Interpersonal Communication Vocabulary

noun an agreement or harmony between people or groups

verb to be in agreement or harmony

• According to the company's policy, employees must request approval in accord with the established procedures.
• We need to make sure our plans are in accord with what the boss wants.
• Let's all be on the same accord and get this project done.
• Their minds were in accord, creating a harmonious atmosphere during the meeting.

adjective characterized by bitterness or sharpness in speech, behavior, or tone

• The negotiations ended in an acrimonious dispute between the two parties.
• Their argument turned acrimonious very quickly.
• Things got real acrimonious between them.
• The tension in the room was so thick, you could almost taste the acrimonious atmosphere.

verb to cause someone to become hostile or angry

• It is not wise to antagonize your colleagues in the workplace.
• Don't antagonize your sister, she's already in a bad mood.
• If you keep antagonizing him, you're going to start a fight.
• His constant criticism seemed to antagonize her very soul.

noun a word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

adjective a word naming an attribute of a noun, such as sweet, red, or technical

adverb a word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb

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

• The two countries are currently at odds over trade policies.
• John and Mary are always at odds with each other about what movie to watch.
• The siblings are constantly at odds over who gets to use the car first.
• His mind and heart were at odds with each other, making it difficult for him to make a decision.

verb to express a difference of opinion

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

• I must respectfully beg to differ with your interpretation of the data.
• I'm sorry, but I have to beg to differ on that point.
• Sorry, but I gotta say I beg to differ with you there.
• While I appreciate your perspective, I beg to differ in terms of our approach to the problem.

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 scolding or reprimand

verb to scold or rebuke someone mildly

• The teacher had to chide the student for not completing the assignment on time.
• I didn't mean to chide you, I was just trying to help.
• She chided her friend for being late to the party.
• The wind seemed to chide the leaves as they rustled in the breeze.

noun a sweet drink made from fruits or flowers

adjective warm and friendly; polite and respectful

• The two diplomats exchanged cordial greetings before the meeting.
• We had a cordial chat over a cup of coffee.
• The party was really cordial, everyone was getting along so well.
• Despite their differences, they maintained a cordial relationship for the sake of their children.

noun a contrary or conflicting goal or aim

adjective involving conflicting or opposing intentions or goals

• The two departments were working at cross purposes, causing confusion in the project.
• They were both trying to do their own thing, so they ended up at cross purposes.
• They were totally not on the same page and working at cross purposes.
• Their relationship was strained because they were always at cross purposes.

verb to criticize or treat someone unfairly or unkindly

• It is inappropriate to dump on others in a professional setting.
• Don't dump on me for being late, I had a valid reason.
• Stop dumping on me, I'm doing my best.
• She felt like life was continuously dumping on her with one problem after another.

noun a close and harmonious relationship

adjective in harmony or agreement

• The two parties were not en rapport on the terms of the agreement.
• I don't think we're en rapport with our neighbors about the noise level.
• We need to get en rapport before we can move forward with the project.
• Their ideas were en rapport, leading to a successful collaboration.

verb to stop feeling anger or resentment towards someone for an offense, flaw, or mistake

• I humbly ask for your forgiveness for my mistake.
• Hey, can you forgive me for forgetting your birthday?
• I know I messed up, but can you forgive me this time?
• Sometimes it's hard to forgive, but holding onto anger only hurts yourself.

noun a state of mutual trust and support between two or more individuals

• The bond of friendship between the two countries has strengthened over the years.
• I cherish our friendship and all the memories we've made together.
• Me and my bestie have a friendship that's unbreakable.
• In the garden of life, friendship is the most beautiful flower.

noun a word or phrase used to welcome or acknowledge someone

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 formal greeting at the event was a handshake and a polite 'Good evening'.
• She greeted her friends with a warm hug and a cheerful 'Hey, how's it going?'
• The group of friends greeted each other with a fist bump and a casual 'Sup?'
• The sunrise greeted the sleepy town with its warm, golden rays, signaling the start of a new day.

