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
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
-
Together, the two generals were able to reconcile what were often deep and sometimes acrimonious divisions among their colleagues and between their political masters.—
MARGARET MACMILLAN,
Foreign Affairs,
21 July 2025
-
At this point, the main takeaway is that a league that has a long history of acrimonious labor relations with its players is in a more cooperative place — something Bettman has been trumpeting ever since Walsh took the reins at the players’ association just over two years ago.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Hastings said he’s heard from people angry about State Farm’s rates.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
21 July 2025
-
JPMorgan Chase, the biggest bank in America, has been angry for years about being forced to hand over customer data to fintech companies for free.—
Jeff Kauflin,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
Richardson, who was dealing with a sore right ankle during summer league practices in Orlando, exited early in the third quarter, but was able to return in the final frame.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 July 2025
-
Chisholm missed five weeks toward the beginning of the season with a right oblique strain, then sat out of Sunday’s Subway Series finale at Citi Field for a sore right shoulder.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Instead of feeling defeated or bitter, choose to get better.—
Sandra Balogun,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
-
Despite her success as an art professor and painter, Ruth feels adrift and bitter.—
Bekah Waalkes,
The Atlantic,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
For example, Donald Trump’s approach to power reflects a deeply cynical view of human nature.—
Dave Winsborough,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
-
This Superman movie is the most cynical imaginable.—
Armond White,
National Review,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
China was getting rich, and Britain was growing resentful.—
Sam Kelly,
Time,
8 July 2025
-
Because actor Bella Brown has been directed to become resentful, the last section of her song is robbed of pathos.—
David Benedict,
Variety,
1 July 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
-
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 Jul. 2025.
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