figure out, analyze, gauge, weigh, plumb, test, compare, conceive, scan, imagine, define, reflect, scrutinize, examine, size up, read, discern, vet, peruse, contrast, explore, experiment, research, brainstorm, sort out, mull over, assess, deliberate, consider, contemplate, evaluate, ponder, figure in, calculate, estimate, forecast, rank, inquire, favor, categorize, cull, parse, sift, envision, distinguish, determine, look over, prefer, search, google, differentiate, meet with (an advisor), enroll, pore over, debunk, look for

devise, earmark, pursue, aim, design, plan, designate, propose, aspire to, set out to, take steps to, intend to, mean to, set out (to/for), have in mind, think of, expect, resolve to, determine to, declare one's intention, set an intention, seek to, set (a goal), want to, set one's sights on, commit, stay (the course)

figure out, select, settle on, adopt, heed, follow, pick out, discern, specify, favor, pick, decide, isolate, opt for, choose, devour, mean to, intend, elect, pinpoint, single out, find, hatch a plan, commit

pull, seize, grip, grab, knock, incline, call, capture, awaken, arouse, stimulate, fixate, attract, draw, tempt, possess, obsess, consume, provoke, confirm, point to, preoccupy, take hold of, interest, hold one's interest, stir (a desire), eat at

protest, object, sigh, whimper, whine, tattle, criticize, quibble, complain, carp, grumble, pout, mope, brood, mutter, grouse, gripe, beef, bellyache, huff, disparage, puff, inveigh against, bemoan, bewail, wail, moan, snivel, sulk, mumble, scowl, frown, groan, grouch, bitch, air (a complaint), demur, kvetch, nag, nitpick, make a fuss

lie, duck, fabricate, evade, fib, fudge, whitewash, contrive, deflect, deny, defend oneself, dance around, excuse oneself, parry, dodge, smooth over, shirk, avoid (responsibility), counter, downplay, make excuses, fish, fault (someone else), spin (a tale), pin (blame on someone else), feign (sickness), dodge (blame), skirt (the issue), rescind (an earlier statement), protect (oneself), backpedal, minimize (the concerns of others), justify (one's behavior), qualify (an earlier statement), attribute (mistakes to factors beyond one's control), rationalize, backtrack, recant, beat around the bush

trim, tweak, drive, boost, fine-tune, reformulate, organize, strategize, outline, update, formulate, fund, consult, prioritize, check off, map, crank up, forward, set out to, dispatch, shape (vision/mission statement), mark (progress), shift (priorities), close in on (strategy), plan (next steps), chart (a five year plan), generate (funding), kill one's darlings, reorganize

tweak, launch, cooperate, fine-tune, analyze, reformulate, appraise, advance, modify, polish, coordinate, scrutinize, adjust, market, expand, evaluate, dodge, rethink, hire, scale up, parlay, go public, restructure, fund, escalate, jockey, amend, supplement, perfect, modernize, fortify, empower, lobby, take stock, raise standards, project (into the future), hone (craft/methods), professionalize, farm out, build (a following/a web presence), enlist (help/expertise), recruit (interns), outwit (competitors), re-evaluate, technologize, open (online venue/store), strengthen (business plan/team), secure (angel investors)

chuck, stoop, slouch, slump, shrug, slacken, skip, submit, surrender, weaken, cut short, abdicate, quit, plummet, fall, opt out, yield, come to terms with, give up, accede, resign oneself, hit bottom, bail out, abandon (hope), mope, brood, capitulate, lose ground, acquiesce, isolate oneself, forgo, cede, drop out, sink into (depression), lose hope, stop trying/working, accept (defeat), sever (contact), throw in the towel, default (on one's payments), raise (a white flag), hang (one's head), drown, fall off (in one's duties), let go (of one's dreams), step down/away, slide into depression, give away

cut, slink, retreat, elude, evade, shy away, recede, vanish, disappear, flee, dodge, withdraw, shut down, avoid, leave, rupture, escape, sulk, turn away, isolate oneself, get drunk, get out of, insulate oneself (from the challenges of life), drop out, cut oneself off, run away, turn back, break away, turn to (drugs), back away/down, pull back/out, skip out, drop out of, quit (one's job), talk one's way out of, put in two weeks' notice, sleep, lock oneself in (a room), keep to oneself

