acrimony

ac·ri·mo·ny

noun \ˈa-krə-ˌmō-nē\

plural ac·ri·mo·nies

Definition of ACRIMONY

: harsh or biting sharpness especially of words, manner, or disposition

Examples of ACRIMONY

1. The dispute began again with increased acrimony.
2. <she responded with such acrimony that he never brought the subject up again>

Origin of ACRIMONY

Middle French or Latin; Middle French acrimonie, from Latin acrimonia, from acr-, acer

First Known Use: 1542

Related to ACRIMONY

Synonyms

acidity, acidness, acridity, acridness, asperity, bile, bitterness, cattiness, corrosiveness, mordancy, tartness, virulence, virulency, vitriol

Antonyms

mildness, softness

Related Words

gruffness, harshness, hostility, relentlessness, severity, sternness, vehemence; coldness, crossness, discourteousness, iciness, impoliteness, incivility, nastiness, rudeness, sourness, surliness, ungraciousness; anger, animosity, gall, jaundice, malevolence, malice, rancor, scorn, spite, spleen, venom, vindictiveness; jealousy, pique, resentment, sour grapes

Near Antonyms

civility, cordiality, courtesy, diplomacy, geniality, graciousness, kindness, politeness, tactfulness; compassion, softness, sweetness, sympathy, tenderness, warmth; oiliness, smoothness, suaveness, suavity, unctuousness, urbanity

Rhymes with ACRIMONY

abalone, agrimony, Albinoni, alimony, antimony, Berlusconi, cannelloni, ceremony, chalcedony, cicerone, hegemony, macaroni, matrimony, minestrone, Nakasone, one-trick pony, palimony, parsimony, patrimony, pepperoni, provolone, rigatoni, sanctimony, Shetland pony, testimony, zabaglione