To violently provoke (a child) in the belief that this will make them more assertive.
To spoil or ruin (one's chance of success)
Cool; awesome; neat.
Intentionally causing or reveling in pain and suffering; merciless, heartless.
Harsh; severe.
To a great degree; terribly.
The natural inclination to do whatever is necessary to succeed (including extreme violence)
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see killer, instinct.