cruelty · deeper · stabbing · hurting · twist · blade · cutting · festering · reopening · scar · malice · spite · vengeance · rubbing · raw · bleeding · emotional · probing
digging the knife deeperletting it go
backing off · de-escalating · burying the hatchet · making peace · pulling back
IDEA.org / Words / digging the knife deeper
Related — twisting (Rotating with distortion); wound (Coiled, or an injury); salt (Sodium chloride compound); pain · betrayal · cruelty · deeper · stabbing · hurting · twist · blade · cutting · festering
emotional harm vs. healingdigging the knife deeper ≠ mending fences Repairing damaged relationships; making amends
escalation vs. de-escalationdigging the knife deeper ≠ letting it go; backing off · de-escalating · burying the hatchet · making peace · pulling back
cruelty vs. mercydigging the knife deeper ≠ forgiving Inclined to pardon offenses; cutting someone some slack · relenting · softening
Word data: Linguabase (CC0) · www.idea.org/words/digging_the_knife_deeper