Conflict Resolution Terms

noun bitterness or sharpness in words, manner, or temper

• The business partners parted ways after years of acrimony over financial disagreements.
• There was so much acrimony between the siblings that they couldn't even sit in the same room together.
• The acrimony between those two is so thick, you could cut it with a knife.
• The acrimony in the air was palpable, as if the tension could be seen swirling around them.

noun a friendly relationship or peaceful harmony between people or groups

• The two nations signed a treaty of amity and cooperation.
• We have a great sense of amity among our group of friends.
• Me and my bestie have total amity vibes.
• The amity between the rival gangs was unexpected but welcomed.

noun a strong feeling of displeasure and usually of antagonism

verb to make angry

• The employee's anger towards the company's management was evident during the meeting.
• She couldn't hide her anger when her brother ate the last piece of cake.
• I could see the anger in his eyes when he found out he had been tricked.
• The storm clouds gathered, reflecting the anger of nature.

adjective a word that describes a noun or pronoun, in this case, 'angry' describes a feeling of strong displeasure or hostility

• The customer was visibly angry when his order was delayed.
• My mom gets really angry when I forget to take out the trash.
• I was so hangry after skipping lunch that I snapped at my coworker.
• The storm clouds looked angry as they gathered overhead.

noun a policy of making concessions to an aggressor in order to avoid conflict

• The policy of appeasement was criticized for its failure to prevent the outbreak of World War II.
• Trying to avoid conflict through appeasement often just delays the inevitable.
• Appeasement is like trying to sweep problems under the rug.
• Sometimes appeasement is like feeding a monster, thinking it will be satisfied, but it only grows stronger.

verb to make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense; to satisfy (an appetite or desire)

• The company implemented a new policy to assuage the concerns of its employees.
• I tried to assuage her fears by reassuring her everything would be okay.
• I brought her some ice cream to assuage her sadness.
• His kind words were able to assuage the pain in her heart.

noun a discussion or argument characterized by the exchange of clever and teasing remarks

verb to exchange remarks or words in a clever and teasing manner

• During the debate, the two politicians began to bandy words over the proposed policy changes.
• The siblings often bandy words with each other when they disagree on something.
• I could hear the group of teenagers bandying words outside the school gates.
• The lawyers continued to bandy words in court as they tried to win the case.

noun a container typically made of glass or plastic for holding liquid

verb to suppress or hold in one's emotions or feelings

• It is not healthy to bottle up your emotions, it is important to express them in a healthy way.
• Don't bottle up your feelings, talk to someone about what's bothering you.
• Stop bottling up your anger, just let it out!
• She tends to bottle up her fears, causing them to grow stronger over time.

noun a policy of living peacefully alongside others of different races, religions, etc.

• The key to successful diplomacy is promoting coexistence between nations.
• We all need to learn to live together in peaceful coexistence.
• Dude, we gotta figure out how to coexist without driving each other crazy.
• In the garden of life, coexistence between different plants is essential for a beautiful landscape.

noun a person who constantly expresses dissatisfaction or annoyance

adjective complaining or expressing dissatisfaction

• The complainer in the group always finds something to criticize.
• Stop being such a complainer and try to see the positive side of things.
• Why are you always such a complainer? Can't you just chill out?
• The complainer's negativity was like a dark cloud hanging over the group.

adjective helping to improve; promoting further development or advancement

• The committee had a constructive meeting to discuss the new project proposal.
• I appreciate your constructive feedback on my presentation.
• Let's keep the conversation constructive and avoid any unnecessary drama.
• In order to build a strong relationship, it is important to lay down a foundation of constructive communication.

noun a person who represents their country's government in a foreign country, typically in the form of an ambassador or envoy

• The diplomat was tasked with negotiating a peace treaty between the two countries.
• My cousin is studying to become a diplomat and travel the world.
• That guy thinks he's such a smooth diplomat, always talking his way out of trouble.
• She was a true diplomat, always able to navigate tricky situations with grace and tact.

verb to free from entanglement or involvement

• It is necessary to disembroil the complex legal issues before proceeding with the case.
• I need to disembroil this mess before it gets any worse.
• Let's disembroil this drama and move on.
• Sometimes we need to disembroil our thoughts to find clarity in our decision-making process.

verb to free or remove from entanglement or complication

• It took hours to disentangle the complex legal documents.
• I had to disentangle all the wires behind the TV to set up the new gaming console.
• I had to disentangle myself from that messy situation.
• She needed time to disentangle her thoughts and emotions before making a decision.

