rancor
Americannoun
Related Words
See malevolence.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of rancor
1175–1225; Middle English rancour, from Middle French, from Late Latin rancōr- (stem of rancor ) “rancidity,” equivalent to Latin ranc(ēre) ( see rancid) + -ōr- -or 1
Explanation
The word rancor is best when you're not just talking about anger, you're talking about a deep, twisted bitter type of anger in your heart. The open rancor in political discussion prevents cooperation between political parties. The most helpful way to remember rancor with all its dark, miserable bitterness is to think of how rancor rhymes with canker, as in canker sore, the horrible painful burning on your lip. Or, you might want to remind yourself that rancor has its roots in the word rancid meaning "rotten." Rancor refers particularly to the sort of ill-will associated with resentment, envy, slow-brewing anger, and a very personal sort of hatred.
Vocabulary lists containing rancor
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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Romeo and Juliet
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Grade 11, List 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But the consistent tone of “Big Mistakes” is rancor.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
You have two choices after that: Mention it in a review — factually and without rancor — or contact the Airbnb Resolution Center.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026
Some supporters of Ken Paxton think that rancor is more important.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026
Now he views the world and the people around him with “much more compassion and understanding. I have no more time for rancor and bitterness — they’re like a cancer.”
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2025
“In that case, you have us over a barrel—” said Colonel Kom without rancor.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
