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
These disputes became more rancorous after Russia’s 2008 war in Georgia and its 2014 annexation of Crimea, with liberal internationalists arguing that these wars revealed Putin to be an imperialist, revisionist leader seeking to reconquer the Soviet empire.
—
Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 6 Sep. 2022
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
See all Example Sentences for rancorous 
Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 6 Sep. 2022
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
See all Example Sentences for rancorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rancorous
Adjective
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Defense spending Trump’s relationship with the Western military alliance was acrimonious during his first presidency, with the Republican leader frequently lambasting NATO member states for not abiding by a 2014 target to spend at least 2% of GDP on defense every year.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
23 Jan. 2025
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But this weekend’s convention has the dual purpose of selling the 2025 Cubs and rebooting the Sosa legend after an acrimonious ending in 2004.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Trump refused to accept Biden's victory in the 2020 election and his animosity toward Biden culminated in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, during which mobs of angry Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol after Trump urged them to stop Congress from certifying Biden's electoral victory.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
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As a result, Black individuals were beaten at random by angry mobs throughout the nation’s capital, including outside of the White House, according to BlackPast, which reported police didn’t intervene.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Several years later, the property is still a sore subject for Atwater.—
Ben Wieder,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2025
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After all, shin splints, sore feet, and blisters can ruin any activity.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Listen to this article Loading your audio article As much of the U.S. endures the bitter cold, the MLB hot stove isn’t exactly offering much warmth.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
23 Jan. 2025
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On Wednesday, morning temperatures dipped into the single digits, with wind chills amplifying the bitter cold.—
Raul A. Reyes,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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And the video was a next-gen, next level piece of moviemaking, a cinema verité of the raping of the American farm, a vast, cynical travesty played out in broad daylight in Reagan’s twisted America.—
SPIN Editors,
SPIN,
21 Jan. 2025
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Ironically, Voyager dramatically improved with what could be a cynical casting stunt: adding the alluring Jeri Ryan (constantly wearing a catsuit, no less).—
Chris Snellgrove,
EW.com,
16 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 smell of coffee and conchas at one food cart — and food cooked on a plancha at another — mingled with the lingering acrid smoke of the smoldering remains of the surrounding neighborhood.—
Mel Buer,
The Mercury News,
15 Jan. 2025
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The sky was clear over Los Angeles on Tuesday, a welcome respite after acrid smoke from wildfires choked the region last week.—
Amy Graff,
New York Times,
15 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near rancorous
Cite this Entry
“Rancorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rancorous. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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