verb to cause annoyance or dissatisfaction

• It would displease the board if the project was not completed on time.
• I hope I didn't displease you by changing the plans last minute.
• I really don't want to displease my boss, so I'm going to work extra hard this week.
• Her decision to leave the company may displease some of her colleagues.

noun the action of separating or the state of being separated, especially in a political context

• The disunion among the political parties is hindering progress in the government.
• The disunion within the team is causing a lot of tension and conflict.
• The disunion between them is just drama, they need to work it out.
• The disunion of the ingredients in the recipe resulted in a failed dish.

adjective tending to cause disagreement or hostility between people

• The issue of immigration policy is highly divisive among politicians.
• Talking about politics can be so divisive, let's change the subject.
• That movie was so divisive, people either loved it or hated it.
• The artist's new painting was divisive, sparking intense debate among art critics.

verb to prolong or extend something, often in a tedious or unnecessary way

• The lawyer tried to drag out the court proceedings in order to delay the trial.
• I don't want to drag out this meeting any longer than necessary.
• Let's not drag out this conversation, get to the point already.
• She didn't want to drag out the goodbye, knowing it would only make it harder.

verb to relax or slow down; to make less intense or severe

• It is important to ease up on the strict regulations to promote innovation in the industry.
• Hey, ease up on the criticism, I'm doing the best I can.
• Dude, ease up, no need to stress over it.
• Sometimes you just need to ease up and go with the flow of life.

verb to prepare for battle or to provide with battlements

• The army embattled their defenses in preparation for the upcoming siege.
• We embattled ourselves for the long night ahead.
• We embattled our squad for the intense competition.
• She felt embattled by the constant criticism from her colleagues.

noun a worsening or aggravation of a situation or condition

• The patient's condition worsened due to the exacerbation of his symptoms.
• His cough got worse because of the exacerbation.
• The party was already a disaster, but his arrival was the exacerbation we didn't need.
• The heated argument led to an exacerbation of tensions between the two groups.

adjective describing someone who speaks in a just and unbiased manner

• She was known for her fair spoken words during the negotiation.
• He always appreciated her fair spoken feedback.
• Her fair spoken attitude really impressed everyone.
• His fair spoken promises were like a breath of fresh air.

verb to become worse or more intense, especially through long-term neglect or indifference

• If left untreated, the wound could fester and become infected.
• I can't believe you let that issue fester for so long without addressing it.
• Don't let negative feelings fester inside you, talk to someone about it.
• The resentment between them continued to fester, causing tension in the workplace.

verb to come together as a group in order to target or attack someone or something

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence, in this case indicating the action of coming together on a specific target

• The employees decided to gang up on their boss to demand better working conditions.
• I can't believe they all ganged up on him like that.
• The kids always seem to gang up on the new student in school.
• It feels like life is ganging up on me with all these challenges at once.

verb to have a harmonious or friendly relationship with someone

adverb in a manner that allows for harmonious or friendly relationships

• The colleagues seem to get along well in the workplace.
• My siblings and I get along great most of the time.
• I heard those two really hit it off and get along like a house on fire.
• In order to succeed, the different departments must learn to get along and work together harmoniously.

verb to retaliate or seek revenge against someone who has wronged you

• She decided to take legal action to get even with her business partner.
• I'm going to prank him to get even with what he did to me.
• I'll find a way to get even with that jerk.
• Time will eventually get even with those who have wronged others.

verb to yield or surrender to something; to stop resisting or opposing something

• She refused to give in to the demands of the protesters.
• I finally had to give in and let my sister borrow my car.
• Don't give in to peer pressure and do something you'll regret.
• Sometimes it's better to give in and compromise to maintain peace in a relationship.

adjective feeling or showing reluctance or unwillingness

adverb in a reluctant or unwilling manner

• She gave a grudging nod of approval after much deliberation.
• He offered a grudging apology for his mistake.
• I could tell by her grudging tone that she wasn't happy about it.
• The sun made a grudging appearance from behind the clouds.

noun a weapon consisting of a metal tube, with mechanical attachments, from which projectiles are shot by the force of an explosive

preposition indicating the object of an action or the goal of a movement

• The police officer drew his gun for protection.
• He always carries a gun for self-defense.
• I heard he's packing heat for the party tonight.
• She always has a sharp wit ready to gun for any argument.

noun negative emotions towards someone

• It is important to address any hard feelings that may arise during negotiations in a professional manner.
• Let's talk it out and make sure there are no hard feelings between us.
• Don't worry, there are no hard feelings. We're all good.
• Sometimes it's necessary to let go of hard feelings in order to move forward in life.

