power verbs for lit

contend

assert something as a position in an argument

oppose

to disagree strongly; to be against

denounce

to condemn openly; to publicly declare to be wrong or evil

discourage

cause (someone) to lose confidence or enthusiasm; to persuade against something

counter

oppose, act against, refute

attack

forcefully and aggressively find fault with

minimize - diminish

to reduce to the smallest amount; to make as small as possible, sometimes by belittling

condemn

to express strong disapproval of

dismiss

put away from consideration; reject

reject

refuse to accept; to throw out

dispel

To clear away; to remove or get rid of, as if by scattering (to dispel a belief)

critique

to analyze and assess with detail

refute

to prove incorrect or false

compare

to give an account of the similarities between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout

contrast

to find the differences between two or more things

juxtapose

to place side by side for comparison or contrast

differentiate or distinguish

recognize or ascertain what makes (someone or something) different

complicate

to make something harder to understand, more detailed, or more complex

deviate

to turn aside from a course; to stray

assess

evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of

reason

to explain and justify

qualify

to modify, restrict, or limit

examine

to onsider an argument or concept in a way that uncovers the assumptions and interrelationships of the issue

argue

to put forward an idea with the purpose of persuading or committing someone else to a particular stance or action

advocate

to recommend or speak in favor of

allege

to assert without proof

maintain

to continue upholding a believe even when challenged

assume

suppose to be the case, without proof

enhance

improve, augment

support

to back up with details

bolster

support or strengthen; prop up

affirm

to declare to be true

clarify

to make clear or easier to understand

illustrate or depict

to explain or make clear using examples, charts, or graphs or word pictures

characterize

describe or portray the qualities or peculiarities of

explain

to give a detailed account including reasons or causes.

inform

to give information; to tell

demonstrate

to show clearly through examples

recount

to tell (a story) again

observe

to watch carefully

satarize

to make fun of and criticize

caricature

to exaggerate the features of someone

ridicule

to make fun of, to mock

deride

to ridicule, laugh at with contempt

mimic

to imitation to make fun of

denigrate

to attack the reputation of; to speak ill of

allude

to hint at, to refer to indirectly

refer or reference

to mention

invoke

to call on for support

note

to give additional information

pay homage to

to openly honor someone or something

acknowledge

recognize; admit

amplify

(v.) to make stronger, larger, greater, louder, or the like

bombard

v. To assail with any missile or with abusive speech.

cajole

to persuade with false promises and flattery

convey

To communicate; make known

create

to bring into existence

deduce

To draw a conclusion from fact; to infer

defies

boldly oppose or resist

develop

grow or cause to grow and become more mature, advanced, or elaborate.

directs

manages; guides; controls; commands; tells or shows the way

elicit

(v.) to draw forth, bring out from some source (such as another person)

empathize

to show or feel understanding of another's feelings or problems

emphasize

To give special attention to something, to stress

escalate

(v.) to elevate; to increase in intensity

evoke

bring or recall to the conscious mind

exaggerate

To describe something as larger or greater than it really is.

fantasize

Indulge in daydreaming about something desired

foreshadow

be a warning or indication of (a future event).

foster

to stimulate, promote, encourage

implore

beg someone earnestly or desperately to do something

infer

to find out by reasoning; to arrive at a conclusion on the basis of thought; to hint, suggest, imply

imply

to indicate or suggest without being explicitly stated

insinuate

to suggest or hint slyly; to edge into something indirectly

inspire

to motivate, guide, or influence; to give hope and courage.

intend

to plan; to have in mind

justify

Give valid reasons or evidence to support an answer or conclusion.

lament

to express sorrow; to grieve

manipulate

(v.) to handle or use skillfully; to manage or control for person gain or advantage

muse

to think about in a dreamy way, ponder

offer

to bring forth ideas; to propose or present

permeate

(v.) to spread through, penetrate, soak through

permit

to allow; to authorize

personify

attribute human qualities to something

pervade

to spread throughout

plead

to beg

portray

to make a likeness of; to describe in words

presume

(v.) to take for granted, assume or suppose; to dare, take upon oneself, take liberties

propose

Put forward (for example a point of view, idea, argument, suggestion) for consideration or action

provoke

Anger, arouse, bring to action

rationalize

to make an excuse for

recollect

to remember; to recall

regret

to be sorry; to feel bad about something that happened

reveal

to make known; visible

revert

to return, go back

suggest

Propose a solution, hypothesis or other possible answer.

symbolize

to stand for; to represent

transform

to change in form or appearance