Synonym Chooser

How does the noun rancor differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rancor are animosity, animus, antagonism, antipathy, enmity, and hostility. While all these words mean "deep-seated dislike or ill will," rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong.

rancor filled every line of his letters

When is it sensible to use animosity instead of rancor?

While the synonyms animosity and rancor are close in meaning, animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.

animosity that led to revenge

Where would animus be a reasonable alternative to rancor?

Although the words animus and rancor have much in common, animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.

objections devoid of personal animus

How are the words antipathy and antagonism related as synonyms of rancor?

Both 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

When is enmity a more appropriate choice than rancor?

While in some cases nearly identical to rancor, enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

When might hostility be a better fit than rancor?

The words hostility and rancor are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

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 rancor Etty Lau Farrell has danced onstage at many Jane’s Addiction shows over the years, causing rancor within the band. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2025 Instead, with international travel to the United States already plunging — especially absent are the angry Canadians — amid rancor over President Donald Trump’s trade wars, L.A. hotels can’t catch a break. The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 27 June 2025 Washington wanted to transcend the rancor of the Cold War era that had divided the two great democracies. Ashley J. Tellis, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025 However, this term the president's rancor against policies that uplift LGBTQ+ rights appears amplified. Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for rancor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rancor
Noun
  • After decades of entrenched hostility, there are early, though admittedly fragile, signals that both Lebanon and Syria may be reconsidering their approach to Israel.
    semafor.com, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The war ended with a lopsided Israeli victory, and with Iran scrambling to find more ways to punish and deter Israel if hostilities resumed.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • With a few exceptions, this cast is rife with petty grudges and trivial scandals that make for perfect competition-show fodder.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Trump is harboring an obvious political grudge against Bolton, one that started with revoking his security clearance and Secret Service detail immediately after taking office (even though credible threats against Bolton's life have been publicly reported).
    Isaac Saul, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The white negroni gets its pleasant bitterness from gin infused with pine nuts.
    Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
  • The water cleanses the palate, while the lokum balances the drink’s bitterness.
    Ali Halit Diker, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Rivalries that are long in tenure and thick with hatred define college sports in the Deep South, where football is second only to faith in some places.
    Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Examples abound of men with histories of misogyny – often expressed online – who go on to commit violent crimes in the name of their hatred.
    Will Carless, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Rancor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rancor. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rancor

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