RANCOROUS Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

rancorous

adjective

ˈraŋ-k(ə-)rəs

Definition of rancorous

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of rancorous Since the merger was blocked, the two grocery rivals have been locked in a rancorous and active legal fight over each other’s role in the scheme. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026 When headlines are filled with the fluctuations of gas prices, various branches of the federal government undertake rancorous investigations. — Daniel Yergin, Time, 20 June 2026 Amid rancorous debates over Israel, some Jewish leaders warn that anti-Zionism has spilled over into antisemitism, encouraging segments of the party to question not just Israeli policy but also the participation of Jews in American political life. — Matthew Schmitz, Washington Post, 29 May 2026 The meeting was mostly a polite affair, free from some of the rancorous shouting in past IACC meetings. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rancorous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rancorous

Adjective

Of course, Kiffin left, a bitter and acrimonious separation that played out over 14 agonizing days, just as the Rebels prepped for their first College Football Playoff game in history.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026
Predictably, this set off a furious round of acrimonious criticism, know-it-all navel-gazing, and schadenfreude.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of acrimonious

Adjective

To argue that calling them immigrants is technically wrong is like getting angry at people who don’t pronounce Los Feliz the Spanish way.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Sheriff Rick Ramsay said Monday that the father later told detectives that Lopez was angry that prosecutors didn’t offer him any plea deals, so his son planned to leave the country rather than face conviction.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of angry

Adjective

The 43-year-old right-hander was making his second start of the year and first since March 30 in a season derailed by a sore hip and hamstring injury.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
Arizona catcher Gabriel Moreno won the NL batting title despite being scratched about an hour before first pitch with a sore hamstring.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of sore

Adjective

When Hanne, a staff member of a struggling animal rescue, unexpectedly becomes executor of a wealthy hunting family’s estate, a bitter battle over the inheritance erupts.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
This bitter rivalry, which dates back to the 1960s, will see its second 2026 installment at Arrowhead Stadium in January.

— Pete Sweeney October 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of bitter

Adjective

Swarup’s book exposes the cynical nature of the quiz show, dangling a literal lifeline to desperate people for the sake of entertainment.

— L.M. Chilton, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026
Myriad people inside Warner Bros are cynical about the capping of severances and the fact that only a few at the top are bound for a post-merger windfall.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of cynical

Adjective

Eventually released, the resentful ex-con experiences a Damascene conversion due to the Christian compassion of Monseigneur Myriel (Frédéric Pierrot).

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026
Over the five hours that follow, the series tracks what led to the tragedy — specifically, his complicated relationship with his resentful, bigoted next-door neighbor, Clive (David Morrissey).

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of resentful

Adjective

After a pair of SEC Championships and a national title during his five-year tenure with the Tigers, Saban departed for the NFL, leaving many folks on the bayou feeling embittered and betrayed.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026
In one scene, Amy heroically assuages an embittered foster kid by returning him to the memory of a fun school field trip.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of embittered

Adjective

All law enforcement smell the same, like acrid bile buried in roses.

— Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Finding places to play Eight miles from central Nairobi, the air over the Dandora landfill is gauzy with the acrid, chemical smoke of burning garbage.

— Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of acrid

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“Rancorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rancorous. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rancorous

adjective

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