noun intense dislike or ill will

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• Hatred is a strong feeling of dislike or ill will towards someone or something.
• I can't stand the hatred between those two coworkers.
• There's so much hatred in this town, it's toxic.
• Hatred is like a poison that slowly consumes the soul.

noun a person who is heavy handed in their approach or behavior

adjective describing someone who is overly forceful or harsh in their actions or manner

• The manager was criticized for his heavy-handed approach to discipline in the workplace.
• I don't like how heavy-handed the teacher is with giving out homework.
• The referee was being so heavy-handed with the fouls during the game.
• Her heavy-handed editing completely changed the tone of the article.

adjective showing arrogant superiority; overbearing

• The manager's high-handed approach to decision-making alienated many of his employees.
• She always acts so high-handed, like she's better than everyone else.
• Don't be so high-handed about it, just chill out and relax.
• His high-handed attitude towards criticism only served to isolate him from others.

noun a hostile or unfriendly disposition; the state or character of being hostile; enmity; antagonism

• The ongoing trade dispute between the two countries has escalated into open hostility.
• There was a lot of hostility between the two teams during the game.
• She could feel the hostility in the air as soon as she walked into the room.
• The dark clouds overhead seemed to mirror the hostility between the two warring factions.

noun a disposition to be unkind, unfriendly, or malicious

• His ill-nature demeanor made it difficult to work with him.
• She always had an ill-nature attitude towards everything.
• Don't mind his ill-nature, he's just in a bad mood.
• The ill-nature of the storm caused widespread damage.

noun hostility or animosity

• The lawsuit was filed due to the ill-will between the two business partners.
• I can sense some ill-will between them after the argument.
• There's a lot of ill-will going on in that group chat.
• The dark cloud of ill-will hung over their relationship, poisoning any chance of reconciliation.

noun the quality of being fair and unbiased

• The judge's impartiality in the case ensured a fair trial for all parties involved.
• It's important for a referee to show impartiality during the game.
• Don't be biased, try to keep some impartiality in your decision-making.
• In order to make sound decisions, it's crucial to maintain a sense of impartiality and not let emotions cloud your judgment.

noun a condition in which two things are not able to exist or work together

adjective incompatible

• The incompatibility between the two software systems caused the data transfer to fail.
• Their incompatibility with each other was evident from the start.
• Their relationship ended due to their incompatibility.
• The incompatibility of their personalities created tension in the workplace.

adjective showing a lack of consideration for others; thoughtless

• It was inconsiderate of him to speak loudly during the meeting.
• She was being so inconsiderate by not cleaning up after herself in the kitchen.
• I can't believe how inconsiderate he was for not inviting me to the party.
• His inconsiderate actions left a trail of hurt feelings in their wake.

noun the act of demanding something firmly or persistently; the quality of being insistent

• Despite his insistence on following the rules, he was still reprimanded for being late.
• She kept calling with insistence until he finally agreed to go out on a date with her.
• Stop with the insistence, I already told you I'm not interested.
• Her insistence on perfection was like a double-edged sword, pushing her to excel but also causing unnecessary stress.

verb to demand or require something firmly

preposition used to indicate that something is required or demanded

• The company policy insists upon strict adherence to the dress code.
• My mom always insists upon me wearing a jacket when it's cold outside.
• I always insist upon my friends coming over for a movie night.
• The author's writing style insists upon using vivid imagery to engage the reader.

noun a person who rises in opposition or armed resistance against an established government or ruler

adjective rising in active revolt

• The government deployed troops to suppress the insurgent group in the region.
• The rebels are causing trouble again, the government needs to deal with them.
• The insurgents are up to no good, we need to keep an eye on them.
• The insurgent ideas were spreading like wildfire among the youth.

verb to meddle or interfere in the affairs of others

• It is not advisable to intermeddle in matters that do not concern you.
• I wouldn't intermeddle if I were you, it could cause unnecessary trouble.
• Don't intermeddle in their business, it's none of your concern.
• Sometimes it's best to not intermeddle with the natural order of things.

verb to annoy or provoke someone to the point of anger or frustration

• The constant noise from the construction site can irritate the residents in the area.
• Her chewing loudly with her mouth open really irritates me.
• Stop being so loud, you're starting to irritate me.
• His condescending tone never fails to irritate me like nails on a chalkboard.

