His father was able to pull some ____ to get him a good job with the company.

The French were completely [play] by the Russian team

'to not allow something bad to affect your behaviour or upset you': He rose _____ the criticism he received after his performance in the last match and returned to try his best in training again.

The party's rank and ____ are beginning to question the prime minister's choice of advisers

Our personalities result from the complex [play] between our genes and our environment

'to become suddenly very successful or very well known': Jodie Foster made quite a ____ in the film 'Taxi Driver'.

The book will provide a [stimulate] to research in this very important area.

The journalist asked the politician a very loaded ____?

He was accused of being involved in shady financial [deal].

The professor initiated a [stimulate] discussion between the students.

She takes pride in stating her political [convince].

'To attempt to get power or get into a better position than other people using any methods you can': Since the death of the president, opposition parties and the army have been jockeying ____ power