Activate

by Damon Suede

  DEAL (→): accord, allot, apportion, assign, bestow, bid, circulate, confer, deliver, diffuse, discharge, dispense, disperse, disseminate, distribute, divide, dole, dollop, drizzle, give, grant, hand, issue, mete, outbid, pass, pour, scatter, share, spread, supply, tender, transmit, trickle (≠ begrudge, collect, -decline, -deny, deprive, -disregard, -ignore, -neglect, pinch, -refuse, -reject, scant, scavenge, skimp, steal, stint, take, withhold)

  DEAL (→): administer, apply, burden, deliver, direct, dispense, enforce, exact, foist, force-feed, impose, inflict, lay, levy, mete, overfeed, perpetrate, wreak (≠ baffle, checkmate, defeat, -deny, deprive, disallow, -frustrate, mar, miss, ruin, spoil, take, withhold)

  DEAL (→): auction, bandy, barter, bootleg, broker, buy, cold-call, commercialize, commodify, corner, distribute, exchange, export, fence, flog, handle, hard-sell, horse-trade, import, invest, leverage, market, merchandize, monetize, monopolize, negotiate, operate, peddle, prescribe, purchase, push, remainder, renegotiate, retail, sell, smuggle, stock, supply, swap, take, trade, traffic, transact, treat, undersell, vend, wholesale (≠ -avoid, ban, bar, blackball, blacklist, -boycott, -cold-shoulder, curb, disallow, embargo, -eschew, -exclude, -forbid, -ignore, -omit, -ostracize, outlaw, picket, -prohibit, proscribe, protest, -refuse, -reject, -snub, -spurn, suppress)

  DEBASE (/): abase, animalize, barbarize, befoul, begrime, bestialize, betray, blemish, canker, cheapen, contaminate, corrupt, damage, debauch, debilitate, deface, defile, degrade, demean, demoralize, deprave, depreciate, destroy, deteriorate, devalue, dilute, dirty, disable, downgrade, flaw, harm, harshen, hurt, impair, lessen, lower, mar, misapply, misuse, mutate, nobble, pervert, pimp, poison, pollute, profane, prostitute, reduce, ruin, sacrifice, sink, sophisticate, spike, spoil, stain, suborn, subvert, taint, tarnish, undermine, vitiate, vulgarize, warp, whore, wreck, wrong (≠ ameliorate, amend, better, bless, clarify, clean, cleanse, decontaminate, dignify, elevate, enhance, ennoble, enrich, exalt, glorify, hallow, honor, improve, magnify, moralize, optimize, overhaul, perfect, praise, purify, rarefy, rectify, refine, respect, restore, revolutionize, upgrade, uplift)

  DEBASE (/): abase, adulterate, alloy, attenuate, bastardize, bedraggle, befoul, cheapen, contaminate, corrupt, counterfeit, cut, damage, defile, degrade, dilute, dirty, doctor, dope, dose, envenom, extend, fake, falsify, foul, fudge, impair, infect, jade, lace, load, manipulate, misrepresent, moderate, poison, pollute, qualify, sap, soil, sophisticate, spike, spoil, sully, taint, temper, thin, vitiate, water, weaken, weight, worsen (≠ augment, better, bolster, clarify, clean, cleanse, clear, compact, concentrate, condense, decontaminate, delouse, distill, enhance, enrich, fertilize, filter, flush, fortify, improve, lard, leach, pasteurize, purge, purify, refine, reinforce, strengthen, supplement, upgrade)

  DEBASE (/): abash, affront, badmouth, belittle, blackguard, blame, boo, castigate, censure, chasten, cheapen, condemn, confound, confuse, criticize, damn, decry, defame, defile, degrade, demean, demonize, denounce, depreciate, detract, diminish, discomfit, disconcert, -discount, discredit, disgrace, dishonor, disparage, embarrass, execrate, faze, fluster, foul, humble, humiliate, insult, libel, lower, malign, minimize, mortify, nonplus, pillory, rattle, ridicule, shame, sink, slander, smirch, vulgarize, weaken (≠ acknowledge, advance, affirm, aggrandize, apotheosize, applaud, boast, boost, canonize, celebrate, commend, compliment, congratulate, deify, dignify, elevate, ennoble, enshrine, exalt, extol, glorify, hail, heroicize, heroize, highlight, honor, idealize, magnify, praise, prioritize, promote, raise, recognize, romanticize, salute, sentimentalize, spotlight, tout, uplift)

