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

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 bad blood There’s no bad blood, though, with both offering nothing but good words to say about each other and wishing each other luck moving forward. — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026 The player himself has dismissed any notion of bad blood between him and his manager. — Jack Lang, New York Times, 25 June 2026 Haredi withdrawal from the coalition would only expedite a foregone election, but the optics and political fallout of ending the parliament with such bad blood could prove costly for Netanyahu, who is seeking reelection. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 23 June 2026 Some of the competing teams have a history of bad blood between their fans. — Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bad blood

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bad blood

Noun

Examining the harder chapters of our history is not the same as hostility toward America.

— Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 21 July 2026
The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on June 14 to halt hostilities, prompting gas to fall back below $4 a few days later.

— Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

Definition of hostility

Noun

Any person in Nathan’s position would be justified in feeling angry, but the fact that the person in question is Nathan — famously an explosive grudge-holder — only makes matters worse.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 July 2026
Despite all of the damage that Mindich’s case has done to Fire Point’s reputation, Shtilerman holds no grudge against him.

— Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026

Definition of grudge

Noun

Shifrin, too, had once only seen the mountain as a symbol of hatred.

— John Blake, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
But although few, then, could possibly have foreseen the cataclysm of the twentieth-century wars, the hatred was already there in the anti-semitism of old France, in the divisions over Dreyfus.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026

Definition of hatred

Browse Nearby Words

bad

bad blood

baddie

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Bad blood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bad%20blood. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of bad blood

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

aerie

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes