His constant criticism and dismissive attitude began to _____________ his colleagues, creating a tense and unfriendly work environment.

Explanation

The most appropriate word for the blank in this statement is: “alienate”. This word means to make someone feel isolated or estranged, causing them to become unfriendly or indifferent. In the given context, it implies that the person's behavior is causing a rift or distance between them and their colleagues. So, the completed statement would be: "His constant criticism and dismissive attitude began to alienate his colleagues, creating a tense and unfriendly work environment." Explanation of incorrect options: Mollify (option a): This means to appease someone's anger or anxiety. It doesn't fit the context because the person's behavior is causing tension, not the other way around. Reconcile (option b): Reconciliation involves restoring friendly relations, which is opposite to the negative impact mentioned in the sentence. Pacify (option c): Similar to "mollify," it means to calm or soothe, which doesn't align with the negative consequences in the sentence. Appease (option d): This word means to satisfy someone's demands. In this context, it doesn't convey the negative impact the person's behavior is having on colleagues.