noun the quality of being immediate or without delay

• The immediacy of the situation required prompt action from all parties involved.
• We need to deal with this right now, the immediacy of it can't be ignored.
• The immediacy of the deadline is stressing me out, man.
• The immediacy of her emotions was evident in the way she spoke.

verb to irritate or annoy

adjective feeling or showing annoyance or irritation

• The constant noise from the construction site irked the residents in the neighborhood.
• I was really irked when my phone battery died right in the middle of an important call.
• Her constant bragging really irks me.
• The way he always interrupts me during meetings really irks my nerves.

verb to tease or joke with someone in a playful or lighthearted manner

• During the meeting, there was no time for joshing around.
• We were just joshing with each other about our favorite TV shows.
• Stop joshing me, I know you're not being serious.
• His joshing demeanor helped lighten the mood in the room.

verb to interfere in or busy oneself unduly with something that is not one's concern

• It is not advisable to meddle in other people's affairs without their consent.
• I wouldn't meddle in their relationship drama if I were you.
• Stop meddling in things that don't concern you.
• The artist decided not to meddle with the original design of the painting.

adjective describing something that is untidy or disorganized

• The messy paperwork on the desk needs to be organized.
• My room is so messy right now, I can't find anything!
• Her hair was a hot mess after being caught in the rain.
• The situation became messy when emotions started to run high.

noun a sound or expression of contempt, disapproval, or disbelief

verb to express disdain or disbelief towards something

• The expert pooh poohed the idea of using outdated technology for the project.
• Don't pooh pooh my suggestion without considering its benefits.
• Stop pooh poohing everything I say, give it a chance!
• She always pooh poohs any opportunity for personal growth.

noun a person who is excessively bold or confident

adjective showing excessive confidence or boldness; taking liberties

• It would be presumptuous of me to assume I know all the details without proper research.
• Don't be so presumptuous to think you can just show up without RSVPing.
• Who does he think he is, being so presumptuous about his chances of winning?
• Her presumptuous attitude towards authority figures often gets her into trouble.

noun a feeling of indignant displeasure or persistent ill will at something regarded as a wrong, insult, or injury

• The employee harbored deep resentment towards his boss for passing him over for a promotion.
• She couldn't hide her resentment towards her friend for forgetting her birthday.
• I can't stand the resentment my roommate has been giving me lately.
• Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.

adjective describes someone who is friendly and enjoys being around other people

• She is known for being sociable and always making an effort to engage with everyone at the networking events.
• My sister is so sociable, she can strike up a conversation with anyone at a party.
• I heard she's super sociable, always down to hang out and meet new people.
• His sociable nature is like a magnet, attracting people to him wherever he goes.

adjective not characterized by friendliness or goodwill; hostile

• The business partners decided to part ways due to their unamicable relationship.
• They couldn't stand each other anymore, so they ended things on an unamicable note.
• Their breakup was totally unamicable, it was like a bad episode of reality TV.
• The stormy weather mirrored their unamicable parting, with thunder and lightning crackling in the air.

noun A noun is a person, place, thing, or idea. In this case, 'unsaid' can also be used as a noun to refer to things that have not been expressed.

adjective An adjective describes or modifies a noun or pronoun. In this case, 'unsaid' describes something that has not been expressed verbally or in writing.

• The unsaid agreement between the two parties was never officially documented.
• We both knew what was left unsaid during our conversation.
• There's a lot of unsaid stuff between them that no one talks about.
• The unsaid emotions in the room were palpable, hanging in the air like a heavy cloud.

verb to become less effective or convincing over time

adjective becoming less substantial or durable

• The fabric of my favorite shirt is starting to wear thin after years of use.
• I've been wearing these shoes for so long that they're starting to wear thin.
• I can't keep up with her lies, they're starting to wear thin.
• His patience is wearing thin with all the delays.

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 relationship or connection between acquaintances

• Their acquaintanceship began at a networking event for professionals.
• I first met him through mutual acquaintanceship at a party.
• We're not really friends, just on an acquaintanceship level.
• The acquaintanceship between the two countries grew stronger through diplomatic efforts.