1. REPEL   weaken gradually   drive away   disown   slander   Hint Half-n-half Clue   2. SQUANDER   waver   spend wastefully   reject contemptuously   subdue   Half-n-half Clue   3. VILIFY   slander   weaken gradually   drive away   prosper   Half-n-half Clue   4. UNDERMINE   prosper   weaken gradually   spend wastefully   reduce in intensity   Half-n-half Clue   5. VENERATE   examine   abandon   respect   waver   Half-n-half Clue   6. SCRUTINIZE   wet thoroughly   support   assume power by force   examine   Half-n-half Clue   7. SUPPRESS   subdue   moderate   reduce in intensity   reject contemptuously   Half-n-half Clue