envenom

/in-ˈve-nəm How to pronounce envenom (audio) en-/ (ame, mw)

envenom — verb

  • envenompresent simple I / you / we / they
  • envenoms3rd person singular
  • envenoming-ing form
  • envenomedpast simple

1. to put poison into food, drink, water, or a weapon so that it can seriously harm

1.動詞及物C2
釋義

to put poison into food, drink, water, or a weapon so that it can seriously harm or kill.

例句

Quan caught the cook trying to envenom the judge's tea.

envenom + drink

Before dawn, the rebels envenomed their arrow tips with plant poison.

envenom + weapon

同義詞
  • poison

    the normal modern word; much more common and less literary

  • lace

    often used when a substance is secretly mixed into food, drink, or drugs

  • contaminate

    broader and more technical; it does not always imply deliberate poisoning

反義詞
  • purify

    means to make something clean or safe instead of dangerous

  • neutralize

    focuses on stopping the poison's effect after it is present

文法句型

envenom + food / drink / water / weapon

envenom + noun phrase

用法筆記

Most often used in historical, literary, or dramatic contexts about food, drink, weapons, or wells. In ordinary modern English, people usually say poison instead.

常見錯誤

❌The milk envenomed in the heat.
✅The milk went bad in the heat.
💡envenom means someone puts poison into something; it does not mean food spoils naturally.

2. to make feelings, relationships, or discussion turn bitter and full of resentmen

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to make feelings, relationships, or discussion turn bitter and full of resentment.

例句

Years of mockery envenomed Nora's feelings toward her old school.

figurative: envenom + feelings

The bitter dispute envenomed relations between the two brothers.

envenom + relations

同義詞
  • embitter

    the closest synonym; it also means making someone feel bitter after hurt or unfairness

  • poison

    can be used figuratively for ruining relations, but it is less literary than envenom

  • sour

    more common and milder; often used when relations gradually become unpleasant

反義詞
  • heal

    means to make bad feelings improve again

  • reconcile

    focuses on restoring peace between people after conflict

文法句型

envenom + feelings / relations / mood

envenom + noun phrase

用法筆記

Usually used figuratively with words like feelings, relations, debate, or friendship. It suggests that anger or bitterness grows sharper over time because of unfair treatment, insults, or conflict.

常見錯誤

❌The extra homework envenomed the class, so everyone felt tired.
✅The extra homework exhausted the class, so everyone felt tired.
💡envenom is about creating bitter resentment, not simple tiredness or boredom.