verb to ignite or set on fire

adjective having been ignited or set on fire

• The scientist kindled the fire using a magnifying glass and sunlight.
• She kindled the flame with a match and some newspaper.
• He kindled the bonfire with some lighter fluid and a flick of his wrist.
• The speaker's passionate words kindled a fire of inspiration in the audience.

noun a release or relinquishment of something or someone

verb to release or relinquish one's grip on something

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• It is important to learn how to let go of past grievances in order to move forward.
• Hey, just let go of the stress and enjoy the moment.
• Dude, you need to just let that drama go and chill out.
• Sometimes we need to let go of our fears and take a leap of faith.

adjective showing an inclination to engage in lawsuits

• The litigious nature of the case resulted in a lengthy legal battle.
• He's always been a bit litigious, ready to sue at the drop of a hat.
• She's known around town as the most litigious person you'll ever meet.
• The relationship between the two countries is so litigious, it's like they're constantly at war.

verb to act as an intermediary or go-between in a dispute or negotiation

• The mediator is responsible for mediating disputes between the two parties.
• I heard that Sarah will be mediating the meeting tomorrow.
• I'm really good at mediating arguments between my friends.
• Music has a way of mediating my emotions when I'm feeling down.

noun the act or process of mediating between two parties in order to resolve a dispute or come to an agreement

• Mediation is often used as a method to resolve disputes outside of court.
• I heard they're going through mediation to settle their differences.
• Let's just mediation this and move on.
• The sunset served as a beautiful mediation between day and night.

verb to interpret or explain incorrectly; to fail to understand or interpret correctly

• It is important to clarify any potential misunderstandings in the contract before signing.
• I think you misunderstood what I meant by that joke.
• Don't trip, she just misunderstood your intentions.
• In the world of art, a piece that is open to interpretation may be easily misunderstood by some viewers.

verb A word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being. In this case, 'misunderstood' is the past tense and past participle form of the verb 'misunderstand', which means to interpret or perceive incorrectly.

adjective A word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun. In this case, 'misunderstood' describes a person or thing that has been incorrectly interpreted or not fully understood.

• The scientist's groundbreaking research was often misunderstood by those outside of the field.
• I think you misunderstood what I was trying to say about the project timeline.
• Don't worry, he's just a misunderstood artist who marches to the beat of his own drum.
• Her actions were often misunderstood, like a puzzle missing a few key pieces.

verb to calm or soothe someone's anger or anxiety

• The CEO's speech was aimed at mollifying the concerns of the shareholders.
• She tried mollifying her upset friend by offering to buy them ice cream.
• I'm hoping this apology will do the trick in mollifying my angry boss.
• The soothing music had a mollifying effect on my stress levels.

noun a point or matter that is open to argument or debate, often rendered irrelevant due to circumstances or lack of practical significance

• The debate over the new policy became a moot point once the board approved it unanimously.
• Arguing about who should do the dishes is a moot point since we have a dishwasher.
• Whether to go out or stay in tonight is a moot point - let's just see where the night takes us.
• Trying to convince her to change her mind is a moot point; she's already made up her decision.

noun the act of making malicious or slanderous statements about someone

• The political debate was marred by constant mudslinging between the candidates.
• I can't stand all the mudslinging going on in this election.
• The mudslinging between those two is getting out of hand.
• The gossip magazines are known for their mudslinging tactics towards celebrities.

noun the state of not supporting or helping either side in a conflict, disagreement, etc.; impartiality

• Maintaining neutrality in international conflicts is crucial for diplomacy.
• It's best to stay neutral when your friends are arguing to avoid taking sides.
• I try to keep things neutral when my parents ask about my weekend plans.
• The artist's use of neutral colors created a sense of calm and neutrality in the painting.

noun the practice of abstaining from violent actions or behaviors

• Nonviolence is a fundamental principle of many religious and ethical belief systems.
• Choosing nonviolence as a means of resolving conflicts can lead to long-lasting peace.
• Dude, practicing nonviolence is way cooler than resorting to fighting all the time.
• In the battle against injustice, nonviolence is our most powerful weapon.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

• There is nothing of the kind in the official report.
• Don't worry, there's nothing of the kind happening here.
• Nah, man, there's nothing of the kind going on.
• His actions spoke volumes, showing nothing of the kind of person he claimed to be.

noun an aggressive attitude or position

adjective causing someone to feel hurt, upset, or annoyed

• The company issued a formal apology for the offensive remarks made by one of its executives.
• I can't believe he said such offensive things at the dinner party.
• That joke was so offensive, dude.
• Her words were like a slap in the face, deeply offensive and hurtful.

adjective A word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun. In this case, 'open minded' describes a person who is receptive to new ideas or opinions.

