1. UNDERMINE   weaken gradually   disown   assume power by force   exonerate   Hint Half-n-half Clue   2. SUBSTANTIATE   support   examine   assume power by force   keep alive   Half-n-half Clue   3. SCRUTINIZE   waver   drive away   disown   examine   Half-n-half Clue   4. SUBSIDE   waver   reduce in intensity   respect   subdue   Half-n-half Clue   5. REPROVE   disown   cancel   condemn   withdraw   Half-n-half Clue   6. SUPPRESS   abandon   assume power by force   subdue   reject contemptuously   Half-n-half Clue   7. REPEL   moderate   spend wastefully   reject contemptuously   drive away   Half-n-half Clue