rancorous

adjective

ˈraŋ-k(ə-)rəs How to pronounce rancorous (audio)
Definition of rancorousnext
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

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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 Amid rancorous debates over Israel, some Jewish leaders warn that anti-Zionism has spilled over into antisemitism, encouraging segments of the party to question not just Israeli policy but also the participation of Jews in American political life. — Matthew Schmitz, Washington Post, 29 May 2026 The meeting was mostly a polite affair, free from some of the rancorous shouting in past IACC meetings. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 28 Apr. 2026 Mourinho, the 63-year-old finally living the dream of managing his boyhood club after a rancorous nine-game stint at the start of his coaching career, celebrating with a starry-eyed kid dreaming of being on the pitch for the first team one day. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026 Transportation and accelerated bridge construction Transportation featured prominently, with Healey again praising MBTA General Manager Phil Eng to the most rancorous applause of the night. — Sam Drysdale, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rancorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rancorous
  1. acrimonious
  2. angry
  3. sore
  4. bitter
  5. cynical
  6. resentful
  7. embittered
  8. acrid
Adjective
  • The NBCUniversal cable network has set a two-part reunion for Summer House spinoff In The City, which features Batula and Cooke, fresh from their acrimonious split, as well as the likes of Lindsay Hubbard.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 13 July 2026
  • The 45-second clip features Oasis’ rowdy crowds and hints at rehearsal footage as Noel and Liam Gallagher talk about their reunion years after Oasis’ acrimonious breakup.
    — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 4 July 2026
Definition of acrimonious
Adjective
  • Around the world, angry locals displaced from their neighborhoods by the high cost of living are revolting against the $135 billion short-term rental industry.
    — Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • In person, the range-topping Spider looks hilariously boxy up front, deliciously wedgy from the side, and surprisingly angry from the back.
    — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 15 July 2026
Definition of angry
Adjective
  • Also Wednesday, the team scratched shortstop Mookie Betts from the starting lineup because of a sore right wrist.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • Guests who get after it on Vail’s ski slopes and hiking and biking trails can book a CBD massage or pop into the self-care lounge and soothe sore muscles with Hyperice massage guns and Normatec leg compression sleeves.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
Definition of sore
Adjective
  • These models are typically not trained on or constrained by explicit physics rules, data, or simulations—remember, the bitter lesson.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 13 July 2026
  • The increasingly bitter contest will be among the next races where progressive candidates are facing more moderate rivals.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
Definition of bitter
Adjective
  • His willingness to move to Rio de Janeiro upon taking the job endeared him to the cynical public, as did his decision to call up Neymar to his squad to quieten the noise the forward’s potential exclusion would have brought with it.
    — Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • Against the run of play, the Atlas Lions won a free kick near the corner of the box after Luc De Fougerolles was booked for a cynical challenge.
    — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Definition of cynical
Adjective
  • From coast to coast, the people of the United States are growing resentful of AI.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 25 June 2026
  • But there have been many groups in music history where the woman becomes the face of the group and the guys get resentful.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2026
Definition of resentful
Adjective
  • An embittered fanbase is seeing reason to buy back into its team.
    — Katie Woo, New York Times, 15 July 2026
  • Paul Giamatti playing a man who has grown increasingly embittered but is soft at his core?
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 23 June 2026
Definition of embittered
Adjective
  • Smoke from a Boyle Heights warehouse fire shrouds Dodger Stadium in acrid haze before the Dodgers’ 12-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.
    — Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
  • Creepy compliments his acrid smell with an air of invincibility.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
Definition of acrid

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Cite this Entry

“Rancorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rancorous. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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