1. REPEL   drive away   withdraw   exonerate   slander   Hint Half-n-half Clue   2. RETRACT   exonerate   abandon   slander   withdraw   Half-n-half Clue   3. SATURATE   wet thoroughly   withdraw   examine   disown   Half-n-half Clue   4. REPROVE   reduce in intensity   condemn   weaken gradually   outdo   Half-n-half Clue   5. TEMPER   reject contemptuously   reduce in intensity   moderate   weaken gradually   Half-n-half Clue   6. UNDERMINE   moderate   reject contemptuously   weaken gradually   withdraw   Half-n-half Clue   7. RENOUNCE   abandon   withdraw   prosper   assume power by force   Half-n-half Clue