slack off, hide, slough off, elude, evade, neglect, welsh, welch, abdicate, bail, fail to, parry, dodge, shirk, avoid, fritter away, shrink from, misuse, malinger, goof off, back down, get out of, fall off (in his duties), duck out of, cop out of, cut (class), drag (one's feet), play hooky, wriggle out of, pass up (an opportunity), give up on, back out of

sabotage, reject, decline, forgo, pass up, turn down (opportunity), miss (an appointment), miss out on, fail to prepare, screw up (an interview), limit (one's experiences), turn away from, shy away from, let pass, refuse (an invitation)

probe, check, identify, focus, ramp up, plug away, buck up, expedite, turbocharge, buckle down, intensify (one's efforts), bring to bear, push forward, press on, move forward, devise (a plan), hone (one's skills), soldier on, redouble, double-check, take something in a different direction, refocus, man up, move toward, press forward

inject, drive, hunker down, brace, tackle, gird, brave, rally, fight, plow through, plow on, infuse, face, focus, convince, persuade, risk, dare, demand, resolve, undertake, stand up for, rustle up, determine, prove, buckle down, forge ahead, shed (doubts), set one's mind to, plunge into, hold firm, hold out for, assert, muster, generate (momentum), strive, remind oneself/others, stand (one's ground), dedicate oneself, strengthen (the team), summon (strength), drive oneself, grit one's teeth

bear, plow on, hold up, thwart, plug away, carry on, endure, persevere, tolerate, parry, swallow one's pride, withstand, sacrifice, resist, push through, forge ahead, push forward, press on, soldier on, grit (one's teeth), stick (to something), weather, sustain one's efforts, dedicate, confront (obstacles), intensify (one's work), redouble (one's efforts), outlast (naysayers), devote one's efforts to, carry through, come through, slog through (tasks), manage (challenges), ward off (doubts/opponents), push on

tap into, harness, imitate, adapt, form, rehearse, risk, dare, center oneself, clear one's head, innovate, meditate, visualize, channel, piggyback, emulate, carve out, dig oneself out, buckle down, block out (distractions), play to one's strength, expand (vocabulary/skill set), generate (a to do list/spreadsheet), discipline oneself, formulate (a plan to build new skills), reinvent oneself, modify (one's expectations), develop (one's capacity to handle new tasks), orient, forge ahead, tap into (resources), motivate oneself, run (lines), apply oneself

force, drive, sign, mold, resource, organize, advance, finesse, plug away, purchase, execute, implement, administer, join forces, capitalize, incorporate, fund, address, jockey, consult, expedite, found, patent, broker, lobby, pool resources, copyright, coordinate (work done by a team), activate (website), co-sign, launch (website), intensify (one's efforts), undertake (specific tasks by specific dates), press on/forward, proceed, co-found, take charge, attack (the work), bring to bear, manage (a project), push forward

drill, apply, model, devise, assemble, strategize, wait, join, diagram, plot, rehearse, direct, scheme, concoct, plan, delay, practice, enlist, formulate, mobilize, capitalize, invest, prognosticate, enable, schmooze, network, activate, frequent, carve out (a niche), clear (one's calendar), prove (one's creditworthiness/competence), build contacts, build (a team/support), channel (resources), ready, settle on (a business plan), synchronize (a launch), specify (the role of each team member), solidify (funding sources), foresee, develop (strategy), draw up (a business plan)

dislodge, stiffen, forge, solicit, lead, restrain, climb, fend off, represent, direct, mastermind, deflect, ward off, stave off, enlist, advise, succeed, outdo, outstrip, mobilize, rival, displace, found, distinguish (oneself), contest, rebuff, take on, fight for, surmount, rely on, swear in, summon, supersede, outrank, circumvent, count (among one's cohorts), drive (oneself), stake (a claim), establish (oneself), prove (capable), prove (oneself), arm, advance (an agenda), empower (aids), drive (others)

clobber, dislodge, oust, invade, commandeer, bribe, bluff, backstab, sabotage, scheme, put at risk, subvert, usurp, hijack, parry, take over, monopolize, take advantage of, conquer, step on, battle, corrupt, depose, overthrow, attempt to (oust), dredge up, mudsling, work up (fear/xenophobia), consort with, seize (power)

turn toward, brace, rise, gird, assemble, brave, solicit, rocket, train, strategize, face, funnel, risk, dare, formulate, gain, mobilize, skyrocket, discipline, step up, hone, envision, contest, determine, prepare, lobby, upstage, ready, soldier on, muster, strive, surmount, set off/about, count (among one's cohorts), apply one's skills, aspire, grasp (what one's constituency wants)

