| Main Entry: | |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | attempt, engage in |
| Synonyms: | address oneself, agree, answer for, bargain, begin, commence, commit, commit oneself, contract, covenant, devote, embark, endeavor, enter upon, fall into, go about, go for, go in for, go into, guarantee, have a hand in, have a try, hazard, initiate, launch, make a run at, move, offer, pitch in, pledge, promise, set about, set in motion, set out, shoulder, stake, stipulate, tackle, take on, take the plunge, take upon oneself, try, try out, venture, volunteer |
| Antonyms: | abstain, forego, forget |
| Main Entry: | act |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | do something |
| Synonyms: | accomplish, achieve, begin, carry on, carry out, consummate, cook, create, develop, do, do a number, do one's thing, enforce, execute, function, get in there, go about, go for broke, go for it, go in for, go that route, go to town, intrude, knock off, labor, make progress, maneuver, move, officiate, operate, percolate*, perk*, perpetrate, persevere, persist, practice, preside, pursue, respond, serve, take effect, take part, take steps, take up, transort, undertake, work out |
| Notes: | an act is the main dramatic unit and a scene is a division within an act |
| Antonyms: | abstain, cease, discontinue, give up, halt, hesitate, idle, refrain, stop |
| Main Entry: | address |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | devote effort to something |
| Synonyms: | apply oneself to, attend to, concentrate on, devote oneself to, dig, direct, engage in, focus on, give, go at, go for, hammer away, have a go at, have at, knuckle down to, peg away, pitch into, plug away at, take care of, take up, throw oneself into, try, turn, turn to, undertake |
| Antonyms: | avoid, cut, disregard, ignore, overlook, pass, shun, slight |
| Main Entry: | approach |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | begin |
| Synonyms: | commence, embark, set about, start, undertake |
| Main Entry: | attempt |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | try, make effort |
| Synonyms: | aim, attack, do level best, endeavor, essay, exert oneself, experiment, give a fling, give a whirl, give best shot, give it a go, give it a try, give old college try, go the limit, have a crack, have a go at, make a run at, pursue, push, seek, shoot the works, solicit, strive, tackle, take a stab at, take best shot, take on, try one's hand at, undertake, venture |
| Antonyms: | be lazy |
| Main Entry: | begin |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | start |
| Synonyms: | activate, actualize, break ground, break the ice, bring about, bring to pass, cause, commence, create, do, drive, effect, embark on, enter on, enter upon, establish, eventuate, found, generate, get going, give birth to, give impulse, go ahead, go into, impel, inaugurate, induce, initiate, instigate, institute, introduce, launch, lay foundation for, lead, make, make active, motivate, mount, occasion, open, originate, plunge into, prepare, produce, set about, set in motion, set up, trigger, undertake |
| Antonyms: | complete, conclude, consummate, end, finish |
| Main Entry: | contract |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | come to terms |
| Synonyms: | accept offer, adjust, agree, arrange, assent, bargain, become indebted, bound, buy, circumscribe, clinch, close, come around, commit, consent, covenant, dicker, engage, enter into, firm a deal, give one's word, go along with, hammer out deal, initial*, ink, it's a deal, limit, make terms, negotiate, obligate, owe, pact, pledge, promise, put in writing, set, settle, shake hands on it, sign for, sign papers, sign up, stipulate, swear to, undertake, work out details |
| Notes: | a compact is a formal agreement on rights and conduct, a treaty is a compact between nations, and a contract is a compact between two business entities |
| Antonyms: | break off, disagree |
| Main Entry: | covenant |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | agree |
| Synonyms: | bargain, concur, contract, engage, pledge, plight, promise, stipulate, swear, undertake, vow |
| Antonyms: | break, disagree |
| Main Entry: | dare |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | take a risk; be courageous |
| Synonyms: | adventure, attempt, be bold, brave, endanger, endeavor, gamble, go ahead, hazard, make bold, pluck up, presume, risk, run the risk, speculate, stake, take a chance, take heart, try, try one's hand, undertake, venture |
| Antonyms: | be careful, hold back, refrain |