.
|
classify, methodize, organize
|
|
articulated
|
syn.
|
express, state, told
|
|
ascertained
|
syn.
|
confirm, determine, verify
|
|
aspired
|
syn.
|
aim, strive, yearn
|
|
assembled
|
syn.
|
accumulate, convene, unite
|
|
assessed
|
syn.
|
estimate, evaluate, judge
|
|
assigned
|
syn.
|
apportion, delegate, designate
|
|
assimilated
|
syn.
|
accommodate, incorporate, standardize
|
|
assisted
|
syn.
|
abet, collaborate, facilitate
|
|
assured
|
syn.
|
ensured, insured, guaranteed
|
|
attained
|
syn.
|
acquire, obtain, procure
|
|
attended
|
syn.
|
appear, frequent, visit
|
|
audited
|
syn.
|
examine, review, verify
|
|
augmented
|
syn.
|
amplify, compound, supplement
|
|
authored
|
syn.
|
created, penned, wrote
|
|
authorized
|
syn.
|
accredit, enable, entitle
|
|
automated
|
syn.
|
computerized, mechanized, programmed
|
|
averted
|
syn.
|
advance, broach, propose
|
|
avoided
|
syn.
|
abstain, desist, evade
|
|
awarded
|
syn.
|
bestow, confer, grant
|
top of page
- b -
|
balanced
|
syn.
|
collate, offset, stabilize
|
|
began
|
syn.
|
activate, commence, initiate
|
|
benchmarked
|
syn.
|
commence, leveled, targeted
|
|
benefited
|
syn.
|
advance, further, promote
|
|
bid
|
syn.
|
propose, tender, venture
|
|
billed
|
syn.
|
debit, invoice, reckon
|
|
blended
|
syn.
|
combine, compound, integrate
|
|
blocked
|
syn.
|
intercept, prevent, stonewall
|
|
bolstered
|
syn.
|
maintain, reinforce, support
|
|
boosted
|
syn.
|
amplify, augment, elevate
|
|
bought
|
syn.
|
acquire, purchase, procure
|
|
branded
|
syn.
|
establish, identify, designate
|
|
bridged
|
syn.
|
bind, link, unite
|
|
broadened
|
syn.
|
link, increase, supplement
|
|
brought
|
syn.
|
effectuate, convey, import
|
|
budgeted
|
syn.
|
allocate, calculated, computed
|
|
built
|
syn.
|
calculated, construct, engineer
|
top of page
- c -
|
calculated
|
syn.
|
appraise, consider, enumerate
|
|
calibrated
|
syn.
|
adjust, attune, regulate
|
|
capitalized
|
syn.
|
attune, use, utilize
|
|
captured
|
syn.
|
caught, contained, detained
|
|
cared for
|
syn.
|
aid, provide for, support
|
|
carried
|
syn.
|
channel, convey, sustain
|
|
carved
|
syn.
|
form, hew, shape
|
|
categorized
|
syn.
|
hew, group, sort
|
|
catalogued
|
syn.
|
arrange, class, index
|
|
caught
|
syn.
|
apprehend, capture, seize
|
|
cautioned
|
syn.
|
advise, alert, forewarn
|
|
cemented
|
syn.
|
combine, merge, seal
|
|
certified
|
syn.
|
approved, authenticate, authorize
|
|
chaired
|
syn.
|
judge, mediate, preside
|
|
challenged
|
syn.
|
dispute, investigate, question
|
|
championed
|
syn.
|
investigate, defend, uphold
|
|
changed
|
syn.
|
adjust, modify, transform
|
|
charged
|
syn.
|
impugn, indict, reproach
|
|
charted
|
syn.
|
arrange, graph, plot
|
|
checked
|
syn.
|
compare, inspect, verify
|
|
chose
|
syn.
|
accept, elect, select
|
|
chronicled
|
syn.
|
enter, narrate, report
|
|
circulated
|
syn.
|
broadcast, distribute, issue
|
|
circumvented
|
syn.
