Workplace Conflict Terminology

verb to annoy or irritate someone

preposition used to indicate the action of annoying or irritating someone

• The constant sound of scraping metal can grate on one's nerves in a manufacturing plant.
• Her constant complaining really starts to grate on me after a while.
• His bragging about his new car really grates on my last nerve.
• The way she always interrupts people during conversations really grates on my patience.

noun a feeling of shame or embarrassment

adjective humiliating (describing something that causes humiliation)

• The public humiliation of the accused was deemed unacceptable by the court.
• I felt a deep sense of humiliation when I tripped in front of everyone.
• She totally owned him in that debate, it was pure humiliation.
• Losing the game felt like a deep humiliation to the team.

verb to annoy or irritate persistently

adjective annoyed or irritated persistently

• The customer pestered the sales representative with multiple phone calls.
• Stop pestering me with your constant questions!
• My little brother always pesters me to play video games with him.
• Negative thoughts pestered her mind all day long.