rancor

noun

ran·​cor ˈraŋ-kər 

-ˌkȯr

: bitter deep-seated ill will

Synonyms

• hostility
• grudge
• bitterness
• hatred

Choose the Right Synonym for rancor

enmity, hostility, antipathy, antagonism, animosity, rancor, animus mean deep-seated dislike or ill will.

enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

antipathy and antagonism imply a natural or logical basis for one's hatred or dislike, antipathy suggesting repugnance, a desire to avoid or reject, and antagonism suggesting a clash of temperaments leading readily to hostility.

a natural antipathy for self-seekers

antagonism between the brothers

animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.

animosity that led to revenge

rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong.

rancor filled every line of his letters

animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.

objections devoid of personal animus

Examples of rancor in a Sentence

She answered her accusers calmly and without rancor.

In the end, the debate created a degree of rancor among the committee members.

Recent Examples on the Web

Aster’s subject is nothing less than the void of meaning—the morass of misinformation and irreconcilable political rancor—into which America has tumbled since the pandemic. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 18 July 2025

Etty Lau Farrell has danced onstage at many Jane’s Addiction shows over the years, causing rancor within the band. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2025

There are ways to get involved and passionately advocate for your mission without embracing the rancor and extreme partisanship many leaders rightly try to avoid. —Jerry Haag, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025

Washington wanted to transcend the rancor of the Cold War era that had divided the two great democracies. —Ashley J. Tellis, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rancour, from Anglo-French rancur, from Late Latin rancor rancidity, rancor, from Latin rancēre

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rancor

• anchor
• anker
• banker
• canker
• hanker
• shanker
• tanker

Kids Definition

rancor

noun

ran·​cor ˈraŋ-kər 

: deep hatred

rancorous

-k(ə-)rəs

adjective

rancorously adverb