|
avoid, elude, prevent
|
|
cited
|
syn.
|
indicate, quote, reference
|
|
clarified
|
syn.
|
define, illuminate, simplify
|
|
classified
|
syn.
|
categorize, sort, group
|
|
cleaned
|
syn.
|
clarify, expunge, sanitize
|
|
cleared
|
syn.
|
absolve, clarify, cleanse
|
|
closed
|
syn.
|
end, seal, shut
|
|
coached
|
syn.
|
advise, encourage, support
|
|
coded
|
syn.
|
arrange, classify, organize
|
|
collaborated
|
syn.
|
corporate, concur, conspire
|
|
collated
|
syn.
|
, ,
|
|
collected
|
syn.
|
arrange, find, gather
|
|
combined
|
syn.
|
add, mix, integrate
|
|
commanded
|
syn.
|
, ,
|
|
commended
|
syn.
|
Acclaim, Exalt, Praise
|
|
commenced
|
syn.
|
Exault, Innate, Start
|
|
commissioned
|
syn.
|
Appoint, Command, Enlist
|
|
communicated
|
syn.
|
Talk, Speak, Verbalize
|
|
compared
|
syn.
|
Analyze, Contrast, Consider
|
|
compiled
|
syn.
|
Assemble, Amass, Gather
|
|
complemented
|
syn.
|
Acclaim, Laud, Recommend
|
|
completed
|
syn.
|
End, Finish, Stop
|
|
composed
|
syn.
|
Author, Create, Design
|
|
compounded
|
syn.
|
Blend, Combine, Mix
|
|
computed
|
syn.
|
Estimate, Sum, Tally
|
|
conceived
|
syn.
|
Accept, Believe, Understand
|
|
concentrated
|
syn.
|
Consider, Muse, Ponder
|
|
conceptualized
|
syn.
|
Conceive, Imagine, Invasion
|
|
condensed
|
syn.
|
Abridge, Compress, Reduce
|
|
conducted
|
syn.
|
Compress, Direct, Oversee
|
|
conferred
|
syn.
|
Consult, Discuss, Parley
|
|
configured
|
syn.
|
Arrange, Assemble, Group
|
|
confirmed
|
syn.
|
Affirm, Endorse, Verify
|
|
confronted
|
syn.
|
Encounter, Resist, Withstand
|
|
connected
|
syn.
|
Affix, Equate, Relate
|
|
conserved
|
syn.
|
Hoard, Save, Stash
|
|
considered
|
syn.
|
Contemplate, Muse, Ponder
|
|
consolidated
|
syn.
|
Amass, Combine, Join
|
|
constructed
|
syn.
|
Build, Create, Make
|
|
consulted
|
syn.
|
Ask, Confer, Discuss
|
|
consummated
|
syn.
|
Achieve, Complete, Finish
|
|
contacted
|
syn.
|
Approach, Communicate, Relate
|
|
continued
|
syn.
|
Extend, Maintain, Persevere
|
|
contracted
|
syn.
|
Abate, Confine, Edit
|
|
contributed
|
syn.
|
Advance, Assist, Fortify
|
|
controlled
|
syn.
|
Manage, Oversee, Supervise
|
|
converted
|
syn.
|
Adjust, Change, Modify
|
|
conveyed
|
syn.
|
Bring, Carry, Transport
|
|
convinced
|
syn.
|
Assure, Establish, Persuade
|
|
cooperated
|
syn.
|
Aid, Contribute, Further
|
|
coordinated
|
syn.
|
Group, Manage, Organize
|
|
copied
|
syn.
|
Duplicate, Transcribe, Xerox
|
|
corrected
|
syn.
|
Alter, Better, Fix
|
|
corresponded
|
syn.
|
Accord, Coincide, Match
|
|
counseled
|
syn.
|
Advise, Caution, Warn
|
|
created
|
syn.
|
Author, Design, Make
|
|
critiqued
|
syn.
