Resume Verbs - Action Words & Power Verbs

Strong action verbs can help drive home your previous success and career achievements. They are important to help you start statements that explain your responsibilities and accomplishments.

Most people don't realize that resumes aren't written in perfect English. The statements are sentence fragments that generally begin with a verb.

These statements make up the paragraphs that are written under the job headings in the experience section. Sentences in the bullet points of accomplishments are also written using this structure. Instead of saying "I helped" or "I produced" the pronoun is taken out and the action verb starts the sentence.

Sometimes we see resumes use words like "handled" when describing an action. Usually you can use a stronger more compelling verb. However, it is often difficult to think of good verbs. Sometimes, you can get stuck using the same verb such as multiple times when it is better to mix up statements with other similar verbs.

Below you will find a list of verbs and their synonym (verbs with a similar meaning). It is also helpful to have an online thesaurus opened in a window, which can help you build more vibrant statements.

Resume Power Verbs A through H

A	Synonyms	D	Synonyms
abated	decline, decrease, lessen	dealt	traded, marketed, sold
abbreviated	concise, condensed, summarized	debated	argued, discussed, disputed
abolished	ended, eradicated, terminated	debugged	corrected, fixed, cured
abridged	compressed, condensed, compact	decided	determined, resolved, settled
absolved	cleared, excused, exonerated	decoded	decipher, fathom, solve
absorbed	consumed, engrossed, fascinated	decreased	abate, decline, ebb
accelerated	fast, rapid, swift	dedicated	apply, assign, commit
accentuated	heightened, highlight, stress	defined	decide, explain, specify
accommodated	adapt, aid, support	delegated	charge, elect, invest
accomplished	achieve, attain, realize	delineated	border, define, edge
accounted for	available, at hand, near	delivered	distribute, remit, transfer
accrued	accumulate, amass, build up	demonstrated	determine, establish, indicate
accumulated	accrued, amass, collect	deployed	arrange, display, position
achieved	accomplished, concluded, done	derived	conclude, deduct, judge
acquired	attained, earned, received	described	communicate, explain, Specify
acted	mock, pretended, simulate	designated	entitle, label, name
adapted	accommodate, conform, tailor	designed	construct, devise, invent
adopted	accept, endorse, foster	detailed	allocate, commission, designate
added	augment, summated, supplement	detected	discover, encounter, uncover
addressed	discourse, lecture, remark	determined	decide, regulate, terminate
adjusted	altered, diversified, revised	developed	advance, promote, thrive
administered	execute, manage, oversee	devised	arrange, construct, improvise
advanced	continue, further, promote	diagnosed	determine, interpret, identify
advertised	amplify, notify, publicize	differentiated	contrast, demarcate, separate
advised	apprise, enlighten, inform	diffused	disburse, mitigate, temper
advocated	advance, bolster, encourage	directed	govern, lead, manage
affirmed	approved, assured, confirmed	disbursed	distribute, expend, outlay
aided	alleviate, benefit, subsidize	discovered	detect, identify, reveal
alerted	caution, notify, signaled	discussed	confer, converse, review
aligned	commensurate, level, parallel	dispatched	forward, remit, transmit
allayed	abate, assuage, relieve	dispensed	allot, distribute, portion
alleviated	ease, improve, mitigate	displayed	arrange, demonstrate, showcase
allocated	allot, budget, designate	disposed	actuate, induce, regulate
allotted	appoint, budget, mete	disproved	belie, confute, rebut
altered	adjust, convert, revised	dissected	dismember, part, sever
amassed	compile, collect, gather	disseminated	circulate, disperse, publish
amended	enhance, improve, modify	dissolved	decline, disband, terminate
analyzed	consider, examine, interpret	distinguished	collate, label, judge
answered	comment, reply, remark	distributed	administer, bestow, prorate
anticipated	assume, expect, deduce	diversified	alter, expand, variegate
