1. VACILLATE   shorten by cutting off   outdo   exonerate   waver   Hint Half-n-half Clue   2. TEMPER   prosper   weaken gradually   moderate   spend wastefully   Half-n-half Clue   3. SPURN   astound   wet thoroughly   outdo   reject contemptuously   Half-n-half Clue   4. REPROVE   reduce in intensity   astound   condemn   spend wastefully   Half-n-half Clue   5. SATURATE   condemn   moderate   wet thoroughly   shorten by cutting off   Half-n-half Clue   6. USURP   assume power by force   subdue   reject contemptuously   slander   Half-n-half Clue   7. THRIVE   condemn   assume power by force   prosper   astound   Half-n-half Clue