|
Assess, Examine, Rate
|
|
cultivated
|
syn.
|
Breed, Develop, Harvest
|
|
customized
|
syn.
|
Alter, Convert, Modify
|
|
cut
|
syn.
|
Bisect, Curtail, Prune
|
top of page
- d -
|
dealt
|
syn.
|
Traded, Marketed, Sold
|
|
debated
|
syn.
|
Argued, Discussed, Disputed
|
|
debugged
|
syn.
|
Corrected, Fixed, Cured
|
|
decided
|
syn.
|
Determined, Resolved, Settled
|
|
decoded
|
syn.
|
Decipher, Fathom, Solve
|
|
decreased
|
syn.
|
Abate, Decline, Ebb
|
|
dedicated
|
syn.
|
Apply, Assign, Commit
|
|
defined
|
syn.
|
Decide, Explain, Specify
|
|
delegated
|
syn.
|
Charge, Elect, Invest
|
|
delineated
|
syn.
|
border, define, edge
|
|
delivered
|
syn.
|
distribute, remit, transfer
|
|
demonstrated
|
syn.
|
determine, Establish, indicate
|
|
deployed
|
syn.
|
Arrange, display, position
|
|
derived
|
syn.
|
conclude, deduct, judge
|
|
described
|
syn.
|
communicate, explain, Specify
|
|
designated
|
syn.
|
entitle, label, name
|
|
designed
|
syn.
|
construct, devise, invent
|
|
detailed
|
syn.
|
allocate, commission, designate
|
|
detected
|
syn.
|
discover, encounter, uncover
|
|
determined
|
syn.
|
decide, regulate, terminate
|
|
developed
|
syn.
|
advance, promote, thrive
|
|
devised
|
syn.
|
Arrange, construct, improvise
|
|
diagnosed
|
syn.
|
determine, interpret, identify
|
|
differentiated
|
syn.
|
contrast, demarcate, separate
|
|
diffused
|
syn.
|
disburse, mitigate, temper
|
|
directed
|
syn.
|
govern, lead, manage
|
|
disbursed
|
syn.
|
distribute, expend, outlay
|
|
discovered
|
syn.
|
detect, identify, reveal
|
|
discussed
|
syn.
|
confer, converse, review
|
|
dispatched
|
syn.
|
forward, remit, transmit
|
|
dispensed
|
syn.
|
allot, distribute, portion
|
|
displayed
|
syn.
|
Arrange, demonstrate, showcase
|
|
disposed
|
syn.
|
actuate, induce, regulate
|
|
disproved
|
syn.
|
belie, confute, rebut
|
|
dissected
|
syn.
|
dismember, part, sever
|
|
disseminated
|
syn.
|
circulate, disperse, publish
|
|
dissolved
|
syn.
|
decline, disband, terminate
|
|
distinguished
|
syn.
|
collate, label, judge
|
|
distributed
|
syn.
|
administer, bestow, prorate
|
|
diversified
|
syn.
|
alter, expand, variegate
|
|
diverted
|
syn.
|
deflect, modify, veer
|
|
divested
|
syn.
|
deprive, remove, seize
|
|
divided
|
syn.
|
detach, segment, unbind
|
|
documented
|
syn.
|
certify, record, script
|
|
doubled
|
syn.
|
binary, dual, paired
|
|
drafted
|
syn.
|
compose, devise, formulate
|
|
dramatized
|
syn.
|
amplify, exaggerate, overdo
|
|
drew up
|
syn.
|
compose, indite, prepare
|
|
drove
|
syn.
|
compel, induce, urge
|
top of page
- e -
|
earned
|
syn.
|
acquire, collect, obtain
|
|
eased
|
syn.
|
assist, expedite, mollify
|
|
economized
|
syn.
|
conserve, manage, save
|
|
edited
|
syn.
|
alter, compile, prepare
|
|
educated
|
syn.
|
coach, Develop, teach
|
|
effected
|
syn.
