rancor

noun

ran·​cor ˈraŋ-kər 

-ˌkȯr

: bitter deep-seated ill will

Synonyms

• animosity
• animus
• antagonism
• antipathy
• bad blood
• bitterness
• enmity
• gall
• grudge
• hostility
• jaundice

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

The rancor of the campaign season was put to bed last week as the Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 board installed its new board president and seated its new and returning members. —Bob Skolnik, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2025

Bloodlines had granted British monarchs the right to territory in Aquitaine, the southwestern nook of France, much to the rancor of their French rivals. —Chrissie McClatchie, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2025

After much rancor during the last lockout, the 2022 season was delayed, but the entire 162-game schedule was preserved, with off days and split-doubleheaders making up for the games lost during the one-week delay. —Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 1 Mar. 2025

The call contrasts the leaders' White House meeting on February 28, which ended in rancor. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 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