Verbs Beginning with the Letter R

Find and circle the words in the word search puzzle below, that run diagonally and horizontally throughout the grid. The search words are English language verbs that begin with the letter "R". To read definitions of the less common words used in the puzzle, scroll below the grid.

You need Java enabled to view the crossword applet.

Visit our revised Word Search Puzzle Index for links to over 200 more word search puzzles.

Below are simple definitions to seven of the "r" English language verbs used in the puzzle above:

• rankle 1. Gnaw into; make resentful or angry. 2. To cause persistent feelings of bitterness, resentment, or anger. Antonym: soothe. Synonyms and similar words: annoy, chafe, eat up, fester, gnaw, grate, infuriate, irritate, irk, needle, rile. [Derived from Old French rancler "to fester".]
• ratchet 1. To force something such as prices or political rhetoric to rise or fall in level or intensity by deliberately applying pressure in successive and irreversible stages. 2. Move by degrees in one direction only. 3. To move gradually up or down by means of a ratchet, or to move something in this way. (The NOUN ratchet refers to a hand tool or mechanical device consisting of a metal wheel operating with a catch that permits motion in only one direction.) Synonyms and similar words: force up, inflame, intensify, increase, step up, stir up. An opposite of the verb "ratchet" could be "lessen". [Derived from the French rochet "bobbin, spool".]
• reconnoiter 1. Explore, often with the goal of finding something or somebody. 2. To explore an area in order to gather information, especially about the strength and positioning of enemy forces. Synonyms and similar words: explore, inspect, investigate, keep an eye out, look out, patrol, scout, search, spy, watch. [Derived from the Latin re- "again", plus cognoscere "to know".]
• regress 1. To move backward, as in time. 2. To return to an earlier and less advanced, less healthy, or generally worse state from a more advanced, healthier, or generally better one. 3. (PSYCHOLOGY) To go back to an earlier emotional state and exhibit the type of behavior associated with it, or cause somebody to do this. 4. To go back toward a statistical mean. Synonyms and similar words: retrograde, return, revert, turn back. [Derived from Latin, regredi "move backward".]
• riposte The NOUN riposte can be defined as: A quick or witty reaction to something, usually spoken. When used as a VERB, riposte means to use a riposte to answer back; reply quickly. Synonyms and similar words to the VERB are: answer, come back, counter, rejoin, reply, retort. [Derived from the French, from Italian riposta "reply".]
• ruche To decorate the edges of a garment with a decorative strip of gathered, pleated or frilled fabric. Synonyms and similar words: crimp, fold, pleat, gather, tuck. [Derived from the French for "beehive, frill".]
• rumple 1. Become wrinkled or crumpled or creased. 2. To gather something into small wrinkles or folds. 3. To take on a disheveled appearance, or make clothes or hair untidy, e.g. by creasing the clothes or tossing the hair out of style. Antonym: tidy. Synonyms and similar words: crease, crinkle, mess up, scrunch up, wrinkle. [Derived from Middle Dutch rumpelen.

BACK TO WORD SEARCH PUZZLE INDEX