Remain second best (4)
I believe the answer is:
stop
'remain' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to change as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?
'second best' is the wordplay.
'second' becomes 's' (common abbreviation).
'best' becomes 'top' (similar in meaning).
's'+'top'='STOP'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for stop that I've seen before include "Prevent - desist" , "Come to a halt" , "Pack it in - bar" , "Withhold large amount raised" , "This watch is used to time races" .)