When someone tries to bring about change, what term could describe their actions?

The term that best describes actions aimed at bringing about change is "wreak." This verb is often used to convey a sense of causing or inflicting something, particularly in the context of instigating significant change or impact. When someone is trying to bring about change, they are essentially attempting to create a noticeable effect or transformation, which aligns with the implication of "wreaking" change.

The other options do not capture the essence of actively bringing about change. While "cordon" refers to creating a barrier or restricting access, it does not imply change but rather a containment. "Extol" means to praise highly, which does not relate directly to the act of instigating change. Lastly, "drudgery" indicates hard, menial work, which is more about the effort involved rather than the transformative aspect associated with the act of changing something. Therefore, "wreak" effectively encapsulates the idea of initiating and effecting change.