• Being open minded is essential in order to consider all perspectives before making a decision.
• It's important to stay open minded and be willing to listen to different points of view.
• Dude, you gotta be open minded and try new things once in a while.
• Having an open minded approach is like having a window to endless possibilities.

verb to act against or provide resistance to something

• The political party decided to oppose the new legislation.
• I really oppose the idea of going to that party.
• I totally oppose the new dress code at work.
• She felt like she had to oppose the current of negativity surrounding her.

noun the act of pacifying or the state of being pacified; appeasement or calmness

• The pacification of the region was achieved through diplomatic negotiations.
• The pacification process in the neighborhood has helped improve safety and reduce crime.
• The cops are trying to pacify the situation before things get out of hand.
• The pacification of his anger was evident in his calm demeanor.

adjective describing someone who believes in pacifism, the belief that war and violence are unjustifiable

• The pacifistic approach to conflict resolution focuses on peaceful negotiations and diplomacy.
• She has always been a pacifistic person, preferring to avoid confrontation whenever possible.
• Some people see pacifistic individuals as 'hippies' or 'tree-huggers'.
• His pacifistic nature was like a calming presence in the midst of chaos.

noun a prolonged and tedious discussion or debate

verb to talk unnecessarily at length

• The lengthy palaver between the two parties resulted in a mutually beneficial agreement.
• I don't have time for all this palaver, just give me the bottom line.
• Stop with all the palaver and get to the point!
• The endless palaver of the politicians was just a smokescreen for their hidden agenda.

adjective describing a state or quality of being calm, quiet, and free from disturbance

• The countryside is known for its peaceful atmosphere and lush greenery.
• I love taking a walk in the park, it's so peaceful there.
• Chilling by the beach is so peaceful, man.
• Her mind was finally at peace after years of turmoil.

noun the act of promoting peace or advocating for peaceful resolutions to conflicts

• The diplomat was accused of peacemongering by his critics.
• Stop peacemongering and let's just enjoy the peace we have.
• I can't stand those peacemongers who think they know everything about peace.
• His constant peacemongering was like a soothing balm for the conflict-ridden region.

noun the quality of being childishly sulky or bad-tempered

• Her constant petulance towards her coworkers made it difficult to work with her.
• Stop with the petulance already, it's getting annoying.
• Her petulance is really getting on my nerves.
• The storm's petulance was evident in the fierce winds and crashing waves.

noun a person who has been taken prisoner of war

interjection used to represent the sound of a sudden blow or explosion

• The soldier was trained in the use of weapons, including firearms that could deliver a powerful POW with each shot.
• When the superhero punched the villain, it was like BAM, POW, right in the kisser!
• I heard that new rapper's album is straight fire, every track is a total POW!
• The sudden realization hit him like a POW, causing him to rethink his entire approach.

noun a matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome

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• The company is facing a significant problem with their supply chain management.
• I can't figure out how to solve this math problem.
• I've got 99 problems, but this ain't one.
• Sometimes life throws us a curveball, but it's just another problem to solve.

verb to move something to the side or out of the way

adverb used to describe the act of putting something aside

preposition used to indicate the location or direction of where something is being put

• It is important to put aside personal biases when making a decision.
• Let's just put aside our differences and enjoy the party.
• We need to put that drama aside and focus on what's important.
• Sometimes we need to put aside our fears and take a leap of faith.

noun a word that functions as the name of a specific person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• The committee decided to conduct a thorough investigation to put to rights the financial discrepancies.
• I'll help you clean up your room and put everything to rights.
• Let's fix this mess and put it to rights before anyone notices.
• After the argument, they had a heart-to-heart conversation to put their relationship to rights.

adjective describing someone who easily becomes angry or irritable

• The CEO was known for being quick-tempered during board meetings.
• My dad can be quick-tempered when he's stressed out.
• Watch out for Jake, he's pretty quick-tempered when things don't go his way.
• Her quick-tempered nature was like a storm waiting to unleash its fury.

noun a blunt or abrupt rejection

verb to reject in a blunt or abrupt manner

• The CEO rebuffed the proposal for a merger with a rival company.
• She rebuffed his advances and walked away.
• He tried to ask her out but got rebuffed hard.
• The storm seemed to rebuff all attempts to calm it down.

verb to establish again; to restore or bring back into existence

• The company aims to reestablish its presence in the international market.
• We need to reestablish our friendship after that argument.
• Let's reestablish our cool factor by throwing an epic party.
• After a period of self-reflection, she was able to reestablish her sense of self-worth.

