1. reject contemptuously   SPURN   SURPASS   STUPEFY   RENOUNCE   Hint Half-n-half Clue   2. drive away   VILIFY   SQUANDER   REPEL   SUPPRESS   Half-n-half Clue   3. keep alive   TEMPER   THRIVE   SUBSTANTIATE   SUSTAIN   Half-n-half Clue   4. disown   SUBSTANTIATE   SPURN   REPUDIATE   RETRACT   Half-n-half Clue   5. reduce in intensity   VENERATE   USURP   SUBSIDE   RESCIND   Half-n-half Clue   6. slander   USURP   VILIFY   REPROVE   SURPASS   Half-n-half Clue   7. shorten by cutting off   VACILLATE   RETRACT   RESCIND   TRUNCATE   Half-n-half Clue