Mood and Intent

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Random House Word Menu by Stephen Glazier

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Word Menu > Language > Action and Sense Words > Verbs of Motion > Mood and Intent

accelerate - move more rapidly; quicken one’s step
ambulate - walk easily from place to place
balk - hold back or hesitate
barge - move forward heedlessly or clumsily, often colliding with things
bestride - stand, ride, or walk across
blunder - move unsteadily, in confusion
bob - move up and down with a short, jerky motion
bop - shuffle along as if to music; go quickly
brush - touch lightly in passing
buck - charge against; spring into the air
budge - move slightly; begin to move
buzz off - Slang. move rapidly; depart unceremoniously
caper - leap or skip about playfully
careen - swerve from side to side while moving forward
career - go at full speed
catapult - move quickly or forcefully through the air
cavort - frolic playfully; romp
charge - rush to attack; bear down on
chase - pursue hastily
chug - move laboriously and noisily
clip - move swiftly
coast - move forward under acquired momentum
convoy - escort for protection
course - move swiftly through or along designated path
cover ground - move quickly across distance
cower - crouch and pull away in fear
creak along - move slowly, unsteadily, and squeakily
creep - go timidly or cautiously so as to escape notice
cringe - shrink in fear or deference
crouch - bend low to the ground
crowd - press forward; advance by pushing
cruise - move at controlled speed; wander about with little purpose
crumple - collapse in a heap
dally - tarry
dance - move lightly in time to music
dawdle - loiter; waste time; piddle
decelerate - slow down
dillydally - loiter
dither - move in a trembling, agitated manner
dive - plunge headfirst
dodder - proceed feebly and unsteadily
dodge - move to and fro on irregular course
drag - dawdle; proceed laboriously
drift - float smoothly or effortlessly; move in aimless or casual way
duck - bend over to avoid some object
ease - maneuver carefully; move against slight resistance
elude - evade skillfully
escape - get away from danger or restraint; evade
escort - accompany as protection
evade - avoid deftly; escape
falter - stumble; walk unsteadily
fiddle about - putter aimlessly; dally
fidget - move nervously or restlessly
flail - move or toss about freely, often to no effect
flap - flutter; toss about ineffectually
flee - run away in haste
flick - go or pass abruptly and swiftly
flip - leap up and turn over in air
float - move gently and lightly, as though suspended in fluid
flock - assemble and move together in a group
flounce - move with jerky motions or angry impatience
flounder - struggle with stumbling movements
flump - fall suddenly and heavily
flurry - move in an excited, confused manner
frisk - jump, skip, or frolic in a playful manner
frolic - romp about in a frisky, merry way
gad - move about restlessly and to no purpose
gallivant - roam frivolously
gambol - frolic, jump, or skip playfully
glissade - glide down slope in standing or squatting position
grovel - crawl in a submissive, facedown position
gush - issue forth suddenly, forcibly, or copiously
halt - come to a stop
hasten - move rapidly; hie
herd - assemble and move together in a group
hie - hasten
hike - walk a great distance for exercise or pleasure
hover - hang suspended in place above something
hulk - move heavily and clumsily
hunch - push forward in bent posture
hustle - proceed in aggressive, hurried manner
idle - saunter aimlessly; loiter
intrude - enter a place uninvited, often by force
jaunt - make short journey for fun
jet - move very rapidly, in a rush
jostle - push or shove one’s way forward roughly, esp. through a crowd
journey - travel to a set destination; voyage
knife - move through something swiftly and easily, like a knife
leapfrog - vault over the backs of others
linger - remain in place longer than expected
loaf - lounge lazily or idly
loiter - remain in place for no apparent reason; move slowly and idly; dillydally; idle; loll
loll - loiter; lounge; sprawl
lollop - bound or leap forward
lounge - move idly or lazily; loll
lunge - thrust oneself forward suddenly
lurk - move furtively to avoid notice; slink; sneak
make way - allow another to pass or enter
maneuver - change direction or position adroitly for specific purpose
maunder - move in a dreamy, aimless way
meander - wander aimlessly, without direction; ramble or drift along a winding course
mooch - wander about without purpose in a slow, lazy manner
moonwalk - Slang. slide backward, apparently without lifting one’s feet
motor - Informal. move in haste
muddle through - work one’s way clear of obstacles without planning or direction
muscle - Informal. force one’s way by strenuous effort
nip up - spring to one’s feet from supine position