noun a short, confused fight or struggle

verb to engage in a brief, confused fight or struggle

• The security guards quickly intervened to break up the scuffle between the two protestors.
• I heard there was a scuffle at the bar last night, but I'm not sure what happened.
• Things got heated and a scuffle broke out between the players on the basketball court.
• There was a scuffle of thoughts in her mind as she tried to make a decision.

noun a strong devotion to the interests of one's own region or section of the country, often at the expense of the national interest

• Sectionalism was a prominent factor in the division of the country during the Civil War.
• People's sectionalism often leads to heated debates about regional differences.
• The sectionalism between the East and West Coasts is real.
• In a figurative sense, sectionalism can be seen as building walls between different groups of people.

noun a decisive confrontation or contest

verb N/A

adjective N/A

adverb N/A

pronoun N/A

preposition N/A

conjunction N/A

interjection N/A

article N/A

• The two political leaders are gearing up for a showdown in the upcoming debate.
• There's gonna be a huge showdown between the rival gangs tonight.
• I heard there's gonna be a major showdown at the party this weekend.
• The showdown between good and evil in the movie was intense and gripping.

noun a state or temperature just below the boiling point

verb to cook something gently just below the boiling point

adjective having a gentle cooking temperature just below the boiling point

• The soup needs to simmer for at least an hour to bring out all the flavors.
• I like to let the sauce simmer on low heat for a while to thicken up.
• Let the gossip simmer for a bit before spreading it around.
• Tensions between the two groups have been simmering for months, ready to boil over at any moment.

noun a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

conjunction a word used to connect clauses or sentences or to coordinate words in the same clause

article a word that is used with a noun to indicate the type of reference being made by the noun

• When comparing the two options, it seems that it's six of one and half a dozen of the other.
• I don't think it matters which one you choose, it's six of one and half a dozen of the other.
• It's all the same to me, it's like six of one and half a dozen of the other.
• Trying to decide between the two is like choosing between six of one and half a dozen of the other.

noun a persistent gaze or glare, especially in a challenging or intimidating way

verb to look fixedly or intently at someone or something, often as a way to intimidate or challenge

• The two competitors engaged in a tense stare down before the match began.
• I could feel the tension as they stared each other down across the room.
• They were really staring each other down, it was intense!
• She had to mentally prepare herself to stare down her fears and move forward.

adjective showing skill and sensitivity in dealing with others

• She handled the delicate situation with tactful precision, ensuring no one's feelings were hurt.
• I appreciate how tactful you were in addressing the issue without causing any drama.
• He's always so smooth and tactful when talking to people, it's like he knows exactly what to say.
• Her words were a tactful dance around the truth, leaving everyone with a positive impression.

verb to criticize or reprimand someone for their actions or behavior

• The board decided to take the employee to task for repeatedly violating company policies.
• The teacher took the student to task for not completing their homework.
• The coach really took the player to task for missing practice.
• The author's critics were quick to take him to task for his controversial opinions.

noun a person who spreads gossip or rumors about others

• The talebearer was spreading malicious rumors about his colleague in the office.
• Don't trust that talebearer, they always gossip about everyone.
• That talebearer is such a drama llama, always stirring up trouble.
• The talebearer's words were like a wildfire, spreading quickly and causing chaos.

noun the action of spreading gossip or rumors

adjective involving or engaged in spreading gossip or rumors

• Talebearing is considered a serious offense in the workplace and can result in disciplinary action.
• I heard some talebearing going on in the break room about who got the promotion.
• Don't be a talebearer and spread rumors about others.
• The talebearing of gossip can spread like wildfire and cause harm to relationships.

verb to inform on someone or reveal their wrongdoing

preposition used to indicate that someone has informed on someone else or revealed their wrongdoing

• I cannot tell on my coworker for making a mistake without concrete evidence.
• Don't worry, I won't tell on you for sneaking out of the party early.
• If you tell on me to the teacher, I'll never forgive you!
• Sometimes our conscience tells on us when we try to hide our mistakes.

noun a state of irritability or impatience

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

article not applicable

• The professor's testiness was evident as he graded the final exams.
• I could tell by her testiness that she was in a bad mood.
• His testiness was off the charts today - must've woken up on the wrong side of the bed.
• The testiness in the air was palpable as tensions rose during the meeting.

adjective describes someone who is slow to understand or think; stubborn or obtuse

