Negative Verbs That Start With “D” for English Learners
Negative verbs are words that express actions or states which often convey undesirable, harmful, or unfavorable meanings. Learning these verbs can help English learners understand and communicate negative situations more effectively. Below is a comprehensive list of negative verbs starting with “D,” along with their meanings, examples, and exercises.
1. Damage
Meaning: To harm or cause destruction to something.
- The storm damaged several houses in the village.
- Smoking can damage your lungs over time.
- He accidentally damaged his phone by dropping it.
2. Danger
Meaning: To expose someone or something to harm or risk.
- Reckless driving dangers the lives of pedestrians.
- Ignoring safety protocols dangers the entire team.
- Wild animals can danger humans if provoked.
3. Deceive
Meaning: To trick or mislead someone intentionally.
- The salesman tried to deceive customers with false claims.
- She deceived her friend by hiding the truth.
- Scammers often deceive people online.
4. Decline
Meaning: To refuse or decrease in quality, quantity, or strength.
- He declined the job offer due to low pay.
- Her health declined after the accident.
- The company’s profits declined last year.
5. Defame
Meaning: To harm someone’s reputation by spreading false information.
- The article defamed the celebrity with baseless accusations.
- He sued the newspaper for trying to defame him.
- Spreading rumors can defame innocent people.
6. Delay
Meaning: To postpone or make something late.
- The bad weather delayed our flight by three hours.
- She delayed submitting her assignment until the last minute.
- Construction work delayed traffic in the city.
7. Depress
Meaning: To make someone feel sad or hopeless.
- The news of his failure depressed him for weeks.
- Constant criticism can depress a person’s confidence.
- Loneliness often depresses elderly people.
8. Destroy
Meaning: To ruin or demolish completely.
- The fire destroyed the entire building.
- Overfishing is destroying marine ecosystems.
- War can destroy families and communities.
9. Disagree
Meaning: To have a different opinion or refuse to accept something.
- They disagreed on the best solution to the problem.
- I disagree with his views on politics.
- The committee members disagreed about the new policy.
10. Disappoint
Meaning: To fail to meet someone’s expectations.
- The movie disappointed fans with its weak storyline.
- She felt disappointed when her team lost the match.
- His poor performance disappointed his parents.
Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Choose the correct negative verb starting with “D” to complete each sentence.
- The hurricane _____ many coastal towns. (damaged / delayed)
- She _____ his invitation to the party. (declined / deceived)
- False rumors can _____ a person’s reputation. (defame / depress)
- He _____ his parents by failing the exam. (disappointed / destroyed)
- The train was _____ due to technical issues. (delayed / disagreed)
Exercise 2: Sentence Creation
Write a sentence using each of the following negative verbs:
- Deceive
- Depress
- Disagree
- Destroy
- Danger
Answer Key
Exercise 1 Answers
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | damaged |
| 2 | declined |
| 3 | defame |
| 4 | disappointed |
| 5 | delayed |
Exercise 2 Sample Answers
- Deceive: The fraudster deceived many people with his fake investment scheme.
- Depress: The rainy weather always depresses her mood.
- Disagree: We often disagree on which movie to watch.
- Destroy: The earthquake destroyed several historical buildings.
- Danger: Walking alone at night dangers your safety.