appeased	conciliate, contend, subdue	diverted	deflect, modify, veer
applied	correlated, exercised, related	divested	deprive, remove, seize
appointed	assign, delegate, determine	divided	detach, segment, unbind
appraised	assess, evaluate, inspect	documented	certify, record, script
approached	advance, offer, propose	doubled	binary, dual, paired
appropriated	appoint, devote, disperse	drafted	compose, devise, formulate
approved	commend, praise, sanction	dramatized	amplify, exaggerate, overdo
arbitrated	mediate, negotiate, settle	drew up	compose, prepare
aroused	animate, enliven, provoke	drove	compel, induce, urge
arranged	classify, organize	E
articulated	express, state, told	earned	acquire, collect, obtain
ascertained	confirm, determine, verify	eased	assist, expedite, mollify
aspired	aim, strive, yearn	economized	conserve, manage, save
assembled	accumulate, convene, unite	edited	alter, compile, prepare
assessed	estimate, evaluate, judge	educated	coach, Develop, teach
assigned	apportion, delegate, designate	effected	cause, Complete, enforce
assimilated	accommodate, incorporate, standardize	elaborated	devise, Develop, enhance
assisted	abet, collaborate, facilitate	elected	appoint, cull, select
assured	ensured, insured, guaranteed	elevated	dredge, erect, hoist
attained	acquire, obtain, procure	elicited	cause, evoke, obtain
attended	appear, frequent, visit	eliminated	cancel, discharge, eradicate
audited	examine, review, verify	embraced	clasp, enfold, seize
augmented	amplify, compound, supplement	emphasized	assert, headline, prioritize
authored	created, penned, wrote	empowered	accredit, enable, vest
authorized	accredit, enable, entitle	enabled	approve, commission, permit
automated	computerized, mechanized, programmed	encouraged	buoy, fortify, incite
averted	advance, broach, propose	ended	cease, dissolve, terminate
avoided	abstain, desist, evade	enforced	compel, dictate, evoke
awarded	bestow, confer, grant	engaged	appoint, enlist, retain
B		engineered	arrange, devise, manage
balanced	collate, offset, stabilize	enhanced	amplify, embellish, upgrade
began	activate, commence, initiate	enlisted	draft, enroll, hire
benchmarked	commence, leveled, targeted	enriched	cultivate, endow, supplement
benefited	advance, further, promote	enrolled	accept, engage, register
bid	propose, tender, venture	ensured	certify, Establish, warrant
billed	debit, invoice, reckon	entered	access, arrive, probe
blended	combine, compound, integrate	entertained	captivate, inspire, regale
blocked	intercept, prevent, stonewall	enticed	beguile, lure, tempt
bolstered	maintain, reinforce, support	equipped	endow, prepare, supply
boosted	amplify, augment, elevate	established	create, decree, enact
bought	acquire, purchase, procure	estimated	assess, budget, gauge
branded	establish, identify, designate	evaluated	appraise, classify, value
bridged	bind, link, unite	examined	audit, consider, research
broadened	link, increase, supplement	exceeded	eclipse, excel, surpass
brought	effectuate, convey, import	executed	achieve, enact, render
budgeted	allocate, calculated, computed	exercised	apply, employ, utilize
built	calculated, construct, engineer	exhibited	display, feature, proclaim
C		expanded	amplify, broaden, increase
calculated	appraise, consider, enumerate	expedited	facilitate, promote, urge
calibrated	adjust, attune, regulate	experienced	confront, encounter, endure
capitalized	attune, use, utilize	experimented	examine, explore, speculate
captured	caught, contained, detained	explained	clarify, decipher, interpret
cared for	aid, provide for, support	explored	examine, probe, survey
carried	channel, convey, sustain	expressed	exert, state, testify
carved	form, hew, shape	extended	amplify, increase, widen
categorized	hew, group, sort	extracted	derive, glean, wrest
catalogued	arrange, class, index	F
caught	apprehend, capture, seize	fabricated	assemble, compose, create
cautioned	advise, alert, forewarn	facilitated	aid, further, promote
cemented	combine, merge, seal	factored	allow for, consider,
certified	approved, authenticate, authorize	familiarized	condition, enlighten, inform
