List of 92 Verbs of Cognition
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Thought is associated with many different states and actions, which are denoted by verbs. Need some examples of related words or phrases? Try this list of verbs of cognition.
| Term | Explanation |
| analyze | break down and examine to identify components or structure and to explain and interpret |
| apply | use knowledge and understanding to respond to a situation |
| appraise | evaluate something's worth or significance |
| appreciate | understand or recognize the value of something |
| argue | challenge something; show reasons for being for or against something |
| assess | evaluate or estimate something |
| calculate | use a mathematical process or facts, figures, and information to determine or find something |
| categorize | sort or classify items into a specific class or group |
| clarify | explain something or make it clear so that one can understand |
| classify | use similar characteristics to arrange or put into specific categories |
| comment | give an opinion, observation, or reaction to something |
| communicate | make something known or understood |
| compare | look at similarities and differences and recognize the significance of those similarities and differences |
| compose/decompose | rewrite an expression or numbers with smaller quantities and group the numbers for easier computation. For example, 38 + 14 = 30 + 8 + 10 + 4 = 30 + 10 + 8 + 4 = 40 + 12 = 52 |
| comprehend | grasp the meaning of something |
| conduct | carry out an action |
| consider | think carefully about something before making a decision |
| construct | make, build, create, or put something together |
| contrast | explain how things are different or opposite |
| count | recite numbers from the smallest to the largest |
| count on | recite numbers (starting with a number that is not the smallest whole number) in order |
| create | produce or think of something new |
| critique | give an opinion or review of something |
| decide | make a judgementj or resolution about something |
| deduce | take given information and come to a logical conclusion |
| define | state the meaning of something |
| demonstrate | show or illustrate something |
| derive | obtain something by reasoning |
| describe | use words to give an account of something |
| design | make a detailed drawing or plan |
| determine | use a method to figure out an answer |
| develop | to make something grow or expand |
| devise | think about and plan something |
| differentiate | find the differences in or between things |
| discriminate | mark or distinguish differences |
| discuss | use different ideas and opinions to talk about something |
| distinguish | realize that two or more items are different |
| document | use evidence to support something |
| estimate | make an approximate calculation |
| evaluate | determine the value or significance of something |
| examine | inspect or investigate something |
| execute | carry something out or put it into effect |
| exemplify | give an example |
| experiment | perform an experiment to discover or prove something |
| explain | give more details or facts to make something clear |
| explore | look into something in detail |
| express | give or show a clear idea of what something is |
| extend | expand an idea |
| extrapolate | extend a method or conclusion by projecting known information |
| find | discover unexpectedly |
| generate | cause something to be produced or created |
| hypothesize | make an assumption from known facts or observed occurrences |
| identify | establish who or what something is |
| illustrate | use an example to explain something |
| implement | carry out something or put it into effect |
| infer | use evidence or reasoning to make a conclusion |
| interpret | explain something or make it clear |
| investigate | carry out research to gain facts and make conclusions |
| judge | come to conclusion or make a decision about |
| justify | show that something is correct by supporting it with evidence |
| make a decision | arrive at a conclusion after looking at all options |
| manipulate | control or manage a situation to benefit from it |
| match | to make something the same or equal |
| measure | to find the size of something |
| modify | make changes in something |
| name | specify the mathematical term for an object |
| order | to put into a certain arrangement |
| organize | arrange into a specific order |
| predict | suggest that something will happen |
| propose | suggest a plan or idea |
| prove | demonstrate a truth |
| read | use a measuring tool to determine the magnitude of something |
| realize | make or become aware of something |
| recall | remember something |
| recognize | acknowledge that something exists |
| reflect on | consider something and think deeply about it |
| represent | take the place of something else |
| resolve | figure something out and find a solution |
| round | to express a number as an approximation |
| select | choose or pick out the best |
| sequence | place in a specific order |
| sketch | to draw in a rough or simple form |
| solve | arrive at an answer or explanation for something |
| sort | put something into place by categories |
| structure | form something into a specific pattern or arrangement |
| summarize | to tell something in sequence in a shortened version |
| symbolize | represent with a symbol |
| synthesize | combine many different parts |
| test | try something out |
| understand | comprehend the meaning of something |
| use | to set or put something into action |
