1. follow a winding course   OBSCURE   MOLLIFY   MEANDER   RAMBLE   Hint Half-n-half Clue   2. consign to inferior position   OBLITERATE   RAZE   MITIGATE   RELEGATE   Half-n-half Clue   3. disprove   PLACATE   RAZE   REFUTE   PRATTLE   Half-n-half Clue   4. desecrate   PRATTLE   PRECLUDE   MITIGATE   PROFANE   Half-n-half Clue   5. make less severe   MITIGATE   RECANT   NURTURE   RECOUNT   Half-n-half Clue   6. laugh at   RECTIFY   OBLITERATE   MOCK   PLACATE   Half-n-half Clue   7. postpone   RECTIFY   PROCRASTINATE   MOLLIFY   NULLIFY   Half-n-half Clue