Vocabulary / Word Lists for writers

walk synonyms

See chapter called 'Commonly used verbs' for alternatives

Amble: walk easily and/or aimlessly

Bounce: walk energetically

Careen: pitch dangerously to one side while walking or running

Clump: walk heavily and/or clumsily

Falter: walk unsteadily

Flounder: walk with great difficulty

Foot it: (slang) depart or set off by walking

Footslog: walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud

Gimp: limp; hobble

Hike: take a long walk, especially in a park or a wilderness area

Hobble: walk unsteadily or with difficulty; see also limp

Hoof it: (slang) walk; see foot it

Leg it: (slang) see foot it

Limp: walk unsteadily because of injury, especially favoring one leg; see also falter

Lumber: walk slowly and heavily

Lurch: walk slowly but with sudden movements, or furtively

March: walk rhythmically alone or in a group, especially according to a specified procedure

Meander: walk or move aimlessly and idly without fixed direction

Mince: walk delicately

Mosey: see amble; also, used colloquially in the phrase "mosey along"

Nip: walk briskly or lightly; also used colloquially in the phrase "nip (on) over" to refer to a brief walk to a certain destination, as if on an errand

Pace: walk precisely to mark off a distance, or walk intently or nervously, especially back and forth

Pad: walk with steady steps making a soft dull sound

Parade: walk ostentatiously, as if to show off

Perambulate: see stroll; travel on foot, or walk to inspect or measure a boundary

Peregrinate: walk, especially to travel

Plod: walk slowly and heavily, as if reluctant or weary

Pound: walk or go with heavy steps; move along with force or vigor; see lumber

Power walk: walk briskly for fitness

Prance: walk joyfully, as if dancing or skipping

Promenade: go on a leisurely walk, especially in a public place as a social activity; see parade

Prowl: walk noiselessly and carefully in a predatory manner

Pussyfoot: walk stealthily or warily

Ramble: walk or travel aimlessly

Roam: go without fixed direction and without any particular destination, often for pleasure; see ramble

Rove: travel constantly over a relatively lengthy time period without a fixed destination; wander

Sashay: glide, move, or proceed easily or nonchalantly; seeparade

Saunter: walk about easily

Scuff: walk without lifting one's feet

Shamble: walk or go awkwardly; shuffle; see scuff

Shuffle: walk without lifting the feet or with clumsy steps and a shambling gait; see scuff

Skulk: move in a stealthy or furtive manner

Somnambulate: walk in one's sleep

Stagger: walk unsteadily

Stalk: walk stealthily, as in pursuit

Step: walk, or place one's foot or feet in a new position

Stomp: walk heavily, as if in anger

Stride: walk purposefully, with long steps

Stroll: walk in a leisurely way; see saunter

Strut: walk with a stiff, erect, and apparently arrogant or conceited gait; see parade

Stumble: walk clumsily or unsteadily, or trip

Stump: walk heavily, as with a limp; see lumber

swaggering: walk or behave in a very confident and typically arrogant or aggressive way.

Tiptoe: walk carefully on the toes or on the balls of the foot, as if in stealth

Toddle: move with short, unsteady steps, as a young child; seesaunter and stagger

Totter: walk or go with faltering steps, as if from extreme weakness; see stagger (also, sway or become unstable)

Traipse: walk lightly and/or aimlessly

Tramp: walk heavily or noisily; see lumber and hike

Trample: walk so as to crush something underfoot

Traverse: walk across or over a distance

Tread: walk slowly and steadily

Trip: walk lightly; see also stumble

Tromp: tread heavily, especially to crush underfoot; see lumber

Troop: walk in unison, or collectively

Trot: proceed at a pace faster than a walk; see nip

Trudge: walk slowly and with heavy steps, typically because of exhaustion or harsh conditions; see plod

Waddle: walk clumsily or as if burdened, swinging the body

Wade: walk through water or with difficulty, as if impeded

Wander: to move from place to place without a fixed route; seeramble