|
cause, Complete, enforce
|
|
elaborated
|
syn.
|
devise, Develop, enhance
|
|
elected
|
syn.
|
Appoint, cull, select
|
|
elevated
|
syn.
|
dredge, erect, hoist
|
|
elicited
|
syn.
|
cause, evoke, obtain
|
|
eliminated
|
syn.
|
cancel, discharge, eradicate
|
|
embraced
|
syn.
|
clasp, enfold, seize
|
|
emphasized
|
syn.
|
assert, headline, prioritize
|
|
empowered
|
syn.
|
accredit, enable, vest
|
|
enabled
|
syn.
|
approve, commission, permit
|
|
encouraged
|
syn.
|
buoy, fortify, incite
|
|
ended
|
syn.
|
cease, dissolve, terminate
|
|
enforced
|
syn.
|
compel, dictate, evoke
|
|
engaged
|
syn.
|
Appoint, enlist, retain
|
|
engineered
|
syn.
|
Arrange, devise, manage
|
|
enhanced
|
syn.
|
amplify, embellish, upgrade
|
|
enlisted
|
syn.
|
draft, enroll, hire
|
|
enriched
|
syn.
|
cultivate, endow, supplement
|
|
enrolled
|
syn.
|
accept, engage, register
|
|
ensured
|
syn.
|
certify, Establish, warrant
|
|
entered
|
syn.
|
access, arrive, probe
|
|
entertained
|
syn.
|
captivate, inspire, regale
|
|
enticed
|
syn.
|
beguile, lure, tempt
|
|
equipped
|
syn.
|
endow, prepare, supply
|
|
established
|
syn.
|
create, decree, enact
|
|
estimated
|
syn.
|
assess, budget, gauge
|
|
evaluated
|
syn.
|
appraise, classify, value
|
|
examined
|
syn.
|
audit, consider, research
|
|
exceeded
|
syn.
|
eclipse, excel, surpass
|
|
executed
|
syn.
|
achieve, enact, render
|
|
exercised
|
syn.
|
apply, employ, utilize
|
|
exhibited
|
syn.
|
display, feature, proclaim
|
|
expanded
|
syn.
|
amplify, broaden, increase
|
|
expedited
|
syn.
|
facilitate, promote, urge
|
|
experienced
|
syn.
|
confront, encounter, endure
|
|
experimented
|
syn.
|
examine, explore, speculate
|
|
explained
|
syn.
|
clarify, decipher, interpret
|
|
explored
|
syn.
|
examine, probe, survey
|
|
expressed
|
syn.
|
exert, state, testify
|
|
extended
|
syn.
|
amplify, increase, widen
|
|
extracted
|
syn.
|
derive, glean, wrest
|
top of page
- f -
|
fabricated
|
syn.
|
Assemble, compose, create
|
|
facilitated
|
syn.
|
aid, further, promote
|
|
factored
|
syn.
|
allow for, consider,
|
|
familiarized
|
syn.
|
condition, enlighten, inform
|
|
fashioned
|
syn.
|
create, devise, mold
|
|
fielded
|
syn.
|
deflect, handle, return
|
|
filed
|
syn.
|
finish, level, refine
|
|
filled
|
syn.
|
furnish, inflate, pervade
|
|
finalized
|
syn.
|
complete, conclude, decide
|
|
financed
|
syn.
|
capitalize, endow, promote
|
|
fine tuned
|
syn.
|
adapt, conform, hone
|
|
finished
|
syn.
|
alter, modify, complete
|
|
fixed
|
syn.
|
imbed, implant, stabilize
|
|
focused
|
syn.
|
convene, rivet, spotlight
|
|
followed
|
syn.
|
ensue, displace, pursue
|
|
forecasted
|
syn.
|
anticipate, conclude, infer
|
|
forged
|
syn.
|
duplicate, invent, produce
|
|
formalized
|
syn.
|
invent, denote, entitle
|
|
formed
|
syn.
