mockery -
Teasing and contemptuous language or behavior directed at a particular person or thing
"Saturday Night Live" frequently engages in mockery, especially when it comes to impersonating U.S. presidents.
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undermine -
To weaken or damage something, especially gradually or secretly; to sabotage or erode the foundation or support.
Constant criticism from a parent or a boss can undermine a person's self-esteem.
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.
verb
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ridicule -
To subject (someone or something) to contemptuous and dismissive language or behavior
John's friends ridiculed him for wearing a funny outfit.
adjective
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contentious -
Likely to cause disagreement or argument
When the parents invited the whole clan for Thanksgiving, they asked everyone to try to get along, and to avoid discussing contentious topics.
adjective
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irreconcilable -
So different or conflicting that compromise is not possible.
Their political beliefs were so irreconcilable that they decided to stop discussing politics altogether.
verb
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undercut -
To sell goods or services at a lower price than your competitors
He didn't know if he could remain in business because the new store across the street was undercutting his prices by up to 75%.
adjective
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surly -
Bad-tempered and unfriendly
Penny's friendly nature was no match for the surly interviewer who never smiled back.
verb
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abandon -
To leave someone or something behind permanently or without intending to return.
Beverly took the cat into her house when she realized that the cat had been abandoned.
verb
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polarize -
To divide into two completely opposing groups
It's frightening to see how many issues have caused the US to polarize into Right and Left groups that hate each other.
adjective
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sinister -
The intention to do secret actions that are meant to do harm
The prince always treated the king with great respect, but he was using the queen in a sinister plot to have the king killed so that he could take over.
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renounce -
To formally declare one is giving up and abandoning a claim, a right, or possession
To start her diet she made a resolution to herself that she would renounce cake for a month.
