“Whatever” ends conversations that might have fixed something. Try “Can we finish this later?”

One dismissive word can close a conversation that was two sentences from being fixed. It reads as giving up on the other person, and because it sounds final rather than tired, they tend to answer it in kind. The problem outlives the end of the argument and waits for you.

When you feel that word coming, you are usually out of patience rather than out of interest, so say the real thing. Asking to finish it later keeps the door open without pretending you have the energy now. Then actually come back to it.