as in angry
having or showing deep-seated resentment
an acrimonious parting between the two former friends
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of acrimonious
Horses, which inhabited a historic Hollywood space and survived the notoriety of an acrimonious divorce between its two founding chefs, closed abruptly in late December.
—
Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
When former President Bill Clinton signed the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) into law in December 2000, the culmination of many years of scientific study and at times acrimonious political advocacy, nothing like it had ever been attempted anywhere.
—Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
The settlements will allow the two sides to avoid potentially acrimonious arbitration hearings next month.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Was the lawsuit, the acrimonious hearings, the trial all worth it?
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acrimonious
Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
When former President Bill Clinton signed the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) into law in December 2000, the culmination of many years of scientific study and at times acrimonious political advocacy, nothing like it had ever been attempted anywhere.
—Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
The settlements will allow the two sides to avoid potentially acrimonious arbitration hearings next month.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Was the lawsuit, the acrimonious hearings, the trial all worth it?
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acrimonious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acrimonious
Adjective
-
Colt Gray sent grandmother concerning texts In her testimony, Polhamus reviewed several angry, vulgar text messages from Colt Gray that showed his spiraling mental health and penchant for outbursts.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
When Fiyero chooses to leave with Elphaba, Glinda’s left heartbroken and angry.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
After long and sometimes rancorous negotiations to get the state of Illinois to help build their new football palace, either in Arlington Heights or on the lakefront, the Bears seemingly gave up Thursday and went full-metal Hoosier.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Transportation and accelerated bridge construction Transportation featured prominently, with Healey again praising MBTA General Manager Phil Eng to the most rancorous applause of the night.—
Sam Drysdale,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Below, designers reveal other trends that may have once been considered daring and timely but now stick out like a sore thumb.—
Lacey Ramburger,
The Spruce,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Afterward, attendees ignore their sore feet and head out to get traditional Vienna sausages for breakfast before going home.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Critics have accused the company’s AI researcher, co-founder, and CEO, Dario Amodei, of a cynical attempt to block competition.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Houellebecq is a famously cynical figure, and an odd bedfellow for Dreher.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The bitter taste discourages some animals, and others are put off by the smell.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The unfolding Mandelson scandal threatened to topple Starmer’s premiership, with the bitter fallout leading to the resignations of key advisers and growing calls from senior Labour Party figures for the British prime minister to step down.—
Peter Wilkinson,
CNN Money,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The story follows Jean Valjean, an embittered convict who stole bread to feed his sister’s starving family.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
18 Feb. 2026
-
In the end, Assad’s embittered loyalists may have been right.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Billowing, acrid-smelling black clouds drifted over the turquoise waters of Banderas Bay.—
Mary Beth Sheridan,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
-
There’s no shortage of stylish craft here and much to enjoy in the performances, but ultimately, Rosebush Pruning is too glib to work, leaving only an acrid aftertaste.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Hong Chau is a great choice for the adult Nelly, a quietly resentful sort who causes more friction in Cathy and Heathcliff's tempestuous situation.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Feeling bored, resentful and trapped by domestic life, Hedda hatches a plan to destroy her husband’s potential career rival, Eilert Lovberg, who happens to be her ex-lover.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acrimonious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acrimonious. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
