BAD BLOOD Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

bad blood

noun

Definition of bad blood

as in hostility

a deep-seated ill will there's been bad blood between the two families for years

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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 bad blood Still, Ballas and Higgins agree that there’s no bad blood with any of their costars, including Rausch — who won the season and blindsided Higgins with his reveal as a Traitor in the finale. — Sarah Hearon, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2026 No documentary has yet screened a fight or anything particularly controversial, with the Walker-Guardiola row a very rare example of bad blood being aired publicly. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 The woman said on Monday that there was no bad blood between her and Usher, but that her interests in the show lay elsewhere. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 July 2026 Between the franchises’ October clashes, dramatic home runs and lingering bad blood have turned nearly every meeting between the teams into must-watch television. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for bad blood

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bad blood

Noun

Hatred toward minorities is not new in America, but the recent surge in hostility aimed at Indian Americans is staggering.

— Raja Krishnamoorthi, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Riyadh said the discussions were aimed at keeping diplomatic channels open and preventing another escalation in hostilities.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of hostility

Noun

The rioters waved the Confederate flag, a clear symbol of racist hatred.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
At least one person was killed and four people were injured in a shooting near Paris that may have been motivated by Islamophobic hatred, French officials say.

— Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of hatred

Noun

The salmoriglio, a Calabrian condiment with garlic and herbs similar to chimichurri, features dandelion greens, their bitterness a counter to some of the sweetness.

— Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
The amateur is freed from the pressures of exhibition and sale, but that might just as easily breed bitterness as happiness.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of bitterness

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bad

bad blood

baddie

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“Bad blood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bad%20blood. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of bad blood

noun

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