chaired	judge, mediate, preside	fashioned	create, devise, mold
challenged	dispute, investigate, question	fielded	deflect, handle, return
championed	investigate, defend, uphold	filed	finish, level, refine
changed	adjust, modify, transform	filled	furnish, inflate, pervade
charged	impugn, indict, reproach	finalized	complete, conclude, decide
charted	arrange, graph, plot	financed	capitalize, endow, promote
checked	compare, inspect, verify	fine tuned	adapt, conform, hone
chose	accept, elect, select	finished	alter, modify, complete
chronicled	enter, narrate, report	fixed	implant, stabilize
circulated	broadcast, distribute, issue	focused	convene, rivet, spotlight
circumvented	avoid, elude, prevent	followed	ensue, displace, pursue
cited	indicate, quote, reference	forecasted	anticipate, conclude, infer
clarified	define, illuminate, simplify	forged	duplicate, invent, produce
classified	categorize, sort, group	formalized	invent, denote, entitle
cleaned	clarify, expunge, sanitize	formed	Arrange, compose, develop
cleared	absolve, clarify, cleanse	formulated	compose, contrive, invent
closed	end, seal, shut	fortified	brace, consolidate, reinforce
coached	advise, encourage, support	forwarded	advance, expedite, promote
coded	arrange, classify, organize	fostered	cultivate, further, support
collaborated	corporate, concur, conspire	fought	challenge, dispute, strive
collated		found	detect, observe, pinpoint
collected	arrange, find, gather	founded	begin, induce, start
combined	add, mix, integrate	framed	assemble, forge, produce
commanded		fulfilled	achieve, complete, perfect
commended	acclaim, exalt, praise	functioned as	act, operate, perform
commenced	exalt, innate, start	funded	endow, finance, support
commissioned	appoint, command, enlist	furnished	appoint, equip, purvey
communicated	talk, speak, verbalize	furthered	assist, Contribute, patronize
compared	analyze, contrast, consider	G
compiled	assemble, amass, gather	gained	acquire, consummate, procure
complemented	acclaim, laud,recommend	garnered	accumulate, collect, reap
completed	end, finish, stop	gathered	amass, group, unite
composed	author, create, design	gauged	appraise, count, quantify
compounded	blend, combine, mix	gave	cede, endow, supply
computed	estimate, sum, tally	generated	cause, develop, produce
conceived	accept, believe, understand	governed	command, execute, regulate
concentrated	consider, muse, ponder	graduated	complete, earn, finish
conceptualized	conceive, imagine,invasion	grasped	accept, comprehend, understand
condensed	abridge, compress, reduce	greeted	herald, receive, welcome
conducted	compress, direct, oversee	grew	advance, evolve, increase
conferred	consult, discuss, parley	grouped	arrange, class, order
configured	arrange, assemble, group	guaranteed	affirm, pledge, verify
confirmed	affirm, endorse,verify	guided	advise, govern, teach
confronted	encounter, resist, withstand	H
connected	affix, equate, relate	halted	cease, curb, stop
conserved	hoard, save, stash	halved	bisect, divide, split
considered	contemplate, muse, ponder	handled	advise, operate, Supervise
consolidated	amass, combine,join	headed	chair, manage, supervise
constructed	build, create, make	heightened	enhance, increase, magnify
consulted	ask, confer, discuss	held	confine, detain, retain
consummated	achieve, complete, finish	helped	aid, assist, support
contacted	approach, communicate, relate	hired	employ, engage, retain
continued	extend,maintain, persevere	honed	instruct, teach, practice
contracted	abate, confine, edit	hosted	accommodate, entertain, receive
contributed	advance, assist, fortify	hypnotized	charm, entrance, mesmerize
controlled	manage, oversee, supervise	hypothesized	consider, deem, judge
converted	adjust, change, modify
conveyed	bring, carry, transport
convinced	assure, establish, persuade
cooperated	aid, contribute,further
coordinated	group, manage, organize
copied	duplicate, transcribe, xerox
corrected	alter, better, fix
corresponded	accord, coincide, match
counseled	advise, caution, warn
created	author, design, make
critiqued	assess, examine, rate
cultivated	breed, develop, harvest
customized	alter, convert, modify
cut	bisect, curtail, prune

