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

The co-parenting seems to go reasonably smoothly, with a minimum of rancor. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025

The move back to Utah was met with rancor from some outdoor industry giants. —Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025

The partisan rancor runs far deeper than simply assigning fault for Kirk’s death. —Ronald J. Hansen, AZCentral.com, 19 Sep. 2025

However, Kashkari gave no indication there was rancor in the meeting room. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 19 Sep. 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