to cause something to start happening suddenly
to cause a strong, often negative, reaction
to cause a particular state or condition
to cause something to start, especially a strong reaction
to make it difficult for something to happen or progress
to slow down or block the progress of something
to prevent something bad from happening
to control or limit something harmful
to become or make more serious or intense
to increase the strength or effect of something
to become or make more extreme or intense
to become or make smaller or less
to reduce or limit something
to make a problem or pain less severe
to improve the quality of something
to improve something by making small, precise changes
to make a problem or situation worse
to make a situation worse, or to annoy someone
to make an action or process easier
to encourage the development of something
to force someone to do something
to force someone to do something using threats or pressure
to succeed in achieving something after effort
to succeed in doing something
to produce a result, especially a profit or crop
to end with a particular result, especially after a series of events
to make it possible for something to happen
to stop movement or activity, often suddenly
to stop something temporarily
to weaken or damage something gradually
to make something stronger
to encourage activity or interest in something
to discourage someone from doing something through fear or difficulty
to hold back or control an action or emotion
to push or drive something forward, literally or figuratively