Resume Power Verbs I through R

I	Synonyms	P	Synonyms
identified	analyze, classify, select	paced	, ,
ignited	enflame, kindle, start	packaged	, ,
illustrated	clarify, depict, typify	packed	, ,
implemented	complete, enable, start	pared	crop, prune, reduce
imported	attend, conduct, usher	participated	aide, concur, share
improved	develop, progress, revise	partnered	consort, corporate, help
improvised	contrive, comprise, invent	passed	accomplish, complete, finish
incited	induce, persuade, stimulate	penetrated	charge, insert, seep
included	accommodate, add, introduce	perceived	behold, divine, observe
incorporated	blend, combine, include	perfected	accomplish, complete, refine
increased	advance, build, supplement	performed	achieve, effect, satisfy
indicated	attest, make, reveal	persuaded	coach, enlist, urge
individualized	brand, define, portray	photographed	depict, draw, portray
indoctrinated	convince, instill, program	piloted	convey, guide, oversee
induced	cause, incite, urge	pinpointed	define, place, spot
influenced	alter, impel, shape	pioneered	begin, develop, start
informed	caution, edify, teach	placed	allot, locate, station
infused	animate, impart, pervade	planned	craft, devise, outline
initiated	begin, start, trigger	played	divert, show, trifle
innovated	admit, induct, unveil	praised	cheer, ennoble, extol
inspected	audit, review, study	predicted	anticipate, conclude, foresee
inspired	cause, elate, infuse	prepared	alter, change, revise
installed	build, Establish, station	prescribed	appoint, command, require
instilled	diffuse, impart, program	presented	cite, declare, state
instituted	launch, organize, pioneer	preserved	conserve, defend, uphold
instructed	appraise, drill, notify	presided	advise, chair, manage
insured	cinch, hedge, warrant	prevailed	dominate, master, succeed
integrated	arrange, blend, join	prevented	avoid, counter, restrict
intensified	accent, enhance, rouse	printed	compose, issue, publish
interacted	combine, join, merge	prioritized	assert, charge, repeat
interceded	interpose, negotiate, reconcile	processed	alter, convert, refine
interpreted	clarify, decipher, translate	procured	annex, induce, secure
intervened	divide, involve, settle	produced	create, make, manufacture
interviewed	consult, question, quiz	profiled	contour, form, shape
invented	build, create, make	programmed	book, charter, reserve
inventoried	add, compute, specify	progressed	advance, proceed, travel
invested	endow, infuse, stake	projected	arrange, chart, feature
investigated	check, examine, scout	promoted	advance, further, urge
invigorated	enliven, rally, trigger	proofread	alter, emend, revise
invited	allure, issue, summon	proposed	advance, contend, state
involved	bind, commit, link	protected	assure, defend, guard
isolated	detach, part, seclude	proved	affirm, attest, certify
issued	emit, stem, vent	provided	arrange, cater, furnish
itemized	cite, quote, record	pruned	clip, trim, reduce
J		publicized	bill, headline, spotlight
joined	adhere, combine, interlace	purchased	attain, invest, procure
judged	arbitrate, decree, determine	pursued	bait, follow, track
justified	assert, condone, legitimize	Q
L		quadrupled
launched	catapult, discharge, propel	qualified	certify, endow, sanction
learned	attain, grasp, study	quantified	add, calculate, measure
lectured	express, recite, teach	queried	doubt, inquire, examine
led	convey, guide, usher	questioned	ask, challenge, probe
lessened	abate, decrease, reduce	quoted	detail, name, recall
leveraged	compel, influence, regulate	R
licensed	accredit, certify, permit	raised	boost, elevate, lift
lifted	elevate, raise, uphold	rallied	assemble, muster, organize
limited	confine, restrict, lessen	ranked	arrange, class, rate
linked	combine, group, relate	rated	classify, rank, value
liquidated	cash, convert, honor	reached	attain, enter, show
listened	attend, hear, observe	read	construe, skim, study
litigated	contest, dispute, sue	realigned
loaded	heap, pack, pile	realized	catch, feature, image
located	detect, find, uncover	rearranged	alter, draft, style
