Vitiate

But though there is an inaccuracy in saying that the freezing of water is due to the loss of its heat, no practical error arises from it; nor will a parallel laxity of expression vitiate our statements respecting the multiplication of effects. ❋ Herbert Spencer (1861)

Just remembered that I completely forgot to add a Word of the Week this week - so in view of the topic, how about 'vitiate'? ❋ Unknown (2008)

Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa cautioned the Congress against any attempt to "vitiate" the law and order situation with their provocative speeches and asserted that his government was capable of handling such situations. ❋ Unknown (2010)

It is a duty society owes to itself to discountenance everything which tends to vitiate public taste. ❋ Thaddeus Russell (2010)

(Of course, this finding doesn't vitiate the importance of how children are fed, and eat, after they descend onto the earth.) ❋ Stanton Peele (2010)

There are a lot of other people who also bear responsibility, however, that does not vitiate Joe Paterno's duties to the victimized children. ❋ Unknown (2011)

But it sounded much more cautious on growth, noting that "continuing uncertainty about energy and commodity prices may vitiate the investment climate, posing a threat to the current growth trajectory." ❋ Khushita Vasant (2011)

He writes that this clause "is not an independent source of federal power" and "would vitiate the enumerated powers principle." ❋ Unknown (2011)

Yet expanding the longstanding authority to regulate interstate commerce to compel individuals to participate in commerce would vitiate the government of limited and enumerated powers that the framers envisioned. ❋ Unknown (2011)

However, there is a compromise to get there that does not require the state to vitiate collective bargaining rights. ❋ Unknown (2011)

You cannot solve or thwart sin by sinning; you cannot claim to be upholding truth and human dignity by taking selective measures or employing means that vitiate core principles. ❋ Unknown (2009)

He said that the Jammu and Kashmir Police will ensure that Republic Day celebrations are conducted smoothly and peacefully across the State, adding that nobody will be allowed to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in the State. ❋ Unknown (2010)

It is titled “Spices and aromatics used to perfume the cooking pot,” and comes right after “What causes the cooked food to spoil, have greasy odors, or vitiate,” and “Utensils used in cooking, making desserts, and baking bread.” ❋ Anna Badkhen (2010)

Can it be that A can now vitiate each judgment against him by citing the presidential pardon's supposed obliteration of the original offending act? ❋ Unknown (2008)

Although the mainstream broker-dealer groups have come around to the point that they now embrace the concept of a fiduciary standard for advice, they advocate a rules-based approach that, if adopted, would vitiate the fiduciary standard. ❋ Barbara Roper (2010)

But the "health" exception is widely recognized as a loophole designed to, and large enough to, vitiate any law banning the procedure: An abortion-providing doctor can say that a mother's mental health is threatened by depression or anxiety about being denied an abortion, however late in the third trimester of gestation. ❋ Unknown (2010)

Watching [excess] [pornography] will sexually [vitiate] the viewer. ❋ Vitiate (2011)