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

"Do you think that feminine malice cannot contrive to envenom a dozen stings that I could not explain if I would, and you could not deal with if I did?"

From Across the Zodiac by Greg, Percy

Sir, this report of his Did Hamlet so envenom with his envy That he could nothing do but wish and beg Your sudden coming o'er, to play with him.

From Hamlet by Shakespeare, William

There were private wrongs to envenom the contest, but it was the mercantile quarrel on which the Colonel chose to set his declaration of war.

From The Newcomes Memoirs of a Most Respectable Family by Thackeray, William Makepeace