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
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 rancorous
No rancorous divorces or business disputes, restraining orders or recent financial trouble — nothing connecting him to the two men accused of his murder.
—
Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025
As Williams exited, a rancorous round of boos accompanied the two-time National League Reliever of the Year’s walk to the dugout.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2025
After closing the doors of its consulate general in St. Petersburg in 2018, amid rancorous relations with the Kremlin, and without any new openings in recent years, Washington reduced its total posts to 273.
—Bonnie Bley, Foreign Affairs, 27 Nov. 2019
State of play: O'Connell enjoys wide public approval that elected officials at any level rarely find in this rancorous political environment.
—Nate Rau, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rancorous
Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025
As Williams exited, a rancorous round of boos accompanied the two-time National League Reliever of the Year’s walk to the dugout.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2025
After closing the doors of its consulate general in St. Petersburg in 2018, amid rancorous relations with the Kremlin, and without any new openings in recent years, Washington reduced its total posts to 273.
—Bonnie Bley, Foreign Affairs, 27 Nov. 2019
State of play: O'Connell enjoys wide public approval that elected officials at any level rarely find in this rancorous political environment.
—Nate Rau, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rancorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rancorous
Adjective
-
Unrivaled’s relationship with the WNBA continues to grow more complex, though, amid the W’s acrimonious collective bargaining negotiations.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
5 Aug. 2025
-
After an acrimonious split in 2009 and 15 years of feuding, the Gallagher brothers announced the Oasis reunion tour last year.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Freed of her caring duties, angry and uncertain about her future Karl gets on a Greyhound bus and heads to Las Vegas where Jean is working as a waitress at the El Cortez.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
-
The family defended themselves against an angry mob of hundreds of people who surrounded the house, throwing rocks and threatening the family, Duggan said.—
Dana Afana,
Freep.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
These natural springs are magnesium, salt, and potassium-rich, which have the properties of relieving sore muscles, enhancing the flow of blood, and benefiting skin, and make the person relax deeply.—
Shelby Knick,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Moncada can’t currently hit right-handed because of limitations with his sore right knee, so that answers the question on some days.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Drag slider compare photos Before After Bakhmut After months of bitter clashes since July 2022, the Donetsk city of Bakhmut, north of Avdiivka, fell to Russian forces in May 2023.—
Ellie Cook
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Instead, Holland’s bitter ex-spy Harcourt and Brooks’ empathetic Adebayo are mostly on Chris’ side from the jump this season.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
That was a shameful, cynical act of political cowardice and corruption.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Home games were a communally happy experience instead of one in which 40,000 people were conditioned to expect the most cynical outcome possible.—
Jerry Beach,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
But others defended Wong as a successful leader who was hounded by resentful former officials who were voted out when her slate was elected.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Some may even feel a bit resentful after a while from the pressure of being the sole income earner.—
Jasmin Suknanan,
CNBC,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Families huddled in underground metro stations for shelter and acrid smoke hung over the city centre.—
Pavel Polityuk,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
-
Explosions could still be seen in the area as of 10 p.m. and an acrid smell wafted across the fields around the one-mile evacuation area.—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rancorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rancorous. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share