The unrelated words in the list below can be paired according to the following rule.

They each have a common synonym which connects them.

For example, spar and crate would be connected by the word box.

Identify the pairs and provide the link word.

Please include any alternative solutions that you may find.

average
deer
deny
enrapture
exhort
garbage
gift
intend
interval
introduce
irate
iron
mend
portico
quandary
rear
saltire
scupper
snap
whiskey