shunt, turn over, parcel out, direct, tax, staff, enlist, delegate, allocate, demand, brief, assign, dispense, apportion, entrust, accord, portion out, farm out, request, call for, distribute (tasks among others), charge (someone with a responsibility), specify (tasks), engage (others), secure (deputies), call together, put someone on a task

figure out, order, convene, protect, strategize, act as, call attention to, pen, direct, pass, funnel, assess, oversee, delegate, mobilize, govern, relegate, brief, found, decide, veto, network, head, channel, rule, police, lobby, legislate, assemble (a team), take charge, manage (a project), nominate, appoint, decode, summon, author, name (issues), appoint (deputies), field (requests), grant (interviews), chair, bridge (differences), speak to (issues), solve (problems), press for, orate, deploy, bring to the attention of, accord (power), assemble (stakeholders to solve problems), officiate, lead (progress meetings)

prize, applaud, plaster, tweet, reward, deify, attribute, gush, value, award, admire, credit, praise, honor, revere, commend, esteem, recognize, distinguish, venerate, commemorate, memorialize, pay tribute, congratulate, worship, respect, validate, treasure, acclaim, dedicate, set apart/above, put on a pedestal, extol the virtues of, name one's baby after, stick (a lawn sign), blog

model, benefit from, rocket, set apart, impress, finesse, vitalize, capitalize on, breathe new life into, dignify, stand out, deserve, peak, triumph, conscientize, father, win the support of, consort, stand up/for, stand strong (in the face of), refuse to (buckle), lower (standards), ride on the coattails of

force, crush, bar, dictate, trammel, subject, catch, dominate, overpower, curb, subdue, command, control, exploit, claim, scheme, impinge on/upon, censor, stifle, deprive, deny, ban, limit, take over, oppress, demand, subjugate, foist, compel, subordinate, harass, persecute, wear down, violate (civil rights), lock up/away, perpetrate, disarm, insist, beleaguer, mete out (punishment), decree, flatten (the opposition), block (information), plague (people with regulations), crack down on, restrict (freedom of movement/speech), thwart (internet communications), track (electronic communications), impose (restrictions), overturn (laws), undermine (efforts at self-determination), lord over

charge, forbid, chastise, allege, reproach, denounce, rebuke, reprimand, reprove, censure, redact, condemn, defile, shut down (a website), castigate, decree, limit (internet searches)

force, chain, round up, restrain, confine, trail, sabotage, tax, waylay, hinder, impede, obstruct, shut off/down, sequester, accost, blockade, quarantine, lock up, incarcerate, imprison, detain, shut in, lay siege, besiege, restrict (movement), block (voters via roadblocks), close off/down, enslave, fetter, hold captive, place (under house arrest), fence in/out, tariff

bar, hem in, catch, trap, corner, snare, ensnare, capture, entrap, waylay, ambush, snag, forbid, subjugate, accost, pull in, incarcerate, imprison, arrest, detain, block off, hold captive, lay a trap for, surround, take prisoner, throw in jail, put under lock and key, collar, pick up/off

slam, charge, attack, libel, slander, defame, vilify, backstab, disparage, slur, insult, smear, malign, blame, allege, denigrate, reproach, inveigh against, denounce, lambaste, accuse, excoriate, fault, affront, mudsling, censure, defile, dig up, muckrake, foment, deprecate, calumniate, rake over the coals, sully (one's reputation)

brush aside, shrug, wave, degrade, tear down, mock, overlook, ignore, disregard, tease, cast off, gloss over, dare, invalidate, reject, spurn, demoralize, marginalize, chastise, condescend, discount, patronize, snub, turn on/against, decry, disparage, ridicule, insult, revile, smear, rebuff, repudiate, pronounce, trivialize, joke, demean, humiliate, ostracize, dismiss, pity, feel sorry for, look down on, discredit, put down, belittle, denigrate, deride, embolden, grin, smirk, scorn, sneer, snicker, snigger, taunt, infantilize, castigate, slight, scoff at, shun, snort at, amuse oneself (at someone's expense), laugh at, toss aside/out, refuse (to engage), jilt, disdain, treat with contempt, cold shoulder, parody, speak down to, knock down a rung (on the social ladder), savage

strut, crow, trot out, parade, prance, display, puff up, polish, swagger, show off, flaunt, announce, bluff, boast, gloat, exalt, upstage, brag, plume, swell, glory in, revel in, grandstand, march, posture, draw oneself up (to one's full height), blow (one's horn), dress (the part), flounce