|
Arrange, compose, develop
|
|
formulated
|
syn.
|
compose, contrive, invent
|
|
fortified
|
syn.
|
brace, consolidate, reinforce
|
|
forwarded
|
syn.
|
advance, expedite, promote
|
|
fostered
|
syn.
|
cultivate, further, support
|
|
fought
|
syn.
|
challenge, dispute, strive
|
|
found
|
syn.
|
detect, observe, pinpoint
|
|
founded
|
syn.
|
begin, induce, start
|
|
framed
|
syn.
|
assemble, forge, produce
|
|
fulfilled
|
syn.
|
achieve, complete, perfect
|
|
functioned as
|
syn.
|
act, operate, perform
|
|
funded
|
syn.
|
endow, finance, support
|
|
furnished
|
syn.
|
Appoint, equip, purvey
|
|
furthered
|
syn.
|
assist, Contribute, patronize
|
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- g -
|
gained
|
syn.
|
acquire, consummate, procure
|
|
garnered
|
syn.
|
accumulate, collect, reap
|
|
gathered
|
syn.
|
amass, group, unite
|
|
gauged
|
syn.
|
appraise, count, quantify
|
|
gave
|
syn.
|
cede, endow, supply
|
|
generated
|
syn.
|
cause, develop, produce
|
|
governed
|
syn.
|
command, execute, regulate
|
|
graduated
|
syn.
|
complete, earn, finish
|
|
grasped
|
syn.
|
accept, comprehend, understand
|
|
greeted
|
syn.
|
herald, receive, welcome
|
|
grew
|
syn.
|
advance, evolve, increase
|
|
grouped
|
syn.
|
arrange, class, order
|
|
guaranteed
|
syn.
|
affirm, pledge, verify
|
|
guided
|
syn.
|
advise, govern, teach
|
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- h -
|
halted
|
syn.
|
cease, curb, stop
|
|
halved
|
syn.
|
bisect, divide, split
|
|
handled
|
syn.
|
advise, operate, Supervise
|
|
headed
|
syn.
|
chair, manage, supervise
|
|
heightened
|
syn.
|
enhance, increase, magnify
|
|
held
|
syn.
|
confine, detain, retain
|
|
helped
|
syn.
|
aid, assist, support
|
|
hired
|
syn.
|
employ, engage, retain
|
|
honed
|
syn.
|
instruct, teach, practice
|
|
hosted
|
syn.
|
accommodate, entertain, receive
|
|
hypnotized
|
syn.
|
charm, entrance, mesmerize
|
|
hypothesized
|
syn.
|
consider, deem, judge
|
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- i -
|
identified
|
syn.
|
analyze, classify, select
|
|
ignited
|
syn.
|
enflame, kindle, start
|
|
illustrated
|
syn.
|
clarify, depict, typify
|
|
implemented
|
syn.
|
complete, enable, start
|
|
imported
|
syn.
|
attend, conduct, usher
|
|
improved
|
syn.
|
develop, progress, revise
|
|
improvised
|
syn.
|
contrive, comprise, invent
|
|
incited
|
syn.
|
induce, persuade, stimulate
|
|
included
|
syn.
|
accommodate, add, introduce
|
|
incorporated
|
syn.
|
blend, combine, include
|
|
increased
|
syn.
|
advance, build, supplement
|
|
indicated
|
syn.
|
attest, make, reveal
|
|
individualized
|
syn.
|
brand, define, portray
|
|
indoctrinated
|
syn.
|
convince, instill, program
|
|
induced
|
syn.
|
cause, incite, urge
|
|
influenced
|
syn.
|
alter, impel, shape
|
|
informed
|
syn.
|
caution, edify, teach
|
|
infused
|
syn.
|
animate, impart, pervade
|
|
initiated
|
syn.
|
begin, start, trigger
|
|
innovated
|
syn.
|
admit, induct, unveil
|
|
inspected
|
syn.
|
audit, review, study
|
|
inspired | |
