hammer, scold, scream, subject, bellow, badger, remind, command, shout, yell, persist, harp, chastise, berate, admonish, patronize, carp, shame, hack away at, reproach, warn, caution, nag, reiterate, insist, hassle, chide, put in time out, rebuke, reprimand, reprove, lecture, sermonize, demand (an apology), reprehend, ream out, infantilize

hammer, press, push, solicit, drone, beg, fawn over, badger, pester, whine, hound, dog, play up to, brown-nose, harp, cajole, plead, wheedle, nag, urge, annoy, torment, implore, hassle, beseech, entreat, importune, grovel, curry favor, suck up to

protest, claim, deny, dance around, field, justify, substantiate, contextualize, snap back, dispute, reference, account for, excuse, counter, overstate, validate, puff, glorify (one's role), make excuses, rationalize, reiterate, attest, vindicate, explain, contend, qualify, restate, bend (the truth), defend (one's position), work out (a justification), cover (all one's bases), give a justification for, answer for, give an explanation for

brush aside, elude, evade, attack, ignore, bluff, exaggerate, oversimplify, omit (information), deflect, deviate, reject, divert (attention), parry, dodge, stave off, justify, maintain, complain, skirt, excuse, dismiss, avert, dance around (the topic), make excuses, recant, wander, qualify, ramble, tune out, digress, stray (off-topic)

outline, sketch, illuminate, inform, justify, update, advise, brief, summarize, account for, defend, interpret, notify, explain, posit, explicate, recap, spell out, put forth, offer (an explanation), apprise, fill in, bring up to date, paint a picture, clue in, keep posted