ESL Vocabulary for Opposite Verbs

Opposite Verbs

The following page has learning games and example sentences using the following 38 words from the "opposite verbs" category:

Learning opposite verbs helps in expressing contrasting actions and ideas effectively.

Memory Game

Pairs: getting ready...

Clicks: 0

getting ready...

Your mission is to pair pictures with their correct titles in as few a clicks as possible.
Click on a card to turn it. Next, try to find its partner by clicking on a second card. (If you fail to find a match with your second click, both cards will turn again.)
This is a memory game as well as a vocabulary-learning game.
Click on your first card to start. Good luck!

Scoring System

Guru ()
Hero ()
Captain ()
Sergeant ()
Recruit ()

Example Sentences

sit

to rest on a chair or surface with your weight supported by your buttocks

Easy Examples

I sit on the chair.
Please sit down.
She likes to sit by the window.

Harder Examples

I like to sit by the window and read a book.
She prefers to sit at the front of the classroom.
They will sit together at the dinner table.

sleep

to rest with your eyes closed and your body inactive

Easy Examples

I sleep at night.
I need to sleep for eight hours.
She sleeps like a baby.

Harder Examples

After a long day, he likes to sleep for eight hours.
She had trouble falling asleep last night.
They enjoy taking naps in the afternoon.

stand

to be in an upright position on your feet

Easy Examples

Please stand up.
He can't stand still.
They stand in a line.

Harder Examples

She likes to stand on the balcony and watch the sunset.
He stood in line patiently waiting for his turn.
They will stand together during the ceremony.

start

to begin or commence an action, process, or event

Easy Examples

Let's start the game.
I start my day with breakfast.
She wants to start a new project.

Harder Examples

Let's start the meeting in five minutes.
She started her new job yesterday.
They will start their journey early in the morning.

throw

to propel an object through the air using force

Easy Examples

He throws the ball.
Throw the paper into the bin.
She can throw a frisbee.

Harder Examples

He can throw a baseball with great accuracy.
She threw the ball to her friend across the yard.
They like to play catch and throw the frisbee.

wake up

to stop sleeping and become conscious after a period of rest

Easy Examples

I wake up early in the morning.
She wakes up with an alarm clock.
We wake up refreshed.

Harder Examples

I usually wake up at 7:00 AM on weekdays.
She woke up feeling refreshed and ready to start the day.
They set an alarm to wake up early for the hike.

walk

to move on foot by taking steps

Easy Examples

I walk to school.
Let's take a walk in the park.
She can walk long distances.

Harder Examples

She likes to walk in the park every morning.
He walked to the store to buy some groceries.
They will walk together to explore the city.

win

to achieve victory in a competition, game, or contest

Easy Examples

I want to win the race.
They win the game.
He wins a prize.

Harder Examples

He was determined to win the chess tournament.
She won the first-place medal in the race.
They celebrated their team's win with enthusiasm.

work

to engage in physical or mental effort to achieve a task or goal

Easy Examples

I work at the office.
She works hard every day.
They work as a team.

Harder Examples

I have to work late to finish this project.
She works as a software engineer for a tech company.
They work together to solve complex problems.

agree

to have the same opinion or come to a mutual understanding

Easy Examples

I agree with your idea.
They agree to the terms.
She and I agree on many things.

Harder Examples

They both agree that the plan is a good idea.
She agreed to help him with his homework.
He hopes they can agree on the terms of the contract.

answer

to respond to a question or statement with a reply

Easy Examples

Please answer the question.
He answers the phone.
They answer emails promptly.

Harder Examples

He will answer your inquiry as soon as possible.
She answered all the interview questions confidently.
They expect him to answer honestly during the interview.

argue

to engage in a disagreement or heated discussion

Easy Examples

They argue about politics.
I don't like to argue.
We often argue with each other.

Harder Examples

They argue about politics every time they meet.
She argued with her brother about borrowing her car.
He doesn't like to argue and prefers peaceful discussions.

ask

to pose a question or request information from someone

Easy Examples

Can I ask a question?
She asks for help.
He asks for directions.

Harder Examples

I will ask the teacher for clarification on the assignment.
She asked him for his opinion on the matter.
They asked the waiter for the dessert menu.

attack

to use force or violence against someone or something

Easy Examples

The lion might attack.
They attack the enemy.
She doesn't want to attack.

Harder Examples

The enemy forces plan to attack at dawn.
She defended herself when she was attacked.
They will launch a counter-attack to protect their territory.

build

to construct or create something by assembling various components

Easy Examples

They build a sandcastle.
I want to build a house.
He builds with Lego.

Harder Examples

He wants to build a treehouse in the backyard.
She built a successful business from scratch.
They will help build a new playground for the community.

buy

to acquire something by paying a certain amount of money for it

Easy Examples

I want to buy a new car.
She buys groceries.
They buy gifts for their friends.

Harder Examples

She plans to buy a new car next month.
He bought a gift for his mother's birthday.
They will buy tickets for the concert online.

catch

to intercept or seize something that is in motion

Easy Examples

I catch the ball.
He can catch a fish.
They catch the bus every morning.

Harder Examples

He tried to catch the baseball but missed.
She caught the bus just in time to get to work.
They will catch the frisbee during their game.

close

to shut or fasten something that has an opening or can be closed

Easy Examples

Please close the door.
He closes the book.
She wants to close the window.

Harder Examples

Please close the door behind you when you leave.
She closed the book and put it on the shelf.
They will close the gate to keep the dog in the yard.

cry

to shed tears as an emotional response to sadness or pain

Easy Examples

I cry when I'm sad.
She cries during sad movies.
They cry because they are hurt.

