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verb

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intimidate - To frighten or threaten someone, often to make them do something.

The bully tried to intimidate the younger students into giving him their lunch money.

adjective

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pugnacious - Having a tendency or desire to fight or argue with other people

Jerry's general pugnacious attitude made it difficult for him to get close to people.

adjective

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sarcastic - Describing a tone or remark that is intended to mock, criticize, or convey disdain in a humorous or cutting manner.

When he said, "Oh, great, another meeting," his tone was sarcastic, clearly showing that he wasn’t excited at all.

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.

noun

See verb

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jeer - Laughing or shouting insults at someone to show you have no respect for them.

The crowd let out a jeer at the politician when he talked about positions that were extremely unpopular with the public.

verb

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malign - To speak harmful untruths about someone – to slander or defame, showing illwill.

She warned her friend not to malign others just to gain popularity.

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.

verb

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scowl - To frown in an angry or bad-tempered way

Sam scowled at his boss when he was told he was being fired, but he had enough self control not to be physical.

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.

noun

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injustice - A situation in which the rights of a person or a group are ignored, and they are treated unfairly.

The American Colonies felt that 'taxation without representation' was an injustice that, among other things, warranted a revolutionary war of independence against England.

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.