BAD BLOOD Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

bad blood

noun

Definition of bad blood

as in hostility

a deep-seated ill will there's been bad blood between the two families for years

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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 bad blood The woman said on Monday that there was no bad blood between her and Usher, but that her interests in the show lay elsewhere. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 July 2026 Between the franchises’ October clashes, dramatic home runs and lingering bad blood have turned nearly every meeting between the teams into must-watch television. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 Some of that stems from the political relations between the two nations off the pitch, but much bad blood has also been developed by a string of controversial matches on it. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 15 July 2026 Her involvement in the legal battle is rumored to have sparked bad blood between the two women. — Michael Nied, InStyle, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for bad blood

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bad blood

Noun

The two sides reached an interim agreement in June and committed to trying to reach a final deal within 60 days, but the deadline passed after hostilities resumed.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
Rohingya have faced growing public hostility in Malaysia due to their growing numbers, fueled by concerns over jobs, public services and security.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of hostility

Noun

Most self-help books say anger and grudges are self-defeating — there’s that line everybody uses that holding a grudge is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.

— Lane Brown, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
The gesture sets off a chain reaction, as a parade of strangers begins scribbling their own complaints, anxieties and grudges across the same tiles.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of grudge

Noun

The Hearst newspaper chain’s first profile of Hitler made no explicit mention of antisemitism, emphasizing instead his hatred of the Bolsheviks.

— Beverly Gage, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Bartos argues the gathering codified radical anti-Western hatred, antisemitism, and anti-American sentiment, birth-place to the BDS movement.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of hatred

Noun

Some are prized for their sweet custard and fruity notes, others for a hint of bitterness, an alcohol tinge or even a peanut butter flavor.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Arugula’s natural bitterness kicks off digestion before the first bite, cueing saliva, stomach acid and digestive enzymes that help the body prepare to break down a meal.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of bitterness

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bad

bad blood

baddie

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“Bad blood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bad%20blood. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of bad blood

noun

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