envenom

American  

[en-ven-uhm] / ɛnˈvɛn əm /

verb (used with object)

1. to impregnate with venom; make poisonous.

2. to embitter.

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envenom British  

/ ɪnˈvɛnəm /

verb

1. to fill or impregnate with venom; make poisonous

2. to fill with bitterness or malice

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Other Word Forms

• unenvenomed adjective

Etymology

Origin of envenom

1250–1300; Middle English envenimen < Old French envenimer. See en- ¹, venom

Example Sentences

Still, an ascent by Ben-Gvir, a West Bank settler, to a ministerial role would further envenom Israel's standoff with the Palestinians and strain its internal Jewish-Arab ties.

From Reuters • Oct. 18, 2022

Ahead as well lay the uncertain prospect of American casualties -- losses that could further envenom what was already a passionate post-cold war debate.

From Time Magazine Archive

To all the passions which usually envenom contests among countrymen, avarice was added, and rendered their enmity more rancorous.

From A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels - Volume 05 Arranged in Systematic Order: Forming a Complete History of the Origin and Progress of Navigation, Discovery, and Commerce, by Sea and Land, from the Earliest Ages to the Present Time by Kerr, Robert

Offences are likely to arise in the present world; but let us rather aim to disarm malignity by conciliation, than strengthen and envenom it by resistance.

From Female Scripture Biographies, Volume II by Cox, Francis Augustus

Let me throw a deepening cloud over the brilliancy of his hopes, and envenom all the springs of his affections and happiness!

From Gómez Arias Or, The Moors of the Alpujarras, A Spanish Historical Romance. by Trueba y Cosío, Joaquín Telesforo de