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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rancorous
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
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
See All Example Sentences for rancorous
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
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
See All Example Sentences for rancorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rancorous
Adjective
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That then led to a hearing regarding this preliminary injunction in Charlotte, an acrimonious battle, ahead of this week’s ruling from Bell.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Sep. 2025
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Grimsby’s fortunes have been revived since a takeover led by local businessmen Jason Stockwood and Andrew Pettit ended an acrimonious spell under former owner John Fenty in 2021.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
One unbearable sequence has Chiang coming back angry in the middle of the day and suddenly raping Chuan in their bedroom.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
-
In late July, centrist independent US Senator Angus King released a startlingly angry statement.—
Jack Sheehan
September 4,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
After bandaging the bleeding leg Saturday, Bichette woke up sore Sunday, Schneider said.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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The federal rollback has disproportionately impacted states like Virginia and Maryland, which are so close to Washington, and have become a sore point for Republicans as voters react negatively to the hiring reductions.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Creative differences led to a bitter falling out between Davies and Hodgson, who left the band in 1983.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
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But to have the season’s only returning houseguest exit on a twist like this, and not even from gameplay, social standing or an eviction vote leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, to say the least.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The story is told by the cynical (and unreliable) film scout Striker, often in hallucinations and flashbacks.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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There’s a cynical take that says performers are just the last jobs left to automate.—
Seth Yudof,
Rolling Stone,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
For Epictetus, gratitude is a way to avoid being resentful and bitter.—
Jonny Thomson,
Big Think,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Despite Creedence’s enormous global success, tensions began to simmer as the other members grew resentful of Fogerty’s outsized role in their achievements.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
23 Aug. 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,
4 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 8 Sep. 2025.
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