rancorous

adjective

ran·​cor·​ous ˈraŋ-k(ə-)rəs 

: marked by rancor : deeply malevolent

rancorous envy

rancorously adverb

Synonyms

• acrid
• acrimonious
• bitter
• embittered
• hard
• resentful
• sore

Examples of rancorous in a Sentence

a rancorous autobiography in which the author heaps blame on just about everyone who had the misfortune of knowing him

Recent Examples on the Web

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

For nearly two decades, Twitter had been considered the internet’s town square, chaotic and often rancorous but informative and diversely discursive. —Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025

The council vote has long been seen as a formality, with aldermen overwhelmingly approving recent mayors’ picks for open council seats, though Johnson has had a particularly rancorous relationship with the body. —Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025

But Sox fans weren’t worried, thanks to a recent report that Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf might sell the team to a billionaire who would then rescue the franchise from his rancorous reign. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1517, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rancorous

• cantankerous