Updated on December 25, 2024
by PushtoLearn
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Verbs That Start With N

Verbs that begin with N describe physical activities like "nibble" and "nap" and more abstract processes like "negotiate" and "normalize."

List of Top 50 Verbs That Start With N

Verb

Definition

Example

Nab

To catch or seize quickly

"The police nabbed the suspect near the station."

Nag

To persistently annoy or complain

"She nagged him to clean his room."

Nail

To fasten or secure with nails

"He nailed the picture frame to the wall."

Name

To assign a designation or title

"They named their baby after their grandmother."

Nap

To take a short sleep

"She napped on the couch after lunch."

Narrate

To tell a story or describe events

"The author narrated the tale with passion."

Narrow

To reduce in width or scope

"They narrowed the search area."

Nationalize

To bring under state control

"The government nationalized the banks."

Natter

To chatter or talk idly

"They nattered away over coffee."

Naturalize

To grant citizenship to a foreigner

"She was naturalized as a citizen last year."

Nauseate

To cause feelings of disgust or sickness

"The smell nauseated everyone in the room."

Navigate

To find the way or direct a course

"He navigated through the city with a map."

Neaten

To make tidy or orderly

"She neatened her desk before the meeting."

Necessitate

To make something necessary

"The new rules necessitate changes in procedure."

Need

To require or be necessary for something

"He needs help with his project."

Needle

To provoke or annoy someone

"She needled him about his tardiness."

Negate

To nullify or make ineffective

"The evidence negated the defendant's claim."

Neglect

To fail to care for or give attention

"He neglected his plants, and they withered."

Negotiate

To discuss and reach an agreement

"They negotiated a fair contract."

Neigh

To make the sound of a horse

"The horse neighed loudly in the stable."

Nest

To build or inhabit a nest

"The birds nested in the old tree."

Nestle

To settle comfortably or snugly

"She nestled into the soft couch."

Nettle

To irritate or provoke

"His constant interruptions nettled her."

Network

To connect with others for mutual benefit

"He networked with industry professionals at the event."

Neuter

To remove reproductive organs from an animal

"They neutered their pet cat last week."

Neutralize

To counteract or make neutral

"The antidote neutralized the poison."

Nibble

To take small bites

"The mouse nibbled on the cheese."

Nick

To cut or scratch slightly

"He nicked his finger while chopping vegetables."

Nickname

To give an informal or affectionate name

"They nicknamed him 'Speedy' for his fast running."

Niggle

To cause slight but persistent annoyance

"Her constant complaints niggled at him."

Nip

To bite or pinch quickly

"The dog nipped at his heels playfully."

Nitpick

To find fault with trivial matters

"She nitpicked every detail of the report."

Nod

To move the head up and down in agreement

"He nodded to show he understood."

Nominate

To formally propose someone for a position

"She was nominated for the best actress award."

Nonconform

To refuse to follow established norms

"He nonconformed by dressing casually at the formal event."

Normalize

To make standard or normal

"They normalized the data for comparison."

Notarize

To certify a document officially

"The contract was notarized by the lawyer."

Notate

To write or record something

"She notated the music for the performance."

Note

To observe or pay attention to

"He noted the change in her behavior."

Notice

To become aware of something

"She noticed a crack in the ceiling."

Notify

To inform or give notice

"They notified the customers of the price change."

Nourish

To provide with food or nutrients

"She nourished the plants with water and sunlight."

Novelize

To adapt a story into novel form

"The film was novelized by a famous author."

Nudge

To gently push or prod

"She nudged him to get his attention."

Nullify

To make invalid or cancel

"The contract was nullified due to errors."

Numb

To make unable to feel sensation

"The dentist numbed his gums before the procedure."

Numerate

To count or calculate

"She numerated the participants in the survey."

Nurse

To care for the sick or injured

"He nursed his father back to health."

Nurture

To care for and encourage growth

"She nurtured the young artist's talent."

Nuzzle

To rub or touch with the nose affectionately

"The dog nuzzled against her hand."

Daily Life Actions

  • Nap: To take a short rest or sleep.
    Example: "He napped for 20 minutes after lunch."
    Synonyms: Doze, Snooze.

  • Neaten: To tidy up or organize.
    Example: "She neatened her notes before the exam."
    Synonyms: Straighten, Arrange.

  • Nudge: To gently push or prod.
    Example: "He nudged the door open with his foot."
    Synonyms: Push, Prod.

Social and Emotional Contexts

  • Nag: To complain or demand persistently.
    Example: "She nagged her son to clean his room."
    Synonyms: Pester, Harass.

  • Nurture: To support and encourage growth or development.
    Example: "The teacher nurtured the student's creativity."
    Synonyms: Foster, Cultivate.

  • Niggle: To annoy or bother slightly.
    Example: "The loose thread niggled at her all day."
    Synonyms: Irritate, Bother.

Professional and Technical Contexts

  • Negotiate: To discuss terms and reach an agreement.
    Example: "The union negotiated better working conditions."
    Synonyms: Bargain, Mediate.

  • Normalize: To make something standard or typical.
    Example: "The therapist helped normalize the patient’s daily routine."
    Synonyms: Standardize, Regularize.

  • Notarize: To certify a document legally.
    Example: "The will was notarized before the lawyer."
    Synonyms: Certify, Authenticate.

Illustration of Verbs That Start With N

Everyday Use of Verbs Starting With N

  1. Notice

    • Example: "She noticed the error on the form."

    • Frequently used for observing or becoming aware of details.

  2. Need

    • Example: "He needs more time to finish the task."

    • A fundamental verb to describe requirements.

  3. Nourish

    • Example: "The mother nourished her child with healthy meals."

    • Regularly used to describe care or sustenance.

Common Mistakes

  1. Misusing “Nag” as Polite Request

    • Mistake: "She nagged her friend to come over."

    • Correction: "She asked her friend to come over."

    • Tip: Use "nag" for persistent, often annoying demands.

  2. Confusing “Nap” and “Sleep”

    • Mistake: "He napped for eight hours last night."

    • Correction: "He slept for eight hours last night."

    • Tip: Use "nap" for short rest periods, not overnight sleep.

  3. Overusing “Neaten” for Thorough Cleaning

    • Mistake: "He neatened the dirty kitchen."

    • Correction: "He cleaned the dirty kitchen."

    • Tip: Use "neaten" for organizing, not deep cleaning.

FAQ

What’s the difference between “Neglect” and “Ignore”?

"Neglect" implies failing to care, while "ignore" means intentionally not noticing.

Can “Nurture” and “Nourish” be used interchangeably?

Not always. "Nurture" refers to overall care and support, while "nourish" focuses on providing sustenance.

What are synonyms for “Negotiate”?

Bargain, Mediate, Discuss.

How is “Normalize” used in social contexts?

It refers to making something usual or standard, e.g., "The campaign aims to normalize discussions about mental health."

What does “Nudge” mean metaphorically?

It can mean encouraging someone gently, e.g., "She nudged him to take the promotion."

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