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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.

noun

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revenge - Harm done to someone in return for harm being done in the past

Max took the insults quietly, plotting how he would eventually seek revenge that would be swift and complete

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.

noun

See verb

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slander - A false spoken statement about someone that damages their reputation

Bill's company took a while to recover after his competitor broadcast a TV ad that contained slander about Bill's company's products.

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.

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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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.

verb

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heckle - To interrupt (a public speaker) with derisive or aggressive comments or abuse

When the woman heckled the comedian, he stopped his routine to insult her so cleverly, that she regretted starting up with him.

noun

See verb

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feud - A prolonged and bitter quarrel or dispute

In Verona, the Montagues and Capulets kept up a feud that ended tragically for both sides.

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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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.

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.