How can I omit adverbs to impart a strong feeling?

I’m practicing replacing adverbs with strong verbs. I read about few strategies that help replace adverbs. (E.g. this). I understand that a lot of it depends on the context. Adverbs can be removed, replaced with strong verbs, or left as is.

Let’s say, I want to replace the following adverbs with strong verbs. I tried to use online thesaurus but it is not designed for looking up synonyms for adverb + verb combinations.

• hopelessly grabbed
• intensely watched
• intensely looked
• abruptly stopped
• slowly walked
• slowly rotated
• slowly let go
• quickly turned
• quickly closed
• quickly raised
• quickly covered
• firmly secured
• gently pressed
• tightly pressed
• slightly displaced
• rhythmically moved

My approach so far was to take a verb (e.g press) and look up synonyms for it. In this specific case, I can see right away the word “squeeze”. I can confirm that this is the word I need by looking up its definition.

squeeze – firmly press (something soft or yielding), typically with one’s fingers.

Bingo! I can replace “tightly pressed” with “squeezed”. Or “He tightly pressed his lips together.” with “He squeezed his lips together.”

However, this approach doesn’t work well all the time (Actually, it doesn’t work most of the time). E.g. I can’t find anything for “gently pressed”. Also, it is a time consuming process. I understand now why they say: “you are being lazy when you use adverbs” 🙂

I guess, I’m looking for “adverbs replacement dictionary”. Does such a thing exist? Or a good guideline on omitting adverbs.

I have the same questions for the adverbs that describe adjectives:

• perfectly symmetrical
• strikingly similar
• barely visible

Thanks.