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confront - To deal directly with a problem or difficult situation or person.

Instead of avoiding the issue, he chose to confront it head-on.

verb

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sully - To damage the purity or integrity of something; to defile.

Martha spread rumors about Anne, and even though it came out later that the rumors were false, the damage had been done and Anne's reputation was sullied.

verb

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ostracize - To banish someone socially, making them feel isolated or unwanted.

He felt ostracized at work after speaking out against the company’s policies, and many people refused to speak to him.

verb

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trivialize - To make something seem less important or serious than it really is.

It's important not to trivialize learning and understanding, because little that is meaningful can be accomplished without them.

adjective

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scathing - Witheringly scornful; severely critical

After receiving poor service and undercooked food, the critic wrote a scathing review of the restaurant.

adjective

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divisive - Causing disagreement or hostility between people, tending to disrupt unity or harmony.

The election was fought over the deeply divisive issue of immigration, and people on either side of the issue can't see things from the other point of view.

adjective

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hostile - To be unfriendly towards someone you see as an enemy

In couples therapy, the first thing Emily tried to do was to get both people to feel less hostile towards each other.

verb

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condemn - To express strong disapproval of something, especially on moral grounds.

The teacher condemned cheating and warned students about the consequences.

verb

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chastise - To scold or criticize someone severely for doing something wrong.

He was chastised by his coach for not following the game plan.

adjective

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intolerant - Refusing to allow others to do or believe things that you don't agree with.

When people try to dialog with others, and both are intolerant of each others' points of view, it often just degenerates into a shouting match, with neither side listening.

verb

See noun

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feud - Take part in a prolonged quarrel or conflict

The Hatfield and McCoy families famously feuded for generations, with each new generation continuing the fight.

verb

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haggle - To dispute or bargain persistently, especially over the cost of something

After 20 minutes Mary finally agreed not to haggle any more and bought the car at a slight discount.