Harder Examples

He didn't want to cry in front of his friends.
She cried tears of joy at her graduation ceremony.
They comforted her when she started to cry.

defend

to protect or support something or someone from harm or criticism

Easy Examples

He defends his team.
She defends her beliefs.
They defend their territory.

Harder Examples

He will defend his thesis in front of the committee.
She defended her friend when they were being bullied.
They are ready to defend their principles and values.

destroy

to cause severe damage or ruin something completely

Easy Examples

War can destroy cities.
She doesn't want to destroy nature.
They destroy old things.

Harder Examples

The tornado can destroy houses in seconds.
She accidentally destroyed the fragile artwork.
They will work to prevent the forest from being destroyed.

enter

to go or come into a place or location

Easy Examples

Please enter the room.
They enter the building.
She can enter the contest.

Harder Examples

Please enter your password to access the account.
She entered the room quietly so as not to disturb anyone.
They will enter the competition to showcase their talent.

exit

to leave a place or location

Easy Examples

We need to exit the building.
He exits the car.
She exits the room quickly.

Harder Examples

He will exit the building through the back door.
She exited the theater after the movie ended.
They will exit the subway station at the next stop.

finish

to complete or bring something to an end

Easy Examples

I finish my homework.
They finish the race.
She wants to finish her meal.

Harder Examples

She wants to finish her novel by the end of the year.
He finished the race in first place.
They will work hard to finish the project ahead of schedule.

forget

to fail to remember something

Easy Examples

I forget my keys sometimes.
She forgets to call her friend.
They forget important dates.

Harder Examples

Don't forget to pick up some milk on your way home.
She forgot her umbrella and got caught in the rain.
They often forget important dates and events.

hate

to have a strong aversion or intense dislike for something or someone

Easy Examples

I hate spiders.
She hates broccoli.
They hate Mondays.

Harder Examples

He doesn't hate anyone; he believes in forgiveness.
She hates the taste of olives and won't eat them.
They don't hate change; they embrace new opportunities.

laugh

to produce sound from the mouth as an expression of amusement or joy

Easy Examples

We laugh at jokes.
He laughs when he's happy.
She has a contagious laugh.

Harder Examples

They laugh heartily at their friend's jokes.
She couldn't help but laugh at the funny movie.
He tries to make people laugh to brighten their day.

lose

to be deprived of or unable to find something or someone

Easy Examples

I don't want to lose the game.
They lose their way.
She loses her phone often.

Harder Examples

She doesn't want to lose her keys again.
He lost his way in the unfamiliar city.
They will lose the game if they don't score soon.

love

to have deep affection or strong feelings of care and admiration for someone or something

Easy Examples

I love ice cream.
She loves her family.
They love going to the beach.

Harder Examples

They love spending time together as a family.
She loves her job because it's fulfilling.
He will always love his hometown and its memories.

open

to unfasten or reveal something that was closed or sealed

Easy Examples

Can you open the door?
She opens the gift.
They open the book.

Harder Examples

Please open the envelope and read the letter.
She opened the door to welcome her guests.
They will open the box to see what's inside.

play

to engage in an activity for amusement or recreation

Easy Examples

We play games together.
He plays the guitar.
She likes to play with her toys.

Harder Examples

Children love to play in the park.
She plays the piano beautifully.
They will play a board game during their family night.

pull

to exert force to move something toward oneself

Easy Examples

I can pull the rope.
He pulls the lever.
They pull the wagon.

Harder Examples

He needs to pull the heavy suitcase up the stairs.
She pulled the curtains to let in some sunlight.
They will pull the rope to ring the bell.

push

to exert force to move something away from oneself

Easy Examples

She can push the cart.
They push the button.
I push the swing.

Harder Examples

She will push the shopping cart in the supermarket.
He pushed the door to enter the room.
They push the swing to make it go higher.

remember

to recall or bring to mind something from the past

Easy Examples

I remember my birthday.
They remember important details.
She remembers to bring her umbrella.

Harder Examples

I can't remember where I left my keys.
She remembers her childhood vacations fondly.
They will remember this special day for years to come.

run

to move rapidly on foot, typically faster than walking

Easy Examples

I can run fast.
He runs in the park.
They run a marathon.

Harder Examples

He likes to run in the morning to stay fit.
She ran to catch the bus before it left.
They will run a marathon to raise funds for charity.

sell

to exchange goods or services for money

Easy Examples

I want to sell my old clothes.
She sells handmade crafts.
They sell tickets to the event.

Harder Examples

She plans to sell her old furniture online.
He sold his car to a friend who needed it.
They will sell tickets for the charity fundraiser.

send

to cause something to be delivered or transmitted to a destination

Easy Examples

I send a letter.
He sends an email.
She sends a gift to her friend.

Harder Examples

I will send you an email with the information.
She sent a birthday card to her grandmother.
They will send the package through express mail.

receive

to take or accept something that is given, sent, or offered

Easy Examples

I receive a package.
They receive a warm welcome.
She receives a surprise.

Harder Examples

She received a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
He received an award for his outstanding work.
They will receive guests at the reception.

Help Us To Improve English Grammar Lessons

Do you disagree with something on this page?
Did you spot a typo?

Please tell us using this form.

Opposite Verbs

Memory Game

Example Sentences

sit

sleep

stand

start

throw

wake up

walk

win

work

agree

answer

argue

ask

attack

build

buy

catch

close

cry

defend

destroy

enter

exit

finish

forget

hate

laugh

lose

love

open

play

pull

push

remember

run

sell

send

receive

See Also