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 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
Many team officials have voiced worry that the next labor stoppage could take longer and become more rancorous.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 29 Sep. 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
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
Many team officials have voiced worry that the next labor stoppage could take longer and become more rancorous.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 29 Sep. 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
-
His acrimonious exit from Chelsea still lingers, and facing his former club with a place in the last 16 at stake adds extra motivation.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Axios reported last month that Noem and Homan have a tense and acrimonious working relationship.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, members of Congress are likely to face some angry, dissatisfied voters — with the year’s first major primary day fast approaching on March 3.—
Marissa Martinez,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
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But the attempt at humor didn’t satisfy some angry fans who believe Mets President David Stearns swindled Getz in a trade that essentially was a salary dump.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Jimmy Butler was lost for the season last week with a torn ACL, and trade candidate Jonathan Kuminga has been unable to play while battling a sore knee.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Sacramento, which by all rights should be rebuilding, put themselves on course to be over the luxury tax next season by adding a 28-year old with sore knees while giving up a 26-year-old whose next contract will likely be for half as much.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Although its effectiveness as a cure-all hasn’t been entirely confirmed by science, there are a few significant reasons to consider trying this bitter-tasting tea.—
PubSubHub User,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
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The appearance in northwest Georgia comes weeks after the FBI raided Fulton County’s elections center and seized truckloads of 2020 ballots, reigniting bitter political divides over the president’s attempt to undo his narrow defeat here six years ago.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Critics have accused the company’s AI researcher, co-founder, and CEO, Dario Amodei, of a cynical attempt to block competition.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Houellebecq is a famously cynical figure, and an odd bedfellow for Dreher.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Hong Chau is a great choice for the adult Nelly, a quietly resentful sort who causes more friction in Cathy and Heathcliff's tempestuous situation.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
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Feeling bored, resentful and trapped by domestic life, Hedda hatches a plan to destroy her husband’s potential career rival, Eilert Lovberg, who happens to be her ex-lover.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In the end, Assad’s embittered loyalists may have been right.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
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Dejected and embittered, Carol returns to her unlikely ally Manousos (Carlos-Manuel Vesga) to begrudgingly save the world.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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
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For years, residents and students had repeatedly complained about acrid odors from the site, with many suffering chronic headaches and nosebleeds.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rancorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rancorous. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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