logged	enter, note, record	reasoned	conclude, decide, solve
M		rebuilt	fix, mend, repair
made	create, invent, produce	received	acquire, derive, secure
maintained	invent, support, sustain	recognized	note, observe, recall
managed	direct, supervise, wield	recommended	advise, exhaust, urge
mandated	agree, mandate, permit	reconciled	accepted, submit, yield
maneuvered	devise, navigate, operate	reconstructed	fix, overhaul, reform
manipulated	change, maneuver, plan	recorded	catalog, copy, transcribe
manufactured	assemble, build, complete	recovered	balance, transcribe, restore
mapped	chart, direct, plan	recruited	draft, enlist, gather
marked	check, imprint, label	rectified	amend, correct, fix
marketed	advertise, display, sell	redesigned	alter, change, improve
mastered	comprehend, grasp, understand	redirected	alter, change, veer
maximized	enlarge, escalate, increase	reduced	abate, curtail, decrease
measured	assess, gauge, mete	re-engineered	update, create, remodel
mediated	arbitrate, conciliate, determine	referred	cite, credit, name
memorized	comprehend, fathom, understand	refocused	attract, converge, spotlight
mentored	coach, counsel, guide	registered	enlist, join, record
merged	blend, mix, unite	regulated	adjust, control, manage
merited	mix, gain, rate	rehabilitated	adjust, change, improve
met	contact, encounter, engage	reinforced	augment, bolster, stress
minimized	curtail, decrease, diminish	reiterated	echo, recap, retell
mobilized	impel, propel, ready	related	depict, express, state
modeled	base, create, pattern	released	absolve, clear, vent
moderated	abate, curb, modify	relied	await, commit, depend
modified	adjust, convert, vary	relieved	ally, console, improve
molded	build, frame, plot	remained	abide, delay, endure
monitored	audit, control, observe	remodeled	adjust, alter, tailor
monopolized	consume, engross, possess	rendered	cede, furnish, tender
motivated	cause, quicken, sway	renegotiated	assess, postpone, remand
mounted	begin, promote, start	renewed	brace, continue, extend
moved	advance, relocate, proceed	reorganized	adapt, convert, vary
multiplied	add, boot, raise	repaired	correct, patch, revive
N		replaced	convert, modify, transform
named	classify, define, label	replied	answer, transform, return
narrated	depict, portray, recite	replicated	clone, copy, imitate
navigated	direct, operate, guide	reported	advise, cover, state
negotiated	accommodate, haggle, mediate	represented	enact, factor, served
netted	accumulate, earn, reap	reproduced	copy, echo, parallel
neutralized	balance, negate, offset	requested	appeal, demand, entreat
nominated	appoint, elect, present	researched	consult, explore, inquire
normalized	class, control, even	reserved	contact, maintain, schedule
notified	alert, inform, warn	resolved	agree, cinch, elect
nurtured	care, develop, foster	responded	answer, counter, retort
O		restored	improve, mend, repair
observed	detect, discover, mark	restructured	arrange, conform, shape
obtained	acquire, collect, retain	retained	absorb, grasp, possess
offered	extend, furnish, provide	retooled	deduce, overhaul, remake
officiated	conduct, direct, manage	retrieved	recall, restore, salvage
offset	balance, compensate, negate	returned	convey, refund, render
opened	disclose, expand, vacated	revamped	convert, modify, reform
operated	conduct, convey, promote	reversed	annul, convert
optimized	culminate, expand, perfect	reviewed	examine, recap, rehash
orchestrated	arrange, compose, organize	revised	compare, redo, revamp
ordered	command, direct, instruct	revitalized	assist, enliven, refresh
organized	arrange, construct, formulate	revolutionized	adapt, evolved, renovate
oriented	adapt, conform, direct	rewarded	compensate, honor, pay
originated	begin, commence, start	risked	brave, chance, confront
outdistanced	outdo, outpace, pass	rotated	circle, move, pivot
outlined	chart, describe, plot	routed	conduct, direct, pilot
outperformed	beat, eclipse, surpass
overcame	best, conquer, master
overhauled	examine, fix, redo
oversaw	captain, command, manage
owned	have, occupy, possess