  DEBAUCH (/): abase, abuse, adulterate, animalize, assault, befoul, begrime, belittle, besmear, besmirch, bestialize, blemish, brutalize, cheapen, contaminate, corrupt, damage, debase, deface, defile, deflower, deform, degrade, demean, demoralize, demote, deprave, depreciate, desecrate, despoil, destroy, deteriorate, devalue, dilute, diminish, dirty, disgrace, dishonor, distort, downgrade, flaw, harm, humble, humiliate, hurt, ill-treat, impair, lessen, lower, maltreat, mar, misuse, molest, mortify, pervert, poison, pollute, profane, prostitute, ravish, reduce, ruin, savage, seduce, shame, soil, spoil, stain, subvert, sully, taint, tarnish, twist, victimize, violate, vitiate, warp, wreck, wrong (≠ better, clean, cleanse, decontaminate, dignify, elevate, enhance, ennoble, enrich, exalt, expiate, honor, improve, moralize, perfect, pity, protect, purge, purify, rarefy, reclaim, rectify, redeem, refine, reform, regenerate, regret, rehabilitate, respect, restore, sanctify, uplift, worship)

  DEBILITATE (/): afflict, attenuate, bleed, blunt, cannibalize, castrate, consume, cripple, damage, deplete, depredate, depress, deprive, devitalize, diminish, disable, drain, emasculate, enervate, enfeeble, eviscerate, exhaust, fatigue, hamstring, harm, hurt, impair, impoverish, incapacitate, injure, invalid, invalidate, leech, maim, mar, palsy, paralyze, prostrate, reduce, relax, restrict, sabotage, sap, scotch, scupper, shelve, soften, spoil, subvert, tire, undercut, undermine, unhinge, unman, unnerve, waste, weaken, weary (≠ aid, beef, bolster, boost, brace, cure, defend, enable, energize, feed, fortify, fuel, galvanize, harden, heal, invigorate, nourish, nurture, protect, recruit, rejuvenate, restore, revitalize, season, shield, strengthen, tone, toughen, vitalize)

  DEBRIEF (←): consult, cross-examine, cross-question, examine, grill, inform, interrogate, interview, investigate, probe, question, quiz, scrutinize, study, test (≠ answer, conceal, dismiss, -disregard, falsify, hide, -ignore, mislead, muffle, -overlook, silence)

  DEBUG (+): adjust, amend, calibrate, cure, decontaminate, emend, fix, improve, patch, perfect, quarantine, rectify, red-pen, red-pencil, redress, reform, regulate, remedy, repair, restore, rethink, retool, revamp, revise, right, tweak (≠ afflict, attack, contaminate, corrupt, damage, hack, infect, infiltrate, invade, plague, puzzle, short-circuit, taint)

  DEBUNK (+): belie, challenge, confound, confront, confute, consult, contest, crosscheck, cross-examine, debate, deflate, demean, demolish, -deny, disbelieve, discard, disclose, -discount, discredit, discuss, disprove, dispute, distrust, divulge, doubt, explode, expose, falsify, grill, interrogate, invalidate, lampoon, mistrust, mock, nail, overthrow, overturn, pillory, puncture, quash, query, question, rebuke, rebut, refute, -reject, reveal, ridicule, scathe, -scorn, scruple, show, suspect, tell, trust, uncloak, uncover, undress, unmask, unveil (≠ adduce, attest, authenticate, back, believe, buttress, camouflage, certify, chronicle, cloak, clothe, cloud, conceal, concede, confirm, consult, convince, corroborate, credit, demonstrate, disguise, display, document, endorse, establish, evidence, evince, hide, identify, illustrate, interview, manifest, mask, notarize, prove, record, rubber-stamp, secrete, show, substantiate, support, trust, validate, veil, verify, witness)

  DECANT (→): draw, drizzle, fill, ladle, offer, pour, serve, siphon, sprinkle, syrup, tap, transfer, trickle (≠ drain, infuse, leach, leech, refill, replace, replenish, restock, restore, spout, stock)