• His thickheaded refusal to consider any other options led to the project's failure.
• I can't believe how thickheaded he is sometimes, always thinking he knows best.
• She's so thickheaded, she never listens to anyone else's opinions.
• The thickheadedness of his attitude blocked any chance of compromise.

noun an equivalent given in return

preposition for the purpose of

• In negotiations, it is important to avoid a tit for tat approach and instead focus on finding mutually beneficial solutions.
• If she doesn't share her notes with me, I won't share mine with her - it's just tit for tat.
• He stole my lunch so I stole his - it's all tit for tat.
• The siblings engaged in a tit for tat battle of pranks, each trying to outdo the other.

noun the action of severely criticizing or reprimanding someone

• The CEO gave the employee a tongue lashing for not meeting the project deadline.
• My mom gave me a tongue lashing for forgetting to take out the trash.
• The coach gave the players a serious tongue lashing after they lost the game.
• The politician received a tongue lashing from the public for his controversial remarks.

verb Untangling is the present participle form of the verb 'untangle', which means to separate or free something that is tangled.

• The scientist spent years untangling the complex web of genetic interactions.
• I'm still trying to untangle all the wires behind my TV.
• I had to untangle that messy situation with my ex before moving on.
• Untangling my emotions after the breakup was a long and difficult process.

noun a state of extreme anger or outrage

adverb in a state of readiness for confrontation or conflict

• The citizens were up in arms over the proposed tax increase.
• The students were up in arms about the new school dress code.
• The fans were up in arms when their team lost the championship game.
• The employees were up in arms after hearing about the layoffs.

noun a position of advantage or control

verb to gain control or advantage over someone or something

adjective higher in position, rank, or importance

• After careful analysis, it was clear that our team had the upper hand in the negotiation.
• We totally have the upper hand in this situation, don't worry.
• We're totally crushing it, we've got the upper hand for sure.
• In the game of chess, having control of the center of the board gives you the upper hand.

noun punishment inflicted or retribution exacted for an injury or wrong

verb none

adjective none

adverb none

pronoun none

preposition none

conjunction none

interjection none

article none

• The protagonist sought vengeance for the injustices done to his family.
• She's out for vengeance after what they did to her.
• He's on a vengeance mission to make them pay.
• The storm unleashed its fury with a vengeance.

verb Vilifying is a verb that means to speak or write about someone in a very critical or abusive way.

• The politician was accused of vilifying his opponent during the debate.
• I heard that she's been vilifying her ex-boyfriend on social media.
• Stop vilifying me behind my back!
• The media's constant vilifying of the celebrity eventually took its toll on her mental health.

adjective feeling or showing agitation, excitement, or anger

adverb in a state of agitation, excitement, or anger

• The heated debate in the council meeting left many members feeling wrought up.
• She always gets so wrought up over little things.
• I was really wrought up about the test results.
• The storm wrought up chaos in the small town.

noun The word 'ultima ratio' is a noun, referring to the final argument or resource in a dispute or difficulty.

• The ultima ratio is the final argument in a debate or discussion.
• When all else fails, the ultima ratio is to walk away.
• In a street fight, the ultima ratio is to hit them where it hurts.
• For him, the ultima ratio is to always follow his gut instinct.

noun a word (a brief conversation or discussion)

verb have (to engage in)

pronoun yourself (referring to the person being addressed)

preposition with (indicating the person with whom the conversation is to take place)

• I suggest you have a word with yourself before making any hasty decisions.
• Dude, you really need to have a word with yourself about your priorities.
• Hey, mate, you seriously need to have a word with yourself about your behavior.
• Sometimes you just need to have a word with yourself and figure out what you really want in life.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that describes an action or state of being

adverb a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb

pronoun a word that takes the place of a noun in a sentence

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

• It is said that when you heap coals of fire on someone, you are showing kindness and forgiveness.
• He decided to heap coals of fire on his neighbor by mowing his lawn while he was away.
• She really knows how to heap coals of fire on someone with her compliments.
• When you choose to heap coals of fire on someone, you are choosing to be the bigger person and show grace in a difficult situation.

noun a word that identifies a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence

pronoun a word that can function by itself as a noun phrase and that refers either to the participants in the discourse or to someone or something mentioned elsewhere in the discourse

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

article a word that is used with a noun to specify grammatical definiteness of the noun

• It is important to step into someone's shoes to understand their perspective before making a decision.
• Hey, why don't you try to step into his shoes and see things from his point of view?
• Dude, you gotta step into her shoes and see where she's coming from.
• Sometimes it's necessary to step into someone's shoes to truly empathize with their situation.