obtrude - force oneself in where one is not welcome
paddle - move through water by flailing one’s hands and feet
parade - march as if in procession, esp. to show off
patrol - move about to observe an area or maintain security
piddle - dawdle
plane - glide across a surface; fly along effortlessly
play - move in a lively, cheerful manner
plow - proceed steadily or laboriously; push through
plug away - keep moving against one or more obstacles
poke along - move slowly, without direction
post - move rapidly
potter - wander vaguely; putter
promenade - take a leisurely public walk, esp. to show off
prowl - roam stealthily; pace restlessly
pursue - follow intently so as to overtake
pussyfoot - tread cautiously or stealthily
putter - move aimlessly or idly among objects; potter
quicken one’s step - accelerate
quickstep - make energetic march
ramp - rear up and advance menacingly, used esp. of four-legged animals
rampage - rush about wildly
range - pass across large area
rip - rush headlong
ripple - flow in small undulations
roam - wander without purpose; rove
rock - move oneself rhythmically to and fro
romp - run in a lively, effortless, energetic manner; cavort
rove - roam
rumble - move heavily, esp. with a deep, muffled sound
rush - move in great haste; dash forward in attack
rush headlong - move rapidly and out of control
sail - skim across a surface as through propelled by wind
scoot - move hastily; dart lightly
scrieve - Scot. move rapidly and smoothly
seep - flow or pass slowly through something
settle - become fixed in one position
shadow - follow someone secretly, at a distance, for the purpose of observation
shilly-shally - dawdle; go indecisively
shimmy - shake, vibrate, or wobble with a dancelike motion
shoot - move rapidly; pass rapidly over
shoulder - push one’s way roughly through a crowd
shunt - force or turn someone aside or out of the way
skate - glide along smoothly, as if crossing ice
ski - glide over a surface as if wearing skis on snow
skid - slide out of control sideways
skim - glide lightly across a surface
skulk - sneak or lurk about in a stealthy or cowardly manner; slink
sled - slide across a surface as though on runners
slink - move stealthily or furtively; lurk
slouch - move idly, drooping with hunched back
slump - fall or sink suddenly; assume drooping posture
snake - make one’s way quietly along a winding course
sneak - slink; lurk
souse - plunge into liquid
speed - move rapidly
splash - flail or move about noisily in water
sprawl - lie back carelessly with limbs outspread
spurt - gush forth; rush forward
squirm - wriggle or twist about
stalk - pursue a quarry or prey; walk stiffly and proudly
stampede - flee headlong in panic as a group
steal - come or go secretly, unexpectedly, and unobserved
stir - begin to move from position of rest
straggle - hang back; fall farther behind
streak - rush past rapidly
stream - issue forth or flow from someplace
surge - rise and fall in waves
swarm - move in great numbers, hovering like bees
swim - propel oneself smoothly as through water
swoop - rush down upon suddenly, esp. in attack
swoosh - move swiftly with a rustling sound
tail - Informal. follow
tarry - remain in place; wait for something; dally
tear - move with great haste
toodle - Slang. move along in an easygoing manner
tool - cruise or drive along
toss - move restlessly; jerk about
tour - range over an area for pleasure or inspection
track - follow the footprints or path of
trail - follow; come after
traipse - tramp about; wander aimlessly without reaching one’s destination; proceed haphazardly
trek - make slow, difficult progress over long route
trespass - enter upon another’s property uninvited
trickle - move slowly, bit by bit
troop - gather together and move in a group
truck - Slang. roll along in an easy, untroubled manner
trundle - roll along
twinkle - flutter lightly about
twitch - move erratically or jerkily; fidget
undulate - move with a sinuous, wavelike motion
upspring - bound up from place
usher - lead the way to help others find their place
vamp - move in a bewitching manner
visit - come or go to see someone or someplace
voyage - journey
waft - move or float lightly as though through air
wag - move jerkily from side to side or up and down
wallow - move slowly and with difficulty, as though through mud
wash - flow along; run up against
welter - toss or heave about
wheel - roll along easily and swiftly
whid - Scot. move deftly and quietly
whiz - move swiftly and effortlessly
whoosh - rush past with a sudden hissing noise
wiggle - move from side to side with quick, jerky motions
wince - shrink back from a blow, recoil
wing - fly as if on wings; move swiftly
worm - creep along in a devious, stealthy manner
wrench - move aside with a violent twist
wrestle - move by force
wriggle - writhe; squirm from side to side
writhe - move in twists and bends
zap - Informal. move with great speed or force