  DECEIVE (←): abuse, affect, bait, bamboozle, beat, beguile, betray, bilk, bleed, blind, bluff, buffalo, bullshit, bunk, burn, cajole, camouflage, catch, cheat, chisel, claim, cloak, clothe, cloud, con, conceal, convince, costume, counterfeit, cover, cozen, crib, deacon, defraud, delude, diddle, disguise, double-cross, double-deal, double-talk, dupe, embezzle, enmesh, ensnare, entangle, entice, entrap, euchre, exploit, fake, falsify, feign, fiddle, finagle, flannel, flatter, fleece, flimflam, fool, forge, fox, fudge, goldbrick, gouge, gull, hoax, hocus-pocus, hoodwink, hornswoggle, hose, humbug, hustle, imitate, impersonate, inveigle, juggle, lure, manipulate, mask, milk, misdirect, misguide, misinform, mislead, misrepresent, misuse, mulct, outmaneuver, outslick, outsmart, outwit, overreach, palaver, pervert, playact, pose, pretend, rob, roleplay, rook, rope, sandbag, scam, screw, seduce, shaft, short, shortchange, show, skin, snooker, snow, spoof, squeeze, stage, stick, stiff, sting, sucker, swindle, tempt, trap, trick, two-time, underpay, victimize, wrong (≠ accuse, assume, audit, authenticate, believe, blab, blaze, blurt, confess, confide, confirm, confront, corroborate, crosscheck, debunk, deflate, disabuse, disclose, discredit
, disenchant, disgrace, disillusion, -disown, dispute, distrust, divulge, document, doubt, evince, expose, honor, humiliate, malign, mock, -ostracize, pillory, pity, protect, regret, -repudiate, respect, restore, reveal, scruple, shame, stigmatize, substantiate, support, suspect, tell, trust, uncloak, uncover, undeceive, unmask, unveil, validate, verify, vilify)

  DECIMATE (/): annihilate, atomize, beat, best, blast, blitzkrieg, blot, break, bulldoze, butcher, clobber, conquer, cream, cripple, crush, damage, deep-six, deface, defeat, demolish, depopulate, desolate, despoil, destroy, deteriorate, devastate, dilapidate, disassemble, disfigure, disintegrate, dismantle, dissolve, doctor, doom, drub, dynamite, efface, eliminate, eradicate, erode, execute, explode, expunge, exterminate, extinguish, extirpate, fix, flatten, fracture, fragment, gut, harm, impair, injure, lick, liquidate, loot, mangle, mar, massacre, master, mend, mortar, mutilate, nuke, obliterate, outlast, overcome, patch, pillage, plunder, pulverize, ravage, raze, recondition, remove, repair, revamp, rout, ruin, sack, scotch, scour, shatter, skunk, slaughter, smash, snuff, spoil, subdue, surmount, thrash, topple, total, trample, trash, trounce, unbuild, undo, unmake, vandalize, vaporize, vitiate, wallop, waste, whip, wrack, wreck (≠ assemble, build, conserve, constitute, construct, create, erect, establish, fabricate, fashion, father, forge, form, found, frame, heal, institute, invent, make, manufacture, mold, organize, preserve, produce, protect, raise, rear, rebuild, reconstruct, remodel, renovate, restore, resuscitate, save, shape, sire, survive, weather)

  DECIPHER (+): analyze, ascertain, break, cipher, compare, convert, crack, decode, decrypt, deduce, delineate, descramble, determine, discover, disentangle, elucidate, evaluate, examine, explain, explore, expound, extract, infer, inspect, interpret, investigate, learn, probe, profile, read, render, reveal, scan, scrutinize, search, settle, solve, spell, study, survey, test, translate, understand, unfold, unravel, unriddle, unscramble (≠ baffle, cipher, cloak, cloud, code, conceal, confuse, disguise, encipher, encode, encrypt, garble, hide, jumble, mask, miscommunicate, misinterpret, misread, mistake, misunderstand, mystify, puzzle, scramble, trick)

  DECIPHER (+): absorb, appreciate, apprehend, assimilate, catch, compass, comprehend, conceive, decode, dig, digest, discern, fathom, get, grasp, grok, intuit, know, make, penetrate, perceive, pierce, plumb, realize, recognize, register, savvy, see, seize, sense, simplify, suss, understand (≠ conflate, confuse, misapprehend, misconceive, misconstrue, misdiagnose, misinterpret, misperceive, misread, miss, mistake, misunderstand)

