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verb

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abuse - To speak to someone in an insulting or offensive way.

The child was abused by his caregivers, causing long-lasting emotional trauma.

noun

See verb

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ridicule - The subjection of someone or something to contemptuous and dismissive language or behavior

Tommy was the object of ridicule after he revealed an embarrassing secret.

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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taunt - To provoke or challenge someone with insulting remarks

The bully taunted Nico so much that it made him depressed.

adjective

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dismissive - Showing that one doesn't think a person or thing is important or worth considering

Fred didn't mind not getting the job as much as the dismissive way the employer told him.

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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shun - To persistently avoid, ignore, or reject (someone or something) through antipathy or caution

When David tried to join in the conversation at the club, they ignored him, and he suspected that he was being shunned because he had a different religion than they did.

noun

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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.

verb

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antagonize - To cause someone to become hostile or angry.

When he met someone new, he was honest about his political point of view though he knew there was a risk it would antagonize the other person.

adjective

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unforgiving - Not making an allowance for error or weakness in others; not willing to forgive others for things they might have done wrong.

Because they knew that Alaska in the winter is an unforgiving environment, they had to plan their expedition very carefully.

noun

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adversary - An enemy or opponent

Batman and the Joker were adversaries of each other, and it was interesting to follow how each tried to use strategy to outsmart each other.

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.