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)
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)
beg, bear, forage, scrounge, scavenge, finagle, resort to, resign, screw up, forfeit, do without, carry on, endure, manage, tolerate, abide, put up with, make do, skimp, depend on, rack up (debt), squeak by, dumpster dive, lack, miss, sacrifice, check out, line up, scrape by, eke out, forego, get by, knock around, hang out, owe (money), struggle with, rely on, hitchhike, wrestle with, ration out, fuck around, get along
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
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
carry, steer, secure, protect, show, focus, act, hazard, shoulder, demonstrate, optimize, own, weigh (options), merit, exhibit, express, drive oneself, come through, carry through/out, answer to, ensure, bear (responsibility), prove (worthy), find (solutions), earn (trust), take on/up, clear up (misunderstandings), lay out (a vision), display (maturity), accept (responsibility), assume (responsibility for), impose (standards), impress upon, distinguish oneself (as a leader), dignify (a role), advocate for, invest in, honor (agreements), keep one's word, follow up/through
score, wallop, impact, finish, flush, soar, advance, manifest, shine, illumine, flourish, impress, climax, buck the odds, rout, astound, overcome, perform, exceed, achieve, thrive, succeed, better, excel, outshine, surpass, outperform, conquer, prevail, prosper, attain, effect, defy, accomplish, conclude, exalt, tip the balance, best, outclass, liberate, grin, complete, distinguish oneself, gain (recognition), earn (respect of colleagues), peak, reach (one's potential), fulfill (one's dream), top (the charts), win (an award/recognition), prove oneself, influence (one's field), tower, triumph, ascend, actualize, realize (goals/dreams), cross (a threshold), bring to completion, surmount, summit, land (a fellowship)
crack, wind up, split, break down, fade, collapse, spin out of control, plummet, disintegrate, backfire, deteriorate, screw up, fizzle, fail, waste, hit bottom, tank, bottom out, decline, teeter, erode, hang one's head, regret, end up, wear someone down, resign oneself (to fate), lose (work/hope), ruin (relationships), rack with
turn toward, stir, drool, imagine, speculate, lionize, seek, admire, contemplate, glorify, crave, yearn for, long for, wish for, desire, daydream, envision, visualize, idolize, idealize, romanticize, itch, ache for, pray for, dream, hope, aspire to, picture, salivate, wonder, dare to, muse, make a wish, glamorize
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)