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 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 Mourinho, the 63-year-old finally living the dream of managing his boyhood club after a rancorous nine-game stint at the start of his coaching career, celebrating with a starry-eyed kid dreaming of being on the pitch for the first team one day. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rancorous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rancorous

Adjective

The film was produced entirely by Wiseman, but Clarke’s relationship with her early supporter turned acrimonious.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
On Friday, the group released their first new music since their acrimonious breakup in 2023.

— Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of acrimonious

Adjective

But some of it is about the cultural change that people argue about, on their phones, with the other angry people that their algorithm has found for them.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Pretendian hunters tend to be painted as aggressive or angry, which ultimately serves to undermine their claims.

— Tommy Orange, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of angry

Adjective

Meanwhile, Mason Black headed back to the minors and Beck Way returned from his rehab assignment (sore shoulder).

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
But his record of publicly interacting with Piker — including at a pool party just before the primary — remains a sore point among some Michigan Democrats.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of sore

Adjective

Trump has declined so far to endorse a successor, opting to keep his cards close ahead of what’s likely to be a bitter race.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2026
If more than a small portion is green, or the potato smells off, feels soft, or tastes bitter after cooking, discard it.

— Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of bitter

Adjective

By gradually accomplishing a de-facto annexation of the West Bank, the settlements would require Israeli Jews either to rule over a resentful non-Jewish population of about equal size or to surrender the Jewish identity of their state.

— David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Thus, our heroes must peel themselves off from the couch and go on the run with their resentful felines Dio and GG bouncing along in backpacks.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of resentful

Adjective

The phone-comedy discussion followed a scene in which Julie Kessler and Billy Epstein, the proudly embittered struggling comedians played by Klausner and Eichner, confront an up-and-coming digital creator.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026
Given the fact that the match is in Canada with an embittered Sami Zayn costing his best friend the match, Zayn may see another WWE world title opportunity.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of rancorous

adjective

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