Workplace Communication Vocabulary

adjective having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

• She felt ambivalent about the new policy changes, unsure if they would benefit the company in the long run.
• I'm kind of ambivalent about going to the party tonight, I'm not sure if I'm in the mood.
• I'm feeling ambivalent AF about this whole situation, like I just can't make up my mind.
• Her emotions were like a seesaw, constantly swinging between love and hate, leaving her feeling ambivalent towards him.

adjective intended or likely to placate or pacify

• The diplomat's conciliatory approach helped to ease tensions between the two warring nations.
• She made a conciliatory gesture by offering to buy her friend a coffee after their argument.
• He tried to be all conciliatory and stuff, but I wasn't buying it.
• The sunset painted the sky in a conciliatory palette of soft pinks and purples.

noun a feeling of sadness or displeasure caused by the nonfulfillment of one's hopes or expectations

verb to fail to fulfill the expectations or wishes of someone

• The outcome of the project did not disappoint the stakeholders.
• I was really looking forward to the concert, but it ended up disappointing me.
• I thought the movie was going to be amazing, but it totally disappointed me.
• His lack of effort in the game really disappointed his teammates.

noun A lack of courtesy or politeness; rudeness or impoliteness

• The employee was reprimanded for showing discourtesy towards a customer.
• I can't believe the discourtesy she showed by not saying thank you.
• Don't be such a jerk, that's pure discourtesy.
• In a world where kindness is currency, discourtesy is bankruptcy.

verb to cause feelings of anger, annoyance, or disappointment in someone by not being able to achieve something

• The constant delays in the project have started to frustrate the team members.
• I'm so frustrated with this slow internet connection!
• This traffic jam is really starting to frustrate me.
• His inability to understand the concept continues to frustrate his progress in the class.

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.

adjective showing a lack of friendliness or enthusiasm; reserved

adverb in a manner that shows a lack of friendliness or enthusiasm

• Her offish demeanor made it difficult for others to approach her at the networking event.
• I could tell by his offish attitude that he wasn't in the mood to talk.
• She was acting all offish when I asked her about the party.
• The dark clouds looming overhead gave the sky an offish appearance.

verb to react more strongly or emotionally than is necessary or appropriate

• It is important not to overreact to minor setbacks in a professional setting.
• Hey, don't overreact to that small mistake, it's not a big deal.
• Chill out, dude, you're totally overreacting right now.
• She tends to overreact to any criticism, blowing it out of proportion.

noun a noisy quarrel about something trivial

verb to engage in a noisy quarrel about something trivial

• The board members engaged in a lengthy squabble over the budget allocation.
• The siblings always seem to squabble over who gets to use the remote control.
• I overheard a squabble between the neighbors about the noise coming from the party next door.
• The two political parties continued to squabble over the proposed legislation, unable to reach a compromise.

adjective bad-tempered and unfriendly; sullen and rude in manner

• The surly customer refused to speak to the manager.
• Why is he always so surly in the mornings?
• Don't be so surly, dude. Chill out.
• The storm clouds gathered, casting a surly shadow over the town.

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 a state of irritability or impatience

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

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pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

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• 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 showing or expressing a lack of friendliness or warmth; hostile

• The receptionist gave me an unfriendly look when I arrived late for the appointment.
• My neighbor is always so unfriendly whenever I try to say hello.
• I can't stand that unfriendly cashier at the grocery store.
• The storm clouds looked unfriendly as they rolled in, signaling bad weather ahead.