  DECK (→): assail, assault, attack, batter, beat, bulldoze, capsize, club, crush, defeat, demolish, fell, flatten, floor, hit, knock, level, overturn, overwhelm, prostrate, pulverize, punch, raze, smash, steamroller, subdue, tackle, topple, unhorse, upset, wreck, wrestle (≠ block, boost, counterpunch, defend, -dodge, elevate, guard, lift, miss, parry, preserve, protect, raise, rear, restore, shield, -sidestep, support)

  DECK (+): accessorize, accoutre, adorn, appliqué, appoint, array, attire, beautify, bedeck, bedizen, bejewel, blazon, braid, brighten, buckle, button, caparison, clothe, costume, dandify, decorate, drape, dress, elaborate, embellish, emboss, embroider, enrich, fancify, feather, festoon, figure, filigree, fillet, flounce, freshen, frill, fringe, garland, garnish, gild, glitter, glitz, grace, hang, lace, ornament, paint, pigment, prettify, pretty, primp, ribbon, smarten, spruce, stipple, stud, swag, tinsel, titivate, tool, trim, wreathe (≠ bare, blemish, deface, denude, disfigure, dismantle, display, disrobe, divest, efface, expose, harshen, humble, mar, reveal, scar, simplify, spoil, streamline, strip, uglify, unbuckle, unbutton, uncover, undress)

  -DECLINE (/): abjure, -avoid, -bypass, contradict, controvert, debate, -deny, detour, ding, disallow, disapprove, disavow, disclaim, discredit, -disdain, dismiss, -disown, dispute, flush, -forbid, forgo, forswear, gainsay, -ignore, -negate, -nix, overrule, pass, -prohibit, proscribe, -rebuff, rebut, recall, recant, -refuse, refute, -reject, -renounce, -repudiate, retract, revoke, -scorn, scout, -spurn, stick, -veto, withdraw (≠ accede, accept, acquire, adopt, approve, brook, choose, condone, countenance, embrace, espouse, face, grasp, handpick, invite, obtain, procure, receive, seize, select, source, support, swallow, take, tolerate, welcome)

  -DECLINE (/): ban, check, constrain, curb, -deny, disallow, disapprove, enjoin, -forbid, hinder, hold, impede, keep, negative, -nix, obstruct, override, -prohibit, proscribe, -rebuff, -refuse, -reject, repel, repress, restrain, restrict, -spurn, stall, stymie, -veto, withhold (≠ accord, afford, allow, authorize, commission, concede, dispense, furnish, give, grant, let, license, okay, permit, provide, sanction, supply, vouchsafe, warrant)

  DECODE (+): break, crack, decipher, decrypt, deduce, descramble, detect, interpret, read, render, solve, translate, understand, unravel, unriddle, unscramble, untangle, work (≠ baffle, cipher, code, encipher, encode, encrypt, garble, jumble, mix, muddle, puzzle, scramble)

  DECONSTRUCT (/): analyze, anatomize, arrange, assay, assess, bare, catalog, categorize, classify, codify, compare, contrast, correlate, crack, cut, decipher, decode, deduce, detect, diagnose, diagram, dismantle, dissect, distill, divide, enumerate, evaluate, examine, explore, index, inspect, investigate, learn, order, probe, profile, read, reduce, schematize, scrutinize, segment, separate, sort, study, subdivide, tabulate, vivisect (≠ agglomerate, aggregate, amalgamate, assemble, assimilate, baffle, build, coalesce, code, combine, compile, confuse, conglomerate, consolidate, construct, craft, encrypt, incorporate, integrate, internalize, misdiagnose, reshape, restructure, signify, synthesize, unify)

  DECONTAMINATE (+): bleach, bless, clean, cleanse, clear, delouse, deodorize, disinfect, distill, filter, fumigate, hallow, perfect, purge, purify, quarantine, rectify, redeem, refine, rinse, sanctify, sanitize, soak, soap, sterilize, wash (≠ adulterate, canker, contaminate, corrode, corrupt, foul, harm, infect, infest, poison, pollute, soil, spoil, stain, sully, taint, tarnish)

