1. argue in earnest (5 letters)
PLEAD
2. throw out solutions (10 letters)
BRAINSTORM
3. entity (5 letters)
BEING
4. meat-filled turnover (8 letters)
EMPANADA
5. similar in nature (11 letters)
HOMOGENEOUS
6. raise objections (7 letters)
STICKLE
7. barrel of monkeys (8 letters)
HILARITY