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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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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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denigrate - To damage the good name or character of a person.

Political factions sometimes denigrate each other instead of focusing on real issues

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.

noun

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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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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.

noun

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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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spurn - To reject and push away with disdain, scorn, and contempt

The boss spurned his employee when the employee asked to see the confidential memo.

adjective

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fractious - (of a group or organization) difficult to control; unruly

Kaitlin's children were a fractious group that were always fighting in the back seat.

noun

See verb

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snarl - An act or sound of snarling

Whenever Patty's dog would try to make a snarl at intruders, it ended up looking like a grin.

verb

See noun

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slander - To make a false spoken statement about someone that damages their reputation

The politician slandered his opponent using misleading information and false news.

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.