  DECORATE (+): accessorize, adorn, appliqué, arrange, array, beautify, bedeck, beribbon, blazon, braid, brighten, buckle, burnish, button, caparison, color, contour, costume, crown, deck, diamond, dignify, drape, dress, edge, elaborate, embellish, emblazon, emboss, embroider, enhance, enrich, fancify, feather, festoon, figure, filigree, fillet, finish, fix, flounce, freshen, frill, fringe, garland, garnish, gem, gild, glamorize, glitter, glitz, grace, groom, gussy, hang, illuminate, impearl, jewel, lace, neaten, optimize, order, ornament, overhaul, paint, pearl, perfect, pigment, prettify, pretty, provide, redecorate, redo, renovate, ribbon, sculpt, smarten, spangle, spruce, stipple, stud, swag, tidy, tinsel, tool, trim, wallpaper, wreathe (≠ bare, blemish, darken, decrease, deface, deform, denude, disfigure, dismantle, display, divest, dull, efface, expose, harshen, hurt, mar, reduce, reveal, ruin, scar, simplify, spoil, streamline, strip, uglify, unbuckle, unbutton, uncover)

  DECOY (←): allure, attract, bait, beguile, betray, bewitch, blind, captivate, capture, catch, charm, con, deceive, delude, draw, enchant, enmesh, ensnare, entice, entrap, fascinate, inveigle, lead, lure, magnetize, mesh, mislead, persuade, rope, seduce, shill, snare, snooker, snow, solicit, steer, tangle, tantalize, tease, tempt, tout, trap, trick (≠ alert, belie, betray, bore, caution, chill, dampen, daunt, -deter, dissuade, expose, forewarn, -prevent, repel, repulse, reveal, signal, telegraph, ward, warn)

  DECREASE (/): abate, abbreviate, abridge, absorb, appreciate, apprehend, assimilate, attenuate, broaden, catch, choke, clip, compass, comprehend, compress, conceive, concentrate, condense, constrict, contract, crop, curtail, cut, decode, de-escalate, deflate, dent, deplete, dig, digest, diminish, discern, dock, downscale, downsize, drop, ease, fathom, get, grasp, grok, impede, intuit, kill, lessen, limit, lower, make, minimize, moderate, modify, modulate, nick, pare, penetrate, perceive, pierce, -prohibit, prune, qualify, realize, recognize, reduce, register, retrench, savvy, see, seize, sense, shorten, shrink, sink, slacken, slash, taper, trim, truncate, whittle (≠ accent, accentuate, accrue, add, aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, bulge, complement, develop, dilate, distend, elongate, emphasize, enhance, enlarge, escalate, expand, ext
end, foster, heighten, incorporate, increase, inflate, integrate, intensify, lengthen, maximize, prioritize, prolong, protract, raise, redouble, refine, supplement, swell, unspool)

  DECRY (/): abhor, abominate, abuse, admonish, attack, badmouth, belittle, berate, blacklist, blame, blast, blister, boo, castigate, censure, chastise, chide, condemn, criticize, curse, damn, defame, denigrate, denounce, denunciate, deprecate, depreciate, -detest, devalue, diminish, -discount, discredit, disfavor, disgrace, dismiss, disparage, disrespect, diss, downgrade, -excommunicate, excoriate, execrate, fault, fulminate, -hate, imprecate, knock, lambaste, -loathe, lower, malign, minimize, -ostracize, pan, rake, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, reprove, resent, revile, rip, scapegoat, scold, -scorn, slam, slander, slate, slur, traduce, underestimate, underrate, undervalue, upbraid, vilify, vilipend, vituperate, wrong, zap (≠ accentuate, acclaim, affirm, amplify, applaud, approve, assert, bless, brook, commend, compliment, congratulate, consecrate, countenance, endorse, eulogize, exalt, extol, face, favor, glorify, gold-star, hail, hallow, honor, laud, magnify, praise, protect, recommend, respect, revere, salute, sanctify, sanction, support, tolerate, tout, treasure, venerate)

  DEDICATE (+): address, allocate, apply, assign, bestow, bind, bless, budget, commit, confide, consecrate, consign, devote, earmark, employ, entrust, give, hallow, inscribe, name, offer, pledge, present, reserve, sacrifice, sanctify, save, surrender, task, use, volunteer (≠ conceal, deduct, -ignore, misapply, misuse, -neglect, profane, -refuse, stint, take, withhold)