plug, name, recommend, approve, support, cover for, defend, praise, endorse, legitimize, appoint, vouch for, throw one's weight behind, back (someone), confirm (an appointee)

handle, settle, lubricate, devise, protect, scheme, accommodate, grant, donate, gift, bestow, introduce, ensure, exonerate, aid, transport, arrange (a deal), slip (information), clear the way, grease the skids, broker (a plan), ease (someone's way), exempt (someone from fulfilling a duty), secure (a position), hand out (a badge), hook up with, make something go away, buffalo

secure, protect, enclose, shepherd, hide, flank, conceal, cover, screen, guarantee, save, patronize, fortify, shield, forge (an alliance), strong-arm, guard, safeguard, shelter, hold off, escort, arm, keep out, offer (sanctuary/asylum), heighten (security), assign (a bodyguard), seal off, circle (a group with police), patrol, harbor, provide (sanctuary), fend off (marauders), spare, provide (new identity), sentinel

discharge, exempt, judge, release, bail out, remit, excuse, liberate, free, exonerate, absolve, pardon, vindicate, clear (someone's name), let off the hook, let off, grant (asylum), show mercy

cast off/out, bar, replace, order, dismantle, suppress, infiltrate, restrain, overtake, curb, recall, foil, douse, direct, finesse, cancel, abort, restrict, filibuster, thwart, hinder, impede, deter, squelch, prohibit, prevent, impinge on/upon, censor, stifle, deprive, cripple, disable, reject, deny, ban, forbid, ward off, stave off, limit, repress, regulate, demand, prevail, mandate, scuttle (a plan), phase out, refuse, stonewall, overturn, veto, abolish, override, stunt, resist, rebuff, repel, isolate, police, outlaw, pardon, exclude, rule (illegal), force (out), push out/away, choke off (funding), subject (to regulation), render (impotent), defang

grandfather, hand over, accept, accede, designate, authorize, approve, grant, allot, enable, endorse, empower, allow, sanction, permit, consent, agree, give one's blessing, give the go ahead, give the green light, ok

score, certify, manumit (slaves), authenticate, back, promote, orchestrate, intervene, authorize, facilitate, mandate, stipulate, steward, expedite, release, sponsor, enforce, levy, champion, reform, foster, allocate (funds), influence, garner (support), testify, usher in, bring to bear, ensure, enact, appoint, summon, exercise (influence), broker (a deal), smooth out (disagreements), tap into (one's base), settle (a dispute), assert (one's leverage), impel, assign (staff to work on an issue), dignify (a cause), pass (a resolution), preside over, call up/on

dump, bar, remove, blot out, obliterate, exploit, ditch, mastermind, rescind, prohibit, reject, ban, sack, monopolize, subjugate, wipe out, decline, refuse, stonewall, eliminate, abolish, rebuff, repudiate, persecute, trivialize, terminate, deny (rights), exclude, impose (restrictions), throw out, excommunicate, turn down/away, relegate (to obscurity), consign (to menial tasks), expunge (from the record), leave out, keep out, erase (select parts of history), expropriate, counteract (instincts)

force, yank, defenestrate, evict, expel, deport, boot out, scatter, order, unseat, overpower, orchestrate, rout, displace, marginalize, purge, line up, eliminate, cleanse, beat back, expunge, repel, segregate, ostracize, turn away, overthrow, punish, drive out, shear (of power/belongings), cast out, throw out, banish, resettle (refugees on less desirable land), strand, excommunicate

chip away, assault, blindside, demolish, destroy, break, overrun, obliterate, scar, flood, drain, contaminate, sabotage, pay off, ransack, ruin, sap, suck out, spoil, eradicate, annihilate, snuff out, exterminate, impoverish, enervate, reduce to, blight, overdo, lambaste, infect, punish, inflict, lay siege, besiege, strip (a cathedral of its art and gold), deplete (stocks/supplies), bleed (dry)

stir, bait, threaten, arouse, intensify, bribe, tip off, convince, persuade, propagandize, lure, sway, escalate, argue, entice, tempt, pump up, provoke, inflame, insult, incense, rouse, aggravate, exacerbate, madden, needle, instigate, affront, arm, foment, anger, incite, pit against, promise, pay (mercenaries), push (one's buttons), rile (up), enrage, infuriate, whip (into a frenzy), twist (one's words)