General:
* Employ
* Use
* Apply
* Leverage
* Harness
* Exploit (can have negative connotations)
* Implement
* Put into practice
* Make use of
More formal:
* Utilize (itself is quite formal)
* Employ
* Apply
* Capitalize on
* Take advantage of
Informal:
* Use
* Put to work
* Put to good use
* Make the most of
The best synonym to use will depend on the specific context and the tone of your writing.