undermine -
To gradually weaken the authority or ability of a person or organization
The polarization and infighting of the members of Congress threatened to undermine its ability to pass meaningful legislation.
verb
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avenge -
To Inflict harm in return for (an injury or wrong done to oneself or another)
Pierre felt that honor compelled him to kill Gaston to avenge Gaston's killing of Pierre's sister, even though he knew that the killing had been unintentional.
verb
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afflict -
To cause pain, suffering, or trouble.
The South American country was afflicted by political and financial corruption for decades.
verb
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banish -
To send someone away from a country or place as an official punishment.
The man who didn’t take his hat off when the king’s carriage rode by was banished from the capital for 5 years.
verb
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scorch -
To burn the surface of something with flame or heat
Nancy couldn't walk barefoot outside because the summer heat had scorched the pavement.
noun
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sniper -
A skilled military shooter detailed to spot and pick off enemy soldiers from a concealed place
From a long distance, the sniper shot at his target.
noun
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treachery -
A violation of allegiance, faith, or confidence; an act of deliberate betrayal.
Shakespeare often describes how royalty is overthrown by acts of treachery.
adjective
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ruinous -
Causing great harm, damage, and destruction.
The decay of the Roman empire from within was inevitable when the people chose a ruinous lifestyle of focusing mainly on pursuing pleasure.
adjective
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insidious -
Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects
The effects of climate change are so insidious that they're not noticeable until polar bears have less ice to live on.
verb
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devastate -
To destroy something completely
The plague of locusts totally devastated the field of grain.
adjective
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merciless -
Without forgiveness or leniency — relentless and unkind.
The invading army was merciless, destroying everything in its path.
verb
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overwhelm -
To overcome resistance with tremendous force
The German army overwhelmed the French's Maginot line by going through its weak point in the Ardennes forest.
