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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Recent Examples of rancorous
The avoidable editorial error collided with Channel 4 broadcasting Gaza: Doctors Under Attack, a documentary that the BBC formally scotched just days earlier amid a rancorous dispute over the impartiality of the filmmakers involved in telling the stories of warzone medics.
—
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 4 July 2025
Even as the pair’s relationship grew rancorous, the company kept growing, reaching revenue of just over $700 million in 2018.
—Phoebe Liu, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
The accompanying article described a rancorous public hearing at which representatives from the municipal unions and minority communities denounced the mayor’s proposals for mass layoffs in the city’s workforce and deep cuts in its public education and social service programs.
—Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
On Thursday, a federal judge extended an order that had blocked an attempt by the Trump administration to stop Harvard University from enrolling foreign students — the latest in an increasingly rancorous fight between the nation’s oldest university and the federal government.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rancorous
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 4 July 2025
Even as the pair’s relationship grew rancorous, the company kept growing, reaching revenue of just over $700 million in 2018.
—Phoebe Liu, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
The accompanying article described a rancorous public hearing at which representatives from the municipal unions and minority communities denounced the mayor’s proposals for mass layoffs in the city’s workforce and deep cuts in its public education and social service programs.
—Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
On Thursday, a federal judge extended an order that had blocked an attempt by the Trump administration to stop Harvard University from enrolling foreign students — the latest in an increasingly rancorous fight between the nation’s oldest university and the federal government.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rancorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rancorous
Adjective
-
Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke, dissatisfied with former general manager Calvin Booth and former head coach Michael Malone's acrimonious relationship, fired both men with just three games remaining in the regular season.—
Alex Kirschenbaum,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
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The outfit has endured its share of challenges, however, and was involved in an acrimonious breakup with the The Chosen filmmakers (the series was an early victory for Angel’s digital platforms).—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Arisu crawls onto a mound of rubble for momentary relief, and is met with an angry Banda.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
-
According to police, Cooksey opened the door with blood on his hands and became angry and demanding.—
Miguel Torres,
AZCentral.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Key Takeaways Epsom salt baths are commonly used to ease sore muscles, stress, and minor conditions like ingrown toenails.—
Mira Miller,
Verywell Health,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Your throat could be sore or painful while swallowing for a number of reasons.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA Today,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Yerevan now found itself in a hopeless situation, bereft of any real allies, its military in tatters, and an increasingly bitter Armenian public.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Sep. 2025
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While this is a bane to many gardeners (bolting often renders plants bitter, woody, and inedible), in this strife also lies opportunity for those gardeners aiming toward environmental stewardship.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Because, in fact, I am usually immediately swayed by whatever intellectual fashion is in the air, and a first draft of any essay is more often than not a cynical and dutiful rehashing of the argument du jour.—
Zadie Smith,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
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Now, some naysayers may argue that this administration's speech concerns are merely a cynical ploy.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Russians, who were resentful of Western efforts to freeze them out over Ukraine, have toned down their anti-American rhetoric.—
Richard Gowan,
Time,
22 Sep. 2025
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Her mother, played by Taiwanese singer 9m88, is mercurial and resentful, while her father, embodied by Roy Chiu, returns drunk each night — unpredictable, menacing, explosive.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The 2022 bare-knuckle holiday sensation Violent Night followed an embittered Santa, armed with lethal combat skills, who takes out a team of ruthless mercenaries to rescue a girl and her family.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The scent of the earth was pungent and overpowered the acrid smell of the gunpowder, which dissipated into the air.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 July 2025
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Authorities clad in military-style helmets and uniforms faced off with the demonstrators, and people ultimately retreated amid acrid green-and-white billowing smoke.—
Christiaan Hetzner,
Fortune,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rancorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rancorous. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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