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 near-assassination of a former U.S. president one week ago briefly halted the rancorous rhetoric gripping the nation.
—
Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press, 21 July 2024
So rancorous was the group’s dissolution that, in 1993, when CCR were justly inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, John Fogerty refused to perform with the band’s two surviving members.
—Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 16 July 2024
That trend, which accelerated with remote work during the coronavirus pandemic, has been at the center of a rancorous debate over how to preserve the county’s remaining farmland.
—Antonio Olivo, Washington Post, 3 July 2024
The song’s rancorous lyrics, juxtaposed with a dancey tempo, don’t shy away from the ugly side of a relationship: feelings of longing and spite.
—Vogue, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for rancorous 
Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press, 21 July 2024
So rancorous was the group’s dissolution that, in 1993, when CCR were justly inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, John Fogerty refused to perform with the band’s two surviving members.
—Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 16 July 2024
That trend, which accelerated with remote work during the coronavirus pandemic, has been at the center of a rancorous debate over how to preserve the county’s remaining farmland.
—Antonio Olivo, Washington Post, 3 July 2024
The song’s rancorous lyrics, juxtaposed with a dancey tempo, don’t shy away from the ugly side of a relationship: feelings of longing and spite.
—Vogue, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for rancorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rancorous
Adjective
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The acrimonious split from Shaneen also featured Jabbar breaking with his own laywer.—
Sasha Pezenik,
ABC News,
2 Jan. 2025
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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have finally reached a divorce settlement, eight years after legal filings confirmed their acrimonious split, a lawyer for Jolie confirmed Monday night.—
Patrick Smith,
NBC News,
31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Waves of immigration have sparked an angry ethno-nationalism that advantages ideological extremes.—
Charles A. Kupchan,
The Atlantic,
10 Jan. 2025
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There’s also a troubling recurrent theme of angry, violent, and/or distraught mothers, who we are asked to watch suffer or inflict suffering on others time and time again.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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On the other hand, the playoff losses to the San Francisco 49ers sting and the postseason blowout to the Green Bay Packers stick out like a sore thumb.—
Saad Yousuf,
The Athletic,
16 Jan. 2025
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One-Hour Payouts, Guaranteed Payout delays have long been a sore spot for prop traders.—
Somesh Kapuria,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Trump and Obama’s political rivalry has led to bitter attacks during the past three presidential campaigns.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
11 Jan. 2025
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This summer saw a bitter dispute between the U.S. and China over allegations surrounding doping by Chinese swimmers before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and suggestions from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) that WADA had not been strong enough in enforcing its rules.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
The Athletic,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Coming-of-age teen comedies were never quite as wonderfully cynical before this movie about four teenage girls whose lives are upended by the arrival of a new kid, played by Christian Slater.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
8 Jan. 2025
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Without any real prospect of serious concessions from Western states, the Taliban became cynical about ever gaining legitimacy on the world stage.—
Delaney Simon,
Foreign Affairs,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Their approach vacillates between resentful disdain or pandering sycophancy, both of which continually backfire on them.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian,
TIME,
17 Jan. 2025
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Uncertainty about the timing of the succession process combined with the view that the leader may never fully give up control can leave potential successors frustrated and resentful, feeling their ambitions have been stifled.—
Cassidy Creech,
The Conversation,
14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The acrid smoke hung in the air, flames threatened still from a little ways down his street.—
Jordan Mendoza,
USA TODAY,
8 Jan. 2025
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The church was engulfed in flames, and plumes of black, acrid smoke blanketed the intersection.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near rancorous
Cite this Entry
“Rancorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rancorous. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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