General:
* Dawn: Break, appear, emerge, rise, illuminate, brighten
* Morning: Start, begin, wake, arise, greet, commence, usher in
* Afternoon: Continue, progress, advance, pass, linger, stretch
* Evening: End, conclude, set, fade, descend, dim, close
* Night: Fall, descend, arrive, cover, blanket, engulf
Activities:
* Work: Toil, labor, strive, hustle, produce, create
* Play: Recreate, enjoy, relax, frolic, have fun, engage
* Learn: Study, explore, discover, research, understand, grasp
* Travel: Journey, explore, wander, roam, commute, navigate
* Socialize: Interact, connect, communicate, share, gather, celebrate
Figurative:
* To brighten someone's day: To cheer, uplift, inspire, encourage
* To make the most of the day: To seize opportunities, strive, enjoy
* To live for the day: To focus on the present, enjoy the moment, be spontaneous
* To waste the day: To procrastinate, idle, be unproductive
Examples in context:
* The sun dawning on the horizon brightens the sky.
* The workday begins with a flurry of activity.
* The afternoon sun lingers on the patio.
* The evening ends with a beautiful sunset.
* We toil all day to create something meaningful.
* The children frolic in the park, enjoying the sunshine.
* The knowledge acquired during the day brightens our understanding.
This is just a starting point. There are many other verbs that can be used to describe the day depending on the context and your desired meaning.