as in acrimonious
having or showing deep-seated resentment
a rancorous autobiography in which the author heaps blame on just about everyone who had the misfortune of knowing him
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rancorous
Kennedy’s retirement from active service on the court was followed by a rancorous and highly political process of confirmation for Kavanaugh, who was successfully nominated by Trump in 2018.
—
Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025
The timing of the announcement appeared not to be coincidental, coming as Disney reached a rancorous carriage impasse with YouTube TV.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
The conversations were spirited and robust but hardly rancorous.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
But the film could have used more of the rancorous triangle formed by Enrichetta, her mother and Duse’s monastically devoted and territorial Austrian assistant, Desiree (Fanni Wrochna).
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rancorous
Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025
The timing of the announcement appeared not to be coincidental, coming as Disney reached a rancorous carriage impasse with YouTube TV.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
The conversations were spirited and robust but hardly rancorous.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
But the film could have used more of the rancorous triangle formed by Enrichetta, her mother and Duse’s monastically devoted and territorial Austrian assistant, Desiree (Fanni Wrochna).
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rancorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rancorous
Adjective
-
The succession plan, which also named the governor’s sister, Penny Pritzker, and Jay Pritzker’s younger cousin Nick to help lead, precipitated an acrimonious breakup of the Pritzker family fortune in the early 2000s.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The friend is referring to a situation in acrimonious divorces when one parent supposedly works in various ways to turn the children against the other parent.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Burkle alleges that Anderson stopped paying him in 2014 after becoming angry with him over an unspecified personal dispute, the complaint states.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Our tormentor is angry the state chose Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024 and has not met his demands to stop mail-in voting and release his supporter and fellow election denier Tina Peters from prison.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Unfortunately, his reward for such an achievement was a sore elbow — and a Lakers loss.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Designed to help puppies through the teething phase, the textured surface is great for relieving sore gums.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
While the loss of Showmax was a bitter pill to swallow, there were calls throughout the week for more partnerships, more collaborations, more efforts to unlock cross-border revenue streams in everything from theatrical to free-to-air broadcasting to the booming diaspora market.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2026
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Eric Musselman sat behind a microphone at the bitter end of a bitter regular season for USC, armed only with the same explanations for how a once-hopeful season could come so undone.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The role demands charisma, vocal chops, and sharp comedic timing, all deployed within one of the most cynical satires in the musical theater canon.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Smith added two more penalties after halftime for 18-10 with Italy down a man after hooker Giacomo Nicotera was yellow-carded for a cynical ruck foul.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
According to Rachel, the plan had been initiated by Shelia, who had grown increasingly resentful of Skylar.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Those who observed him closely often described him as deeply resentful and unforgiving.—
Pegah Banihashemi,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 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
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In the end, Assad’s embittered loyalists may have been right.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
Cite this Entry
“Rancorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rancorous. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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