rancorous

adjective

ran·​cor·​ous ˈraŋ-k(ə-)rəs 

: marked by rancor : deeply malevolent

rancorous envy

rancorously adverb

Synonyms of rancorous

• acrimonious
• angry
• sore
• bitter
• cynical
• resentful
• embittered
• acrid

Examples of rancorous in a Sentence

a rancorous autobiography in which the author heaps blame on just about everyone who had the misfortune of knowing him

Recent Examples on the Web

That reflects a broader national consensus — even amid a rancorous election campaign in which politicians are sparring over other issues — over the need for Chinese investment. — Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

The urge is then to try to make the financial case for paying those up-front costs, with now-rancorous calls for ‘scaling up’ investments in mitigation technologies. — Stephanie Walton, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026

This is specifically what informs the ethos of Jason Scott & The High Heat, a band that has come to be known equally for their raw talent as their rancorous lyrics. — Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026

Simmering in the background is a rancorous debate on whether to restrict Chinese AI models. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1517, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rancorous

• cantankerous