disrespect, dispute, hardship, hostility, manipulation: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Advanced set 15. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. disrespect · noun/ˌdɪsrəˈspɛk(t)/

   a lack of respect

   Yue's family was offended when Marta entered their house without taking her shoes off, although she explained that she meant no disrespect.

   Synonyms: contempt, discourtesy

2. dispute · noun/dɪˈspjut/

   a disagreement

   The two teachers disagreed on the answer to the math problem, causing a minor dispute.

   Synonyms: argument, quarrel, conflict, fight, controversy

   Origin: Middle English: via Old French from Latin disputare ‘to estimate’ (in late Latin ‘to dispute’), from dis- ‘apart’ + putare ‘reckon’

3. hardship · noun/ˈhɑrdˌʃɪp/

   a difficult situation

   He was unable to handle the financial hardship when Amy lost her job, so they ended up separating.

   Synonyms: difficulty, adversity, challenge

4. hostility · noun/hɑˈstɪlədi/

   a very unfriendly state or behavior

   There had been some hostility between the two groups at the school for months that ultimately resulted in a terrible fight.

   Synonyms: aggression, animosity, antipathy

   Origin: late Middle English: from French hostilité or late Latin hostilitas, from Latin hostilis (see hostile)

5. manipulation · noun/məˌnɪpjəˈleɪʃən/

   the use of emotion or power over another person for one's own advantage

   Pharmaceutical companies often hand out gifts and all expenses paid trip to doctors, which some see as a blatant form of manipulation.

   Synonyms: control, exploit

   Origin: early 18th century: from French, from Latin manipulus ‘handful’