adjective describing a temperature or atmosphere that is moderate and pleasant

• During the crisis, the leader remained cool, calm and collected, making rational decisions.
• Even when things got hectic, she stayed cool, calm and collected.
• He's always so cool, calm and collected, nothing ever seems to faze him.
• In the face of adversity, she was like a cool, calm and collected rock, unshaken by the storm around her.

noun a situation where there is a lack of meaningful communication or understanding

• The negotiation turned into a dialogue of the deaf as both parties refused to listen to each other's arguments.
• They were just talking past each other, it was like a dialogue of the deaf.
• They were both being stubborn and not listening, it was like a deaf dialogue.
• Their communication breakdown resulted in a dialogue of the deaf, with neither party understanding the other.

noun a curse or swear word used to insult or offend someone

verb to use foul language or insults towards someone in a heated manner

• The customer was so upset that he decided to curse someone out over the phone.
• I can't believe she cursed someone out in the middle of the restaurant!
• He was so angry that he just straight up cursed someone out.
• Sometimes it's better to walk away than to curse someone out in a fit of anger.

verb to use nuclear weapons or to escalate a situation to a nuclear level

• The country threatened to go nuclear if their demands were not met.
• If you don't stop bothering me, I'll go nuclear on you.
• I was so angry, I was ready to go nuclear on them.
• When the argument escalated, she decided to go nuclear and bring up past grievances.

noun a reestablishing of cordial relations

• The two countries are working towards a reproachment after years of strained relations.
• There seems to be a reproachment between them after their big argument.
• I never thought they would make a reproachment, but I'm glad they did.
• The reproachment between the two rival companies was unexpected but beneficial for both parties.

adjective describing something that is annoying or causing inconvenience

• The hassly process of obtaining a visa can be quite time-consuming.
• Dealing with all the paperwork can be really hassly.
• I hate when things get hassly and complicated.
• Her constant nagging was like a hassly mosquito buzzing in my ear.

noun a type of speech characterized by insults, boasting, or other disrespectful remarks

verb to engage in smack talk

• The debate turned heated when one of the participants resorted to using smack talk.
• I can't believe the smack talk that was going on between those two players!
• The smack talk was getting real between those two friends.
• His words were like a sharp smack talk to her confidence.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• The artist used a combination of green on blue to create a calming effect in the painting.
• I love how the green on blue in this room makes it feel so peaceful and relaxing.
• That outfit with the green on blue is totally on point!
• The tension between the two characters was like a clash of green on blue, creating a sense of unease.

noun a device on a phone or other communication device used to make a call

verb to reduce the intensity or level of something

• The company decided to dial down their marketing efforts in order to focus on other areas of the business.
• You might want to dial down the volume on the TV, it's a bit too loud.
• Hey man, can you dial down the attitude? No need to be so aggressive.
• After the heated argument, she knew she needed to dial down her emotions and approach the situation calmly.

adjective describing the position of being detached or uninvolved in a situation of conflict or competition

preposition indicating a position higher than or overhead in relation to something else

• The politician maintained his composure and stayed above the fray during the heated debate.
• She always manages to stay above the fray when her friends start arguing.
• I try to stay above the fray when drama starts in my friend group.
• By focusing on my goals and not getting involved in petty arguments, I am able to stay above the fray.

noun a bull, shop

preposition in

article a

• The new intern was like a bull in a china shop during the important client meeting.
• When my little brother gets too excited, he's a bull in a china shop.
• Watch out for Jim at the party, he's a bull in a china shop after a few drinks.
• Her approach to delicate situations is often compared to a bull in a china shop.

noun a person who adapts oneself to suit the needs or wishes of others

• The accommodator made sure all the guests had a comfortable stay at the hotel.
• The accommodator was really helpful in finding us a good table at the restaurant.
• The accommodator hooked us up with some extra pillows for the room.
• She was known as the accommodator of the group, always willing to adjust plans to make everyone happy.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• After realizing he could not win the argument, he had to admit defeat.
• She finally had to throw in the towel and admit defeat.
• He had to eat humble pie and admit defeat in the end.
• Sometimes you just have to wave the white flag and admit defeat.

verb to cause fear, alarm, or confusion; to disturb or trouble

• The authorities were called to the scene to break up the affraying crowd.
• The party turned into a bit of an affraying mess after a few drinks.
• Things got real affraying at the club last night.
• The conflicting opinions in the meeting were affraying and led to a heated discussion.