Resume Power Verbs S through Z

S	Synonyms	T	Synonyms
safeguarded	assure, cover, defend	tabulated	cataloged, classified, ordered
salvaged	deliver, reclaim, save	tackled	accepted, attacked, undertook
saved	regain, rescue, retrieve	talked	spoke, conversed, articulated
scanned	browse, check, skim	tallied	computed, summed, inventoried
scheduled	appoint, engage, slate	targeted	aimed, focused, attempted
screened	cloak, cover, shield	tasted	tried, savored, sampled
sculptured	carve, fashion, hue	taught	educated, coached, explained
searched	examine, probe, scour	teamed	affiliated, cooperated, coordinated
secured	defend, guard, protect	tempered	abated, mitigated, softened
seized	clasp, embrace, snag	tended	cared for, minded, oversaw
selected	choose, cull, mark	terminated	aborted, discontinued, finished
sent	advance, dispatched, remit	tested	evaluated, assessed, analyzed
separated	cleave, detach, divide	testified	affirmed, corroborated, swore
sequenced	assort, classify, group	tied	bound, fastened, united
served	aid, deal, provide	took	acquired, accepted, seized
serviced	correct, focused, mend	topped	surpassed, bested, outshined
set up	arrange, begin, start	totaled	summed, calculated, figured
settled	achieve, complete, end	traced	hunted, followed, chased
shaped	configure, frame, profile	tracked	pursued, followed, shadowed
shared	assign, dispense, ration	trained	prepared, coached, instructed
sharpened	edge, hone, taper	transcribed	recorded, reproduced, rewrote
shipped	direct, export, send	transformed	revolutionized, reformed, mutated
shortened	abridge, compress, reduce	transitioned	developed, evolved, progressed
showed	appear, disclose, unveil	translated	interpreted, deciphered, paraphrased
signed	abandon, cede, yield	transmitted	broadcast, dispatched, conveyed
simplified	clarify, decipher, explained	traveled	journeyed, ventured, explored
simulated	ape, copy, imitate	treated	conducted, managed, served
sketched	craft, draw, make	trimmed	clipped, cropped, truncated
slashed	cut, incise, sever	tripled	increased, inflated, multiplied
smoothed	clear, even, refine	troubleshot	serviced, repaired, corrected
solicited	claim, demand, refer	turned	altered, modified, transformed
sold	barter, contract, vend	tutored	taught, coached, trained
solidified	compact, condense, set	typed	classified, categorized, transcribed
solved	clarify, decide, settle	U
sorted	classify, grade, group	uncovered	bear, display, expose
sourced	begin, create, start	underlined	accentuate, emphasize, feature
sparked	excite, inspire, kindle	underscored	highlight, stress, underline
spearheaded	attend, show, usher	undertook	commit, devote, endeavor
specialized	practice, study, trained	underwrote	endorse, consent, finance
specified	cite, decide, itemize	unearthed	delve, excavate, expose
speculated	consider, suspect, theorize	unified	arrange, integrate, orchestrate
spent	confer, deplete, waste	united	ally, commingle, unify
spoke	allege, assert, state	updated	refresh, renew, restore
sponsored	buoy, champion, promote	upgraded	boost, elevate, advance
spurred	advance, aid, urge	upheld	aid, endorse, maintain
staffed	employ, crew, retain	urged	compel, incite, recommend
standardized	adjust, institute, order	used	consume, exercise, utilize
started	begin, order, make	utilized	employ, handle, use
steered	conduct, direct, guide	V
stimulated	elate, incite, prod	validated	certify, endorse, verify
streamlined	focus, gather, organize	valued	laud, revere, treasure
strengthened	brace, cheer, restore	vaulted	ascend, hurtle, surpass
stretched	amplify, extend, widen	verbalized	express, state, utter
structured	build, create, make	verified	certify, justify, validate
studied	consider, ponder, watch	viewed	consider, deem, judge
submitted	enter, give, refund	visualized	deem, foresee, suppose
succeeded	accomplish, complete, finish	voiced	announce, declare, proclaim
suggested	broach, commend, convey	volunteered	advance, offer, suggest
summarized	abridge, convey, cut	W
supervised	administer, control, manage	weathered	brave, endure, overcome
supplied	cater, deliver, furnish	weighed	contemplate, consider, evaluate
supported	buoy, aid, promote	widened	augment, broaden, expand
surpassed	exceed, outrank, top	withstood	bear, brave, weather
surveyed	access, case, inspect	won	achieve, conquer, prevail
swayed	bend, incline, lean	worked	labor, manage, toil
swept	accomplish, complete, won	wove	blend, incorporate, interlace
symbolized	denote, embody, suggest	wrote	author, compose, create
synthesized	arrange, blend, integrate	Y
systemized	array, design, frame	yielded	accrue, earn, generate