1. TEMPER   moderate   abandon   assume power by force   respect   Hint Half-n-half Clue   2. THRIVE   astound   prosper   cancel   support   Half-n-half Clue   3. USURP   withdraw   assume power by force   weaken gradually   spend wastefully   Half-n-half Clue   4. VACILLATE   astound   outdo   waver   support   Half-n-half Clue   5. TRUNCATE   respect   wet thoroughly   shorten by cutting off   support   Half-n-half Clue   6. RETRACT   outdo   withdraw   astound   assume power by force   Half-n-half Clue   7. VENERATE   cancel   respect   drive away   disown   Half-n-half Clue