acrimonious

adjective

ˌa-krə-ˈmō-nē-əs How to pronounce acrimonious (audio)
Definition of acrimoniousnext
as in angry
having or showing deep-seated resentment an acrimonious parting between the two former friends

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 acrimonious 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, 9 Sep. 2026 For much of the summer, that competition has seemed, if not friendly, at least not openly acrimonious. — Konstantin Kakaes, Quanta Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026 The film was produced entirely by Wiseman, but Clarke’s relationship with her early supporter turned acrimonious. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for acrimonious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acrimonious
  1. angry
  2. rancorous
  3. sore
  4. cynical
  5. bitter
  6. embittered
  7. acrid
  8. resentful
Adjective
  • Legend has it that sad fates befell those who made her angry and happy ones those who were kind to her.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, angry residents continue to flood once-sleepy municipal board meetings, pressuring officials to reject data center proposals.
    — Marc Levy, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of angry
Adjective
  • The urge is then to try to make the financial case for paying those up-front costs, with now-rancorous calls for ‘scaling up’ investments in mitigation technologies.
    — Stephanie Walton, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
  • This is specifically what informs the ethos of Jason Scott & The High Heat, a band that has come to be known equally for their raw talent as their rancorous lyrics.
    — Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of rancorous
Adjective
  • The vaccine’s side effects were mainly the sore arm, fatigue and other reactions typical of mRNA coronavirus vaccination, MD Anderson's Tawbi said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The vaccine’s side effects were mainly the sore arm, fatigue and other reactions typical of mRNA coronavirus vaccination, Tawbi said.
    — Lauren Neergaard, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of sore
Adjective
  • Such flat, enervating filmmaking makes the whole endeavor a shockingly cynical affair.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • In her role for Klara and the Sun, Ortega is cheerful and expressive where Wednesday Addams is deadpan and cynical.
    — Alice Robb, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of cynical
Adjective
  • The classmate, Joleene Altum, sued Griffin for emotional distress and invasion of privacy, and Griffin countersued for defamation in a bitter, ongoing legal battle.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The episode was a bitter lesson for the group, resulting in resentment and division.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of bitter
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
Adjective
  • Todd also mentioned feeling shut out from Grace’s thoughts and decision-making process; of course he’s been unsettled and worried as well as resentful.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The once-promising prodigy will grow dissolute, remorseful and resentful of his wife, who outlives him.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of resentful

Browse Nearby Words

acridness
acrimonious
acrimoniously
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Cite this Entry

“Acrimonious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acrimonious. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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